Toxic church culture

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The church in the days before Constantine was a very different church from the church today. We can read how the Romans looked down on those Christians who dressed in shabby clothes, who didn't enjoy their fun sports, were quiet, peaceful, and tranquil. What they could only admire about them, what bewildered them was the love for each other they all expressed. These people weren't much for dogma and allowed differences in interpretation of scripture, but they held fast to Christ and love for each other.
 
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Blik said:
AS I make a study of the early churches that the apostles created, the big difference in the church then and the church now is that we are deep in dogma and short on love, they allowed differences in interpretation other than the core of Christianity and never let differences interfere with giving love and support.

Even the Christian community that this site represents has people who have stated they are my enemy because I have interpreted a scripture differently than they did, although they say we agree on Christ in our life.
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Human nature is naturally selfish. First believing God chose "you", "me", makes it deeply personal for some. As such they defend as if any thought contrary to that what makes their world fit together according to their understanding of it, and God, can appear as a threat to that balance and security.
Never discount age and maturity, or lack thereof, in those encounters. There's a really simple saying that seems obvious at first but oddly enough may escape peoples understanding. The meaning of life is to live it.
If we believe God is in control, it can become very easy to understand that meaning ever more.

By the way, anyone who claims Christ and calls you, a Christian, their enemy because you believe in a manner they disapprove, as if it is their right and should matter to you, when God is the only one for whom it should matter, is their own enemy first. You deserve better. Don't mourn the loss. They're lost enough.
 
Blik said:
AS I make a study of the early churches that the apostles created, the big difference in the church then and the church now is that we are deep in dogma and short on love, they allowed differences in interpretation other than the core of Christianity and never let differences interfere with giving love and support.

Even the Christian community that this site represents has people who have stated they are my enemy because I have interpreted a scripture differently than they did, although they say we agree on Christ in our life.
Click to expand...

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:1-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭KJV‬
 
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