Form over Function?

I often time struggle with a very similar statement within Christian circles that normally goes something like "we are all worshiping the same God anyhow". I tend to be on the more skeptical and slow to agree until I have had time to discuss what God the person actually believes in.

So, what and how many different things does the statement "It's a different type of Church, but they teach the same stuff really..." mean? Pretty much infinite.

Mormons "teach the same stuff really..."; if by the same stuff you mean there is a God, Jesus lived on earth, we are Sinners, and in general we should be good people. In fact the Mormon church has invested the last couple decades, with surprising success, to try and emulate Christianity and in turn they are more approachable because they aren't viewed as a cult. Skepticism without a further understanding of the matter is definitely warranted.

In reply to the original statement, my immediate response would be "Well then, what do they 'teach'?". Followed by the question that is begging to be asked, "Where are they putting their emphasis that makes them a 'different type of Church'? ". Granted, I will be the first to admit flaws, and the extensive room for improvement, in the average Christian church. So the second question would not be a rebuttal, or implying their way is wrong and my way is right, merely out of curiosity.

Other questions I would have:

Are they glorifying God in a pure manner?
Are they sparking a deeper desire to know and understand God?
Are they more effectively conveying the true Gospel to their culture?
Are they worshiping God more genuinely?
Are they teaching their members more effectively?
Are they serving in a way that other churches have glossed over?
Are they fostering a more intimate relationship with God?

If "yes" to any of those questions, I would be very intrigued to hear more! If "no", then what are their grounds for being "different"?

Being raised in a very liturgical and traditional church, in many senses, I have bounced back further in the opposite direction. This is one of them. I feel that we should not be limited by the form in which we worship and glorify God, as long as the one true God is indeed at the center of the worship. If a body of believers is gathered and pursuing their Fathers heart with a firm foundation in the Bible, and having discussed this with them and seen their belief demonstrated by their actions, I would have a hard time criticizing them purely on the basis of being a "different type" of Church.

David Knepprath

Overheard Conversation While Working...

"It's a different type of Church, but they teach the same stuff really..."

What and how many different things could that possibly mean to you ?

-Aquila

Struggling Through Sin

You are NOT alone in your struggle to not do the things you do event though you don't want to do them. :)

Romans 8: What I find most convicting, and really, what breaks me (Which is necessary, I am finding, in my walk with Christ. We must be aware that we are broken.) into a realization that my need for forgiveness, and a desire to be pure, is knowing verse 9 and fighting to become that man filled with the Spirit.

As I think through this topic a few books jump into my mind: Screwtape Letters, Lord Foulgrins Letters, and Purity Principle.

I highly recommend you read Screwtape Letters (I think you will find me referring C.S. Lewis quite liberally), if you have not already, as soon as possible! The first two books really opened my eyes to the ongoing battle raging within us. Although in my opinion, viewing it this way, it is tempting to turn it into a challenge of self strength. "Am I?" or even "I am!" strong enough to win this battle. But it is in our very nature to always fall on our face, on our own accord. Find, pray, and search for the strength of Christ to overcome your temptations.

I pray that you can find comfort in this piece of scripture. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.

God Bless you and your fight!

David Knepprath

Struggling With Sin

Romans 7: 7-25 pretty much tells us, that when the law is introduced to us, thats when sin is born. Without law, sin does not exist. Law makes in, because without the good, there is no bad. There has always been that equal co existance between that good. But what happends when sin takes over ? And the corruption takes hold with deep roots...wraps around your heart, and will not budge ? Romans 7: 7-25 also makes it clear, that when we don't want to do sin, but we do it, and when we want to do what is right, we don't do it, it is because of the sin within us. So then should we let go ? Because our mind is in the right place, but our body still wants to do the wrong ? Ofcourse, "by all means no !"

Of course Paul goes on in the book of Romans to chapter 8, "Life through the spirit." Romans 8: 2 says, "because through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death."

And so ofcourse, as long as Christ is in our hearts, sin can take no hold. As long as God's words echo in the our hearts and minds, and shine the midst of our meditation, sin has no control.

But how to go about acheiving that ? What is the sin has taken so much of control, that sometimes, what you know is wrong, and you want to stop, but you can't, and you just have to sit there and watch yourself do the wrong things. Its as if you have no control...What. So. Ever.

DK, Im going to be perfectly honest with you. This is a topic for discussion, but also a topic that I struggle with myself IMENSLY ! I know others do too. But with me, its 10 times worse. I mean, serisouly, I have 2 personalities. Depending on the objective of this personality, thats what depends if its evil or not. I mean, that second personality, just does things, I sometimes really can't stop it. Whether this be little wrong things, or being absolutely pissed ! I mean, it doesn't talk, it just has an objective that no one can stop, unless of course someone manages to snap me out of it. Mainly very good friends of mine.

Now.

What if sin has taken hold that strong, what to do ? Now personally, I am kinda of glad, that the second personality is there, because of that fact, that there is some thing that just happen, that I would not let pass, and want it brought to justice. But sometimes, what goes through my mind, is just not what a man of Christ should be thinking about. Hence sometimes I say, " I am who I am, someone has to be." What happens when sin is embedded into you this strong ? I understand that Christ is the only way. But God also helps people that want to be helped.

This doesn't mean, that just because God will help us, in our time of need, that when something is happening, that we should completely stay still, and not make an iota of a move, because God will take care of it. No. We do what we think is necessary, using the common sense that God has provided us, and God will work in us. Actions do speak louder then words, because of the fact, God works in us through action. But what to do when you have no control, and you want to show God, that you want to be helped ?