Rather than expect teachers and preachers to directly address "hot button issues" like abortion, etc., I believe it would be more productive to address the underlying world view factors that lead some of our fellow Christians (and many non-Christians) to hold certain views.
It was enlightening for me to recently complete a reading and partial re-reading of the recent book by Carl Trueman, "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self." He lays out several centuries of historical development that culminate in such current aberrations as "I am a woman trapped in a man's body." Each step along the way over 300 years leads to the next step and the ultimate conclusion. We need to retrace that ground and challenge each change in the culture's way of thinking where it is unbiblical (and nonsensical). When someone leaves behind the unbiblical ways of viewing human nature, etc., then they will no longer entertain certain bizarre ideas.
But if we have people in the pews who are (unwittingly) holding non-Christian world view ideas, then jumping to the punch line and telling them what they should conclude about certain current issues just creates cognitive dissonance and confusion. Attack the problem at its root, not at the tip of the branches. Besides, it is important to clear up false ideas for other reasons than for the effect they have on particular issues.
I highly recommend the Trueman book to everyone, Christian or otherwise, just to understand how we got where we are today as a society. It is far better to understand than to just keep shaking our heads and saying "This is crazy!"
A shorter, tangential comment before I make a longer comment or two.
Amos 3:3 has nothing to do with doctrinal unity. That abuse of the verse became common in the early 19th century among conservative Presbyterians and some Restoration Movement leaders picked it up. The passage establishes that the calamities that will soon fall upon the nation are not random or coincidental, but are the punishments sent by God upon the disobedient and idolatrous.
Each example from everyday life shows by analogy that things happen for a reason. If you see two men walking together from one town to another, it is not likely to be a coincidence, that they just happened to depart town at the same time in the same direction. More likely, they agreed to travel together. Likewise for the other verses.
Let's end the out of context abuse of this verse in our circles.
The one problem I have with this is that somewhere "the Pastor" decides which position is "right" and everyone else is wrong. Having said that, my Sr. Pastor and I agree on everything that is included in our confession of faith both as a church and a denomination. But we disagree on several finer points. And we're comfortable with it because our disagreements have been disagreements that Christians before us have had and still been able to work together.
Just suppose the Gentile church has it all wrong! Just suppose why we left the teachings of Jesus and made up our own rules.. Just suppose we have misread Paul’s writings. Just suppose we pick and choose what we already believe to be true and seek to confirm those ideas by misreading most of the New Testament. Just suppose we revaluate our beliefs and think how the church has adopted most of our teachings from the early church fathers instead of the Jewish writers of the Bible. When did Sunday worship start? Why do we not study Torah? Why do we make Jesus say things that He never intended it to mean? Just suppose!!
I find it interesting you used the Amish as an example. I used to live in the middle of the largest Amish community in Ohio (second only to Pennsylvania). Even where I lived there was just as much division among them, if not more, than among us. Modern culture has infiltrated their community. You have Old Order up to Mennonites, and everything in between.
I'm starting to think the problem stems from the reformation and the decision the begin a series of endless schisms. How can we be united if we don't have a united church, under one unifying doctrine and leadership?
So much truth & we should be giving deep thoughts about it. Thank you.
Rather than expect teachers and preachers to directly address "hot button issues" like abortion, etc., I believe it would be more productive to address the underlying world view factors that lead some of our fellow Christians (and many non-Christians) to hold certain views.
It was enlightening for me to recently complete a reading and partial re-reading of the recent book by Carl Trueman, "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self." He lays out several centuries of historical development that culminate in such current aberrations as "I am a woman trapped in a man's body." Each step along the way over 300 years leads to the next step and the ultimate conclusion. We need to retrace that ground and challenge each change in the culture's way of thinking where it is unbiblical (and nonsensical). When someone leaves behind the unbiblical ways of viewing human nature, etc., then they will no longer entertain certain bizarre ideas.
But if we have people in the pews who are (unwittingly) holding non-Christian world view ideas, then jumping to the punch line and telling them what they should conclude about certain current issues just creates cognitive dissonance and confusion. Attack the problem at its root, not at the tip of the branches. Besides, it is important to clear up false ideas for other reasons than for the effect they have on particular issues.
I highly recommend the Trueman book to everyone, Christian or otherwise, just to understand how we got where we are today as a society. It is far better to understand than to just keep shaking our heads and saying "This is crazy!"
A shorter, tangential comment before I make a longer comment or two.
Amos 3:3 has nothing to do with doctrinal unity. That abuse of the verse became common in the early 19th century among conservative Presbyterians and some Restoration Movement leaders picked it up. The passage establishes that the calamities that will soon fall upon the nation are not random or coincidental, but are the punishments sent by God upon the disobedient and idolatrous.
Each example from everyday life shows by analogy that things happen for a reason. If you see two men walking together from one town to another, it is not likely to be a coincidence, that they just happened to depart town at the same time in the same direction. More likely, they agreed to travel together. Likewise for the other verses.
Let's end the out of context abuse of this verse in our circles.
The one problem I have with this is that somewhere "the Pastor" decides which position is "right" and everyone else is wrong. Having said that, my Sr. Pastor and I agree on everything that is included in our confession of faith both as a church and a denomination. But we disagree on several finer points. And we're comfortable with it because our disagreements have been disagreements that Christians before us have had and still been able to work together.
Just suppose the Gentile church has it all wrong! Just suppose why we left the teachings of Jesus and made up our own rules.. Just suppose we have misread Paul’s writings. Just suppose we pick and choose what we already believe to be true and seek to confirm those ideas by misreading most of the New Testament. Just suppose we revaluate our beliefs and think how the church has adopted most of our teachings from the early church fathers instead of the Jewish writers of the Bible. When did Sunday worship start? Why do we not study Torah? Why do we make Jesus say things that He never intended it to mean? Just suppose!!
I find it interesting you used the Amish as an example. I used to live in the middle of the largest Amish community in Ohio (second only to Pennsylvania). Even where I lived there was just as much division among them, if not more, than among us. Modern culture has infiltrated their community. You have Old Order up to Mennonites, and everything in between.
I don't find it very Christian to label people with a brushstroke. I myself am from the Northeast, and I love speaking with people.
If it doesn't apply to you, it doesn't apply to you
I'm starting to think the problem stems from the reformation and the decision the begin a series of endless schisms. How can we be united if we don't have a united church, under one unifying doctrine and leadership?
I don't know, there were schisms before the reformation.
Today unity seems to be lining up far more according to practical concerns than basic credal points and doctrinal lines.