I found this interesting site called wordle where you can make graphics out of sets of words. I added our church to it, and this is what I got. It basically randomizes the list of words you give it and then spits out a graphic based on the number of times words appear.

I think it’s pretty cool.

You know what would be cooler? If we saw Christ’s transforming power touching the lives of people every day and we could see this list getting so big that the names were too small to see!

Let’s be the church; let’s see Jesus transform lives; let’s live to love.

The other day, I was watching Daystar which everyone knows is a bad thing.  This particular church, which I will not name, was making a big deal about their series on prophecy.  At the end of their show, they threw up this big graphic that said _________ Church:  We teach the BIBLE!”

One of the obsessions of the church in the last four hundred years or so has been proving that this church or that church has a better understanding of the Bible than that church or this church.  To be honest, it is an irritating example of immaturity.  We might as well get together in a circle and demonstrate our manhood through various crude tests best left to the vacant lot behind the junior high.

(Guys, you know what I’m talking about.  Ladies, ask your guys.  If he makes an immature snicker and then blushes, he knows.)

But I digress…

At Heritage, we have these little things we call “While You Were Talking…” Cards. They are about the size of an index card, and during the service, anyone in the congregation is allowed to ask a question, make a comment or add to the discussion by filling one out and dropping it in the offering plate. Generally, we only get one or two a month; but we like to keep the channels open for further discussion.

This week, I made a comment about the various different Christian traditions and someone dropped a card asking what the differences were. I thought the best way to answer the question would be to present it here in print as well as a brief summary in this Sunday’s worship gathering.

The Origin of Denominations

At its core, denominationalism stems from a mentality of proving your own belief’s superiority to others. It is an inevitable byproduct of sinful people attempting to divine a single, authoritative interpretation to Scripture. It reached its peak in the post-Enlightenment age when human reason and systematic theology created competing theological world views within Christianity. Since debate was one of the forms of entertainment for this “intelligent” age, it became common for men to debate their positions both in person and through various media.

There were no denominations in the early church, although there were divisions. People chose not to follow the apostles’ teachings, adapting philosophy, Gnosticism, and even Roman imperialism to Christian forms. Paul and the other apostles rigorously attacked such activity, stating that it brings dissonance into the church and distracts from the mission of Jesus Christ.

That being said, denominational names did serve a purpose at one time. They allowed the educated Christian consumer to identify the general scope of a church’s beliefs. One knew what to expect if they walked into a Lutheran church or a Congregational church. Such is no longer the case, as many movements such as theological liberalism, postmodernism, the Charismatic movement and the Church Growth Movement have blurred the lines among denominational beliefs.

Some Basics About the Various Denominations

Here is a brief summary of some of the major American denominations:

Roman Catholicism essentially teaches that there is one authoritative church. It is governed by the bishops, overseen by the bishop of Rome – supposedly the successor of the apostle Peter. Catholicism is a wildly diverse group, including those who follow the Roman rite and those who do not. Essentially, Catholicism emphasizes the church as the mode of salvation and the sacraments as the only way to obtain grace.

Adherents: 65 million US, 1.5 billion worldwide
Founded: c. 400 AD, broke with Orthodox in 1054

Orthodoxy shares a common heritage with Catholicism but broke from the Catholics in 1054 over doctrinal issues and authority issues. The Orthodox generally recognize the authority of five Patriarchs, of whom the Patriarch of Constantinople (Istanbul) is first among equals. They share the same emphases as the Catholics although they generally worship in Greek and their rituals are more Hellenic.

Both orthodoxy and Catholicism have national churches in many countries, some of which vary widely from the summary statements made above.

Adherents: 5.9 million US, 225 million worldwide
Founded: 1054 AD, broke with Catholics

Protestants are the groups who broke from the Catholic church in the 16^th and later centuries. Generally, they are grouped by their beliefs on the issue of salvation or their method of church government.

• Lutherans are governed by synods of bishops. They nominally believe in the authority of Scripture and salvation by faith. They are often liturgical in their observance of worship. They baptize infants.

  Adherents: 66 million worldwide
  Founded: 1530, Augsburg Confession

• Anglicans/Episcopalians are an English denomination overseen by the monarch of England (through the Archbishop of Canterbury). They generally hold to the view that the church is the mode of salvation and grace is obtained through the sacraments, like the Catholics. [Episcopalians are overseen by the Archbishop of New York]. They baptize infants.

  Adherents: 2.3 million US, 70 million worldwide
  Founded: 1534, King Henry’s Act of Supremacy

• Presbyterians are Scottish in origin, following the teachings of John Calvin and subsequent “Calvinist” teachers. Their churches are governed by boards of presbyters or “elders.” They hold to the belief that salvation is for the “elect” or chosen. Outside of Presbyterian denominations, these beliefs are called Reformed doctrines. Some baptize infants.

  Adherents: 2.5 million
  Founded: 1560 and the 1640 Westminster Confession

• Baptists are the largest protestant denomination in the USA. They are extremely diverse but primarily hold to local church government and the supremacy of Scriptures. They baptize only those old enough to make confession of faith, and do so by immersion.

  Adherents: 105 million worldwide
  Founded: Reformation? Other groups with similar beliefs occurred quite often throughout the ages.

• Methodists were started as part by John and Charles Wesley based on John’s revivalist preaching in the 1700’s. Since then, Methodists have changed dramatically. They are largely liturgical and diverse in beliefs and practices.

  Adherents: 75 millions worldwide
  Founded: 1760’s

• Pentecostalism began in 1901 when students at Bethel Bible College in Topeka, KS, were challenged to find in Scripture the evidence of salvation. They concluded that speaking in tongues was the sign of salvation. Pentecostals are both denominational and independent; their largest denomination is the Assemblies of God. They believe that salvation is confirmed by miraculous gifts, such as speaking in tongues.
• Charismatic movement is a non-denominational movement that emphasized the Pentecostal gifts and often sought out additional revelation through signs, wonders, visions and other prophetic acts.

  Estimating the number of Pentecostals and Charismatics is difficult because the two labels often denote the same groups. While there are an estimated 120 million Pentecostals worldwide, some are also considered Charismatics (such as the more extreme forms of the Vineyard movement). They are defined by their practices in relationship to the gifts of the spirit than by denominations.

• Restorationists is a catchword for a number of groups that attempted to “restore” the New Testament church. They include Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists, and the Churches of Christ (Stone-Campbell). These groups vary from cultic to charismatic and everywhere in between. They are generally characterized by a complete rejection of any other Christian church in favor of their own.

Conclusion

This is far from an exhaustive list of Christian groups. There are an estimated 38,000 different Christian denominational groups, so listing all of them would take some time. Essentially, Christians fall into six megablocs or groups of affiliations (”Status of Global Mission 2008″, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary):

• Roman Catholics 1130.401 million,
• Independents 422.659 million,
• Protestants 386.644 million,
• Orthodox 252.891 million,
• Anglican 82.708 million,
• marginal Christians 36.001 million.

What I have presented is just a very brief summary that hopefully will clear up the major differences and the reasons we consider ourselves an independent church. Heritage is a Baptist church because we believe that the historical Baptist creed, which emphasized the supremacy of the Word of God and the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ is biblical in content. We do not, however, exclude other variations of the faith who also value God’s Word and faith in Christ alone.

So, Ariel got to pose for a picture with WALL-E.  She can’t wait until the movie comes out on Friday.  We have a Daddy Date scheduled.

This is Ariel’s friend, Nani - who also got to meet WALL-E.  The little guy really gets around.

As the Church (capital C), we have spent a lot of time creating metaphors for the relationships that comprise the Church. One of the most popular is “the family of God.” It even has a theme song!

It is not an unbiblical idea. Paul used the metaphor of a family many times, doesn’t he? Actually, he doesn’t.

Ok, you don’t believe me. I understand. Go grab your Strong’s Concordance and look it up. I’ll be here when you get back.

Paul does make references to families and households as components of the church; and he even refers to the church as “the faithful household” [Galatians 6:10] and “the household of God” [Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15]. But he never calls the Church “the family of God.” It simply isn’t there.

A household is not the same thing as a traditional American family. In fact, the two have little in common. In America, and in most of the western world, we have a perception of what a family is. We think of the Cleaver family – a hard-working but patient father, a home-making, cookie baking mother and their 2.5 biological children. We assume that this is the family God must have meant to start. It is perfect – ideal really. But it only exists in fiction; and generations were dashed by the expectation that family life (and church for that matter) would be like an episode of Leave It to Beaver or Ozzy and Harriet.

In contrast to our flawed ideal of the family, God sees us as his household. What is a household? The Greek word is oikos, and it literally means “house.” But in the ancient world, a house was more than just a place with walls where you lived with their kids until they went to college. A house could be quite elaborate, sometimes extending over an entire village.

For example, Bethlehem is “the house of bread” in Hebrew, and in the early Iron Age, it was populated by the family of Jesse, a ruling clan of the tribe of Judah. The book of Ruth establishes Jesse’s house as this pre-eminent, ruling clan. Late on, when David wishes to drink the water of the wells of Bethlehem [2 Samuel 23:13-18], he is not only longing for his home. Bethlehem was his “house”, it was his father’s city and the seat of power for his family.

The same idea continued in Jesus’ day, when he told his disciples: “In my father’s house, there are many mansions.” [John 14:2] The word translated as mansions in the King James Version is often re-translated as rooms in modern versions on the argument that a house cannot contain many mansions. But the house of a king or a grand seigneur is much larger than a single, walled building. It is his domain. So, it is not incorrect to translate the Greek word monē as mansions because God the Father’s house is not a single place but a kingdom.

Of course the biggest difference between a traditional family and a household is that a household is not homogenous. Everyone is not of the same stock or persuasion. It is a large, extended family of people who may or may not be related, all united under a single master of the house. In families, we avoid disagreement to keep the peace. In a household, the disagreement is welcomed because it strengthens the whole. Honesty is truly required. We cannot afford to sugar coat the truth.

Households have greater potential for problems because they are not bound by genetics or pressure. But they also have greater potential – both internally and externally.

It’s been awhile since I updated the books page, so I thought I’d let you know it has been updated.

Books I Am Reading Right Now

Books I’ve Read This Year

Classics Worth Reading Over and Over Again

As you watch this video, ask yourself is this is happening. While seeing these people come forward, I could not help but weep. I was reminded of Paul’s words to the Corinthians:

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. [1 Corinthians 6:9-11, ESV]

God does not want to give us weekly worship services. He has invited us to be transformed and to transform the lives of others.

I am indebted to my friends Larry and Jared for linking to this video.

This was definitely worth a look.  Just watch it; don’t question it.

“This is the video you are looking for.”

Jesus was, among other things, a true master of intentional actions.

This morning, I was putting together some notes for a Church History class I will be teaching this fall.  I was researching Jesus’ statement in the Sermon on the Mount:

If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. [Matthew 5:41]

At first glance, this is a wonderful image of being humble and serving other people, which it is.  But there is also an intentional edge to what Jesus challenged his believers to do.

You see, there was a Roman law called lex angeria which allowed a soldier to compel a civilian to carry his pack for one milion - 1,520 paces.  This is known as a Roman mile.  But the soldier was required to take the pack again at the end of the mile.  He would be subject to punishment if he tried to make the civilian carry the pack further.

By telling his followers to walk beyond the mile, he was actually challenging the Roman authority.  Jesus, in his brilliant non-violence, found a way to show up the Roman system.

Under the threat of Roman force, we might be required to walk a mile.  So, by love we should walk two.

When following Jesus’ command here, the Christian would force the Roman soldier to acknowledge that Jesus’ teachings were more compassionate, loving and humble than the Roman system.  Jesus’ followers were more submitted to him than to Roman law, more willing to do for him what few would do for Caesar.

It is beautifully simple; and yet how could it be denied?

My wife posted the following on her myspace blog.

——————————–

Infatuated
Current mood: disappointed
Category: Romance and Relationships

I guess I’m just a little frustrated with people who say they’re all into God and Jesus… yet, their priorities are all messed up and in reality they want nothing to do with Him and really don’t seek Him with all their heart…

Many just want “spiritual highs” and “fixes” rather than have a consistent, faithful, and steady faith… and then on the other hand you have these people who are just FRUITCAKES when it comes to Christianity and they totally scare others away… others who are sincere and wanting to know and seek the truth….

Many are just infatuated with Jesus… and they’re content being that way…

Why are we afraid to get close to Him? Why are we afraid of committment?

My mind is racing… there’s too much to write… I just… I don’t want my love for God to be an infatuation… I want it to be real… genuine… and I want to show that love to others, no matter who they are…

——————————-

I have to confess that I share her frustrations. People often talk about a “love affair” with Jesus. I have to be honest; I’m not interested in people who are just “in love” with Jesus. I want a church composed of people who are hardcore, no-holds-barred committed to Jesus. I’m talking “forsaking all others” committed to Jesus. Many Christians who would never cheat on their wives cheat on their Lord every day.

When my grandmother died in March, we weren’t sure what would happen with my grandfather. He is seventy-seven years old, and he had been married to my grandmother for sixty-one years. Essentially, he had never been single.

Imagine my shock and surprise when my father told me that my grandfather was going to be getting married! In Oregon nonetheless!

My dad was going to do the wedding, and I just felt that I needed to go with him to be there for my grandfather, so we bought our Southwest Airlines tickets and planned to head out.

On Wednesday of last week, my wife drove me down to my dad’s house and at 4:30 the next morning, we headed down to T.F. Greene Airport in Providence, Rhode Island. We boarded and headed out. We arrived in Portland, Oregon (pronounced oru-ghin), later that day, and we drove with my grandfather and his soon-to-be-wife, Sandie Longawger (pronounced long-auger) to the little town of Philomath (pronounced as something like felōmit). We stayed with my grandfather Thursday and then had the wedding on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, the newly joined Mr. & Mrs. Anthony DiVietro (pronounced dē-vē-trō) dropped us off at the airport and headed off into the sunset of marital bliss.

Sandy (apparently, pronounced Marie by her family) is a nice lady. She is a Christian woman who runs a nursing home for about ten residents. She has a lot of kids – some of whom are kids, grandkids, greatgrandkids, kids’ spouses, and a few I am pretty sure were no relation whatsoever – and she is a part of a little Church of God in the next town over, Corvallis. The pastor, Travis, was pretty cool.

Anyway, here are some pictures from the ceremony and festivities. Not included are the pictures of my father and I dragging our butts from jet-lag and short nights of sleep.