God’s truth and Human Response
Where would you place yourself between the assertion that there is no salvation outside the church and the position that the church is not essential to salvation? When you have decided where you stand along this continuum, then reflect on what your position says about God. Where is God in relationship to the church? Did God make a mistake in establishing the church?
WHO CREATED THE CHURCH?
Is the church purely a human construction apart from God’s purposes? Did God establish the church but humans frustrated God’s purposes by their behavior so that it is a failed project? Do you find yourself in the supersessionist camp where first the Jews, then the Christians, then the Muslims, and then the Mormons have each failed to fulfill God’s intention? Is the outcome of history beyond God’s control because the power of the sinfulness of humanity continues to defeat the best intentions of God?
WHAT IF WE TOOK GOD SERIOUSLY?
What if we take with full seriousness that God, rather than we as humans, is the determiner of truth? Then the issue becomes how we as humans have access to that truth. Without denying the obvious frailty of the church as a human institution, is it also possible to understand the church as the vehicle of God’s revelation of truth to the world? Instead of the church being a group of people who seek God, what if the church is God’ means of seeking to reveal the Divine self to people.
DOWNWARD MOVEMENT
In this sense, the church is a downward movement rather than an upward movement. What if the church is the means by which God reaches out to people in a concrete, time-centered manner. I would propose that the church both reflects and transcends its human nature. It is God’s chosen instrument by which God enters time and addresses humans in a way that they can receive the divine revelation
Hi Steve
I would position my self out side the box or out side the church – take your pick. Salvation for me is a matter of grace and has little or nothing to do with the church making salvation happen. Church is only a location for a gathering of people who have a faith practice, in whatever way they express it. Too often we use the word church instead of congregation or faith fellowship … etc. For example, I don’t like the expression “going to church.” But it’s what we say and what we’re use to. Hmmmm … how bout we say something like: ” I’m going to worship with my friends, or I’m heading to our church for a fellowship time with my faith community. I wish there was more differentiation between church, the place … and congregation, the people 😎 ” Here is the church, and here is the steeple, open the doors and see all the people.” 💒🕍🕌