Wednesday, September 26, 2007

4 Marks of a False Church

In a very interesting study of historic Christianity, the great folks at Reclaiming The Mind Ministries' podcast "Theology Unplugged" addressed four characteristics of "church" orgranizations that violate historic Christian principles.

This podcast series was part of an examination of the Catholic Church, but these points apply across the board for any church/denomination/organization that calls themselves "Christian."

1. Radical Exclusivism
Churches who claim that it is only in their denomination or tradition that salvation can be found. They have all the right answers, right practices, and right ordinances/sacraments. Once this is claimed then the institution itself becomes the determining factor of salvation.

2. Radical Inclusivism
Here you will find a “no holds barred” approach to the church. People can be a part of this type of church irregardless of their confession or practice. It is the church of the open door where toleration is the primary virtue.

3. Heterodoxism
A church organization not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards of Christianity.

4. Radical Imbalance
This can be the focus on one scripture or being overly driven by one doctrine, rather than balancing the doctrines (i.e. Calvinism Vs. Arminianism)


These podcasts are very provocative. They are very harsh, casting light and uncovering shadows. It is a great wake-up call for any of us who might find ourselves worshiping in radically Exclusive or Inclusive organizations that do not balance thier doctrines from the Bible.

Any organization that claims to be "the one true church" -- do not walk, run the other direction! Run into the arms of Jesus.

Of course, Christ's "church" is the worldwide body of believers... Ephesians 1:22-23

Monday, September 24, 2007

LDS Member Ousted for Questioning the LDS Church


It is a very sad situation, when the rank-and-file LDS members are told not to listen to the very people who may be able to provide objective truths about what the LDS church IS, compared to what it CLAIMS to be.

In THIS STORY a life-long member of the LDS Church questions the claims of his church, and he is ousted.

It truly makes you wonder how the church can react this way when one of the church prophets, George A. Smith, said this:

If a faith will not bear to be investigated; if its preachers and professors are afraid to have it examined, their foundation must be very weak.
Author: George A. Smith
Source: Journal Of Discourses
Volume: 14
Chapter: 4
Page: 217

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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

The Gospel According To Starbucks™ Coffee Shop

The other morning after exiting Starbuck’s™ coffee shop, I was greeted by the traditional “Way I See It” commentary written on the side of my Grande size paper coffee cup. The “Way I See It” comments have been an ongoing thing for Starbuck’s for a few years now, which entail comments, points of view, or quotes by all kinds of different people around the world. Typically the commenter’s who are quoted on the cup have a pretty secular and liberal world view. The comments are rarely interesting to me nor carry any profound meaning or thought (at least the ones I have read). But, this one really grabbed my attention. As I rolled the cup over to get my daily fill of liberalism, I was greeted by this:

click here for larger image“Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imagination for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure.” --Bill Scheel, Starbucks™ customer from London, Ontario. (He describes himself as a modern day nobody.)

A few things I want to address regarding Bills world view. First off I would like to know why Bill considers himself a nobody while at the same time considering humans to be great enough to conquer some of life’s toughest problems. If Bill considers what he wrote to be true, then why would he consider himself a "nobody"? It appears that he thinks man kind is great enough to overcome life’s catastrophes. But, at the same time excludes himself from this great world of ours because he is no more than a “modern day nobody.”

In addition I find it interesting that Bill thinks we as human beings should call upon ourselves in moments in crisis. This reminds me of the author and self-help motivational speaker, Dr. Wayne Dyer, who’s philosophy teaches that if one is lost to seek for himself and find himself. Correct me if I am wrong here, but if you are the one lost and confused why would you ask the one who is lost and confused for direction? Seems illogical. I imagine people like Bill who think God is nothing more than a possible myth is the same type of person who is joined in arms on “National Prayer Day.” Or supporting those lost in the 911 tragedy encouraging those who have lost family and friends with comforting phrases like, “Our prayers are with you and your loved ones.”

Lastly, I would like to end on what my response to “The Way I see It #247.”

“I find it interesting that people in our world today only call on God in times of catastrophes rather than everyday.”

Although Starbucks™ does not officially represent these sayings and slogans on their cups, they definitely are partial to their views. If you don’t believe me, send Starbucks™ a “Way you see it” containing a Bible verse like, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” –John 14:6