The Local Church Lexicon — Common Phrases

[OBW]

There are a number of phrases that are thrown around by the LRC, and to a great extent continue to be by those who have left the LRC, even many years back. There is probably something worthy in many of them. But I wonder if what we think when we hear them is really what they could or should mean.

The two I have read most recently were in the “Christ versus Religion 50 Years Later!” thread. In this case, Igzy was the source of both statements, so I need to make it clear that this is not to or about Igzy.

When I read them, I was immediately struck by two things, 1) an impression that this was something concise and meaningful, and 2) I’m not sure what it really means.


The two phrases are:

• Genuine service to God
• The simplicity that is in Christ

My concern is not do debunk them, but to give them meaning that is more than some kind of “simply” or “just” whatever. Since there are many requirements upon us, then “simplicity in Christ” cannot be in opposition to those requirements. It needs to be understood in a manner that is not inconsistent with the words used (e.g., “simplicity”) and yet still does not negate what is truly required of us.

I am not trying to negate simplicity, but understand it. Give it a context.

For starters, when I recall 2 Corinthians 11:3 being used, the phrase “the simplicity that is in Christ” was generally put in contrast to everything that was different from the LRC way. No works. No need to concern yourself with righteousness. Just keep turning to your spirit. And so on. But the context is not about just Christ v things that even Christ commanded. It is Christ v things that are contrary to Christ. And Christ's commands are not contrary to Christ.

I hope you understand where I am coming from.

So, what do these very scriptural terms really mean? How do we, or should we understand them?

And what other terms/phrases do we encounter, and even use, that do not mean what we have tended to think of them as meaning in the LRC context? We have bantered “religion” around some, but it would probably be best to leave that one alone for now since it has been discussed recently.