Worldviews

[dannydaniels]

This is a direct quote from a 44-year-old widow with two young adult children who considers herself non-religious:

" I marked myself as non-religious. This does not mean I don't believe in God. I'm sure there is a higher power up there of some sort BUT I can't stand organized religions and their need to judge you and still ask for your money. Me and God are on a first name basis and I can talk to him anytime I what, it doesn't need to be on Sunday in a building."

Obviously, there are many inconsistencies in what she says and the Word of God. That is not the only issue here the other being is this what the Body of Christ has communicated to some in the world and how did we get to that point of doing so?

[Mike Miller]

Here's the deal. The church consists of sinful people. Sinful people sin. We're not perfect, so no church is perfect.

Now, do we have to go to church on Sunday to talk to God? No, but we don't go to church because we believe that to be the case (she's arguing against a strawman--a belief we Christians don't have). We go because we are part of the body of Christ, and we cannot possibly have the full experience of the Christian life apart from the body. Some ask, "Do I have to go to church to be a Christian?" Nope. Salvation is by grace through faith. But then some ask, "Do I have to go to church to be a good Christian?" Yep. You cannot separate yourself from the body, disobey God's command to meet together, and disrespect the bride of Christ and be much of a Christian. God invented the church, and He loves the church.

Oh, and I always find it interesting that people who don't want to be judged are so judgmental. Isn't your friend passing judgment on the church with her negative words about organized religion? She should be more tolerant.

[dannydaniels]

Everything said here is Biblically correct and if more people understood that the Body of Christ is what we become a part of because of a salvation experience then the more they are spiritually aware of what a relationship with God is all about. We join a local body of believers because the Bible instructs us to do so. In Baptist circles the congregation that baptizes one usually is the first local expression of the Body of Christ that a new believer affiliates with but that does not have to be so. Baptist generally also require baptism by immersion by them or some other congregation of believers as a requirement for membership in their local congregation which is also Biblically correct. Now, none of this, though, addressed this person's lack of understanding. All she is going by is what is directly in front of her face and that is limited indeed. Of course her immediate need is a genuine conversion experience. Where is Josie when you need her the most? Then let the understanding begin.