The Virus Keeps Spreading

[Terry W Culler]

I received a phone call yesterday from a friend who is a pastor in the Church of the Brethren.  He was looking for advice and insight because they are about to undergo what the ELCA has been through with respect to ordaining sexually active homosexuals.  Two years ago there was an organized effort to read a manifesto at their national conference which was rather poorly attended.  This year their conference was confronted again by those advocating change.  So now they're spending the next 9 months is "dialogue" which will be brought before next year's conference.  Any of that sound familiar?  We can only pray that the traditionalist Christians in the CoB can withstand this assault.

[LutherMan]

Satan is harder at work within the churches, and people are giving in to the sin.

[pbnorth3]

I received a phone call yesterday from a friend who is a pastor in the Church of the Brethren.  He was looking for advice and insight because they are about to undergo what the ELCA has been through with respect to ordaining sexually active homosexuals.  Two years ago there was an organized effort to read a manifesto at their national conference which was rather poorly attended.  This year their conference was confronted again by those advocating change.  So now they're spending the next 9 months is "dialogue" which will be brought before next year's conference.  Any of that sound familiar?  We can only pray that the traditionalist Christians in the CoB can withstand this assault.

There is a congregation in Cando, North Dakota that broke away from the Church of the Brethren because of this. It is quite sad. As LutherMan said, the Evil One is certainly active and working in all this. The sifting of the Church is continuing. I take comfort in knowing that when all is over, the Church will still be standing.

Peace in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Rob Buechler

[SmithL]

Satan is harder at work within the churches, and people are giving in to the sin.

If Satan can get a church to accept sin and cause the faithful to leave, then he's won a twofer.

[Brian Stoffregen]

Satan is harder at work within the churches, and people are giving in to the sin.

Another interpretation is that the Spirit is hard at work within the churches, but some are unwilling to listen.

[LCMS87]

Would that be the minority or the majority through time who are unwilling to listen to the Spirit?

[olarmy02]

Satan is harder at work within the churches, and people are giving in to the sin.

Another interpretation is that the Spirit is hard at work within the churches, but some are unwilling to listen.

 

[Karl Hess]

I don't think Satan wins if the faithful leave.  The churches that renounce Christianity will quickly become empty shells and die off over time.  But if the faithful remain in fellowship with apostates or heretics when it is clear there will be no repentance, their witness is compromised and their ability to resist Satan's lies is eroded.

[Brian Stoffregen]

I don't think Satan wins if the faithful leave.  The churches that renounce Christianity will quickly become empty shells and die off over time.  But if the faithful remain in fellowship with apostates or heretics when it is clear there will be no repentance, their witness is compromised and their ability to resist Satan's lies is eroded.

Those faithful servants who wanted to remove the "weeds" from the fields, would also have destroyed the "wheat". Could it be that by separating themselves from the so-called "apostates or heretics" in the church, the "faithful" are, in fact, destroying the whole church?

[olarmy02]

I don't think Satan wins if the faithful leave.  The churches that renounce Christianity will quickly become empty shells and die off over time.  But if the faithful remain in fellowship with apostates or heretics when it is clear there will be no repentance, their witness is compromised and their ability to resist Satan's lies is eroded.

Those faithful servants who wanted to remove the "weeds" from the fields, would also have destroyed the "wheat". Could it be that by separating themselves from the so-called "apostates or heretics" in the church, the "faithful" are, in fact, destroying the whole church?

*&%^# Pastor Stoffregen!  You made me spray Pepsi through my nose and onto my keyboard.  My sinuses are burning.  I did need that laugh though, thank you...for the keyboard clean-up not so much.

[George Erdner]

I don't think Satan wins if the faithful leave.  The churches that renounce Christianity will quickly become empty shells and die off over time.  But if the faithful remain in fellowship with apostates or heretics when it is clear there will be no repentance, their witness is compromised and their ability to resist Satan's lies is eroded.

Those faithful servants who wanted to remove the "weeds" from the fields, would also have destroyed the "wheat". Could it be that by separating themselves from the so-called "apostates or heretics" in the church, the "faithful" are, in fact, destroying the whole church?

When each one of faithful leaves the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, Satan wins on small victory. When each one of the faithful transfers from one man-made subdivision of the OHCA Church that has "gone rogue" and chosen to follow Satan instead of God to a different man-made subdivision of the OHCA Church that remains faithful to the teachings of God, Satan loses.

Transferring between different man-made subdivisions of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is not "leaving" the Church. Denominations like the ELCA are not "the church", they are just a little piece of "the church".

[Brian Stoffregen]

I don't think Satan wins if the faithful leave.  The churches that renounce Christianity will quickly become empty shells and die off over time.  But if the faithful remain in fellowship with apostates or heretics when it is clear there will be no repentance, their witness is compromised and their ability to resist Satan's lies is eroded.

Those faithful servants who wanted to remove the "weeds" from the fields, would also have destroyed the "wheat". Could it be that by separating themselves from the so-called "apostates or heretics" in the church, the "faithful" are, in fact, destroying the whole church?

*&%^# Pastor Stoffregen!  You made me spray Pepsi through my nose and onto my keyboard.  My sinuses are burning.  I did need that laugh though, thank you...for the keyboard clean-up not so much.

I have a rule about not drinking near my computers. Glad I lifted your spirits. Sorry about the keyboard.

[Terry W Culler]

No person or group of people has the ability to destroy the Church, unless, of course, you think Jesus was wrong when He said the gates of hell could not prevail against the Church. 

[George Erdner]

No person or group of people has the ability to destroy the Church, unless, of course, you think Jesus was wrong when He said the gates of hell could not prevail against the Church. 

Does that mean that the church can't be damaged or dented a little from time to time? And if it can be damaged or dented, wouldn't God repair such damage and dents by calling His people to take corrective action?

[Cnehring]

I don't think Satan wins if the faithful leave.  The churches that renounce Christianity will quickly become empty shells and die off over time.  But if the faithful remain in fellowship with apostates or heretics when it is clear there will be no repentance, their witness is compromised and their ability to resist Satan's lies is eroded.

Those faithful servants who wanted to remove the "weeds" from the fields, would also have destroyed the "wheat". Could it be that by separating themselves from the so-called "apostates or heretics" in the church, the "faithful" are, in fact, destroying the whole church?

Oh, how simplistic and expected this is. But, sir, the problem is that you are regaling us with a part of Scripture dealing with election, not morality and the nature of faith (you know-fearing, loving and trusting God above all things, including yourself).

Perhaps those words of the Bible of separating yourself from those refusing to repent might be a bit more practical in this matter? I do recall Paul having some pretty harsh words and advice for the congregations to expel those who refuse, in the hope that they repent and stop their sin.