On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 03:34:40 GMT, "jcb" <jcb2354@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

"RainLover" <SPAMBLOCKrainlover@raincity.com> wrote in message
news:akhlrvgu564cemdo17lvih8ji41436clq8@4ax.com...

On Wed, 19 Nov 2003 00:42:19 GMT, Bible Bob <biblebob@saintly.com>
wrote:

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 11:55:36 -0800, RainLover
<SPAMBLOCKrainlover@raincity.com> wrote:

Just a simple (okay, not really) question:

WHICH christian church is most in line with what the Bible truely
says?

Dear Rainlover:

That's an easy one. The church of God which is he body of Christ.
There are no denominations in that church.

BB

Everyone seems to have dodged the question. Come on... I *KNOW* you
all have opinions on this! When I said 'church' I meant active,
worldly, goin'-to-church-on-Sunday churches.

Several points to make here.
1. No, it seems like you don't like the answers you are getting. We all
seem to agree that you are referring to DENOMINATIONS not the CHURCH. If we
are going to communicate, let's try to be specific so we don't waste our
time with words that have different meanings to each of us.

I'm not specifically asking about denominations. I'm talking about
what constitutes being a 'good christian' and which philosophy (or
whatever you would call it) is the correct version / group of people
to follow.

2. In answer to your questions about DENOMINATIONS. Let us change the
question to show why it really doesn't make sense in that light eather.
Let's talk math. If one person says math is important to calculate the
distance to the moon and someone else says it's important to know how much
money you have..... who would be more right? Answer: both, but in different
ways. Each denomination tends to emphisis a different aspect of the various
'streams' of Christianty. The joy of that is that those people who desire a
more contemplative (quiet and meditative) life in God and those who desire a
more Evangelical (Word centered) and those with other desire all have a
place to worship comfortably. Personally I have been trying to balance the
major streams within my life (Contemplitive, Evangelical, Charasmatic,
Holiness, Social Justice & Incarnational)

Okay... and what if ONE group of christians say 'homosexuality is an
abomination" and another group says "homosexualty is okay"? If you
ask people in each congregation they'll answer 180 degrees from each
other.

Some christians (promise keepers for example) preach that the woman's
place is in the home and the man is directed by God to control her and
provide for her. These christians also would NEVER allow a woman to
be in a position of power within a church..... of course, there are
other christians who would say that's all old testiment hoo-haw and
Women can be strong and powerful on their own.

Who is right? Who am I to listen to? Who am I to Believe? (and you
can't say 'read the bible' since both groups get their philosphies
from the Bible)

3. Your responce tends to make me think that you are less interested in
hearing others ideas and opinions and more interested in finding someone to
argue and bait. If this is so it is rather 'manipulative' and I would hope
you could be more honest with us about what you think and feel.

I'm sorry you see my questions as baiting someone. As for
'arguing'... I'll interpret that to mean 'debate' as opposed to 'fight
about' and yes... I AM looking for a debate on this so I can figure it
out.

It sounds like a least one person here runs their own church... If
someone came to you and told you they were contemplating becoming a
Christian and asked which church they should attend, what would you
suggest?

I would (and have) suggest(ed) that they try several local churchs till they
find one that they 'belong' in. The answer is that they need to learn to
'listen to their hearts' (my term for the Spirits leading) and be where God
leads them.

Your suggestion really seems to mean: "check out a lot of local
churches until you find one that agrees with your perspective on life
and god." "listening to their hearts" is what's gotten us 12,000
different denominations on christians.

James, Seattle