Church Chat

Over the past couple of weeks, I have had some pretty heavy discussions with folks regarding religion, the Church, Bible topics and the return of Christ. I really don't know where this post will go so bear with me...

Church Specific Writings

In discussing some of the New Testament books with some of my reunion friends, we started talking about how much of Paul's writing was church specific or cultural. It seems that whenever we talk about women's roles or worship or "the assembly", we tend to pull one or two verses out and say they were meant for us. We sometimes do not analyze the entire text. For instance, in Ephesians where wives are told to submit to husbands, do we read down where slaves are to submit to masters? Does that mean it is okay to have slaves in 2005? Of course not. I know there are many of Paul's teachings that apply today, but are there things we take too literal? We know some of those writings were meant to strengthen those early churches. So how do we use that stuff now?

This is not a new concept to you, I realize. But exactly how many of Paul's writings were really church specific? I started wondering what he would write to the congregation at Highland. Would he call out some teenagers for passing notes or dressing scantily? Would he say something about having Jack and Jill Maxwell drawing during worship? (I hope not!) What would he call us on? It is an interesting thing to think about.

Hellfire and Brimstone

I grew up in a very conservative Church of Christ household. We went to a very conservative church most of my youth. There were many Sundays that I heard that we should not use instrumental music (in fact, I heard someone say "We in the Church of Christ have got it right"...oh dear). I heard "turn or burn" sermons. I was taught the evils of pornography and alcohol. We sang hymns and met at 6:00 on Sunday night (5:00 if your church was really committed)

Many churches in 2005 are a lot different in my opinion. We sing a ton of praise songs (Greatness!). We preach the love of God. We preach missions, justice and compassion. All good. However, in the goodness that is taught do some people miss the daily living guide? Many of you (okay both of you) reading this may take this wrong. I don't want to go back to the "you are sinners and are unworthy" kind of teachings. But is a support group for divorce or alcoholism or porn addiction enough? Do people realize they need help? How can we help them do that?

Accountability groups are a start. But how do you ensure that a huge church like Highland makes everyone accountable? Look, everyone on this earth could be condemned (just ask my great-aunt's church...). Only Jesus was blameless. But why would you be condemned? Doesn't that make the grace of God and Jesus' sacrifice even more perfect? How can we help each other? I know sermons against porn aren't the answer, but how do we make people aware that 40% of the men who sit in church with you next Sunday have viewed internet porn in the last 3 weeks? How can we help?

I sure don't have the answers...I guess you can call that "wrestling" with God.

My Wife's Aunt and Cousins

Jennifer's cousin got divorced a few years ago and married a great guy. Doug is loving, funny, a great dad...everything a girl would want. He is also a very religious man. He just believes something completely different. He has worked on Denee (his wife) and her Mom (my wife's Aunt Earlene) and they believe in this school of thought now too.

You see, Doug is a Pre-Millenialist or Preterist. Preterism is the idea that some or all prophecy has been fulfilled in the generation alive when Jesus preached. In other words, it has been fulfilled in the past. It takes the divine inspiration of the bible seriously and literally. Some people came up with the idea that some of Jesus prophecies were wrong, so, in order to counter these arguments preterists believe that Jesus prophecies were fulfilled in this (His) generation, most notably by the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. They believe sin and the evil one were destroyed at the cross and that we are living in the established kingdom of God.

But the problem in our minds is: if sin was destroyed at the cross, why do I still struggle with it? Yet they have explanations for that. They can explain anything away.

Wow. You talk about hard conversations to have. You see the real problem with talking to them about it is that they believe in many of the same things we do. They use scripture as a reference and their points aren't way, way off (except the obvious). It would be easier talking to a Muslim, because they have no knowledge of the Bible or it's teachings. Jen's family is very knowledgeable. That is why it is so scary.

Why am I telling you this? Just to get you to say a quick prayer for us as we deal with this new challenge. Pray for God to give us patience, understanding and truth. Pray for the deceiver not to get a foothold. Thanks.

Well, that about does it. Not sure what that accomplished, but I just needed to ask some questions. All I know is that God is Good. That is the great and eternal truth...