6.5 Solid Institutions
We cannot expect stability and continuity in our ministry if the Evangelical churches continue to be critically influenced by the fluctuations in doctrine and practice that are a direct consequence of dependence on charismatic leaders.
One of the foundational principles of political liberalism, from which we can legitimately learn as Christians, is the need to build solid institutions that are transpersonal and will be able to survive their founders.
Without these our work will continue to be amateurish and will not make much impact on the free societies of the future.
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WHY, be concernced with “fluctuations in doctrine and practice” ??!?
Isn’t this what American Evangelicalism / American Protestantism already is ?
Back in the 16th century, we Protestants protested the abuses of the ONE Pope.
NOW, in the 21th century, WHO protests the abuses of every “Pope” that runs/controls/dictates-doctrine/dictates-practice every indipendent evangelical church ?!
{Tongue-in-cheek comments}
By: Gabriel Borlean on 16 March 2010
at 10:41 am
a PRIME example of my comments above:
the HOLY GHOST HOKEY POKEY DANCE:
http://cyberbrethren.com/2010/03/15/holy-ghost-hokey-pokey/#comments
By: Gabriel Borlean on 16 March 2010
at 10:42 am
I’m ashamed at the thought that my first reaction watching the clip was to laugh; then I realized that that’s exactly what Satan was doing: laughing of these poor, deceived people.
We’d rather need to cry and pray for them.
By: Alex Pop on 17 March 2010
at 11:17 am
gabi, o scurta investigatie in istoria trezirilor evanghelice americne te-ar fi dus la originea acestor manifestari tipice: hill in A Handbook of Christian History spune ca existau evenimente la care se opredica 24 de ore din 24, zile in sir. se dormea in carute, predicatorii din cort se succedau fara o ordine prestabilita, fiind amestecati din tot spectrul evanghelic. cei ce se “trezeau” sau converteau se afiliau in functie de manifestarile lor: si interesant ca unii picau pe spate, altii grohaiau, etc. asa ca daca atunci a fost tot holy ghost si jesus christ, de ce n-ar fi si acum? ca noi ne manifestam in alt mod sau suntem paralizati in “manifestarea” noastra? dumnezeu oricum habar n-avem cum se manifesta, cum arata si ce face. nu ii cunoastem nici macar numele… in fond e un mare guess. noi ne-am schimbat si il tot descoperim, el a ramas acelasi, sau oricum e cu totul altceva. noroc cu intruparea.
By: pasareaphoenixremixed on 17 March 2010
at 10:55 pm
Imi lipseste poate un organ sau de ce nu pot simti nici mila si nici nu am complex de superioritate cand vad scene din astea? E pur si simplu un spectacol uman ca oricare altul. Poti “citi” printre randuri si sa descoperi ca mai toti suntem putin “sariti”. Cei din clip au gasit se pare metoda de face doar putin exhibitionism sub acoperire spirituala
By: sam on 18 March 2010
at 12:38 am