Bible Question:
Dear Sir or Madaam, I have been thinking on this issue for some time and it has come as some consternation to me. I am a Lutheran in the Eangelical Synod in Seattle, WA. My question is this. Not too long ago my church had a worship switch (not sure about what exactly it was called). Basically the idea was that each church in the surrounding area would have two volunteers and everyone would go to another church for one Sunday service. The idea being that it would bring the Christian Community closer together. Some odd churches were invited. Ok, odd is the wrong word, but churches with differing views from ours...namely the Catholic church, and the Church of Scientology, among others. Where as I beleive that bringing Christians together across denominations isnt so bad an idea I have seen things in my community churches that has bothered me. Namely the drive to bring all faiths together. I understand that Seattle is a secular city but many of the churches around this area have constructed Multi-faith prayer rooms. Rooms where Muslims, Buddists, Christians, etc. can all go into and pray or do whatever. I feel that while it is always good to be kind and accepting of other faiths that it is our job to spread the Gospel of our lord and this seems like a compromise of our beliefs in order to bring someone closer to us. Am I wrong to be put off by this, and what are some of the goals hoped to come from these efforts? I would very much like to hear someone explain this to me. Thank you for your time and concern. Respectfully, Jonathan Jones |
Bible Answer: Hello Jonathan, Welcome to the forum! Let me start by saying that because this forum is dedicated to serious bible study, a casual discussion of your issue here wouldn't be appropriate. Not to minimize your issue, you sound very concerned. Instead, let me just offer some Scriptural references that will give you a starting point to begin dealing with this apparent problem. Consider what the Scriptures say: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NASB95) 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 17 "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. 18 "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. I believe Scripture is very clear that God expects His people to be separate. I believe we should welcome anyone into our churches who is willing to come in and listen to the teaching of God's word. But what is accomplished by going into a non-christian church and exposing our minds to the teaching on non-christian doctrines? We have to be aware that we live in a time where Satan is winning the minds and hearts of many, even within the church. The evolving culture of political correctness and relativism is slashing aggressively at the hedges around God's people and His church. As Christians, we have a responsibility; that is, not to intentionally open a gap in those hedges. If you have a reference bible or a electronic bible on your computer, start with the passage I referenced. You will find that God has continuously warned us against trying to live as a part of the world. There are many examples of the consequences of this as well. 1 Corinthians 8:9-12 (NASB95) 8:9 But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. God bless, Jeff |