The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Cooperative Shibboleths

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>[color:"blue"]It may be because when we begin to peel some of the layers off some denomination's beliefs, we find differences in understanding of the essentials.</font><hr></blockquote><p>BINGO! John, you hit the proverbial nail squarely on the head with that statement. Man, could I relate some stories! [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif" alt="laugh" title="laugh[/img] But, I'll restrain myself and only tell one.<br><br>I visited a PCA congregation outside of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary many years ago. Being a Presbyterian denomination, I had assumed that the preaching and teaching would be quite acceptable. Now, I have also learned over the years that one of the things to investigate when considering a church home is the library, book table (if they have one), brochures offered to the public, etc. After the "worship" service, which was anything but typical of Presbyterianism, e.g., the centrality of the preaching, sobriety in worshiping God in "fear and reverence", exposition of biblical texts, etc., I mulled around the foyer and talked with a few of the very friendly people. Nowhere was there to be found ANYTHING that could even remotely be considered "reformed". There was generic and Arminian-based literature everywhere. I also noticed that there wasn't a copy of the Westminster Standards; neither in the pews, in the back of the Hymnal (normally the Trinity Hymnal which wasn't used) or in a book rack somewhere.<br><br>Eventually, one of the Elders approached me and asked if I "enjoyed" the morning. After the typical chit chat I asked him why it was that I couldn't find any literature which contained what we call "Calvinism" or the "Reformed Faith". The look on his face said it all. But he retorted that the word, "Calvinism" was NEVER mentioned in that church as it was offensive to some people. I then asked where I could find a copy of the Westminster Standards, and again I got "that look"! [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif" alt="laugh" title="laugh[/img] No, he said, we don't use the Westminster Standards as they felt no need to reference them. Unfortunately, this little story could be repeated for quite a number of "Reformed" churches I have visited. I guess it just goes to show, you can't judge a church by its cover! [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/evilgrin.gif" alt="evilgrin" title="evilgrin[/img]<br><br>In His Grace,