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I am having a hard time choosing church. Or more accurately, choosing denomination.
I know most people in church are born into them and are not choosing at all, but that is not the situation for me. I am a 25-year old Swedish guy currently living in Australia. My parents are former socialists from Yugoslavia (re-located to Sweden during the civil wars in the 1990s). When I was in my mid-teens I become a hardcore Socialist and anti-Christian. I really despised all my friends who were going to confirmation in the state Lutheran Church in Sweden and I saw it all as a big fraud. However, when I was 17 yo a series of events led to me finding faith. I had a hard time accepting this for myself, but I slowly started exploring different Christian denominations.
My political and personal views also changed dramatically and when I was 20 yo I had become a conservative. I started out by exploring the Quakers (weird I know, but they were the “least Christian church”). Later on, I moved to the Lutheran and then the Roman Catholic Church. During this time, I really embraced my southern European heritage and became a Christian democrat (where I’m still at). I really wanted to join the Catholic church but the process (6-18 months) scared me away.
I continued to explore Christianity and found Methodism. I found that my personal views very much were the same as most of Methodist theology. However, there is basically no Methodist Church in Sweden. Anyhow, I found a small group belonging to the worldwide United Methodist Church
and I joined their bible studies group. I got myself baptised and I was happy. However, I was missing the high church setting of the Lutheran or Catholic church.
That was when I found the Anglican church. Upon moving to Australia, I joined an Anglican Church and it seemed to have it all (combining most of Methodist theology with tradition, culture and high church settings).
But, as it is, all so called mainline protestant denominations are quickly falling and I found myself in a church of past days. No young people. Furthermore, most mainline protestant churches have also become way too liberal and compromised too much of its theology in order to stay “modern”. So, I got interested in the Catholic church again.
I agree much more with Methodist theology than Catholic theology (although the for me important “do good to receive salvation” thing is in both churches), I like the history and setting of the Anglican Church and I like the culture (southern European) and tradition of the Catholic church.
I am unsure if I should stay in the Anglican Church (sinking ship?) or join the Catholic in order to find other young Christians although my views are not 100 % there?
I see theology as something written down in their official book (whatever church), sitting on a shelf. It's there if anyone wants to take the book down and read it. But most people in the church probably don't care about it. Even when they pray certain things, you can look at it as symbolizing something, rather than literal if you choose. Because even to the hardcore church believers, the thing they believe in could represent something else. Such as an aspect or characteristic of God.
I see theology as something written down in their official book (whatever church), sitting on a shelf. It's there if anyone wants to take the book down and read it. But most people in the church probably don't care about it. Even when they pray certain things, you can look at it as symbolizing something, rather than literal if you choose. Because even to the hardcore church believers, the thing they believe in could represent something else. Such as an aspect or characteristic of God.
So, you think that culture is more important? What about my case?
I don’t believe in purgatory, papal inability, unmarried clergy. But I do like their view on salvation and good deeds. I’m also very much intrigued by the culture surrounding many catholic countries and their peoples. The Anglican church gives me most answers but is dying. What to do?
I can't imagine what it would be like to search for a church in Sweden since they are supposedly the least religious nation in the Western world.
"Almost eight out of ten Swedes are either "not religious" or "convinced atheists", according to a new global study that concludes the Nordic nation is the least religious in the West." https://www.thelocal.se/20150413/swe...-western-world
You would think America would be a very righteous nation since we have a church on every corner, but sadly, we have mass shootings weekly and a lot of problems with drug addiction, schools falling apart, homeless population exploding, terribly high rent and the most expensive health care system on earth. America is drowning in greed and a lot of futile religious groups, fake piety, hatred, etc.
So, you think that culture is more important? What about my case?
I don’t believe in purgatory, papal inability, unmarried clergy. But I do like their view on salvation and good deeds. I’m also very much intrigued by the culture surrounding many catholic countries and their peoples. The Anglican church gives me most answers but is dying. What to do?
What type of Anglican church is it? Or is it Episcopalian?
Also, I'm not clear on why you would not also consider the United Methodist.
I am having a hard time choosing church. Or more accurately, choosing denomination.
I know most people in church are born into them and are not choosing at all, but that is not the situation for me. I am a 25-year old Swedish guy currently living in Australia. My parents are former socialists from Yugoslavia (re-located to Sweden during the civil wars in the 1990s). When I was in my mid-teens I become a hardcore Socialist and anti-Christian. I really despised all my friends who were going to confirmation in the state Lutheran Church in Sweden and I saw it all as a big fraud. However, when I was 17 yo a series of events led to me finding faith. I had a hard time accepting this for myself, but I slowly started exploring different Christian denominations.
My political and personal views also changed dramatically and when I was 20 yo I had become a conservative. I started out by exploring the Quakers (weird I know, but they were the “least Christian church”). Later on, I moved to the Lutheran and then the Roman Catholic Church. During this time, I really embraced my southern European heritage and became a Christian democrat (where I’m still at). I really wanted to join the Catholic church but the process (6-18 months) scared me away.
I continued to explore Christianity and found Methodism. I found that my personal views very much were the same as most of Methodist theology. However, there is basically no Methodist Church in Sweden. Anyhow, I found a small group belonging to the worldwide United Methodist Church
and I joined their bible studies group. I got myself baptised and I was happy. However, I was missing the high church setting of the Lutheran or Catholic church.
That was when I found the Anglican church. Upon moving to Australia, I joined an Anglican Church and it seemed to have it all (combining most of Methodist theology with tradition, culture and high church settings).
But, as it is, all so called mainline protestant denominations are quickly falling and I found myself in a church of past days. No young people. Furthermore, most mainline protestant churches have also become way too liberal and compromised too much of its theology in order to stay “modern”. So, I got interested in the Catholic church again.
I agree much more with Methodist theology than Catholic theology (although the for me important “do good to receive salvation” thing is in both churches), I like the history and setting of the Anglican Church and I like the culture (southern European) and tradition of the Catholic church.
I am unsure if I should stay in the Anglican Church (sinking ship?) or join the Catholic in order to find other young Christians although my views are not 100 % there?
On what basis do you choose your church?
There are two ways upon which one may justify religious conviction; Law or philosophy.
The classic example of a religion based upon Law is Judaism.
In the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) there are 613 laws Jews are meant to observe. Many are not observed today for a number of reasons I won't get into at this time, but many are still observed such as dietary and ceremonial laws and custom. The religion of Judaism is based upon Law.
The classic example of a religion based upon philosophy is Christianity.
Christianity is a cult variation of Judaism and grew apart from its Jewish roots early in its history. This separation is due to anti-semitism which continues to this day. If something smells of Jew, Christians reject it.(*) Because it deliberately severed itself from its root in Jewish Law, the fathers of Christianity turned to Greek philosophy.
Christian dependence upon Greek philosophy continues to this day, but this dependence upon human ideology frequently collapses due to incoherent reference to current culture. In other words, it becomes irrelevant every ten to fifteen years. The onus for correcting the philosophical gap between the gospel presentation and cultural values must be redefined every ten to fifteen years. In other words, preachers must invent a new SALES PITCH every decade or so.
In common liturgical parlance the process is called, "making the gospel relevant to society". It's a mid-course correction of religious philosophy that remains Greek in origin despite twists and turns applied to changing societal values and practices.
Methodism is a good example of a self-destructive philosophical ideology.
Originally developed by John Wesley, the word methodist comes from the METHOD of applying this philosophy to daily life. Unfortunately it remains based upon Greek philosophy NOT Biblical principle - NOT Biblical Law.
Current debate about inclusion of certain life styles in the organization and METHOD of Methodism is philosophical in nature.
The argument arises when some Methodists depart from their philosophy and attempt to embrace Law, which is contrary to the traditional Christian ideology based on Greek philosophy. Some Methodists wish to continue in adaptive philosophy, while others struggle to embrace Law - of which they are ignorant but in which they sense a basis for true religion. The argument will continue until the church destroys itself by means of philosophical dilution into total irrelevancy.
All across the land churches are busily embracing what is called Replacement Theology. This anti-semitic ideology suggests anything that stinks of Jew or Jew Law should be flushed into the sewer and replaced by changeable Christian philosophy.
The Law (Torah) of God does not change. Jesus said one should build one's house (life) on something that should not change. (Matthew 7:26)
The philosophy of the church does change. It changes every ten to fifteen years. Jesus said one ought not build a life on such unfirm foundations.
If the reader is looking for a church, then one that doesn't base its ideology on philosophy is best. One that is based upon the unchanging Law of Moses can be stable. Be advised I am NOT suggesting in any way that adherence to a set of rules will be sufficient to justify a person in the eyes of God. Only the blood of Christ can do that - and THAT is according to Jewish Law. A church that teaches Old Testament is best, but a rare bird in America. One ought to know the basis for one's salvation and religion and that simply isn't going to happen in most Christian churches.
I am a Messianic Jew and I have selected a synagogue that believes Jesus (Yeshuah) is God - that He suffered and died upon the cross for my sins and rose again to life to demonstrate His divine authority over the grave - and His ability to grant eternal life to those who follow Him.
that's me, hollering from the choir loft...
(*) Throughout history it has been Christians, not Muslims, who have been the greatest persecutor of Jews and the Jewish faith.
Last edited by Choir Loft; 03-11-2019 at 07:06 AM..
For myself, ARCHITECTURE would be first and last. The age and appearance of the building is most important to me. But that was not one of the choices, so I am going to go find Shirina and curl up next to her.
jimmiej's response directly above though is ideal and smart. That puts God in control and let's him help, since he knows way more than us anyway.
Deciding on theology, history, or culture is nearly all man-based. Going down those paths gets the search off to a lousy start. To those criteria you could easily add choosing a church based on image, status, racial demographics, political leanings, etc.
Keep it simple, drop the human trappings, and let God be in control.
Jimmie has a great point.....then search for truth and a bible believing group. Good works, water baptism, or belonging to a denomination do NOTHING for your salvation. Salvation is your faith and Jesus working things out. First believe and be saved then look....90% of what you see out there is baloney......
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For myself, ARCHITECTURE would be first and last. The age and appearance of the building is most important to me. But that was not one of the choices, so I am going to go find Shirina and curl up next to her.
