Laodicea Had A Warning

[rrford]

Tucked away, and almost overlooked in the book of Colossians, are four verses that reference the church of Laodicea. When most folks hear that church mentioned they immediately think of the admonition given to them in the book of Revelation. In fact, the church of Laodicea is mentioned more in Colossians than in Revelation.

It makes one wonder if there is not some import in the Colossians references. Looking into those specific verses indeed shows us a strong intent by the Apostle Paul in mentioning this church in an Epistle to the Colossians.

A brief overview of the book of Colossians is very telling in the intent that Paul had. It was written by Paul somewhere between 60 and 64 AD. The purpose of the writing was to counteract doctrinal errors in the church that were arising from Judaistic, oriental, and philosophic influences in the church. When these components begin to enter into the church they have the tendency to overshadow the person and work of Jesus Christ. When that is overshadowed then it is an easy digression into weak doctrine. That in turn leads to worldliness in the body which will diminish the level of spirituality present in the body.

Paul re-affirms the divinity of Jesus Christ and emphasizes the proper understanding of who He is. He then moves on and lets them know that he is anxious for them. His purpose is to make them realize that they are united in love as they understand the mysteries of God. The writer then quickly moves onto warnings against allowing false doctrine to infiltrate the church. Worldly philosophies and legalism are soundly condemned and the liberty of the Cross and Christ are exalted. He even goes so far as to warn them about being consumed with ceremonialism.

In chapter 3, he admonishes them to mortify the flesh, put on the spiritual adornments, practice Christian graces, spiritual love, and to live up to their responsibilities.

But most interesting to note is that in the last few verses of chapter 4 he mentions Laodicea 3 times. Once as a point of interest, second as a greeting, and thirdly as a directive to cause the Epistle to the Colossians to be read in the church at Laodicea. Colossians 4:16 “And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans;”

That arrested my attention. Could it be that Paul was doing his best to forewarn the church of Laodicea that they were heading in a wrong direction? Could it be that approximately 32 years before the rebuke in Revelation was given that the Apostle sent a heads up that should have made them examine their practices and mindsets? I have often wondered how different Laodicea could have been had she heeded the words of the Epistle to the Colossians.

It makes on wonder what “Epistle” has the church not heeded from days gone by? As we see worldly philosophies and legalism both creep into the church can we honestly expect any other response from the Lord than what Laodicea did? When the church endeavors to be relevant to the world and loses its identity of, and in, Jesus Christ she has become a modern day Laodicea. The church of today, just like the church of Laodicea, will never be able to say that God judged without warning. Heaven help us to read the message to the Colossians and examine where we are that we may remain faithful until that day.

[StMark]

What connection are you seeing to today's church if any??

[mizpeh]

Do you have specifics in mind when it comes to "worldly philosophies and legalism" as well as "endeavors to be relevant" that you think the apostle Paul was warning against that would apply to us today?

[rrford]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Do you have specifics in mind when it comes to "worldly philosophies and legalism" as well as "endeavors to be relevant" that you think the apostle Paul was warning against that would apply to us today?

A plethora. Whenever we allow the mindsets of the world to influence the progress of the church; whenever humanistic thinking becomes more apparent than spiritual thinking; the emergent church movement; the watering down of Biblical truths so as not to be offensive; the progressive doctrine of Inclusion that is being more and more embraced, etc. etc.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by rrford

A plethora. Whenever we allow the mindsets of the world to influence the progress of the church; whenever humanistic thinking becomes more apparent than spiritual thinking; the emergent church movement; the watering down of Biblical truths so as not to be offensive; the progressive doctrine of Inclusion that is being more and more embraced, etc. etc.

I agree that the message gets lost sometimes, because we don't want to offend anyone or scare anyone away.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by rrford

A plethora. Whenever we allow the mindsets of the world to influence the progress of the church; whenever humanistic thinking becomes more apparent than spiritual thinking; the emergent church movement; the watering down of Biblical truths so as not to be offensive; the progressive doctrine of Inclusion that is being more and more embraced, etc. etc.

How do you define the emergent church movement?

[rrford]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

How do you define the emergent church movement?

Honestly, that is another temr that is hard to define with any finality. The term has taken on a lif eof it's own in the religious world. Basically, it is a post modern, post Christianity view of religion.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by rrford

Honestly, that is another temr that is hard to define with any finality. The term has taken on a lif eof it's own in the religious world. Basically, it is a post modern, post Christianity view of religion.

Post Christianity?

Wow... that is quite a statement about something that is hard to define with any finality.

Deeming a church type as post Christian seems to be defining it with quite a bit of finality.

What makes the emergent church "Post Christian"

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by rrford

A plethora. Whenever we allow the mindsets of the world to influence the progress of the church; whenever humanistic thinking becomes more apparent than spiritual thinking; the emergent church movement; the watering down of Biblical truths so as not to be offensive; the progressive doctrine of Inclusion that is being more and more embraced, etc. etc.

I agree with your assessment for the most part and especially in regards to "the watering down of Biblical truths so as not to be offensive and the progressive doctrine of inclusion", but .....here's a simple for instance having to do with the emergent church movement: UPC Pastor A wants to be relevant to today's culture and decides to go against the accepted norm and not enforce suits and ties by men who are on the platform ministering in some way. He is taking a laid back, casual in dress approach to the gathering of the saints together. Pastor B is offended that a young whippersnapper is going against tradition.

Or Pastor A doesn't see the need in the saints addressing each other as brother and sister so and so because it's not strictly taught in the Bible and it doesn't see relevant.

Is Pastor A wrong in trying to be more relevant to today's culture?

[rrford]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I agree with your assessment for the most part and especially in regards to "the watering down of Biblical truths so as not to be offensive and the progressive doctrine of inclusion", but .....here's a simple for instance having to do with the emergent church movement: UPC Pastor A wants to be relevant to today's culture and decides to go against the accepted norm and not enforce suits and ties by men who are on the platform ministering in some way. He is taking a laid back, casual in dress approach to the gathering of the saints together. Pastor B is offended that a young whippersnapper is going against tradition.

Or Pastor A doesn't see the need in the saints addressing each other as brother and sister so and so because it's not strictly taught in the Bible and it doesn't see relevant.

Is Pastor A wrong in trying to be more relevant to today's culture?

Relevant and emergent are two totally different things.