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Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > Theological Q&A > (No Subject)
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0CT0R0K
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2002
Total Posts : 50
| Posted 12/16/2002 4:11 PM (GMT -6) |   | Hello, I'm new here, my name's Derek.
Anywho, I had a question. What is everyone's opinion on sects and denominations in Christianity? I know Paul says in 1 Cor. that there shall be no division in the body of Christ. Does the Bible teach against having a certain denomination to be a part of? I've always heard of the perversion of Christianity is having different beliefs mixed with the truth and God's word. I just started going to a Baptist church, and I enjoy it, because they need my help in the youth group, but I feel almost out of place because they are 'Baptists' ... anyone help me out?
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GregBoyd
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 1818
| Posted 12/16/2002 4:34 PM (GMT -6) | | [Welcome Derek.
In an ideal world, there would be no denominations or sects within Christianity. In the real world, they are inevitable. To some extent, they are understandable and serve a person (e.g. different styles and beliefs fit different people). But they become diabolic when the unity of the faith is lost, when churches refuse to work together for the common cause of the kingdom, and when we use spiritual amunition on one another instead of the common enemy.
If you're blessed where you're ministering, who cares if they are "baptists"? Don't let sterotypes dictate your calling.
In his love
Doc
"In Christ...the ONLY THING that matters is faith energized by love." Galatians 5:6 | | Back to Top | | |
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graygirl
Registered Member
Date Joined Aug 2001
Total Posts : 78
| Posted 12/17/2002 9:14 AM (GMT -6) | | Hi Derek,
I agree with Greg. They weren't suppose to happen. I've been encouraged in recent years to see a movement among believers passionate in seeing unity in the body. It's definetley an area, among others, that the enemy has used to divide and conquer. Denomination should never be held above salvation thru Christ alone - that would be my biggest flag.
Above all, go where he leads you.
peace!
t
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PotOnWheel
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 9890
| Posted 12/17/2002 12:18 PM (GMT -6) | | The LAST thing I want to do here is be a "Polyanna." (To represent everything as fine, or easy.) But let me just shade towards simplistic here for one second.
The early-mentioned model is one-city/one-church (one pastor/bishops/ecclessia per city). Whether easy, or even possible, that can be said to be the norm, and God's will. Then things get messy. One for Mpsl/StP, or two by having one for each city? And what about the suburbs? "Arch-pastors" (called "arch-bishops" and metropolitains, and other names) were just plain invented. They do not have anything to do with what defines a church. They are administrative necessities. (You go to the big city when there are problems to be solved... and when the problems are really huge you call a meeting of pastors/bishops from all over the place.)
God did not invent politics (any more than he invented the 'ball'), but he created the 'potentiality' for politics, administration, and ball-sports.
Denominations are a recent invention. What should we think of them? Insofar as they help with support and administration they seem a fine thing. Insofar as they divide, well, that needs looking into. I was always (innocently) proud that at my LakeValentine college we seemed to look past denominational lines. That was my own felt perception. I don't know how the Lutherans and Catholics there felt. But what I mean to say by way of example, is, that the bigger picture was in front of our eyes. Plenty of people went off to missions agencies of denominations different from what they had grown up in. That seemed a sign of health.
My brother-in-law's diocese is NOT a denomination. Yet, the facts of American realies are that the Orthodox are going to do two things in the near future: cooperate tons, and not mix to a homoginized state any time soon. They know that it is "wrong" to have overlaping administrations. But the ethnic textures make it necessary. And in the modern world you can have a bishop that is the "arch" over several states. The various structures that developed over time, like the elders/presbyters/priests helping with communion, and finally decons playing some role, enable churches to get past the necessities brought on by distance and time.
But EVERYTHING, for all denominaltions, non-s and Orthodox, need to come back down to that one idea, that there is no abstract church ("universal"), only particular churches that are part of the one Body of Christ. Each gathering is 100% a church. All are part of each other. May all the calculator batteries explode. Its not math. Its the reality. Churches are a matter of "Pneumatologically conditioned Christology." (Zizioulas) That means that the Church is a physical, historical reality, marching through time; but ALWAYS it is the presence of the Spirit bringing Christ that makes it the reality of the Body that it is. BOTH. It is not merely charistmatic (a descent of the Spirit); and it is not merely a historical fact (physical, sequetial passing on...). It is Incarnate by the Spirit. Pneumatologically conditioned Christology: physical/historical reality made present by the Spirit who makes it the reality of Chrsit's Body.
Psalm 139 "7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you."
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