Day Four: denominations, cults, and calvinism

Cults: group that alters the doctrine of Christ and salvation, changing the fundamental nature and message of eternity.
Sect: Sister group that agrees on essentials, but differentiates on policy, ethics, or practice.

Initially I agree with this. But then almost as quickly as I agree, I have a foreboding cloud of doubt cloud my mind. If I agree with someone about the basics of Christianity (that Jesus was fully God and Man and came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for the sins of the world and rose again the next day of his own power and lives in Heaven forever), yet they still believe that someone can loose their salvation, or that people who are engaging in certain sins like severe alcoholism or homosexuality are still fine in God's eyes, then I question their real understanding of the God they worship. Because those things are CLEARLY not ok with my Jesus.

Im not talking about once someone decided to follow Christ and the inevitable discussion on ethics. I am talking about someone claiming all the essentials of Christianity, then claiming a homosexual lifestyle is ok. This would seem to indicate 1) a lack of actual repentance, 2) a lack of understanding God's narrow way salvation, and 3) a lack of knowledge of who God really is.(therefore possibly negotiating their actual salvation- how can you be saved if you dont know God?)

For example, my grandmother attends the Methodist church. My grandfather and her decided to continue attending that church even after they were saved one out of tradition but two to be a witness of God's actual saving grace in its entirety. But the Methodist church believes a homosexual lifestyle is just fine to God, since he judges the heart and not the lifestyle. Well there are clear scripture that teach that homosexuality is wrong. (and included in those same passages is the equal condemnation of lying, bitterness, hate, etc) So if someone claims to love God and serve him, how do they condone homosexuality? In addition, the Methodist church often fails to emphasize or even mention repentance and a changed lifestyle after salvation. Here is my deal: if they dont mention repentance (since we are new creatures), then I question the full understanding of the gospel message. It is "take up your cross and follow me;" it's "flee the evil desires of youth..."

Therefore, I would not classify people who hold to the Methodist teaching's to be in the same "body of Christ" as I am. Not because I have somehow exalted myself over them, but by simple definition of the body of Christ: being united with Jesus Christ and his eternal gift of salvation. If you preach a gospel devoid of repentance, then it is not Christ's gospel, and therefore not in his body. So the Methodist church would therefore be a cult: their doctrine changes eternity.

The Presbyterian church: Again, when considering the doctrine of the church some key elements suggest an untrue picture of salvation, and mar the issue of eternity. This is a direct quote from the PCUSA website on the Theology of Jesus:
"He died, was buried, and was resurrected by God. For Christians, this resurrection is God's most amazing miracle and proof that Jesus was indeed divine....we call Jesus "Lord" because he has saved us from the power of death and the power of sin and because, through his sacrifice, we are able to know the fullness of God's love for us."
(for full explanation of Presbyterian theology go here:)
http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-jesus.htm
Sounds like Jesus is not equal to God, but just a heavenly creature, or a lesser God. Jesus MUST be equal in power and might to God the Father. Different roles does not equal different levels of power. God raising Jesus from the dead is partially true, but not complete. Since Jesus was God, he riased himself from the grave. It is key to understand that Jesus raised himself since this is what proves his power over sin. Since he was fully man, he needed to conquor death himself to show that he could not only die for sin, but riase back to life. If the power to resurect was just from God the father, God the Father could have used any being that has not sinned. He could have used an angel; a being that had the capability to sin but had not sinned. The God the Father could have aided the angel in living a perfect life and riased him up. Or God the Father could have used any new born baby and helped him live a perfect life. The CRUTIAL element is that Jesus is God himself. Without this, the gospel message is incomplete.

If Jesus was not God, then he was a liar or a lunatic. Either way the entire bible is discredited. Which would negate salvation, and the entire Christian faith. One might argue that not believing Jesus was God still might allow a person to understand the gospel story. Potentially; but if a person believes that he himself is a sinful person and God provided a way of salvation, but they believe that salvation was an angel being sacrificed, then that is NOT the gospel of salvation as claimed in scripture. "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30) Jesus MUST be considered fully God, not just fully divine or the son of God, for the Christian, biblical message of salvation to be true. And since Jesus says "believe in me and be saved," the doctrine of Jesus not being God but just a divine being is not able to save you.

So this leads me to conclude that the Presbyterian church, though not all it's members per say, are actually a cult: their doctrine changes eternity.

This blog has gone longer than intended, but I'd like to quickly highlight the Pentecostal/charismatic denomination. I am a fully expressive worshiper. I sing, move, raise my hands, clap, almost dance, and shout in celebration of my risen savior. One might categorise my style as "charismatic." Yet, in definition that is not true. The key being I do not believe scripture teaching one must speak in tongues to prove salvation. Here in the south (and especially at Liberty) I have heard these terms thrown out more in reference to worship style than actual theology. Which bothers me because when someone suggests we unite under Christ, and they include Pentecostal/charismatic churches, I dont agree. Mainly because I think requiring a person to speak in tongues is adding to salvation. It does not say believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and speak in tongues and be saved. So that would also alter eternity if a person is not trusting only on grace alone to save them, but some sort of work that they do through speaking in tongues. Again, based on definition, I would say, cult.

Please understand this is not an attack upon different denominations. I personally refuse to claim a denomination since the stigma and reputation each holds. I claim only to be a follower of Christ Jesus and him crucified. Plus, I have not found a denomination who's doctrine is 100% what I believe. Even the baptist church is not as "reformed" as I would hold scripture claims we should be. This being said, I do think legit children of God attend many churches who do not preach what their denomination claims. I attend a Baptist church in Lynchburg that is way more reformed than most Baptist churches. I am not out to "get" denominations.

But I do wish to bring to light the idea that many churches that we want to include in the family of God may in fact be compose of many people under the misguidance of their salvation. Do you realise what this could mean? THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA UNDER A FALSE IDEA OF TRUE SALVATION.

I honestly had to pause after typing that last line. What a HORROR! I honestly believe we need another Reformation. With free will and America pushing us farther away from the truth of scripture, I cringe at the wrath of God that could consume us all.

I have enjoyed this class and I am seriously considering Seminary after I finish my grad school. I have been pondering the idea ever since I was old enough to understand a school existed just to train believers to know God more. You will most likely be hearing from me again in the next 2-6 years :)