Category conservative

Apr 11 2008

Christian Unity?


Last evening I was reading some articles on the web and came across one by one of our “traditional” brothers whose subject was the danger of “Denominationalism”. His thesis is that denominations and denominational churches are unscriptural because they violate passages in the Bible that call for the unity of believers. How can denominational churches claim unity when their very existence is based on their differences? Up to this point the author was making a logical case. Then he disengaged his brain and exposed either his ignorance, (he is a bright, well educated man) or his bias.

After excoriating all denominational churches, and as a result all their people, he then made the case that the churchs of Christ alone are the undenominaitonal churches and are thus the only biblical ones. Any casual observer must admit that churches of Christ have their share of divisions. Here I will only consider the fractions of the churches of Christ, not the Restoration Movement churches as a whole which is a greater problem for anyone who subscribes to the notion that only the church of Christ has unity as discussed in the Bible.

Hmmm, church of Christ unity. In the very same paper by the very same author, there was a piece thrashing North Richland Hills church of Christ for having musical instruments in their worship services. Not only did the author disagree, not only does he not intend to fellowship with such people, he declares that they are not even saved. Some unity huh?

Lets see just how unified the beloved coC is. Institutional vs. non-institutional, once cuppers vs. multiple cuppers, Sunday school vs. non Sunday school, paid preacher, vs. mutual edification, just to name a few. I think you get my point. Then there are those who flagrantly lift their hands in worship, clap along in time with songs, sing during the Lord’s Supper, have a kitchen in the church, have women actually speak in an assembly, consider others outside of churches of Christ Christians, etc., etc.

Christian unity? I believe the denominational churches might have more unity than the coC. I have never heard a Baptist pastor brand a Methodist unsaved because they have different ideas about church government. I have never heard a Calvinist write off those in the “free will” camp as lost because they don’t agree with him on all 5 points of Calvinism. I admit that there is a sprinkling of those whose particular pet doctrine or myth defines in their mind who is saved and unsaved, but largely most denominations work fairly well together. Not so for our beloved churches of Christ.

I am glad to report that things are changing. There is a grace awakening happening across the Restoration Movement churches in spite of the viscous attacks of the most strict traditionalists and zealots. There will always be those few of every stripe who demand that everyone agree with them on every point or be damned to hell.

The sad truth is not obvious to most people but it is true none the less. Without exception those folks who believe someone else is lost because of what they either do or do not do on a given Lord’s day are also wrong on the doctrine of salvation. They put man in the drivers seat with God at his disposal in opposition to the biblical position of God being in control. Every person I have ever had communications with who teaches either a works based salvation or a supposed mixture of works and grace, to the last one, vehemently denies what he clearly teaches. Only one time in my 40 years of being a Christian have I had anyone admit that he believed we are saved by works.

There is only one unifying point that should bond believers of all brands, our common faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. All of the other practices and beliefs that divide God’s people pale in comparison to what we believe about Jesus Christ the son of God. We must first agree about who He is and what He has accomplished for sinners, and then how we receive the gracious gift He offers, which is eternal life. (Romans 6:23)

His peace,
Royce

 

Feb 7 2008

Choose your liberal


This Saturday Louisiana voters will go to the polls to vote for local candidates and for Presidential candidates as well. I have restrained myself from writing any political commentary on this blog but decided to make an exception this time.

I have never been more frustrated and disgusted with the crop of candidates we have running this cycle. Gov. Mitt Romney, the most hated by the largest, most influential news outlets, is also the most conservative. The Super Tuesday results made it clear that he will not be the eventual Republican nominee. National politics is driven by bloggers, cable news networks, talk radio, major newspapers, and to a lesser degree the major TV networks. With the exception of some talkers and Fox News, all of the above detest any conservative.

My guess is that in November we will be given the choice of voting for Sen. John McCain or Sen. Obama. Of course it could be McCain vs. Clinton but I doubt it. Clinton is already short on funds having to dip into personal funds to the tune of $5 million and having staffers to go unpaid. Clinton’s greatest sin is that she has not been fervent enough against the war in Iraq. Other than that issue there isn’t a nickles worth of difference between the two. Sadly, McCain is not much better.

McCain has the endorsement of most large liberal news papers, left wingers like Chris Matthews, Wolf Blitzer, and others love McCain who they tout as being “bi-partisan”. Of course in the general election they will savage him in favor of any Democrat. Sen. McCain is a Ross Perot with slightly more common sense. Both have huge egos and both espouse nutty positions on an array of issues.

Sen. McCain says “I will get Osama..”, “I will stop pork barrel spending”, “I will appoint only strict constructionist judges”, bla bla bla, All political election time hot air. If John McCain is a conservative I am a Pygmy astronaut. Again and again McCain has proved that he is a liberal. He can say what he wants but his record is there for anyone to see who cares to check him out. Taxes, immigration, First Amendment rights, and a host of other issues have found the war hero on the wrong side time and time again.

The sickening truth is that the godless left wing nuts are winning. The United States is slowly marching toward Socialism or Communism. More dependency on government, more intrusion of government into our lives, more government approval and empowerment of perversion and immorality and even folks who claim to be conservative Christians are falling in line and by their votes approve the decline of the greatest society in history.

Possibly the best thing that can happen for the short term is to give the liberals both houses of Congress and the White House for four years and then we can perhaps get conservatives back in power and turn the tide of political correctness, amorality, and the mind numbing buzz of left wing idiots unleashed. Sometimes giving people what they think they want is the best way to prove to them it is not what they need.

I have not mentioned Gov. Huckabee because like Dr. Ron Paul he has no chance of winning the nomination. He is a likable fellow but he to is tilted way too far to the left on far too many issues.  He might possibly earn a shot at VP but I seriously doubt that McCain wants a proud Christian on his ticket.

Well, its off my chest. What do you think?

Still hoping,
Royce

Only moments after I posted this, Gov. Romney dropped out of the race. Here is a link to the address he gave as he left the contest. http://thepage.time.com/transcript-of-romneys-speech-withdrawing-from-the-race/ It is one of the best I have ever read.