Hi Troy, I understand your frustration and disgust with the 'institutional, organized church', as you put it. But on the other hand, wouldn't it be more consistent if you had refused to 'participate in institutional, organized' politics when you quit the Republican Party, instead of switching to the Constitutional Party? There are bad apples in EVERY aspect of society, whether it be politics, religion, civic groups, social groups, government agencies, private companies, etc. If a particular area (ie. politics or religion) is rife with 'bad apples', refusing to participate is very tempting (myself included!) but it would certainly be more positive and productive to stay and work for good than to leave and cede the territory to the enemy.
Thanks for the comment. In short, NO, I don't believe it to be inconsistent at all. Leaving the institutional church and leaving the GOP are pretty much the same thing. The Constitution Party is far from the institutional organization that the Republican Party is.
I know that there are many who believe that we should stay and attempt to be "salt and light" in an organization. However, when that institution has been given over to a reprobate mindset, has become just like the rest of the world system, and has become the antithesis of its genesis, it is time for a change. That change will never come from within. Those who hold power never give it up willingly.
In leaving the organized church and joining with a small group of believers in which I am closely aligned theologically, it is much like leaving the GOP and joining together with those who I am found to be likeminded philosophically.
In the church, we were never meant to be "lone rangers". Rather, we were meant to have fellowship with other Christians. Becoming separated from the GOP is similar in that I would rather align with others who are of the same paradigm than be a loner. It is the same principle as found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
I am not critical of those who believe that they have a mission to stay within and change the system. I know several people who are called of God to stay within a corrupt church system for various reasons. That is not my walk. It was at one time, but that was for a season in my life. If someone wants to stay within a corrupt GOP system, then so be it. Again, that is not my walk.
I tried the "staying and working for good" path. That path led nowhere and I knew that it was not going to change. If and when the leadership desires a change, then I will be willing to converse and possible look at a change back. In the meantime, I am able to hammer away at paradigms via newspaper columns, blogs, message boards, etc. and will continue to use the platform I have.
I am certainly not adverse to becoming a voice in the wilderness as John the Baptist did. He left a corrupt religious system and did as he was bid by the Lord. If I need to do that spiritually or in the political arena, I will.
However, do not confuse the church with the government of man and its political system. Though there are parallels, they should not be run alike. The comparison between leaving the institutional church and leaving the GOP really are not the same.
There are things that I do in my job that are far different from how things are in a church setting. Remember, we are talking about two entirely different kindgoms. HIS kindgom is not of this world.
2 comments:
Hi Troy, I understand your frustration and disgust with the 'institutional, organized church', as you put it. But on the other hand, wouldn't it be more consistent if you had refused to 'participate in institutional, organized' politics when you quit the Republican Party, instead of switching to the Constitutional Party? There are bad apples in EVERY aspect of society, whether it be politics, religion, civic groups, social groups, government agencies, private companies, etc. If a particular area (ie. politics or religion) is rife with 'bad apples', refusing to participate is very tempting (myself included!) but it would certainly be more positive and productive to stay and work for good than to leave and cede the territory to the enemy.
Thanks for the comment. In short, NO, I don't believe it to be inconsistent at all. Leaving the institutional church and leaving the GOP are pretty much the same thing. The Constitution Party is far from the institutional organization that the Republican Party is.
I know that there are many who believe that we should stay and attempt to be "salt and light" in an organization. However, when that institution has been given over to a reprobate mindset, has become just like the rest of the world system, and has become the antithesis of its genesis, it is time for a change. That change will never come from within. Those who hold power never give it up willingly.
In leaving the organized church and joining with a small group of believers in which I am closely aligned theologically, it is much like leaving the GOP and joining together with those who I am found to be likeminded philosophically.
In the church, we were never meant to be "lone rangers". Rather, we were meant to have fellowship with other Christians. Becoming separated from the GOP is similar in that I would rather align with others who are of the same paradigm than be a loner. It is the same principle as found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
I am not critical of those who believe that they have a mission to stay within and change the system. I know several people who are called of God to stay within a corrupt church system for various reasons. That is not my walk. It was at one time, but that was for a season in my life. If someone wants to stay within a corrupt GOP system, then so be it. Again, that is not my walk.
I tried the "staying and working for good" path. That path led nowhere and I knew that it was not going to change. If and when the leadership desires a change, then I will be willing to converse and possible look at a change back. In the meantime, I am able to hammer away at paradigms via newspaper columns, blogs, message boards, etc. and will continue to use the platform I have.
I am certainly not adverse to becoming a voice in the wilderness as John the Baptist did. He left a corrupt religious system and did as he was bid by the Lord. If I need to do that spiritually or in the political arena, I will.
However, do not confuse the church with the government of man and its political system. Though there are parallels, they should not be run alike. The comparison between leaving the institutional church and leaving the GOP really are not the same.
There are things that I do in my job that are far different from how things are in a church setting. Remember, we are talking about two entirely different kindgoms. HIS kindgom is not of this world.
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