Want to help me pick a new religion?

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Who else besides me has had REM's Losing My Religion going through their head at some point while reading this thread?

Ha that song came at an appropriate time; just like everything does.

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Who says that one has to obey a pastor in nilly-willy whims of rules and ordinances that are designed for control rather than salvation?

Well my church says... It goes like this:

Long version: No, it's not in the Bible (only for things that even the biggest stretch of scripture won't cover otherwise we'll make every attempt to prove that it is if you only read Greek and Hebrew and understood about concepts like your rear guard)... but the pastor prefers it (read demands it) and disobedience is as the sin of witchcraft (and we know that witches are the devil's lot and will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal torment).

Short version: Obey the pastor's every whim or go to hell.

[Aquila]

Sometimes rebellion against men is obedience towards God.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Well my church says... It goes like this:

Long version: No, it's not in the Bible (only for things that even the biggest stretch of scripture won't cover otherwise we'll make every attempt to prove that it is if you only read Greek and Hebrew and understood about concepts like your rear guard)... but the pastor prefers it (read demands it) and disobedience is as the sin of witchcraft (and we know that witches are the devil's lot and will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal torment).

Short version: Obey the pastor's every whim or go to hell.

I've always said that sometimes a pastor as to convert the English text to Greek, from there to Hebrew, then Klingon, then back to English before it will kinda/sorta say what he wants it to (while reading upside down, in a mirror, on the 3rd Tuesday of the month).

And yes, then there is the whole "Obey them" and "Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft" catch all which effectively makes ANY command from on high ("on high" being the pulpit) THE law of the land.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Well said. I don't think anyone has God in a box.

We have actually found a paramount idea for the new religion we seek... We want a church that admits that they do not know everything about God... Hummm.... what are the chances?

You seriously should move here.

My pastor is always saying that he teaches what he learns through reading, studying, and prayer in the hopes that WE as a church grow and learn together. I admire him because often when teaching and talking about things we should do in our lives and in our walk with God he will admit that it is something he has struggled with in the past or is guilty of himself. He is a humble man.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by scotty

You seriously should move here.

My pastor is always saying that he teaches what he learns through reading, studying, and prayer in the hopes that WE as a church grow and learn together. I admire him because often when teaching and talking about things we should do in our lives and in our walk with God he will admit that it is something he has struggled with in the past or is guilty of himself. He is a humble man.

sounds like a very nice church

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Sometimes rebellion against men is obedience towards God.

Exactly! What if Martin Luther had never done anything?

What if Joseph had obeyed the laws concerning Mary and her being "pregnant" and had her put away, and listened to man's teachings, instead of God's commandments - what then?

I am sure there are many more instances of scripture we could bring up here. Most of the time doing things God's way, goes against the very laws man has set up.

I believe there are UPC churches that are wonderful churches with pastors humbly following God, as Scotty speaks of. My uncle pastors one such church, but it is too far away for me to attend.

But if God is giving revelation to T2W and showing her that these things ought not to be so, then HE will also lead and guide them to where HE desires them to be.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Titus2woman

Well my church says... It goes like this:

Long version: No, it's not in the Bible (only for things that even the biggest stretch of scripture won't cover otherwise we'll make every attempt to prove that it is if you only read Greek and Hebrew and understood about concepts like your rear guard)... but the pastor prefers it (read demands it) and disobedience is as the sin of witchcraft (and we know that witches are the devil's lot and will be cast into the lake of fire for eternal torment).

Short version: Obey the pastor's every whim or go to hell.

I've been there, and heard this, in more churches than not. It is generally the rule, and not the exception in the Bible belt areas!

[bbyrd009]

"What is the chaff to the wheat?"

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Exactly! What if Martin Luther had never done anything?

What if Joseph had obeyed the laws concerning Mary and her being "pregnant" and had her put away, and listened to man's teachings, instead of God's commandments - what then?

I am sure there are many more instances of scripture we could bring up here. Most of the time doing things God's way, goes against the very laws man has set up.

I believe there are UPC churches that are wonderful churches with pastors humbly following God, as Scotty speaks of. My uncle pastors one such church, but it is too far away for me to attend.

But if God is giving revelation to T2W and showing her that these things ought not to be so, then HE will also lead and guide them to where HE desires them to be.

Amen.