I am venturing into unknown territory soon; checking out a “house church” movement that “seems” to be very reminicient of the early Brethren and Disciples of Christ movement. I am very much drawn toward a simple and God fearing faith that is, at the same time, not legalistic or overbearing. I submit that the whole American idea of a large and costly physical church “home” is not at all what Christ envisioned His church as being.

I’m currently reading an older book, by Leonard Verduin called “The Reformer’s Step-Children” and he details very clearly that dissenters from the majority of church goers have always existed since the second century and the later apostasy of Constantinism in the sixth century. These simple “Bible believers” wanted no involvement with the secular governments, but the Reformers, sadly, embraced it, being too indoctrinated into the idea of a “church state” by the Roman church.

This pattern is very evidently embodied in most of the evangelical churches today and I believe it is God’s way of revealing the false church through her secular affiliations and acceptance of the Roman Catholic church as spiritual kindred.

I think you are right in your assessment; we know nothing the way we should. I have asked this question for several years now; “Is it conceivable that most of what we see as the ‘Church’ is a deception?” This question has been the source of much loss of fellowship for me, but honesty with what we read in Scripture declares loud and clear that we have indeed been deceived.

It is good to know that the light of truth is spreading. Although I am not a big fan of Barna or Viola I am glad to see their book “Pagan Christianity” hit the street. Their contention is that we have built a massive structure on a very faulty foundation and it is not a safe place to go for shelter. Paul’s declaration to the Corinthian’s that their “meetings do more harm than good” definitely applies to the institutional church today.

Those who have seen the light are being very careful not to offend anyone with their new found revelations. Their timidity is not good. It will mean the separation from all that they have held to be “truth” for as long as they have lived. Their timidity is also a result of confusion. Many in the Emerging camp have seen the falseness of the institutional church and have jumped on the Emerging bandwagon and are consequently going the wrong direction. To recognize that there is a problem with the way the Church has been “organized” does not mean to look for a different way to organize or a better program. What it does mean is that we must learn all over again what it means to exercise faith, and to trust God. When Jesus said to John in Revelations that the Churches must go all the way back and do their “first works” over again He didn’t mean a return to the Reformation, or a monastic life style, or the desert fathers, or creeds, or councils, or any of that. What He wants for His Church is go all the way back, and clear the foundation; all the way back to the Prophets, the Apostles, with Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. This is a great work, especially when there are so many memories of the “old way,” and the glory of the old man made buildings, and there is no time for timidity.

We are all prodigals, and must find our way back home, and Jesus will lead us.

Blessings,

Steve Blackwell

I am becoming a bit more ecumenical in my acceptance of other believers, but God willing, I won’t become accepting of doctrine that doesn’t agree with scripture that is clear. The Word clearly says we are to test EVERY spirit and we all need more discernment. And we only get that as a result of seeking and asking, because it, like all blessings, is a gift of the Spirit.

God bless and guide you!