Articles
Of Doctrine and Landing Places
A Christian in another state told me about inviting his neighbor to visit the congregation where he and his family worship. The man’s response was, “My wife grew up Episcopalian and I’m ‘non-denom.’ I believe in God, but beyond that I don’t want to get involved in all those rules and details. I believe in God, and we’ll just leave it at that. We’re going to visit several churches, and wherever we like it, we’re going to land.”
Suppose this fellow does accept the invitation. He and his family visit and are impressed with the warm welcome, the children’s classes, and the preacher’s message. Let’s say that after a few more visits he and his wife decide this is where they will “land.” What then?
Probably if they express their interest in becoming members, someone will sit down with them, with an open Bible. If what follows is really a Bible study, it shouldn’t be long until it gets into some “details”—such as:
1) The Bible is our only authority in religion.
2) Jesus is the Son of God and our only way to God.
3) Repentance is a requirement for salvation.
4) Baptism is the moment at which we are forgiven.
5) The church’s organization, worship, and teaching must conform to the New Testament pattern.
6) The church which Jesus purchased with His blood was established before the development of denominations.
Perhaps if the teacher of this study is really “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15), this couples’ eyes will be opened to what God expects of them—and they will then be willing to become true disciples of Jesus Christ─Christians only.
On the other hand, they may quickly decide that this is not the place for them—too many “details”—and then resume their search for a landing place.
Are they genuine truth-seekers, wanting to know and do the will of God? Or are they simply religious consumers in search of what they want? Time will tell.
