Obsessed with Church

[shazeep]

because, as we can witness, the body of Christ has been defined for us

Originally Posted by Esaias

If the local assembly is the Body of Christ (it is)...

Is that better?

no, it is worse, without meaning to be. This sets up a false sense of salvation, and an "us" and a "them," that i don't believe Christ intended. Yes, there are surely some members of the body of Christ at any local assembly, don't get me wrong; but we have usurped the definition of "church" when we have to go somewhere to experience it. The body of Christ becomes those members approved by men, that agree with us in their beliefs; anyone who believes differently is "lost," and needs help.

As Allstate reflects, our communities have been systematically shattered, and we are a nation of strangers now. Our false "standard of living" allows us to function alone, and lack of community makes this preferable for many. While engaging with a local congregation can certainly alleviate some of this pain, imo it too often becomes a substitute for real fruit, which our current, failed church model often encourages.

i don't mean to say that going to "church" is bad; i go to church. Specifically to interact with people who would prolly not agree with this post, and thank God for them. But i would examine this "i'm going to church, where the 'saved' people are, to demonstrate my love for God; because actually serving God is a huge pain."

It is as much a ship in a harbor as Allstate's retreat, in many regards. And don't get me wrong, i'm the worst of us prolly; i go to "church," or i isolate; but neither of these is a ship at sea, where we are told to be. You are not serving God by hanging out with a bunch of people reinforcing the same inbred ideas that brought you to this mental state, hearing the foundation laid over and over, and singing songs about how awesome things will be someday, imo.

[allstate1]

Originally Posted by shazeep

because, as we can witness, the body of Christ has been defined for us

no, it is worse, without meaning to be. This sets up a false sense of salvation, and an "us" and a "them," that i don't believe Christ intended. Yes, there are surely some members of the body of Christ at any local assembly, don't get me wrong; but we have usurped the definition of "church" when we have to go somewhere to experience it. The body of Christ becomes those members approved by men, that agree with us in their beliefs; anyone who believes differently is "lost," and needs help.

As Allstate reflects, our communities have been systematically shattered, and we are a nation of strangers now. Our false "standard of living" allows us to function alone, and lack of community makes this preferable for many. While engaging with a local congregation can certainly alleviate some of this pain, imo it too often becomes a substitute for real fruit, which our current, failed church model often encourages.

i don't mean to say that going to "church" is bad; i go to church. Specifically to interact with people who would prolly not agree with this post, and thank God for them. But i would examine this "i'm going to church, where the 'saved' people are, to demonstrate my love for God; because actually serving God is a huge pain."

It is as much a ship in a harbor as Allstate's retreat, in many regards. And don't get me wrong, i'm the worst of us prolly; i go to "church," or i isolate; but neither of these is a ship at sea, where we are told to be. You are not serving God by hanging out with a bunch of people reinforcing the same inbred ideas that brought you to this mental state, hearing the foundation laid over and over, and singing songs about how awesome things will be someday, imo.

well said.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by shazeep

because, as we can witness, the body of Christ has been defined for us

no, it is worse, without meaning to be. This sets up a false sense of salvation, and an "us" and a "them," that i don't believe Christ intended. Yes, there are surely some members of the body of Christ at any local assembly, don't get me wrong; but we have usurped the definition of "church" when we have to go somewhere to experience it. The body of Christ becomes those members approved by men, that agree with us in their beliefs; anyone who believes differently is "lost," and needs help.

As Allstate reflects, our communities have been systematically shattered, and we are a nation of strangers now. Our false "standard of living" allows us to function alone, and lack of community makes this preferable for many. While engaging with a local congregation can certainly alleviate some of this pain, imo it too often becomes a substitute for real fruit, which our current, failed church model often encourages.

i don't mean to say that going to "church" is bad; i go to church. Specifically to interact with people who would prolly not agree with this post, and thank God for them. But i would examine this "i'm going to church, where the 'saved' people are, to demonstrate my love for God; because actually serving God is a huge pain."

It is as much a ship in a harbor as Allstate's retreat, in many regards. And don't get me wrong, i'm the worst of us prolly; i go to "church," or i isolate; but neither of these is a ship at sea, where we are told to be. You are not serving God by hanging out with a bunch of people reinforcing the same inbred ideas that brought you to this mental state, hearing the foundation laid over and over, and singing songs about how awesome things will be someday, imo.

Must be pretty cool to be ordained by God to correct all us dumb Christians, eh?

I'm surprised there's enough O2 up there at the top of your ivory tower.