Catholic System Part B

Yes solo scriptura was part of Luther's reformations, and I believe his heart was in the right place. His original beef was with the corruption in the church--such as selling of indulgences--though his 95 thesis go much deeper in their criticism. The 95 outline much of what happens when we believe that the "one church" is a physical entity rather than a spiritual entity. Though I'm glad we have Luther's example, and I don't mean to say his life's work is of no benefit to the individual, the resulting reformation quickly became as corrupt as the catholic church had been. Most of the 95 thesis would apply to the denominationally fractured church of today as aptly as it ever did.

It is hopeless to believe that a group of human beings can create an organization whose belief's and practices perfectly reflect the heart of God. We all know this. Frequently the Holy Spirit will do just that, but it always looks relational; like a family; not organizational; like a denomination.

Paul is clear that the Sabbath was a shadow of things to come. It speaks to the rest that is available to all who are in Christ...

It's a pretty crappy conspiracy when you think about it. Why would the devil spend 2,000 years creating a conspiracy to net a few thousand faithful at the end of time? What about all of those who die in the mean time? Are we saying that God would deny heaven to someone for worshiping on the wrong day? Because that's preposterous. If a child climes into his father's lap, but accidentally knees him in the groin the father isn't angry. That's not what he wanted but he knows the child's heart was in the right place. How much more would our perfect Father know our hearts?

So is it only the people who know better but choose to worship on the Sunday in order to avoid persecution? Well we all need to follow our convictions--that's true. But I still don't read anything in the bible that indicates satin has the patients to pull off a 2,000 year conspiracy. He prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, but if you resist him he flees. That tells me he goes for the quick kills. He waited until Christ was physically weak to tempt him. Long suffering is a characteristic of God not the demonic.

I think the name "prince of the air" means he does a lot of atmosphere controlling. He wants to lead people astray by making it about, greed, lust, idolatry or pride.

We do know that sheep will be sorted from goat. We know that even some who cast out demons will be denied heaven, but that's because Christ says, "I knew you not." That's a relationship issue not a technicality about day of worship or even capitulating to evil.

So where would Adventists get the idea that their eschatology will impact their salvation? Could it be from Revelations when a reference is made to the Remnant. We have gotten a very wrong idea of what church is over time. We have started interpreting the the word congregation as church. Now the word church refers to a building, the people in the building and on occasion to a larger group of believers who comprise a denomination. We even say church when we mean all believers which would more accurately be called the body of Christ or the Bride of Christ. Well nothing anywhere says that the remnant of Revelations is a church. So even if we should find a verse here or there that indicates that they are comprised of people who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus we still can't say that its a particular denomination.

It's important to understand that Christ himself said the most important commandment was to love God, followed by loving your neighbor. So if someday, someone did wish to be a part of some remnant they would have to love their neighbors not just keep the 4th commandment.

If I made a stew and put it out to eat, I wouldn't say ouch when people ate it. The stew is my creation, it is not me. To love and serve the commandments is not the same as loving and serving God. At no point can we allow our man-made religion to become the core of our faith walk. That is building your house upon the sand. To build your house on the Rock you must have a relationship with Jesus.

When Jesus asks his disciples, "who do you say I am?" he is asking the key question of all Christianity. Who am I to you? What do you know of me? Peter has a moment of genius and blurts out, you are the one foretold of be the prophets, your going to set us all free. Jesus renames Peter "the Rock" and says he's blessed because no man told him that, but he learned it from God. When God himself convicts us that Christ is our salvation we've got it. That's it man. It's not about the rules. It's not about failing the rules. Its about this one question. Who is Jesus to you?

When you can say, everything, and mean it, then the rules will serve you instead of you serving the rules.

A. R. Bunch