Apologists & Co.

[Jock]

A guy I know just sent me a notification about a new booklet he has had published. In this booklet, he has made a pretty comprehensive list of pseudo/Christian/religious groups to beware of. Everything from Rick Warren to St John of the Cross and earlier. We are in there too, he doesn't like Universalists and makes no distinction between Christian Universalists and ordinary Universalists.

On each item on the list, one can highlight it and it then takes you into a link that explains what the doctrines of this particular group/individual/institution/religion, believes and practices. You know, I know that doctrine has a place but love should always trump doctrine.

There are all manner of groups and churches etc, out there and it always boils down to "their particular doctrine" and creed that is acceptable to God and the rest of us can fry in Hell forever because we didn't have our doctrine right, grrr I hate that attitude.

Anyways, I'm ranting here

Shalom

Jock. :flamebreath:

[Lazarus Short]

Christianity is so simple in its essentials that a child can (and does) understand it.  However, man comes along and invents this artificial (as in artifice) thing called "theology."  He cuts it out of the forest of God's Word, hauls it home, fastens it with nails that it move not, decks it with silver and gold, and bows down to it.  Others, who have cut down the wrong tree, are condemned and disfellowshipped.  I prefer the forest, and without the stumps...

[sheila]

 'that" was a great analogy,Laz... :thumbsup:

[Jock]

Yes, Lazarus

"The wrong tree" being what men surmise as wrong. As a Universalist now, I'm delighted that the whole forest will inevitably be restored.

[ded2daworld]

Why doesn't the guy write a booklet of all the groups he agrees with?
He's looking for differences. People see differences as a way of being distinguished from others.
It puts them above the others.

"I am chosen, you are not" or "I chose to follow God, you do not."
It makes them feel better about themselves. They need this because their relationship with God is actually lacking.

We are ALL sinners. We are ALL saved by Grace. We will ALL one day bow our knee and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord to the glory to GOD. If we think even a tiny bit of that glory should go to us, we are setting ourselves up as "better" than others.

There's a reason why we have an emoticon holding up a sign saying "I agree" and we DO NOT have one holding up a sign that says "I'm right - you're wrong"  :Peace2:

[Jock]

Cool post, Ded! I was with a couple of elitist groups in my past and now I see how abhorrent that attitude is. I gotta be careful that I don't point the figer at them though, and thus be guilty of the same thing.

I'm just glad that God is so good and that His mercy endures forever.

Shalom

Jock.  :banana: have a banana  :laughing7: