Even "birds of a feather flock together." Isn't that how God made us? Far as I know, there was only one race and one common language until God invented these problems for us during the "Tower Incident."
Christians have been "believing in" hope for 2,000 years, Jews for 6000 years.
I hope that young people (under 30) can learn to live with this world as they find it. It isn't the world I was born into 75 years ago. The major alternate is a shooting war for/in the western nations.
Then you agree that this century's "music" is more jungle chant than melodic? Elementary school level children's song without proper written music? More appropriate for prime time TV than worship? Tuneless ditties?
The denomination could possibly balance its budget by polling the local congregations on which agencies wish to support, then dropping the agencies that don't get super majority support. Should do before the denomination spends a zillion bucks remodeling the headquarters building - might need a smaller building.
According to "scientific" evidence, over the last couple of million years, much warmer climates are the norm. Ice ages are rare. Of course, if one is a 6 day creation/young earth young earth believer, then disregard and please agree to disagree.
The CRC was started as an ethnic denomination. If we are not to continue as an ethnic denomination then what justifies our continued existence? No "spiritual" response, please. Yes, the CRC will exist as long as God wants the CRC to exist. But I'm feeling that God doesn't want me to make the 70 mile commute to attend church. It isn't "fair" to the other drivers on the freeway. <G>
There are over 100 Christian denominations. What does the CRC do uniquely, better, or more efficiently than the other 99+?
Personally, I think Dutch Reformed theology is worth saving. Specifically, the doctrine of common grace. Far as I know, it is unique to the CRC. But I don't see any interest in theology in Classis, in Synod, or in The Banner. All I see is the pushing of a secular politically correct agenda using "Christian" words. That and budget problems.
OK, this isn't the whole truth. I like Pastor Jim Wiersum and the congregation at First Everett CRC very much but intend to quit when Pastor Jim leaves (after 25 or so years). To old to change horses, to set in my ways, and am seriously thinking about quitting driving. The roads between Olympia WA and Marysville, WA, are to unnerving for me. But seriously, it took me 30 years to find the CRC but only a couple more years to decide that the CRC doesn't want to be a Dutch Reformed Church.
The old saying that we should worry about things we can do something about and leave the rest to God? Most theological questions, like higher math, are beyond understanding to most of us and are best left to God and/or math majors.
Independence, like freedom and happiness, are complex subjects which seem to confuse many people. The Declaration Of Independence, for example: under which economic or political system can't a person chase after happiness? When some people complain, "We are losing our freedom," I respond, "If you had more freedom then what would you do differently?" The response usually is something about taxes, guns, or smoking pot.
Reformed Protestant Christianity is the only system that guarantees catching happiness with the only proviso being that one is "elect" before he is born. How can this be? Because Freedom and happiness are mental states. I think therefore I am free and happy. <G>
Good question. Follow-up question: If a sin, misdemeanor or felony?
The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches classify (in my words) as misdemeanors or felonies. Some "dispensational" denominations teach that "wrong thinking" (my words) is as serious as premeditated murder to God. What is the CRCNA position?
The Devil is always in the details. Most Christians, most people mostly worry about pleasing God and the next life in terms of going to Heaven or going to Hell. If neither God's election to salvation nor "believing in Jesus" provides a final answer then logically our eternal destination is determined by God's evaluation one's good and bad "works." Or God flips a coin.
Maybe for the "elect," God grades on a curve and we should reconsider the concept of Purgatory.
Infant baptism is a requirement of the Christian Religion, and a uniting factor. The rest of the world uses baptism as the line of demarcation between "them" and "us."
Posted in: Hello, My Name Is. . . Racist
Even "birds of a feather flock together." Isn't that how God made us? Far as I know, there was only one race and one common language until God invented these problems for us during the "Tower Incident."
Posted in: I Choose Hope!
Christians have been "believing in" hope for 2,000 years, Jews for 6000 years.
I hope that young people (under 30) can learn to live with this world as they find it. It isn't the world I was born into 75 years ago. The major alternate is a shooting war for/in the western nations.
Posted in: The Melodious Part of the Worship Service
Then you agree that this century's "music" is more jungle chant than melodic? Elementary school level children's song without proper written music? More appropriate for prime time TV than worship? Tuneless ditties?
Posted in: Five Steps to Denominational Renewal - Part 2
The denomination could possibly balance its budget by polling the local congregations on which agencies wish to support, then dropping the agencies that don't get super majority support. Should do before the denomination spends a zillion bucks remodeling the headquarters building - might need a smaller building.
Posted in: Five Steps to Denominational Renewal - Part 2
The message is not ambiguous but the justification for the belief that it is God's plan for the CRC is missing.
Posted in: A Grandfather's Perspective: Why I Care about Climate Change
According to "scientific" evidence, over the last couple of million years, much warmer climates are the norm. Ice ages are rare. Of course, if one is a 6 day creation/young earth young earth believer, then disregard and please agree to disagree.
Posted in: When Someone's Faith is Drowning
Unfortunate that English doesn't differentiate between Faith, a collection of dogma and faith, "belief" in anything."
Posted in: Five Steps to Denominational Renewal - Part 1
The CRC was started as an ethnic denomination. If we are not to continue as an ethnic denomination then what justifies our continued existence? No "spiritual" response, please. Yes, the CRC will exist as long as God wants the CRC to exist. But I'm feeling that God doesn't want me to make the 70 mile commute to attend church. It isn't "fair" to the other drivers on the freeway. <G>
There are over 100 Christian denominations. What does the CRC do uniquely, better, or more efficiently than the other 99+?
Personally, I think Dutch Reformed theology is worth saving. Specifically, the doctrine of common grace. Far as I know, it is unique to the CRC. But I don't see any interest in theology in Classis, in Synod, or in The Banner. All I see is the pushing of a secular politically correct agenda using "Christian" words. That and budget problems.
OK, this isn't the whole truth. I like Pastor Jim Wiersum and the congregation at First Everett CRC very much but intend to quit when Pastor Jim leaves (after 25 or so years). To old to change horses, to set in my ways, and am seriously thinking about quitting driving. The roads between Olympia WA and Marysville, WA, are to unnerving for me. But seriously, it took me 30 years to find the CRC but only a couple more years to decide that the CRC doesn't want to be a Dutch Reformed Church.
Sincerely,
Bill Wald
Posted in: Questions and a Wake Up Call
The old saying that we should worry about things we can do something about and leave the rest to God? Most theological questions, like higher math, are beyond understanding to most of us and are best left to God and/or math majors.
Posted in: Happy Dependence Day!
Independence, like freedom and happiness, are complex subjects which seem to confuse many people. The Declaration Of Independence, for example: under which economic or political system can't a person chase after happiness? When some people complain, "We are losing our freedom," I respond, "If you had more freedom then what would you do differently?" The response usually is something about taxes, guns, or smoking pot.
Reformed Protestant Christianity is the only system that guarantees catching happiness with the only proviso being that one is "elect" before he is born. How can this be? Because Freedom and happiness are mental states. I think therefore I am free and happy. <G>
Posted in: Homosexuality and Holy Uncertainty
Good question. Follow-up question: If a sin, misdemeanor or felony?
The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches classify (in my words) as misdemeanors or felonies. Some "dispensational" denominations teach that "wrong thinking" (my words) is as serious as premeditated murder to God. What is the CRCNA position?
The Devil is always in the details. Most Christians, most people mostly worry about pleasing God and the next life in terms of going to Heaven or going to Hell. If neither God's election to salvation nor "believing in Jesus" provides a final answer then logically our eternal destination is determined by God's evaluation one's good and bad "works." Or God flips a coin.
Maybe for the "elect," God grades on a curve and we should reconsider the concept of Purgatory.
Posted in: Infant Baptism or Dedication: What Should We Consider?
Infant baptism is a requirement of the Christian Religion, and a uniting factor. The rest of the world uses baptism as the line of demarcation between "them" and "us."