tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post4071302436331005802..comments2023-06-09T12:46:12.932-04:00Comments on The Voice Of One Crying Out In Suburbia: Why do the institutions in Christianity always collapse?Arthur Sidohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03848508095612688493noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-89888747664978737512008-12-03T09:58:00.000-05:002008-12-03T09:58:00.000-05:00No, there isn't really. I suppose you could look a...No, there isn't really. I suppose you could look at Ephesians where a hierarchical structure is plainly revealed.<BR/><BR/>I don't import the modern idea of "boss" into the idea. Hierarchy simply refers to the structure of authority. One which makes no sense with an insitution within which the hierarchy functions. We are not to lord it over others, still, our relationship is likened to the family where the hierarchy functions for the benefit of the institution. Other institutions, be they seminaries or other ministerial organs established by the churches also cannot function without hierarchy. It is the biblical way.Strong Towerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834108238546908018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-32632298520883182072008-12-03T08:14:00.000-05:002008-12-03T08:14:00.000-05:00Strong Tower, what hierarchy among believers do yo...Strong Tower, what hierarchy among believers do you see in the Bible? There is a difference between leadership and hierarchy.Arthur Sidohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03848508095612688493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-24925916206420873632008-12-02T20:21:00.000-05:002008-12-02T20:21:00.000-05:00It is not the institution, nor men in them, but si...It is not the institution, nor men in them, but sin. The church is an institution, believe it or not, with at minimum an inferred structure and hierarchy. God made it, not men, and it(they) always fall apart. But, that is what God has designed it to do. Why? Well, the fall happened. Revelations reveals a fallen church, all seven of them make one church. The institution always has this flavoring to a greater or lesser extent. It does no good then to avoid them, rather we erect and reform an push forward, not abandon. It is not insanity that we try the same thing over and over again. Because we expect the same result, not a different one. We expect the church to fail as an institution, established by God. That is what the apostles told us would happen, because that is what Jesus told them would happen. And it will happen over and over and over, and we are expect to rebuild the institution over and over and over expecting that until the Lord appears in the heavens that all thing will remain the same as they were in the beginning. Without institutions we would have long ago ceased to exist. There would be in fact, no structure to life.Strong Towerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13834108238546908018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-7607749190207785242008-11-28T13:29:00.000-05:002008-11-28T13:29:00.000-05:00Hello Arthur, from an "old" , ok forget the qts: O...Hello Arthur, from an "old" , ok forget the qts: OLD voice from Mormon Coffee; great artilce, I may just pass this one on to my pastor. What does a 'simple gathering' look like to you ?? Thanks for your MAnY thoughtful insights over at MC. Do you ever feel like it's shouting into the waterfall ??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-19061796657715213452008-11-28T10:15:00.000-05:002008-11-28T10:15:00.000-05:00Paul you are dead on that a new denomination is no...Paul you are dead on that a new denomination is not the answer. I think we need to look at everything we do in light of Scripture, while trying to minimize our own preconceived notions and traditions. Whenever we gather, sinners are present so there is no perfect assembling. But I think that as a rule, the simpler our gathering the less room of manmade mischief.Arthur Sidohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03848508095612688493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-10693383903226421092008-11-26T01:42:00.000-05:002008-11-26T01:42:00.000-05:00How do we converge then? If all man-made instituti...How do we converge then? If all man-made institutions fail(assuming that every denomination is a man-made institution) where do we go? What is the answer? Seriously, what does the church faithfully do with this information? A new denomination will not do.Paul Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00023644935220404497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-26416490824683978452008-11-25T15:17:00.000-05:002008-11-25T15:17:00.000-05:00I think there's a fairly simple explanation as to ...I think there's a fairly simple explanation as to why "Christian institutions" fail: All Christian institutions are man-made and all man-made things fail.<BR/><BR/>-AlanAlan Knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07452247058550736803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-75902363901719203662008-11-25T14:59:00.000-05:002008-11-25T14:59:00.000-05:00Arthur, Good thoughts here! Another great post!Joe...Arthur, <BR/>Good thoughts here! Another great post!<BR/><BR/>Joe,<BR/>You make me laugh!<BR/><BR/>BethanyBethany W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05849311381535204559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6643715.post-58072606668755983022008-11-25T11:41:00.000-05:002008-11-25T11:41:00.000-05:00But if we do away with institutions Arthur we will...But if we do away with institutions Arthur we will only have prayer and the Bible and the Holy Spirit left for power and authority?<BR/><BR/>We might even have to fast for crying out loud. And what will we do with the youth pastor? Millions of pie in the face games and "Christian lock ins" Will become obsolete. You are indeed seeking Revolution Arthur, not Reformation. <BR/><BR/>And how in the world do you expect churches to grow if the pastor doesn't have a seminary degree?Joe VonDoloskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10579810065005629169noreply@blogger.com