Quote:
Originally Posted by prisonchaplain
I'm in agreement with Anthony that denominations may be God's Babel for the church. By allowing us to be diverse in human organization, we are forced to seek our broad unity in Christ, rather than unifying ourselves under human leadership, which could lead to spiritual rebellion against God.
Note that I am not endorsing contention, hatred, divisiveness that is bitter, but rather, I'm agreeing that our unity is in the person of Christ, and that God forsaw the difficulties of uniting humans organizationally, and may well have ordained denominations as a means of uniting groups, without allowing for the corruption that one grand human organization might have been prone to.
Lord Acton was right--absolute power corrupts absolutely.
|
PC: I understand the "logic" of AnthonyB's argument. But it is a a rather "humanistic" view of the historical past. It fails to recognize that regardless of what we may think, God sets His own order and rule as to the affairs of His church. Although Paul/Saul had a vision of the resurrected Christ and a verbal exchange with the Savior, he was not given latitude to go and start preaching the Gospel of his own right and accord. He was instructed to go and receive baptism from an obscure servant but duly authorized to dispense the ordinance. He in fact by so doing joined the previously organized and constituted church of Jesus Christ.
The divisions and contentions, claims and organizations subsequently created by men departed and coninued on a different path than God had established. Once you deviate from the desired course, regardless of you good will, intentions and effort, you will not arrive at the place you intended since you lost your way some time back.
The Laterday claim is unique. Our church is not led by mere men, not our authority to officiate in the things of God and direct His affairs on the earth. We declare that Christ is at the head of the church, that everything we do in carrying out our mission has been revealed and inspired by the Savior and not after the design. We believe that all men that love God and declare that Jesus is the Christ and the Redeemer of the world will be saved. We, in fact, unite our strength with all desiring to further the cause of salvation, to care and to nurture the children of God wherever there is suffering and need. But we also declare that certain truths have been restored by revelation and we desire ALL to partake.