Disciples of Christ

[SeekerOfChrist94]

SeekerOfChrist,

If you're looking for a church denomination that doesn't rely on 'hellfire and brimstone' teaching, and that offers some modest allowance as to how we each individually interpret the Bible for ourselves, then probably the 'Disciples of Christ' branch of the Restorationist type churches will be fine for you.

Personally, I prefer the conservative Christian Church/Church of Christ (instrumental)... but, that's me. And I'll probably never be a part of the Church of Christ (non-instrumental) since they are sometimes too strict and doctrinaire in their interpretive capacities.

Best Wishes,
2PhiloVoid

I've been trying to find an instrumental CoC in my area, but no such luck.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I've been trying to find an instrumental CoC in my area, but no such luck.

Sometimes they're not common. Restorationist churches, in general, are not as spread out or as big across the U.S. as are, say, Methodists or Southern Baptists. It's just how it is sometimes.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I've been trying to find an instrumental CoC in my area, but no such luck.

Also, keep in mind that, generally, if you live in the Northern states of the U.S., then the Christian Church and Church of Christ (instrumental vs. non-instrumental are reversed). Don't ask me why, but it is something that a couple of my pastors once told me.

So, if you live more or less within the 'Southern' States, then you'll find:

Christian Churches (instrumental)
Church of Christ (non-instrumental)

But, if you live more or less in the 'Northern' States, then you'll find:

Christian Churches (non-instrumental)
Church of Christ (instrumental)

So, the Christian Church and Church of Christ (instrumental) are basically the same thing but you'll find one in the North and one in the South. Weird, I know.

 

[A3M0N]

If you're looking for a church denomination that doesn't rely on 'hellfire and brimstone' teaching...

First everyone Church of Christ is "ultra-conservative", now if we're not Disciples of Christ we rely on "hellfire and brimstone"? Come on dude, that is not the way it is. I understand that you may have had some experiences with that kind of preacher/congregation, but we have to teach on unpopular topics sometimes, we can't always preach happiness and rainbows.

Personally, I prefer the conservative Christian Church/Church of Christ (instrumental)... but, that's me. And I'll probably never be a part of the Church of Christ (non-instrumental) since they are sometimes too strict and doctrinaire in their interpretive capacities.

Too strict? In what specifically?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

First everyone Church of Christ is "ultra-conservative", now if we're not Disciples of Christ we rely on "hellfire and brimstone"? Come on dude, that is not the way it is. I understand that you may have had some experiences with that kind of preacher/congregation, but we have to teach on unpopular topics sometimes, we can't always preach happiness and rainbows.

Too strict? In what specifically?

In the statements I made in my previous post, there's a little word in there that is easy to miss. And that word is "sometimes."

I'm not attempting to fault Churches of Christ/Christian Churches/"non-instrumental" straight across the board. I imagine there are some good ones. But, there are a few non-instrumental churches out there that teach that unless you're in their specific 'branch,' you're not under God's fullest blessing, or something similar, which I think is a bunch of "hooey." And this isn't to say that occasionally there aren't individuals in the 'instrumental' churches who also tend to ruin it for everyone else, too. So, it isn't preaching on Hell or destruction that bothers me. Rather, it's a church that fails to claim that "we are Christians only, but we aren't the only Christians."

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[Thedictator]

I was a member of the DOC as a child into my college years I left officially in 1987. When they changed there statement of faith from "Christ is the only to heaven" to "Christ is one of the ways to heaven". They are very Liberal, one of the ministers there where I was did not believe in God or the Bible but liked the social work of the church and had a social and political agenda.

 

[Leboman]

I was a member of the DOC as a child into my college years I left officially in 1987. When they changed there statement of faith from "Christ is the only to heaven" to "Christ is one of the ways to heaven". They are very Liberal, one of the ministers there where I was did not believe in God or the Bible but liked the social work of the church and had a social and political agenda.

Could you provide a link to that because I have never seen or heard it.

 

[Thedictator]

I do not know, I have nothing to do with the DOC since I left in the 80's. They could have changed it back for all know there was a big fall out over it.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Just what is your definition of Ultra-Conservative?

I think you'll find that however 'ultra' one might go with a definition, there will always be scope for someone else to emerge who is even more 'ultra'...