We are to call out and judge false teachers.

[The Liturgist]

Isn't "properly catechized" the same as instructed in a particular denomination's interpretation of the God's truth? I was "properly catechized" by a Pentecostal pastor -- until I learned the truth from the Bible. From then on, that has been my source of truth, not someone else's idea of the "truth".

Nuda Scriptura does not work, which is evinced by the fact that none of the Protestant Reformers subscribed to it. The Bible was written by the Christian Church for consumption in that Church. Just because you experienced disillusionment in a church of one denomination, does not disqualify all other denominations. And indeed, until the fifth century, there were no denominations, because no enduring schisms existed; the only schisms persisting are those between the four ancient churches and between the Roman church and the Protestants, and of the Protestants, the Moravians came about due to a desire to return to Eastern Orthodoxy after they were forcibly converted to Latin Rite Catholicism when Prague and Moravia were conquered by the Archduchy of Austria. And the schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and Oriental Orthodoxy is in the process of healing, as is the schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and the Assyrians, and the possible for reunion between the Orthodox, traditional Catholics and traditional Protestants such as the Continuing Anglicans and the Lutheran Evangelical Catholics has become apparent.

Unfortunately the unions of Protestant churches in Canada and Australia have not been successful at bringing unity overall. However, this is driven in part by the extremist theology that has taken over these churches, especially the United Church of Canada, which has an atheist pastor, among other severe problems.

The actual unification of denominations seems less important than doctrinal unity. And all Christian churches agree on the doctrine contained in the Nicene Creed, and promoting the recital of this and other creeds, and creedal hymns, for instance, Ho Monogenes, Quincunque Vult, the Apostle’s Creed, Te Deum Laudamus, and Haw Nurone, will promote unity. I really love the ChristianForums.com Statement of Faith because it defines the essentials of Christian belief while accommodating the diversity that presently exists and creating a space for ecumenical dialogue between Christians of different beliefs.

 

[timothyu]

Institutional Christianity became a false teacher the moment it was formed. In doing so, it became like any other institution or government where power and control (according to mankind's thinking) must be maintained over the followers in order to rule, thrive and prosper. Some sects even chose to borrow the king/caesar concept to maintain power, even over the authorities within the institutions themselves. A paranoid and fragile system build upon the secular, not of God.

On the other hand, in the beginning there was The Way, a Christian movement where the members did as Jesus commanded, putting the will of the Father first, which was to love all as self. They treated each other as equals and cared for each other (even enemies) when need arose. Each group had an elder, but unlike the leaders of institutional Christianity they did not seek power or to form a government over the communities, but acted more as judges, having no personal gain as a result of their duties. Their authority, CEO, controlling shareholder or whatever was simply God.

However the power of the Adversary was and is strong in man and the beginnings of Corporatism soon overtook The Way, making it over in man's image. It eventually fell under Gentile influence to the adversarial god of Corporatism and rejected the Kingdom to rejoin the world of man as a partner in secular styled rule. It gave us the false teachers and teachings we have today where, rather than supporting each other, is has become more a case of allegiance to a government which itself can be lobbied for gain of some sort just like it's secular brethren.

Call this a call out.