Hebrews 13:8 tells us along with a bunch of other passages (Psalm 102:4 – 27; Isaiah 46:9 – 10; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17; Numbers 23:19; to name a few) that God does not change. As a Church we sure seem to want Him to. Over the years the Church has redefined its stance on any number of things, from the ordination of women, to what constitutes a “legal” divorce, to the current debate on whether homosexuals should be ordained.
If God has not changed, why has the Church?
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI recently read an article written by a man who used to be a minister. He says that a great deal of what we do in the church here in America has been established over decades of traditions designed by well meaning men.
It is this fact that makes so many of our churches a dwindling lot as we exist in a self-made vacuum, hidden mostly from the world.
This pastor says that most of what we do in our churches today, in the name of God, is not found in the scriptures. Now, I will give you that he is but one man who has his own opinions but, I do see some merit in them.
I think many would claim that the church has changed or adapted to the culture. I am not sure that is a good thing. The Word teaches truth, and truth is what we should be about.
Sanctuary from the hedonistic culture is what the church should be to those who need to get away from the current worldview and adopt a worldview that is truth and biblically based.
Great thoughts. He is right. A lot is from - as one of the guys in a study I am is says - the department of making things up.
DeleteYou have a good point on the community being a sanctuary.