This is a question that I have asked myself, Not recently but I have asked it. So why should we go to church? What is the purpose of church? How did the church as we know it even get started? Was it an invention of ancient man or is there something more to it?
I have been reading a book by Wyane Grudem called systematic theology which is where I have gotten most of my information. In that book he details three main reasons for the church. But first lets answer the question what is church?
The greek word that is translated church in the New Testament means a gathering, assembly and congregation. Grudem says that the word gather in Duet. 4:10 is translated in the LXX as the word that means to summon an assembly. So grudem says there is evidence to suggest that God thought of his poeple Israel as a church. The church then is an assembly or group of believers from long ago until now and into the future.
So is that all it is? Just a bunch of people getting together? No. You learn about that Bible, have fellowship, learn about God, give money to support the kingdom on earth. In the articles to come I will talk about each of the points Grudem talks about.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thousand foot crutch.
This is the name of a popular Christian rock band however the band is not the subject of this post. The subject of this post is about crutches though. Specifically using God as our crutch. I have heard the people use this term in a derogatory way. They say that my "faith" is a crutch or that my belief in God is a crutch. Well first I have issues with the way people use the word faith today however that is not the subject of this post. But what about using God as a crutch? What does that mean or more specifically what do they mean by that?
Well again I am having to assume what they mean, however I think it is safe to assume that they mean that the belief in God somehow enables me, and others who believe in God, to cope with our world. In there view instead of just dealing with the harsh realities of this world and going about our lives enjoying ourselves and seeking our happiness in the things this life has to offer we must seek meaning and fulfillment in a supernatural being that no one has ever seen and there is very little evidence for. They have even said that if you do believe in God that this makes you less intelligent or even unreasonable. Well first I would have to disagree with there assertion that there is little or no evidence for God. That being said I have to somewhat agree that I do use God as a way to cope with this world, however this does not make me less intelligent or unreasonable.
I looked up this word, crutch, in the dictionary and one of the definitions caught my eye. Anything depended on for support was one of the definitions that was given. Just like when someone injures there leg they must have support to help them walk so we too having been damaged by sin need support from God and from his son Jesus Christ. That support can be achieved in several ways. First through regular reading of the scripture and through prayer. Finally in order for these things to be useful we must use them. It would be silly for us to go to a Doctor and receive crutches to help us walk and then have them hop out of the office with someone else caring their crutches for them.
However if you do not think you are injured it would stand to reason that you would not go to the doctor. And if you think that you are not damaged by sin it would also stand to reason that you would not seek a savior. We have been made in the image of God and as such have been given many things including moral character but as we can see the moral character of people is flawed. I think this is clear evidence for a need of a savior. We are broken and need a physician!
Well again I am having to assume what they mean, however I think it is safe to assume that they mean that the belief in God somehow enables me, and others who believe in God, to cope with our world. In there view instead of just dealing with the harsh realities of this world and going about our lives enjoying ourselves and seeking our happiness in the things this life has to offer we must seek meaning and fulfillment in a supernatural being that no one has ever seen and there is very little evidence for. They have even said that if you do believe in God that this makes you less intelligent or even unreasonable. Well first I would have to disagree with there assertion that there is little or no evidence for God. That being said I have to somewhat agree that I do use God as a way to cope with this world, however this does not make me less intelligent or unreasonable.
I looked up this word, crutch, in the dictionary and one of the definitions caught my eye. Anything depended on for support was one of the definitions that was given. Just like when someone injures there leg they must have support to help them walk so we too having been damaged by sin need support from God and from his son Jesus Christ. That support can be achieved in several ways. First through regular reading of the scripture and through prayer. Finally in order for these things to be useful we must use them. It would be silly for us to go to a Doctor and receive crutches to help us walk and then have them hop out of the office with someone else caring their crutches for them.
However if you do not think you are injured it would stand to reason that you would not go to the doctor. And if you think that you are not damaged by sin it would also stand to reason that you would not seek a savior. We have been made in the image of God and as such have been given many things including moral character but as we can see the moral character of people is flawed. I think this is clear evidence for a need of a savior. We are broken and need a physician!
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