I feel that it is time for me to come to a parting of the ways with my church. I am sad about this, but I don't belong there. And the longer I stay the more unhappy I will be.
Today things came somewhat to a head. I'd been absent the last two Sundays because I've been performing on stage and I was hoping that when I came back we were past the turbulent waters of Noah's Flood and onto safer topics. No such luck.
This time Pastor did put the disclaimer on that "you are free to believe what you want to about this, of course" but it's very clear that HE believes that the only reasonable approach is to believe exactly what HE believes. So you are free to believe what you want as long as you keep your mouth shut AND don't mind hearing your opinions disparaged.
Towards the end of his lengthy sermon he made a remark that made me sit up and suck in my breath. I don't recall the exact words but the context was very clear. It was something about Satan using science to lead people astray.
In other words, you have a choice. You are free to believe what science says over what the Bible says but if you do so you must understand that Satan is using that to deceive you and lead you away from Christ. It isn't necessary to discuss "evidence" because any "evidence" that leads you to the "wrong" conclusion has its source in the Father of Lies!
So if I persist in my views, then what does that make me? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where this is going.
There is no room for honest disagreement here; no room for conscience. You either belong to Satan or to Christ. And if you do not accept the whole package of young earth creation/world-wide flood, your allegiance is suspect. Your views are tainted. But you can be redeemed. Just admit your sin, give up your pride, give over your will to God, and all will be accepted.
It seems I hear the voice of Christ saying "give up your reason and science and come follow Me." And like the rich man in the Gospel I feel I must sorrowfully turn away. Why must you ask that of me?
There is no use discussing this remark with anyone. If they weren't there or they were there and didn't hear it, they can go online and read the entire sermon on the church website. All I know is that I know where such thinking leads and I want no part of it. Better I quietly slip away now and make some excuse about the theater than to continue on and end up parting in hard words and bitterness.
Today things came somewhat to a head. I'd been absent the last two Sundays because I've been performing on stage and I was hoping that when I came back we were past the turbulent waters of Noah's Flood and onto safer topics. No such luck.
This time Pastor did put the disclaimer on that "you are free to believe what you want to about this, of course" but it's very clear that HE believes that the only reasonable approach is to believe exactly what HE believes. So you are free to believe what you want as long as you keep your mouth shut AND don't mind hearing your opinions disparaged.
Towards the end of his lengthy sermon he made a remark that made me sit up and suck in my breath. I don't recall the exact words but the context was very clear. It was something about Satan using science to lead people astray.
In other words, you have a choice. You are free to believe what science says over what the Bible says but if you do so you must understand that Satan is using that to deceive you and lead you away from Christ. It isn't necessary to discuss "evidence" because any "evidence" that leads you to the "wrong" conclusion has its source in the Father of Lies!
So if I persist in my views, then what does that make me? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where this is going.
There is no room for honest disagreement here; no room for conscience. You either belong to Satan or to Christ. And if you do not accept the whole package of young earth creation/world-wide flood, your allegiance is suspect. Your views are tainted. But you can be redeemed. Just admit your sin, give up your pride, give over your will to God, and all will be accepted.
It seems I hear the voice of Christ saying "give up your reason and science and come follow Me." And like the rich man in the Gospel I feel I must sorrowfully turn away. Why must you ask that of me?
There is no use discussing this remark with anyone. If they weren't there or they were there and didn't hear it, they can go online and read the entire sermon on the church website. All I know is that I know where such thinking leads and I want no part of it. Better I quietly slip away now and make some excuse about the theater than to continue on and end up parting in hard words and bitterness.
