I do not hate or otherwise despise the organized church. In fact, I love it. What I despise is the patina of authority by which it is characterized. I despise the hypocrisy of "church discipline." I despise its constant insistence on obedience to its rules and doctrines. I despise its politics. These things are the Achilles heel of the visible, organized church.
Authority cannot be authority without sanction. We understand sanction by the gun the policeman wears on his belt, or the incarceration that occurs when we run afoul of him. The church has no such sanction. The notion of "excommunication," is bankrupt of meaning and relevance. If one is ejected by a church, it is a small matter to find another more to his liking.
We confuse, and this is especially true of our Roman Catholic brethren, the organized church with the universal, or invisible church. The latter includes all people of Christian faith, regardless of church affiliation. It also includes all those who have passed away and those yet to live.
God's people are everywhere. God will not eject a believer he loves. No human being or human institution has the power or authority to determine the eternal welfare of another. The church's authority is an empty, psychotic fantasy.
With regard to what I generally lump under the heading of Legalism, the organized church is to be faulted.
The church should perform the same function as the Bible, the Holy Scriptures. It is a guide and support. It is not a ring in the snout by which its sheep are jerked about by popes, bishops, pastors, elders and deacons.
All of this said, the organized church does wondrous good. That shouldn't be too surprising since it is, in most cases, filled with the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God, you see, is not particular about where he dwells. Of necessity, he cannot be too particular, owing to the fact that he fills the lives, hearts and bodies of believers who continue, on a regular basis, to sin daily.
Is there one among us who is not aware of this?
In addition to the wondrous good the church does, is the experience of group worship; the gathering of believers to worship together. The choirs, the singing of spiritual songs and hymns, the fellowship and friendship, the mutual encouragement, the caring engagement in each other's lives, and yes, and gifted preaching and teaching. Even a church building with inspirational architecture has its place in worship. I love all of this. There is every reason to love this, and no reason not to.
I could elaborate and list many things the church does that are good, spiritually supportive and enriching. When human beings come together to honor and glorify Jesus Christ, it will, by definition be a good and wondrous thing for each person so involved. But the church sins mightily when it attempts to control, manipulate and coerce its people. Jesus strenuously forbade this (Luke 22:24-26 -- stated in all three synoptics), see also Mt. 18:1-4; 23:8-11. And since Jesus is the Object of our worship, it would seem in the interest of the church to listen, and in listening, to hear, understand and embrace.
-- PDM
Home
