Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
At present, I have no problem with denominations or the fact that they exist. In the LC, they will readily criticize denominations for "taking a name", but a name represents nothing more than a means of identification. By analogy from the tech world, there are two ways to go to the google website. You can either memorize the IP address of google.com (216.58.216.14), or just simply type "google.com". In the world of computers, names save us from having to memorize IP addresses. Suffice to say, names are a matter of convenience. All Christian groups have beliefs that they can be distinguished by. If a group takes a name of "Baptist", it allows people to readily identify what that group believes. Other groups don't choose to do that, and it's not a problem, it just means people might have to inquire as to what a group believes.
Ultimately, all groups are "branded" what they believe. This is as true for the LC as it is for any denomination. The explicit claim that group is "nameless" is about as ridiculous as if someone claimed that a Ford with the emblem removed is no longer a Ford. In the same way that Methodists are distinguished by what they believe, the LC is distinguished by their own set of beliefs. The names, or lack thereof do not ultimately factor into the equation. Maybe I've gone overboard on the analogies, but suffice to say, I can't see what the big deal about "names" really is.
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It's a good analogy Freedom. Really IP addresses is comparable to physical addresses. Given I have seen churches occupy the same address, but not taking the same name. That is rare.
I've seen in the local churches brothers that came out of different sects and denominations. You can take the brothers out of the sects and denominations, but you can't take the sects and denominations out of the brother. Take Watchman Nee and Witness Lee for example. They were influenced by their time with Exclusive Brethren and took many of those teachings and practices to what is now known as the Lord's Recovery.