Why has Christianity...

[CftxP]

become a full-grown religion with so many practices that try to fill us up? I thought that religion is a belief system that believes that you have to work for your salvation? But didn't Jesus say that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation and that only through His blood can we receive it? I'm concerned because there are so many flaws in every denomination of Christianity and each has become its own religion. Is there a right denomination that has all of God's moral values? And how can the church that Jesus created be restored? Should I even be asking this?

 

[mont974x4]

What do these verses tell us about religion from a biblical perspective/definition?

nasb
Col 2:23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.



Jas 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.
Jas 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.



I don't think any denomination can claim infallibility or to fully present the whole truth. This is why we are told to study for ourselves...

nasb
2Ti 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.


and test the spirits

nasb
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
1Jn 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.



Don't hung up so much on denominations, but see what local churches are teaching. Remember that no church is perfect, as long as it has people in it. Study to know what is essential to agree on so you can stand for His Truth and show grace in non-essential areas.

 

[Aibrean]

I wouldn't say Christianity I would say liberal contemporalism..."feel-good" services that distort scripture for their own happiness.

From Galatians...

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

 

[sunlover1]

become a full-grown religion with so many practices that try to fill us up? I thought that religion is a belief system that believes that you have to work for your salvation? But didn't Jesus say that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation and that only through His blood can we receive it? I'm concerned because there are so many flaws in every denomination of Christianity and each has become its own religion. Is there a right denomination that has all of God's moral values? And how can the church that Jesus created be restored? Should I even be asking this?

Come out of her

I wouldn't say Christianity I would say liberal contemporalism..."feel-good" services that distort scripture for their own happiness.

From Galatians...

It's most of Christianity.
Whether it's feel good services,
or just the opposite as we have
in my neck of the woods; FIRE
and brimstone ! services,
it's all still 'religion' as compared
to relationship.

Even my church has some things
that arent perfect Cftxp, but I
belong because I was sent there.
And I cant tell you how incredible
it is in that case.
Knowing I'm in His will.

blessings,
sunlover

 

[sunlover1]

This is how systems operate Cftx.
They start out for some good thing,
and then end up existing to defend
the entity itself.
So they end up self serving.
(think government schools)

imo
sunlover

 

[beegy]

become a full-grown religion with so many practices that try to fill us up? I thought that religion is a belief system that believes that you have to work for your salvation? But didn't Jesus say that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation and that only through His blood can we receive it? I'm concerned because there are so many flaws in every denomination of Christianity and each has become its own religion. Is there a right denomination that has all of God's moral values? And how can the church that Jesus created be restored? Should I even be asking this?

Jesus did not create religion, man did that by corrupting the scripture and giving his own interpertation to them and convincing others that his way was the only way..Jesus told us to first seek the kingdom of God..The Kingdom of God is within us..It is the work of the Holy Spirit that will guide and direct us toward the truth..Your relationship with Christ and your love makes youpart of the Church, not the rules of men..

 

[Rick Otto]

Should I even be asking this?

Definitely NOT!
Turn yourself in to (not into) the nearest Religious Authority for an immediate amputation of the appropriate part.

 

[Gareth]

become a full-grown religion with so many practices that try to fill us up? I thought that religion is a belief system that believes that you have to work for your salvation? But didn't Jesus say that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation and that only through His blood can we receive it? I'm concerned because there are so many flaws in every denomination of Christianity and each has become its own religion. Is there a right denomination that has all of God's moral values? And how can the church that Jesus created be restored? Should I even be asking this?

You are correct in part that a lot of religions have things or doctrines that will raise more than an eyebrow or two. Everyone will say that there faith is the right one. But can this be proved?

Is their faith founded on Scripture and only Scripture. Is the Bible the final and only word on a matter of doctrine or belief? Some religions have already fallen at the first hurdle.

God has set a time to judge mankind. Salvation is a serious thing, for we save not just ourselves but also those who listen to us. Yet many so-called "Christians" stay silent and do not even talk to others. So to quote in part Scripture, just " how comely are the feet of those bringing good news, of better things, " if this "good news" is not given? How can a person believe themselves "saved" if they refuse to help others get saved? Just a thought.

 

[Peter]

The Church is Christ's Body, Christ its true Head. The head has promised certain things of His Body.

1. He will lead it into all truth.
2. He will present Her without spot.
3. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

All truth means no error, none.
Without spot means no error, none.

To believe that the Church has fallen into error is to believe that Christ Himself has fallen into error. The Head has never been severed from the Body. The Bride has never "slept" with another bridegroom. Christ has never divorced Himself from His Bride.

Those who believe that the Church has gone into error, need it to in order to justify their belief system. For if the Church never went into error, and they are not part of that Church, then where does that put them?

 

[sunlover1]

The Church is Christ's Body, Christ its true Head. The head has promised certain things of His Body.

1. He will lead it into all truth.

And the Holy Spirit is leading us into all
truth but it doesnt say has lead.

12 For now we see through a glass, darklyf;
but then face to face:
now I know in part;
but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity,
these three; but the greatest of these is charity.​

f darkly: Gr. in a riddle

To believe that the Church has fallen into error is to believe that Christ Himself has fallen into error.

Did the early church ever fall into error? Need correction?

Those who believe that the Church has gone into error, need it to in order to justify their belief system.

Or those who believe that the church has
fallen into error have checked the Scriptures
and found those things not to be so?
Studied to show themselves approved,
rightly dividing the Word of God?
Isnt that how the program works?




For if the Church never went into error, and they are not part of that Church, then where does that put them?[/quote]

 

[Secundulus]

Or those who believe that the church has
fallen into error have checked the Scriptures
and found those things not to be so?
Studied to show themselves approved,
rightly dividing the Word of God?
Isnt that how the program works?

That means that every single person is infallable. Since everyone is an infallable interpreter of scripture then they should all agree.

But they don't all agree.

 

[Rick Otto]

Why do they all have to agree?

 

[Secundulus]

Why do they all have to agree?

Because these infallable interpreters have created different religions that use the same name.

For instance, compare the writings of Schlieremacher (father of modern liberal Protestantism) and Calvin.

 

[Rick Otto]

Oh, wait! My Bad.
I completely overlooked that you said,"That means that every single person is infallable."

I'm sorry. I thought this was going to be an intelligent conversation. I'll just step aside, thanks.

 

[sunlover1]

Quote:
Originally Posted by sunlover1
Or those who believe that the church has
fallen into error have checked the Scriptures
and found those things not to be so?
Studied to show themselves approved,
rightly dividing the Word of God?
Isnt that how the program works?

That means that every single person is infallable.

Studying to show yourself approved
has nothing whatsoever to do with
'infallibility".

Since everyone is an infallable interpreter of scripture then they should all agree.

Strawman, everyone ISNT nor do they even claim to
be infallible.
WHY would one need to be infallible to read what
God said?
Timothys' mom, was she infallible?
She taught timothy Scripture.

 

[sunlover1]

But they don't all agree.

And your church agrees with none but itself.
So it's no different.

 

[Secundulus]

Oh, wait! My Bad.
I completely overlooked that you said,"That means that every single person is infallable."

I'm sorry. I thought this was going to be an intelligent conversation. I'll just step aside, thanks.

So if everyone is not infallable then by what authority do they proclaim that their interpretation of scripture is correct and someone else's is not correct?

 

[Rick Otto]

Who cares by what authority?
Does the difference take bread off my table?
People have a human right to free expression.
Human authority has never been a guarantee of truth,... only truth can validate truth. I speak of the authority of truth itself, as in "We hold these truths to be self-evident..."

Eternal vigilence is the price of freedom, so be vigilant with the scripures for eternal freedom.

 

[Secundulus]

And your church agrees with none but itself.
So it's no different.

Actually, that's not true. My Church has petitioned Rome to reestablish communion after 480 years.

http://www.themessenger.com.au/Video/20070329.htm

 

[Mick116]

become a full-grown religion with so many practices that try to fill us up? I thought that religion is a belief system that believes that you have to work for your salvation? But didn't Jesus say that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation and that only through His blood can we receive it? I'm concerned because there are so many flaws in every denomination of Christianity and each has become its own religion. Is there a right denomination that has all of God's moral values? And how can the church that Jesus created be restored? Should I even be asking this?

People will not be able to say, "there is the kingdom of God", or "here it is", for the kingdom of God is within. Similarly, the spirit is like a wind, blowing where it wills, both within and without denominational structures.

That said, there is a Church that Christ founded, the Body of Christ, the community where the scriptures are faithfully read and interpreted, and his sacraments faithfully celebrated. Do not try to determine the boundaries of this community; only God can do this. As someone once said, "we can know where the Church is; we cannot know where the Church is not".

We should seek to follow Christ as we are best able, within are own church tradition. As we from all our diversity of churches, communions and denominations attempt this - to seek the centre, so to speak - we will find ourselves being drawn closer to Christ, and therefore to one another.