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Uncle_Norbert
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A practical conclusion, that “non-denominational” churches are Protestants protesting themselves?
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2ndGen
Guest
Any non-Catholic Christian church after the first Protestant church is by it’s very existance protesting the first Prostestant church because the protesting of The Catholic Church was done by the first Protestant church.
By their inability to align themselves to the alternative Christian church (the first Protestant church), they exist in protest to that church.
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Uncle_Norbert
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I’m sure that some will find my question to be smart-aleck, but I’m being totally serious.
For 500 or so years, mulitple “Protestant” denominations have formed. Yet, even with so many Protestant “choices” among churches, there has been in the past decade-plus, an explosion of these so-called “non-denominationals”.
So, obviously, those protesting us can’t even agree as to how they protest any more?
For 500 or so years, mulitple “Protestant” denominations have formed. Yet, even with so many Protestant “choices” among churches, there has been in the past decade-plus, an explosion of these so-called “non-denominationals”.
So, obviously, those protesting us can’t even agree as to how they protest any more?
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SyCarl
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I think that the answer is that many of these non-denominational churches believe that the New Testament model of the church was that of independent local churches. As such, they do not affiliate with any larger organization than their own congregation. That does not necessarily mean that the teaching of non-denom A in town 1 differs from non-denom B in town 2.
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2ndGen
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Well, that’s common sense don’t you think?
I mean if their going to actively protest the Church that was historically created by Christ, how can they have unity amongst themselves when they can’t even worship in unity?
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2ndGen
Guest
That’s very well put SyCarl.
And that would be reasonable, “if” they had just stopped reading Scripture there (or weren’t taught all of the Scriptures that preach against divisions in The Church).
Even when I was an agnostic/anti-Catholic/non-denom/flavor of the monther, I saw how The Church (especially Paul) ranted against churches trying to do their own thing.
How could the non-denoms “not” see that?
In a way, I can see their “not” wanting to affiliate themselves with an organized religion, but even a non-denom church needs a pastor, a schedule to meet, decisions made on which bible translation to use, “what” they would believe, etc…
Being a non-denom “is” a denomination.
But hey…let God sort that out.
I know non-denoms that aren’t denominational because their anti-anything else, but for various other reasons (they may have come to Christ through that particular church, they may have had a great spiritual experience their, God may have called them to go there because they were to hardheaded to go anywhere else, etc…).
I don’t know “who” God is or isn’t using outside of The Church.
I can only be sure of my Church with soul wagering assuredness.
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Uncle_Norbert
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Can you direct me to such “rants” ? I’d love to have them “in stock”
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2ndGen
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The strongest argument for unity in doctrines and teachings and matters of worship…Can you direct me to such “rants” ? I’d love to have them “in stock”
1 Corinthians 1:
10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
Just about in every letter Paul writes about all the churches being subordinate to “The” Church.
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paarsurrey
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2ndGen
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Well first of all, they left Protestantism so if they were to return to anything, it would be to Protestantism.
Secondly, non-denoms are church unto themselves thinking that they make their own decisions, but in reality, it’s the grooup mentality that guides their decisions (as it is with all religious groups).
Think about it, the “real” definition of a non-denomin is to “not” attend a church period.
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Uncle_Norbert
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As I’ve said on other threads, I think it boils down to rejection of authority. For me, part of religion is getting told some things I don’t want to hear, but need to, to “keep it between the white lines”…Well first of all, they left Protestantism so if they were to return to anything, it would be to Protestantism.
Secondly, non-denoms are church unto themselves thinking that they make their own decisions, but in reality, it’s the grooup mentality that guides their decisions (as it is with all religious groups).
Think about it, the “real” definition of a non-denomin is to “not” attend a church period.
The thought of attending a church where the congregation hires and fires the ministry is mind-boggling.
Talk about the rejection of authority ! The congregation themselves deem themselves the authority.
If I don’t like what I’m hearing at my current P/ND church, I can just go down the street and rent a building and start another church…“Welcome to Bob’s Christian Fellowship…Hi, I’m Reverend Bob…”
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2ndGen
Guest
I agree. If the congregation is going to tell the religious leader what to do, why bother having one?
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strngrnrth
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Non-denoms usually just want to be Christian and feel that if they don’t align themselves with 'any particular denomination" they will be a move toward unity by refusing to join in denominational competitions and rivalries, but soon they like the style of one curch more than another and start trying to get their friends to come to the “jazz church” or the “country church” or the “hip-hop church” or the “hippie church” or the “fifteen-minute church” etc. and then they start making denominations. They aren’t protesting anything but rivalry and division, which they don’t mean to spread. It just happens.
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2ndGen
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Syele
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Most non-denominational churches actually hold a mixture of people believing different things. You will find Calvinists and Arminians and people who mix it all up and people who don’t even know what all that means, all in the same non-Denominational church. their goal is to not split over matters not found in the Nicene Creed . This mixture is why church #1 is different than church #2 and both are labeled “Non-denominational” if the majority of people in Church #1 are Calvinist, and the majority of church #2 is Arminian… you can bet what gets taught in Sunday school and from the pulpit go with the majority. This is not intentional. The point of non-denominational is to welcome all of these ideas, holding on to only the basics of Christianity as common, rejecting the trends to split off to new denominations over stuff. This is a protestant version of Church unity.
It is beside the point that it is not the same as Catholic unity. It is still way to be “unified.” Rejecting the splits of other denominations doesn’t lead them to become Catholic because Catholicism does not allow for as many varying viewpoints in one setting. They stop short of being Unitarians because they hold on the basics of Christianity.
I’m not posting here to convince you non-denominational doctrine is correct. Just to explain what it IS.
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paidion
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Syele:
Good post.
Once again, there is a reason why G-d compares us to sheep…
often we do things without much thought (sorta just following the crowd).
And for those who do think more than that, I think sometimes folks are trying to get away from things that are troublesome in the main-stream denoms (such as abortion, gay rights, and other controversial issues). They want to find a better place to worship and grow spiritually, but often don’t know where to look. So they start finding other “like-minded” individuals and, voila, a new flock forms.
Good post.
Once again, there is a reason why G-d compares us to sheep…
often we do things without much thought (sorta just following the crowd).
And for those who do think more than that, I think sometimes folks are trying to get away from things that are troublesome in the main-stream denoms (such as abortion, gay rights, and other controversial issues). They want to find a better place to worship and grow spiritually, but often don’t know where to look. So they start finding other “like-minded” individuals and, voila, a new flock forms.
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2ndGen
Guest
Hence the need for a “shephard”.Syele:
Good post.
Once again, there is a reason why G-d compares us to sheep…
often we do things without much thought (sorta just following the crowd).
And for those who do think more than that, I think sometimes folks are trying to get away from things that are troublesome in the main-stream denoms (such as abortion, gay rights, and other controversial issues). They want to find a better place to worship and grow spiritually, but often don’t know where to look. So they start finding other “like-minded” individuals and, voila, a new flock forms.
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