Denominational division

Yeah; it poses a real challenge.

I try to step up and resist the carnal urge to divide.

From all indications, you do not. You essentially say `They are tempting me so much that it is their fault that I do what Scripture prohibits, but I am okay, because it is their fault for tempting me.'

 

Huh?

You do not know what I do or do not do.

I most certainly do not divide from a group just because it does not do things how I think it ought to according to my best understanding of Scripture.

If I did that, I would be dividing against every other Christian alive.

If I did that, eventually I would be able to assemble with no one; I would do as Hebrews 10:24-5 says not to do.

I understand your ways of thinking about agreement/disagreement and unity/division. I once had them myself.

I learned and repented.

 

If we are Christians, for as long as the error remains undetected.

If a person
a) lives as a follower of Jesus Christ, and
b) exalts Him and His work as Scripture tells us to,
but holds a mistaken notion, then I assume s/he is not fully aware of the mistake. After all, based on the above, we can be pretty sure that if s/he was fully aware of the mistake, s/he would reject the notion.

In contrast, it seems like if you cannot convince that Christian to change views, you promptly pass judgment that s/he is a willful rebel against Jesus Christ.

 

Every Bible-based, Spirit-filled, and Christ-centered denomination is the one Body of Christ.

 

Typical church of Christer.

What are you doing on this board among all these unsaved folks? Are you trying to get us saved?

 

Took what serious?

Did he take the problem he was writing about serious, or what a lot of people wish he was talking about serious?

What he was talking about: a bunch of non-Christians teaching that Jesus Christ's death did not change anything. Yeah; that is serious.

What he is not talking about: piddly disagreements that do not genuinely amount to anything except when our groups are together.

 

Yes, all believers in the various denominations fit John 17:21.

 

Modern Denominational division was caused by the Reformation???

 

Written to JSM17

JMS17: Please try to answer the questions.

A lot of people get tired of Church of Christ self-righteousness at some point. I have a hard time putting up with you myself.

Now, you were asked two questions. I would like to see your answer for these.

JSM17: you have been downright obnoxious on this board.

TCGreek is not to be blamed for losing patience with you.

You called on him to provide Scripture which essentially teaches that all Christians are in the same one church. That is a no-brainer.

What is amazing to me and numerous other people is how so many Church of Christ people can insist that not all followers of Jesus Christ are Christians. THAT is where Scripture needs to be provided.

Before you lecture us about making sure we have Scripture to throw in front of you to substantiate that we really, really do get our views from Scripture, maybe you ought to remember that you do not have Scripture for all your views.

Church of Christ congregations normally represent something much worse than a "denomination" -- often, they represent a faction.

A faction is a group of people that exists in rivalry against persons not in their group.

Denominations are not necessarily factions. Many are not. Many are doing their part for John 17:20-1 by serving the Lord in cooperation.

It would be nice if more in the Churches of Christ would join much of the larger church -- rather than work in active opposition to John 17:20-1.

 

Ahem.

The honest reader will recognize that you have made a word change to alter my position.

I said "What he was talking about" and you wrote "Paul was not talking to" in order to dispute me.

I get to change my position if I change my mind; you do not get to `adapt' my position to make your argument seem more valid.

If you care to address what I actually said, rather than do position falsification tactics used in too many Church of Christ circles, that would be cool.

After all, if the truth really was adequate to support your views, such tactics would not be needed.

 

Does John 17 apply to your denomination in the same way that you infer it does not when you answered TCGreek in this manner?

 

Did I claim that I was moderating?

You are darn right I am not a moderator. I have been an Internet discussion board moderator. I gave it up and do not intend to do it again.

I ask people to do things all the time in real life, and people ask me to do things all the time in real life. It does not mean that anyone is asserting some sort of authority. It is no different here.

Please do not base yourself to such wild personal comments when you are asked simple questions.

I asked you to answer TCGreek's questions because I would like to see those questions answered in your own words.

Just because I am not a moderator does not mean that I am not entitled to ask you to answer questions I would like to see your answers to.

 

I've answered your question in comment #70.

The same Scripture you used to deny denominations is the same Scripture I used, when I said that "all believers in the various denominations make up the Body of Christ."

You cannot except this answer because of your typical, traditional church of Christ bent.

The typical, traditional church of Christ believes everyone must become like them. That's their understanding of Jesus' prayer.

So no Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and so on...

You asked for Scripture to justify might statement that "all Bible-based, Spirit-filled, Christ-centered denominations make up the Body of Christ, I give you unequivocally John 17:21.

 

JSM17: I am one of a number of people who have been in the Churches of Christ who have wanted "to just be Christians" and you know what?

It required me to leave the Churches of Christ. To be just a Christian, and still be able to do much more than fill a pew and give up money, I had to move on.

In contrast, I dare say that the reason why many people are in the Churches of Christ is because
a) it encourages them to feel superior, and
b) it allows and fosters carnal urges to be against, against, against.
This does not describe remotely all adherents of the Churches of Christ -- but disproportionately many.