Thin Grey Lines
Praise God for a wonderful FOP yesterday - He is enthroned upon our praises, and when a King sits on His rightful throne, He reigns :)
Ed Silvoso also shared an inspiring message from Acts on the marketplace and the pulpit, and how we need both to bring transformation to the city.
Thankful for the slow day in office tt allows space to think... a lot of things in church, (not just the church that i attend, but church in general) have been disturbing me of late, and im starting to recognise there are things that might not be wholly biblical, in our midst. Imho, a lot of these are good, but taken to extremes...
Be watchful.
The Good
Allowing freedom of expression of ourselves in worship according to the different patterns in the psalms within acceptable boudaries or order in the church. Welcoming different musical styles as a valid means of expression given different cultures and age groups.
The Bad
Form over substance, "If you don't see people kneeling / jumping / crying, they are not worshipping". Unity taken unto extreme conformity "Everyone should worship like him / her". Showmanship drawing attention to man, detracting from God.
The Good
Biblical discipleship, having someone use the word of God to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness. Godly mentoring relationships where iron sharpens iron. Entrusting the biblical teachings of the church to reliable men who will be able to teach others. Authority as servanthood, ministered in love and humility by those mature in the faith.
The Bad
Making disciples of men rather than disciples of Christ. The taking away of free will in any matter without their shepherd's approval through fear and guilt. Disobedience or weariness common to such a stringent lifestyle met with disciplinary action out or porportion. The individual's personal relationship to God subordinated to the corporate structure of their religious group. Should a person leave the "covering" of his shepherd to pursue his freedom in Christ, he is threatened with reprisals from the hand of God: loss of salvation, sickness, divorce, financial ruin. Mentality that appeals to our pride - those disciples who obey are rewarded by being made shepherds over others.
The Good
'Charisma' - gifts of the Holy Spirit. for growing and building up self and others. not forbidding speaking in tongues. The exercise of the gifts in ministry and acknowledging God as the giver of good gifts.
The Bad
Overemphasis on our gift, certain gifts, or special revelations from God. Drawing identify based on gifts alone. Too much weight given to the emotional aspect of faith, to the extent it overlooks practicality and even becomes anti-intellectual. 'Charis-manics' going to church for the next spiritual high.
Mm.... shall leave it at that for now. Wading through a stack of articles detailing past heresies and possible falsehoods infiltrating the church, i think our church is mm...
ok.. but teetering close in a number of respects. Not way off, but a few of the points are a bit too close to home for comfort.
I inherently don't like conflict, and theres nothing i'd like more than to build the body of Christ. but what to do? if it gets outta hand, pointing this out *is* building the body of christ, though i sure won't be nice and fluffy.
Lord, please help us... keep us on track and bless our leaders with wisdom and discernment.
And Lord, I lack wisdom, I lack discernment, I lack so many other things. Help me too.
But... either way, root out falsehoods, and build your church on the sure foundation of the unchanging Word of the unchanging God.
As an aside... came across a little article that shall c&p.
The Foundations for Faith
God doesn't change. Nor does human nature. People today, as in Old Testament times, tend to imagine a God of their own liking rather than accept the revelations found in His Word.
(This taken from e web and actually comes in a table form, with numbers corresponding to each other)
THE BASIS FOR FAITH in the POSTMODERN CHURCH
Imagination, visualization (or experience)
Personal experience (or imagination, visualization)
Selected Bible verses that affirm the experience
Ed Silvoso also shared an inspiring message from Acts on the marketplace and the pulpit, and how we need both to bring transformation to the city.
Thankful for the slow day in office tt allows space to think... a lot of things in church, (not just the church that i attend, but church in general) have been disturbing me of late, and im starting to recognise there are things that might not be wholly biblical, in our midst. Imho, a lot of these are good, but taken to extremes...
Be watchful.
The Good
Allowing freedom of expression of ourselves in worship according to the different patterns in the psalms within acceptable boudaries or order in the church. Welcoming different musical styles as a valid means of expression given different cultures and age groups.
The Bad
Form over substance, "If you don't see people kneeling / jumping / crying, they are not worshipping". Unity taken unto extreme conformity "Everyone should worship like him / her". Showmanship drawing attention to man, detracting from God.
The Good
Biblical discipleship, having someone use the word of God to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness. Godly mentoring relationships where iron sharpens iron. Entrusting the biblical teachings of the church to reliable men who will be able to teach others. Authority as servanthood, ministered in love and humility by those mature in the faith.
The Bad
Making disciples of men rather than disciples of Christ. The taking away of free will in any matter without their shepherd's approval through fear and guilt. Disobedience or weariness common to such a stringent lifestyle met with disciplinary action out or porportion. The individual's personal relationship to God subordinated to the corporate structure of their religious group. Should a person leave the "covering" of his shepherd to pursue his freedom in Christ, he is threatened with reprisals from the hand of God: loss of salvation, sickness, divorce, financial ruin. Mentality that appeals to our pride - those disciples who obey are rewarded by being made shepherds over others.
The Good
'Charisma' - gifts of the Holy Spirit. for growing and building up self and others. not forbidding speaking in tongues. The exercise of the gifts in ministry and acknowledging God as the giver of good gifts.
The Bad
Overemphasis on our gift, certain gifts, or special revelations from God. Drawing identify based on gifts alone. Too much weight given to the emotional aspect of faith, to the extent it overlooks practicality and even becomes anti-intellectual. 'Charis-manics' going to church for the next spiritual high.
Mm.... shall leave it at that for now. Wading through a stack of articles detailing past heresies and possible falsehoods infiltrating the church, i think our church is mm...
ok.. but teetering close in a number of respects. Not way off, but a few of the points are a bit too close to home for comfort.
I inherently don't like conflict, and theres nothing i'd like more than to build the body of Christ. but what to do? if it gets outta hand, pointing this out *is* building the body of christ, though i sure won't be nice and fluffy.
Lord, please help us... keep us on track and bless our leaders with wisdom and discernment.
And Lord, I lack wisdom, I lack discernment, I lack so many other things. Help me too.
But... either way, root out falsehoods, and build your church on the sure foundation of the unchanging Word of the unchanging God.
As an aside... came across a little article that shall c&p.
The Foundations for Faith
God doesn't change. Nor does human nature. People today, as in Old Testament times, tend to imagine a God of their own liking rather than accept the revelations found in His Word.
(This taken from e web and actually comes in a table form, with numbers corresponding to each other)
THE BASIS FOR FAITH in GOD'S KINGDOM
God's Word - unchanging Truth
God's Word - unchanging Truth
Spirit-given insights into truth
Experiences that affirm God's Word
THE BASIS FOR FAITH in the POSTMODERN CHURCH
Imagination, visualization (or experience)
Personal experience (or imagination, visualization)
Selected Bible verses that affirm the experience
posted by DarkRed at 11:38 am
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