"Ekklesia is not merely a human association, a gathering of like-minded individuals for a religious purpose, but is a divinely created affair" - Robert Banks
Yes, invisible, supernatural, and only completely observable with total accuracy by God Himself. The outward orthopraxy of this organism is rarely observable in direct proportion to its Spiritual essence.
Only small pockets even actually attempt to reflect who they really are collectively. Why, you ask. Because the church is consumed with self, things, creeds, and has lost the core of what it means to be a Christian.
We now have very few models, and those who are usually live outside the telescope of western media. There are selfless followers of Christ who are never seen, so, we frame people like MacArthur, MacLaren, Bell, Silva, Graham, Piper, and most tragically Frueh and Ianniello as our models.
Only digging into God's Word with no preconceived doctrinal persuasions will bring a more authentic image of how God desired His church to look like. When I read "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" I realize one of two things.
Either those words from Christ's lips must be dismantled, explained, and diluted to fit into our western lifestyles - or - we are not disciples. The emperor has no clothes.
2 comments:
Yes, invisible, supernatural, and only completely observable with total accuracy by God Himself. The outward orthopraxy of this organism is rarely observable in direct proportion to its Spiritual essence.
Only small pockets even actually attempt to reflect who they really are collectively. Why, you ask. Because the church is consumed with self, things, creeds, and has lost the core of what it means to be a Christian.
We now have very few models, and those who are usually live outside the telescope of western media. There are selfless followers of Christ who are never seen, so, we frame people like MacArthur, MacLaren, Bell, Silva, Graham, Piper, and most tragically Frueh and Ianniello as our models.
Only digging into God's Word with no preconceived doctrinal persuasions will bring a more authentic image of how God desired His church to look like. When I read "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" I realize one of two things.
Either those words from Christ's lips must be dismantled, explained, and diluted to fit into our western lifestyles - or - we are not disciples. The emperor has no clothes.
But I like that Frueh guy ...
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