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Opinions -
Editorials
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Contributed by Phil Spadaro
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Monday, 10 April 2006 |
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Page 3 of 3
I Corinthians 13:8-12 speaks of a time when perfection will come. Currently we see a poor reflection. Now is not the time for perfection or fully understanding everything about our Lord. This is not some carte blanche excuse to not strive for perfection (Matthew 5:48), but a reality check on our expectations of our congregation. As the Jews of the Old Testament had a shadow of things to come, we have a poor reflection through the church of what will be in Heaven.
If we expect heavenly perfection in our congregations and family of churches we are doomed to disappointment. Our picture of the perfect congregation will certainly not be fulfilled. Eventually disillusionment and bitterness will steal our faith as we pursue an unbiblical norm and vision of Christ’s bride. It is important to our perseverance and salvation not to expect Heaven in the church.
Is there an ideal church? Yes. It is more about holiness and attitude than minutia. Are the details important? Yes, but they do not define God’s kingdom on earth. Will the ideal church match my ideal church? No.
Should my church experience be like Heaven? No. Heaven will be like Heaven.
Let us set our sights on being the unblemished and holy bride Jesus expects to be partnered with. Let us be careful not to expect unbiblical perfection and heavenly attributes in our fellowship here on earth. Let us be gracious and kind to each other as we are a church of sinners who have merely been pardoned.
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Reason
Written by Guest on 2006-04-14 23:23:36
Many members of Stone/Campbell churches are under the assumption of a myth. They believe they are practicing the worship of Christ the same way as the first century Church and they believe they are a member of the same Church having existed since the earliest days. And, and, and, they are taught to interpret the Bible individually without any historicity other than Stone/Campbell tenents and other than "make sure what you come up with isn't different than what your congregation's elders believe (which changes from election year to election year). Most elders couldn't say anything about "Church History" (other than Stone/Campbell hisotry) if their lives depended on it. | Myth
Written by broozr on 2006-04-14 23:40:13
Why is it not a myth to believe that the tenets espoused by the Stone/Campbell Restoration Movement (there have been others) are the same tenets as the early Church? Why other than a tradionalized interpretation of the Scriptures? | Myth
Written by broozr on 2006-04-14 23:58:42
Can we truly say that the earliest Church is the same as the Stone/Campbell churches? | Some Truth
Written by pspadaro on 2006-04-15 04:50:53
Broozr,
Certainly the Stone/Campbell churches are not the same as the earliest church. I am not sure that is a possibility since the New Testament describes several church models and executions (Ephesus, Corinth, etc...)
Your assumption about the how savvy or knowledgeable elders in the Restoration Movement are about church history is sweeping. There probably are those who are not concerned or educated about church history and it is to their loss. There are also many in Stone-Campbell churches who do know (and apply lessons from) church history.
Thanks for the comments. My church history knowledge is marginal, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Phil Spadaro
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Last Updated ( Monday, 10 April 2006 )
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