The Church of England

[OrangeTsar]

Good, centralized religious authority is not a good thing.

But at the other extreme, can you really trust every believer to come up with their own doctrine on their own? You have to have some level of authority or you know longer have a church

 

[VolStrom]

But at the other extreme, can you really trust every believer to come up with their own doctrine on their own? You have to have some level of authority or you know longer have a church

I don't know about the rest of the world, but there are hundreds of religious doctrines in East TN. Snake handlers and speaking in tongues are a couple of the more bizarre ones I've witnessed.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

I don't know about the rest of the world, but there are hundreds of religious doctrines in East TN. Snake handlers and speaking in tongues are a couple of the more bizarre ones I've witnessed.[/QUOTE
Pentecostal church meetings are lively that is for sure.

 

[OrangeTsar]

I don't know about the rest of the world, but there are hundreds of religious doctrines in East TN. Snake handlers and speaking in tongues are a couple of the more bizarre ones I've witnessed.

Every group that calls itself a church isn’t necessarily a Church. In my opinion at least

 

[VolStrom]

Every group that calls itself a church isn’t necessarily a Church. In my opinion at least

Yeah, most are cults, just like the current climate cultists.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Every group that calls itself a church isn’t necessarily a Church. In my opinion at least

What about Brother Bob’s tent revival extravaganza?

 

[hog88]

But at the other extreme, can you really trust every believer to come up with their own doctrine on their own? You have to have some level of authority or you know longer have a church

A church can be 2 people meeting and praying. Centralized control over religion always leads to corruption, no different than a government. Best to keep churches independent and small. IMO of course.

 

[hog88]

Every group that calls itself a church isn’t necessarily a Church. In my opinion at least

What defines a church?

 

[VolStrom]

What defines a church?

People won't like my answer, but the people that define heaven and hell.

 

[hog88]

People won't like my answer, but the people that define heaven and hell.

What's your answer?

 

[VolStrom]

What's your answer?

I thought. it was obvious.

the people that define heaven and hell.

 

[hog88]

I thought. it was obvious.

the people that define heaven and hell.

Yeah, I didn't read that right.

 

[hog88]

My brother's church is splitting from the United Methodist because of their change of doctrine on various things.

 

[OrangeTsar]

What defines a church?

The leadership of Christ and recognition of His authority. The ULTIMATE in authority

 

[OrangeTsar]

A church can be 2 people meeting and praying. Centralized control over religion always leads to corruption, no different than a government. Best to keep churches independent and small. IMO of course.

As a lifelong Southern Baptist, That has been my opinion. But as I get older and see the absolute lunacy of some Congregations, I am second guessing that.
Obviously in the book of Acts, the Apostles and St Paul asserted their authority when needed. I think that is Still needed. The truth has to lie somewhere between anything goes one one extreme and a Pope on the other