Churchgoers don't mind us criticising other churches, but if the truth gets too close to home, sparks begin to fly. These are some of the articles over the years that have dared to question some sacred churchy assumptions. They conclude with a few articles that touch on some of what we have come up with as alternatives.
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So you are not into handing out tracts? This punchy article could change your thinking. (See also laziness, The Reno Principle, and Prayer Warriors
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How do we keep from repeating the sins of the systems that we oppose? Here is a simple, yet radical, answer to that question. (See also Leaders who Serve[10].)
Respectability is faith's worst enemy. It does good works, but it does them for the wrong reason. Jesus had more opposition from respectable people than from anyone else. And so do we! (See also False Christs[10], and Fear of Public Opinion.)
Cherry shares a lesson learned from a dream... about seeking the whole truth, and not just isolated revelations. (See also Truth in Isolation, and Convenient Doctrines.)
This summary of differences between ourselves and The Family is really a summary of differences between ourselves and the churches. It all boils down to whether or not we have chosen to make Jesus and his teachings the standard by which to measure all that we do and teach. (See also We Believe in Jesus Christ, So Who ARE They Following?, and The Bible.)
One article in a series that compares our position with that of The Family (formerly The Children of God). This one deals with how we each apply Bible teaching to Christian practice today. (See also The Word of God, Simple Salvation, Eternal Salvation, and Living by Faith.)
A radical look at the subject of the Holy Spirit. It draws parallels between married love and our relationship with God. (See also The Word of God, and No Effeminate Person.)
A comparison between ourselves and The Family on this important doctrinal issue. Churchgoers will be surprised to learn that their position is probably closer to that of The Family than to us. (See also Advanced Tentmaking[10], and Surely, Not All Evils!)
Can salvation be lost after we have received it? We consider two approaches: ours, and the one taken by The Family and most evangelicals. (The second in a series on The Family) (See also A Letter to a Friend, The Good Hindu, and The Sovereignty of God[10].)
The benefits of getting people to say a prayer to "accept Jesus" are listed in this look at what is expressed in John 1:12 . The article is written as a comparison between what The Family teaches about becoming a Christian and what we teach; however, it is really a comparison between what we believe and what the average Christian believes. (See also Born Again[10], Eternal Salvation, and What is Faith?)
Real truth results in wholeness (or integrity) for the one who finds it. But religion specialises in isolated bits of truth, each of which fails to line up with the other bits. The proof-texting mentality magnifies fragments and never succeeds in getting the bigger picture. (See also The Golden Thread, The Role of Experience in the Quest for Truth[10], Solid as a Rock, and The Answer to Intellectual Atheism
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One of our strongest teachings is that we should follow God in preference to organisational hierarchy. How about you? Is your God bigger than your organisation? (See also dogmas[10], The Unknown God, and Covering Schmuvvering)
Is it necessary to believe in miracles to be a Christian? Can the devil perform miracles? What is the greatest miracle? And exactly what IS a miracle anyway? Find the answers here. (See also charismaniacs[10], and superstition.)
Ever wanted to start your own commune? This article lists four basic reasons why most attempts at utopian societies fail. If you can clear these hurdles, your chances of success are high. (See also [10], [10], laziness, and Anarchy and Pacifism.)
God almost always starts with the words "Fear Not" when he is trying to tell us something. Fear always distorts the message, and can cause us to mistake God for a devil. (See also change, Fear Not!, and Losing Your Identity
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This comparison of Jesus' teachings and the overall thrust of church teaching on the same subjects leaves one wondering exactly what the title suggests. (See Thou Shalt Judge, and The Gospel According to Whom?
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What is the difference between a churchgoer and a churchie? Can the institutional church be changed best from inside or from outside? And what is the difference between the true church and the institutional church? Find out in this short article. (See also System Worship, Jesus the Revolutionary[10], and Convenient Doctrines.)
Christianity is not a religion. We should look for the good in all religions and encourage faith and love wherever we find them. Sincere people will see through the errors best when they are shown something better. (Easy English version) (See also idolatry[10], Another Cornerstone[10], and The Kingdom of Heaven or Religion.)
The "covering" teaching says that submission to a respected religious authority is necessary for salvation. And hordes of people believe it‚ assuming that anyone acting independently is incapable of hearing from God. Sick stuff. It is given a healthy dose of scriptural antibiotics in this article. (See also Charismaniacs[10], and I Will Have Mercy
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