I plan to do one of these occasionally. I will first give a verse or verses from the Bible. Then I will give a re-write that I call the Modern Church Translation. Which is the way I see the modern church actually applying these verses.
10 Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won’t be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. (New Living Translation)
10 Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to separate into groups. Each group must consist of people who all think exactly the same. Each group must break fellowship with all other groups. Each group will be called a denomination. Let there be real harmony among those of your group, but remain separated from anyone who doesn’t see eye to eye with you. I plead with you to form a set of doctrines based on your opinions and make sure that anyone who wants to join your denomination promises to agree with them. Never under any circumstances should you question or challenge these beliefs. This will allow you to be united in thought and purpose without ever having to form an opinion for yourself. You won’t have to because you will have your church and denomination to do it for you. (Modern Church Translation)
June 17th, 2008 - 1:43 pm
Mark, how does the church miss it so badly? Surely Jesus never intended all the divisions that we have under the denominational system today. I have a friend from Africa who has rather strong feelings about denominationalism, which he calls “tribalism.” In his opinion, it’s no different than the ugliness and violence he experienced with tribalism in Africa. While American denominationalism my not be as violent as African tribalism, it is often surely ugly. His perspective puts a whole different spin on denominationaism, doesn’t it?
June 17th, 2008 - 10:22 pm
I’m picking up new phrases along this journey. Maybe I will start referring to denominations as tribes because that word is actually a pretty accurate description of denominations.
September 19th, 2009 - 9:55 am
So does that mean that we aren’t going to “vote anybody off of the island?”