[OBW]

Let me add to my last post. For many years after I left the LC (back in 87), I still considered some of the questionable teachings as sound. Only after starting to reanalyze it in 2005 or so did some of it begin to go away. Until then, I still somewhat looked down on persons always ending prayers with "in Jesus name" or having communion with little cups (though I did partake anyway).

It was in about 2008 that I realized that in 1 Cor 3, the builders were Paul, Apollos, Peter, etc., and the building was the church in Corinth (in the particular context). The ones whose work was to be tried in the fire was not the church in Corinth, but the ones who had been teaching them (and that they were arguing over). Eye-opener.

If you think it might sound funny to a good Christian you meet outside the LC, then you might want to do a more careful study of what it is you are saying. Christianity really has it down pretty good. If in your own ears it would sound funny to them, then maybe it really is funny — and not in a good way. Doesn't matter if you think you are getting an internal "hallelujah" from it. It just might be that it is like Pavlov's dog, salivating when the bell rings. IOW, you feel good because you have been trained to feel good.

I know that the LC actually sang these words, but I don't think they actually understood them . . . . "the feelings do not change the fact." I know it was followed by "Jesus is Lord of all," and not "Christ is the life-giving Spirit," but the important point is that relying on feelings to validate truth is like saying it is warm outside today just because the sun is out.