Isn't Non-denominational Christianity self-contradictory?

[Not David]

I was talking about that with a friend (she got mad). I mean they claim they want to be just like the Church of the New Testament when most of them have their own theology that set them apart from other form of Christianity (even among themselves), specially the Apostolic Churches.

 

[Call me Nic]

I was talking about that with a friend (she got mad). I mean they claim they want to be just like the Church of the New Testament when most of them have their own theology that set them apart from other form of Christianity (even among themselves), specially the Apostolic Churches.

Organized confusion is the motto operandum of the majority of non-dom churches.

 

[Tigger45]

I find non-denominational to be a misnomer. I think independent bible only (nuda scriptura) congregation is more accurate.

 

[tampasteve]

Many, many, though not all, "non-denominational" churches are really denominational churches in disguise. No less than three large churches in my city would appear to be "non-denominational" but are really Methodist, COG, and Baptist. You will not find their denomination in the name, material, or elsewhere, but they are still associated with the main denomination. They are actually churches that have been around for some time, but felt a rebrand was needed to succeed. It is having some limited success with one, and the other two are still stagnant or shrinking - but still large.

 

[Not David]

I find non-denominational to be a misnomer. I think independent bible only (nuda scriptura) congregation is more accurate.

"Bible Only". I'm sure they have tried not specified in the Bible.

 

[Phil 1:21]

I was talking about that with a friend (she got mad). I mean they claim they want to be just like the Church of the New Testament when most of them have their own theology that set them apart from other form of Christianity (even among themselves), specially the Apostolic Churches.

Examples?

 

[dreadnought]

I was talking about that with a friend (she got mad). I mean they claim they want to be just like the Church of the New Testament when most of them have their own theology that set them apart from other form of Christianity (even among themselves), specially the Apostolic Churches.

Some people do get hurt by churches and maybe think leaving the church is the answer. Perhaps others just don't want to bother with going to church and the inherent responsibilities.

 

[Not David]

Examples?

Some of them have an Arminian point of view, others a Calvinist one. Some believe in speaking in tongues, others don't. Some are dispensationalist and support Israel and others don't.
However most of them have Baptist theology about Communion and Baptism or barely have them.

 

[Phil 1:21]

Some of them have an Arminian point of view, others a Calvinist one. Some believe in speaking in tongues, others don't. Some are dispensationalist and support Israel and others don't.
However most of them have Baptist theology about Communion and Baptism or barely have them.

And this differs from denominational Christian churches how?

 

[JackRT]

Many, many, though not all, "non-denominational" churches are really denominational churches in disguise. No less than three large churches in my city would appear to be "non-denominational" but are really Methodist, COG, and Baptist. You will not find their denomination in the name, material, or elsewhere, but they are still associated with the main denomination. They are actually churches that have been around for some time, but felt a rebrand was needed to succeed. It is having some limited success with one, and the other two are still stagnant or shrinking - but still large.

I have seen this for quite some time. Most are not really "non-denominational" but are really "denominational-but-independent". There are also some that are owned lock, stock and barrel by the pastor and have no congregational control at all.

 

[Not David]

And this differs from denominational Christian churches how?

That they are not really non-denominational.

 

[Albion]

I was talking about that with a friend (she got mad). I mean they claim they want to be just like the Church of the New Testament when most of them have their own theology that set them apart from other form of Christianity (even among themselves), specially the Apostolic Churches.

Some of them have an Arminian point of view, others a Calvinist one. Some believe in speaking in tongues, others don't. Some are dispensationalist and support Israel and others don't.

No wonder she got mad.

When you say "Most of them have, etc." it sounds from what you wrote here that you were talking as though her congregation were part of some denomination that you had in mind and which (in your view) doesn't believe what the New Testament church believed.

Just the opposite of what a non-denominational church is, in other words.

To be clear, that isn't to say that her church, an independent congregation, does teach what the New Testament church taught. I have no way of knowing that, just going by the information available to me from this thread.

 

[Tigger45]

"Bible Only". I'm sure they have tried not specified in the Bible.

True, I’ve maintained the argument that ‘bible only’ is also a misnomer due to the fact its impossible for human beings to read, hear, comprehend, decipher information and especially clarify religious doctrines and practices without preimposed paradigms. That’s why I shared the phrase ‘nuda scriptura’ distinguishing it from ‘sola scriptura’ which readily embraces this fact.

 

[Phil 1:21]

That they are not really non-denominational.

So the issue is semantics, not theology?

 

[Not David]

No wonder she got mad.

When you say "Most of them have, etc." it sounds from what you wrote here that you were talking as though her congregation were part of some denomination that you had in mind and which (in your view) doesn't believe what the New Testament church believed.

Just the opposite of what a non-denominational church is, in other words.

To be clear, that isn't to say that her church, an independent congregation, does teach what the New Testament church taught. I have no way of knowing that, just going by the information available to me from this thread.

Seems reasonable. I might try to be friendlier next time.

 

[Not David]

So the issue is semantics, not theology?

Both. Like I said, they claim to have the same teaching of the New Testament but you will see that their theology is more similar to one of other denominations than themselves.

 

[Phil 1:21]

Both. Like I said, they claim to have the same teaching of the New Testament but you will see that their theology is more similar to one of other denominations than themselves.

Can you give us an example of how you feel they are not “of the New Testament?”

 

[Theo Book]

I was talking about that with a friend (she got mad). I mean they claim they want to be just like the Church of the New Testament when most of them have their own theology that set them apart from other form of Christianity (even among themselves), specially the Apostolic Churches.

Division is a Mathematical exercise consisting of an Enumerator and a Denominator. The Enumerator is divided by the Denominator. Denominations are what divides the church. The "de-nom-inator" is a NAME of what is divided (NOM means NAME). The Church is therefore the Denominator in this division of what must not be divided.

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

I most assuredly believe all of the readers are capable of figuring out where the divisions come from that are prevalent among us. SCHOLARS who think they know something you don't know, take charge of teaching us what God really meant to say, but got it mixed up when He gave it to MEN to distribute it to MEN.

 

[BNR32FAN]

I was talking about that with a friend (she got mad). I mean they claim they want to be just like the Church of the New Testament when most of them have their own theology that set them apart from other form of Christianity (even among themselves), specially the Apostolic Churches.

Many nondenominational churches have the same doctrines as the early church without the traditions and rituals. I think most use that term because they don’t want to be categorized as a follower of any particular group they’re goal is to focus on the scriptures regardless of what men have taught. Like Martin Luther and John Calvin for example.

 

[Kaon]

I was talking about that with a friend (she got mad). I mean they claim they want to be just like the Church of the New Testament when most of them have their own theology that set them apart from other form of Christianity (even among themselves), specially the Apostolic Churches.

I am non-denominational because I don't trust any other human on this planet, especially with the trajectory of my soul. Learning from others is no problem, and fellowship is paramount to growth. But, the division that says I am not allowed to read this book, or to interpret that book is what I do not condone.

My Father, and the Redeemer don't need me to be a part of an edifice full of people to receive His instruction and comfort - He has already told us He sent us a Comforter, and the Kingdom is within us. It is my responsibility to correctly divide the Word of the Most High God - I cannot say my pastor led me astray on Judgment day; the Most High God will ask me why I let a human lead me astray.

Also, by definition, denomination is division. Christianity, as it were, is supposed to be about unity.