USA Today article
The USA Today published an article today by Henry G. Brinton, a Presbyterian pastor, on how the growth of non-denominational churches is breaking Christianity, and as a result our society, apart. Below are two quotes from the article, which can be found in its entirety at the following link: http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/10/do-it-yourself-.html#more.
“I'm convinced that the Christian faith is becoming more like Wikipedia and less like Encyclopedia Britannica. Instead of time-tested religious insights, people are accepting ‘what others are saying.’”
“These independent (non-denominational) congregations are the bloggers of the Christian faith, speaking the truth as they see it. They have every right to do so, based on our nation's commitment to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. But given the fact that faith has long had a ‘binding’ effect on society (in fact, the word religion has the root meaning ‘to tie fast’), I worry that loss of trust in denominations is causing society to become ever more fractured. If we completely lose faith in institutions — denominations, newspapers, banks, companies, political parties — there will be very little to tie us together as a nation.”
Despite his ignorance of Catholicism in his article, Rev. Brinton makes a great point. We are forming our own churches and forms of worship to suit our own spirituality because we want to meet ourselves where we are instead of us meeting God where He is.
I am not saying that Protestant denominations cannot lead to salvation. Rather, I am saying that what is being embraced today is a relativistic Christianity, which will lead no where new or better. The fact of the matter is that all denominations have come from someone not being happy with his/her current church and trying to set it right by starting their own new church. But in the end, only one denomination traces all the way back to the Apostles—the universal Catholic Church. All other denominations stem from her.
If you don’t like the idea of denominations, why start a “non-denominational”. That today is a denomination in itself. Rather, why not join the one Church that is truly universal? And why not work to bring others into that Church?
N.B. I never claim to have the final word. I only pass on what I read or hear through the grace of the Holy Spirit. I post these as a catalyst to lead you to where the authority lies—Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium (Catechism of the Catholic Church, etc.)
“I'm convinced that the Christian faith is becoming more like Wikipedia and less like Encyclopedia Britannica. Instead of time-tested religious insights, people are accepting ‘what others are saying.’”
“These independent (non-denominational) congregations are the bloggers of the Christian faith, speaking the truth as they see it. They have every right to do so, based on our nation's commitment to freedom of speech and freedom of religion. But given the fact that faith has long had a ‘binding’ effect on society (in fact, the word religion has the root meaning ‘to tie fast’), I worry that loss of trust in denominations is causing society to become ever more fractured. If we completely lose faith in institutions — denominations, newspapers, banks, companies, political parties — there will be very little to tie us together as a nation.”
Despite his ignorance of Catholicism in his article, Rev. Brinton makes a great point. We are forming our own churches and forms of worship to suit our own spirituality because we want to meet ourselves where we are instead of us meeting God where He is.
I am not saying that Protestant denominations cannot lead to salvation. Rather, I am saying that what is being embraced today is a relativistic Christianity, which will lead no where new or better. The fact of the matter is that all denominations have come from someone not being happy with his/her current church and trying to set it right by starting their own new church. But in the end, only one denomination traces all the way back to the Apostles—the universal Catholic Church. All other denominations stem from her.
If you don’t like the idea of denominations, why start a “non-denominational”. That today is a denomination in itself. Rather, why not join the one Church that is truly universal? And why not work to bring others into that Church?
N.B. I never claim to have the final word. I only pass on what I read or hear through the grace of the Holy Spirit. I post these as a catalyst to lead you to where the authority lies—Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Magisterium (Catechism of the Catholic Church, etc.)
posted by Scott the Seminarian at 9:34 AM
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