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I used to belong to a Baptist church too, before my charismatic one. I did like the people and the fellowship. And I am glad that some of the people in those kinds of churches find it helpful.
But I no longer can appreciate it. It seems wrong to think that so many people in the world are excluded from God, simply because they don't believe the way Baptists do. People of other religions who reject the Baptist's message are not "saved" or accepted by God, simply because they don't accept that interpretation. I can never walk into another Baptist church again for that reason. No matter how friendly the people are. They have no clue what type of hateful message they are sending to outsiders. Sorry if this drifts away from the mood but I don't know how else to think about my old church.
I used to belong to a Baptist church too, before my charismatic one. I did like the people and the fellowship. And I am glad that some of the people in those kinds of churches find it helpful.
But I no longer can appreciate it. It seems wrong to think that so many people in the world are excluded from God, simply because they don't believe the way Baptists do. People of other religions who reject the Baptist's message are not "saved" or accepted by God, simply because they don't accept that interpretation. I can never walk into another Baptist church again for that reason. No matter how friendly the people are. They have no clue what type of hateful message they are sending to outsiders. Sorry if this drifts away from the mood but I don't know how else to think about my old church.
OzzyRules, you might be glad to know not all Baptist churches are like that. We believe anyone who follows Jesus is our brother/sister in Christ. Our doors are open to anyone who wants to be there.
OzzyRules, you might be glad to know not all Baptist churches are like that. We believe anyone who follows Jesus is our brother/sister in Christ. Our doors are open to anyone who wants to be there.
But what do you mean by "follow Jesus"? Many people think that following his command to love others is just that. But I get the feeling that Baptists think you have to have some kind of divine communion with the Trinity.
What if a person rejects the Trinity but still believes in the teachings of Jesus?
But what do you mean by "follow Jesus"? Many people think that following his command to love others is just that. But I get the feeling that Baptists think you have to have some kind of divine communion with the Trinity.
What if a person rejects the Trinity but still believes in the teachings of Jesus?
Here's what I mean.
Romans 10:9
9 If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
9 If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Following what Jesus said to do is one thing. However...
I believe that God can raise a person from the dead. But just because a book claims that it happens is not proof that it did. It's extremely offensive and even obnoxious for a church doctrine to say that I can only be saved by God if I believe one instance out of many other religions with similar things happening. No one should have to believe such a thing, and personally, I don't see how anyone can. Their minds might convince them, but I don't think people really believe it in their hearts.
Following what Jesus said to do is one thing. However...
I believe that God can raise a person from the dead. But just because a book claims that it happens is not proof that it did. It's extremely offensive and even obnoxious for a church doctrine to say that I can only be saved by God if I believe one instance out of many other religions with similar things happening. No one should have to believe such a thing, and personally, I don't see how anyone can. Their minds might convince them, but I don't think people really believe it in their hearts.
That's fine, but that's what Christianity believes. Church membership is optional.
That's fine, but that's what Christianity believes. Church membership is optional.
People are getting a lot of good out of church, even in the way of spiritual things and being around encouraging people. I would consider attending some events.
But I could never give money that contributes towards their spreading a message I don't believe in. While they are helping people in some ways, at the same time they are also doing harm psychologically to the same people with their message of God's judgement regarding their church creeds, judgement against people not believing the correct things. So I can't find a good reason to even attend because it means I would be supporting and encouraging that.
People are getting a lot of good out of church, even in the way of spiritual things and being around encouraging people. I would consider attending some events.
But I could never give money that contributes towards their spreading a message I don't believe in. While they are helping people in some ways, at the same time they are also doing harm psychologically to the same people with their message of God's judgement regarding their church creeds, judgement against people not believing the correct things. So I can't find a good reason to even attend because it means I would be supporting and encouraging that.
Fair enough. I would encourage you to focus on Jesus and His words.
That is good advice. I will do exactly that. (This thread has been helpful to me, sincerely.)
Excellent...I don't mean to take you to task, but the intent of the thread is for people to share why they come to a particular church, accentuating the positive.
On to your issue. I think that it's important to realize that churches, all churches, are human institutions that imperfectly perform God's mission in the world. And yet the large majority go about their work sincerely, honestly, and quietly. So if you really do feel that your church is corrupt in its leadership and how it goes about its business, then it's time to move on.
Mind you, as a human institution, any church will have its issues. Members who gossip. Members who allow petty disagreements to get in the way of the larger mission. Members who are just stubborn and pigheaded. I think this phenomenon is particularly found in non-denominationals, chiefly because the church leadership is answerable to no one at all. Even the best-intentioned can lose their way, you know.
But that is not an excuse to not participate. Those who use the tired cop-outs such as, "Well, I stopped going to church because I'm spiritual, not religious" or "I just was disappointed by the leadership of every church I attended" ignore the fact that Christ continued to frequent synagogues despite His manifest problems with the religious leadership of the day. When Christ said, "When two or more are gathered in my name, I am among them," He is endorsing corporate worship. So voluntarily absenting oneself from church, then, is really to not worship at all. We exercise our faith in concert with others, not in our own private Idaho.
So my thought to you is to find a church that really fulfills a sense of trusting community while holding true to your theological beliefs.
Last edited by cpg35223; 10-01-2014 at 08:07 AM..
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