Quote:
Originally Posted by Evangelical
Your other claim that we do not fellowship with those of other denominations is equally wrong. We will and do fellowship with those in denominations, we just will not meet in their houses of prostitution. I have been in many meetings with people of various denominations. We pray, read the bible, have a meal, as it should be. Yet you think it is wrong for us to not attend a Catholic mass? Do you expect us to hold the Lord's table meting in front of the statue of Mary? I have been unfair to use Catholics as an example. So I will use the mega churches... should we hold the Lord's table meeting at the same time the rock concert is going on? How can we see the bread and wine for all the smoke-machine generated fog flashing lights and darkness?
|
Evangelical,
While I understand your misgivings about idols of Mary, I ask you: Do you really think Jesus would have had a problem meeting with people who had such idols if he thought by doing so he could lead them to something better?
The point is not whether idols of Mary are bad. They most definitely are. The point is rather what are you really accomplishing by not meeting with people where they are if you can help them by doing so? Just because an idol is there and you meet there does not mean you give approval to the idol. It means you care enough about the people there to reach out to them and meet with them. Meeting in a place with an idol is no different that going into the house of someone who takes drugs to try to reach him with the truth. Jesus said go and disciple the nations. He did not say stay in your clean house and don't get dirty. The world is a dirty place, both for unbelievers and some Christians. But we are charged to reach out, connect and minister. How sad that you think Jesus is so fastidious that he cannot tolerate a little dirt around him.
There is a difference between holiness and fastidiousness. I do not see what your fastidiousness accomplishes, and I don't think the Lord himself is impressed with it much, because however much you think you are being holy, I think it's just a cover for not having to care and remaining in the comfort of your superiority and judgmentalism.
Again, you come across to me as a religious Pharisee, not at all like Jesus who ate and drank and was friends with sinners. You spirit is all wrong. It's very sad because I believe you love the Lord, the problem is you don't know what he is really like or wants.
And, frankly, what is wrong with rock music and smoke machines, really? Get over it and get involved. Rock on.