Not Attending Church

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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#1
The majority of posts that i see where someome is espousing some kind of assinine twisting, perversion or flat out denial of foundational doctrine is posted by someone who in their profile information is , "not attending chruch". What dp these severed body propose to offer the united body? Is a disembodied hand of any use?
 
Sep 28, 2023
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#2
Well, it all depend on which false "church" one would like to attend. So what flavor of churchianity do you attend?

God's Word teaches that in the end times many false teachers will arise and deceive many and... they all teach in the "churches" since they have to have somewhere to hawk their false doctrines.

Once can have fellowship with other Christians and do just fine... even go to Heaven when they croak... and not belong to any of these "churches" that teach false doctrine and continually try to con people in to giving their money so they can build bigger buildings and pay large salaries to "ministers" who just trying to impress people with how much of a big short they are.


1 Timothy 4:1,2
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

("depart from the faith" is not referring to sinners in the world who never came to faith in the first place)

1 Timothy 6:3-5 (see Luke 11:23 and 2 Peter 3:2)
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness (holiness); (Doctrine of Christ, aka Doctrine of the Apostles)
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil thoughts… Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (teaching); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying (contradicting, Not agreeing with) the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
And through covetousness (idolatry) shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.

Jude 1:4

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (no self control, living after the flesh), and denying (contradicting, opposing Jesus’ teachings) the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (referring to false teachers and false brethren - see Matthew 13:24-30)
(Deny = Strong's G0720… to contradict, disavow, reject, deny, refuse - and Strong's G4483… the idea of pouring forth, to utter, speak of or say, command)

Jude 1:17-21
Remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
These are those who
separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
("those who separate themselves" is not referring to sinners in the world who were never joined unto the Lord in the first place)

Acts 20:27-30
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
 

seekingthemindofChrist

Casting down imaginations
Jul 10, 2023
1,178
573
113
#3
The majority of posts that i see where someome is espousing some kind of assinine twisting, perversion or flat out denial of foundational doctrine is posted by someone who in their profile information is , "not attending chruch". What dp these severed body propose to offer the united body? Is a disembodied hand of any use?
I am not trying to be contentious, but do you not see the contradiction in what you posted here?

On the one hand (severed or not), you are basically railing against those who do not attend a local church.

On the other hand (severed or not), you speak of a "united body."

Does this unity need to occur in person, or could it occur in spirit?

Do you feel united with any posters here?

Do you meet with them in person?

My point is that Christians can still be united with other members of the body of Christ without necessarily congregating with them in person, so why do you seek to condemn them?

Hold on to your britches...

I do not presently attend any church.

Are there any asinine twistings, perversions, or flat out denials of foundational doctrines that I have ever espoused here?

If I was looking for asinine twistings, perversions, or flat out denials of foundational doctrines, then I would simply go back to any one of a number of corrupt churches that I have attended over the years.
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#5
am not trying to be contentious, but do you not see the contradiction in what you posted here?
We can discuss, disagreement and questions do not equal contention.

Does this unity need to occur in person, or could it occur in spirit
The Bible wans us against forsaking the gathering together. So it is best for us to gather with other believers.
Do you feel united with any posters here?

Do you meet with them in person?
No to both.
so why do you seek to condemn them?
Im not condemning anyone, i dont think any of you guys should suffer any comdemnation, but that you should seek to gather together with other believers. For your sake.
Are there any asinine twistings, perversions, or flat out denials of foundational doctrines that I have ever espoused here?
Not that i am aware of.
However ifnyou look at the recent threads there are quite a few that the OP is espousing heresy, and deny foundational doctrines. Those threads have gone on in circles with every person responding to correct the op and the op continually argues with them mis using scripture. I looked at the profiles. All of them say they dont attend church.
If I was looking for asinine twistings, perversions, or flat out denials of foundational doctrines, then I would simply go back to any one of a number of corrupt churches that I have attended over the years
I get that. I have been there. I didnt give up. I studied i searched, and i had to let go of some personal hangups and prejudices but I found a really good church.

Thank you for the friendly conversation. I do not condemn any who are just in a tough place in finding a church.

I do however condemn those who come here and espouse horrible theology, heresy misusing the word of scripture while presuming to teach and impose their errant ideology. And when you look you find they are not even connected to the body. They are at best deluded and at worse wolves sent to deceive.
 

seekingthemindofChrist

Casting down imaginations
Jul 10, 2023
1,178
573
113
#6
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#8
Well, it all depend on which false "church" one would like to attend. So what flavor of churchianity do you attend?

God's Word teaches that in the end times many false teachers will arise and deceive many and... they all teach in the "churches" since they have to have somewhere to hawk their false doctrines.

Once can have fellowship with other Christians and do just fine... even go to Heaven when they croak... and not belong to any of these "churches" that teach false doctrine and continually try to con people in to giving their money so they can build bigger buildings and pay large salaries to "ministers" who just trying to impress people with how much of a big short they are.


1 Timothy 4:1,2
Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron

("depart from the faith" is not referring to sinners in the world who never came to faith in the first place)

1 Timothy 6:3-5 (see Luke 11:23 and 2 Peter 3:2)
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness (holiness); (Doctrine of Christ, aka Doctrine of the Apostles)
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil thoughts… Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

2 Timothy 4:3,4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (teaching); but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying (contradicting, Not agreeing with) the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
And through covetousness (idolatry) shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.

Jude 1:4

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (no self control, living after the flesh), and denying (contradicting, opposing Jesus’ teachings) the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (referring to false teachers and false brethren - see Matthew 13:24-30)
(Deny = Strong's G0720… to contradict, disavow, reject, deny, refuse - and Strong's G4483… the idea of pouring forth, to utter, speak of or say, command)

Jude 1:17-21
Remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
These are those who
separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
("those who separate themselves" is not referring to sinners in the world who were never joined unto the Lord in the first place)

Acts 20:27-30
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
And yet none of this is give as an excuse to abandon the gathering together. But is ratner an admonishment to be aware and guard against, and a directive to the overseers to keep it at bay.
These do not make void the directive. Forsake not the gathering of yourselves together.
 
L

Locoponydirtman

Guest
#11
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/heb.10.24-25.NKJV
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,441
6,711
113
#12
The majority of posts that i see where someome is espousing some kind of assinine twisting, perversion or flat out denial of foundational doctrine is posted by someone who in their profile information is , "not attending chruch". What dp these severed body propose to offer the united body? Is a disembodied hand of any use?
We are to have been scattered in the last days. I believe this deals with that subject.
 

MsMediator

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2022
1,104
744
113
#14
At present I am not attending church, but I plan to be very involved in a church long-term once I find the right fit/"home" church. I was previously involved in a church for over five years until I moved. The thing I felt uncomfortable with was groupthink. You basically have to agree with how the church is leaning (both political and doctrinal) to feel "at home". While it can be difficult to find a church where one feels at home, I did make a few close friends through church. However, for most of the congregation, I did not bond with them besides pleasantries which is disappointing. Whether in or out of church, it is hard to bond unless people agree for the most part. Even among Christians, I have often felt the urge to be quiet to have a nice non-argumentative evening. Sometimes, conversation is borderline argument.
 

MsMediator

Well-known member
Mar 8, 2022
1,104
744
113
#15
The other issue is uneasiness, confusion, or even spiritual trauma inflicted by members of a congregation. Take for example, a disability or health issue. You will have a wide range of strong views about a particular person's disability, ranging from sincere sympathy to some people thinking the disability is a punishment from God, to others thinking it is caused by the devil, plus others believing the issue is more caused by medical/scientific reasons, etc. There is similar wide range of reaction to other issues as well.
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#16
At present I am not attending church, but I plan to be very involved in a church long-term once I find the right fit/"home" church. I was previously involved in a church for over five years until I moved. The thing I felt uncomfortable with was groupthink. You basically have to agree with how the church is leaning (both political and doctrinal) to feel "at home". While it can be difficult to find a church where one feels at home, I did make a few close friends through church. However, for most of the congregation, I did not bond with them besides pleasantries which is disappointing. Whether in or out of church, it is hard to bond unless people agree for the most part. Even among Christians, I have often felt the urge to be quiet to have a nice non-argumentative evening. Sometimes, conversation is borderline argument.
I fully understand. I dont bond with people easily. Most of my relationships are just the passing of pleasantries.
I do often walk away rather than habe an argument, but depending on the extreme of things, I am also one to call it out as things are being said.
The other issue is uneasiness, confusion, or even spiritual trauma inflicted by members of a congregation. Take for example, a disability or health issue. You will have a wide range of strong views about a particular person's disability, ranging from sincere sympathy to some people thinking the disability is a punishment from God, to others thinking it is caused by the devil, plus others believing the issue is more caused by medical/scientific reasons, etc. There is similar wide range of reaction to other issues as well.
It helps of the church has a position on such topics. Mine actually does. Luther was a prolific writter and so was other Lutheran scholars. You can find a commentary on just about every subject you can think of. But to be fair the church has been around since the 1500s, which is a long time to discuss many subjects.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,320
3,620
113
#17
The majority of posts that i see where someome is espousing some kind of assinine twisting, perversion or flat out denial of foundational doctrine is posted by someone who in their profile information is , "not attending chruch". What dp these severed body propose to offer the united body? Is a disembodied hand of any use?
Why do I get the feeling you're someone who is secretly miserable playing church and want everyone else to be miserable too? LOL
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,320
3,620
113
#18
I'd suggest that the reason so many unchurched people are far off the mark doctrinally is because they're consuming false doctrine uncritically from false teachers who are churched: Books, TV, online ministries, etc. If they would simply stick to the Bible they'd be a lot better off.
 
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Locoponydirtman

Guest
#19
We are to have been scattered in the last days. I believe this deals with that subject.
There is no scriptural reason to think this.