If you grew up in church and the religious organization, have you ever thought about the idea that maybe we were told some wrong things and taught some wrong interpretations?
Most of us who have been in the church for any length of time knows how the system works and it is really all we know. We listen to a pastor and figure they know what they are talking about because they were called by God. They went to a college institution to be taught everything about God by another human.
For my wife and me, the longer we were in the institution the more we felt uncomfortable and began questioning some things that just did not seem to fit together. I remember having several questions over time about doctrine or interpretation that did not make sense to me, or did make sense but not in the traditional teaching of the church. I knew if I asked the pastor or others in the church they would think I was wrong or falling away from my faith.
I think as time goes on being outside the walls of religion we have come to find that some of what we were taught all these years just might not be the way God intended. Man might have taught some wrong doctrines all based on human interpretation apart from the Spirit.
We have found that asking questions usually leads to more questions. I think it is time we stop relying on a pastor or so-called spiritual leader to tell us all about God and start thinking for ourselves. We have the Holy Spirit within us who was sent to teach us. We have the mind of Christ so why do we still think we need another human being to tell us all about God.
There is nothing wrong with discussing thoughts and ideas with other people. It is not wrong to hear different views and interpretations, but in the end follow the leading of the Spirit and do not rely on the opinions of others.
Ask the Spirit to lead you into His truth. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Ask God for guidance. Remember we are all kings and priests, we are all equally functioning parts of the body and Christ is our head. We do not need to rely on another human being to teach us about God. Listen for the quiet and calm voice of the Spirit and seek His guidance.
At the risk of Scripture – bombing, I’d like to mention that Jesus said, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt 15:9 (KJV)). In this day the Spirit is using ordinary people both inside and outside the church walls, to tear down these [human] imaginations that exalt themselves above the knowledge of God. My take on this is here:
http://tinyurl.com/zs4qtzx
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Thanks Tony. Good comment and very true. I liked your article also.
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Questions leads to more question. True. But it’s always good to make things clearer. Who knows that your questions can bring clarity in the church.
It’s always joy to be in the midst of fellow brethren. And there is no church which is perfect because humans are not perfect.
One thing which must be taken care is the doctrine. If one feels the wrong doctrine is preached, then it’s the high time to change the church. 🙂
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Thank you Mary. I appreciate your comment.
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Please take the time to think about what you know about Jesus. It came to you over time, with the help of many people. One role of the church is to get people where you are now. The other roll is fellowship. It’s the church family. It’s practicing what you learned in the Bible. The purpose of fellowship is to provide support when things get tough and it will, because none of us are perfect.
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Certainly we need our brothers and sisters for fellowship and encouragement. Yet we do not need a building, a pastor, an organized meeting or a specific doctrine. Follow the leading and truth of the Spirit and be ready for fellowship with others any day and any place. Thanks for your comment.
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This was very timely. I have said these exact same things to a friend of mine. My husband and I left organized religion a little over a year ago and for the most part it was the best decision we ever made. We have found that there are many man made doctrines out there and most people live by the “doctrine” or name above the church door or on the church sign rather than by the holy spirit. They have forgotten people are the church not the building we attend and that we all have the ability to learn on our own and quit relying on so-called pastors to know everything. Man is full of fallacy but many in our world are to lazy to learn for themself so they just blindly accept the fallacy as truth because it sounds good. A man goes to some college and because the teacher is some big name they automatically assume he knows what he’s talking about and goes on to spread the fallacy as a Pastor to any number of people in his congregation…it is perpetrated over and over again each Sunday morning and people just keep believing what their told by their leaders. It’s time more people stand up and begin to question what they are being taught and to the Holy Spirit as their teacher!
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Such truth and good points Kris. My wife and I left the organization a couple years ago and agree that it was a good decision. Thanks for your comment.
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Keep on questioning!
My mom is Christian. She doesn’t go to church any more. When I asked her why, she said, ‘I can read just as well as any pastor. I don’t need tgem to tell me the meaning of the words.’
Makes sense to me. Why would a divine being care where you worship or read his book?
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So true. Good point. I like the way your mom thinks. I’m finding God can handle our questioning. Thanks for your comment.
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