While I do see the reason to have a place to congregate, some houses of "worship" seem more to me a shrine to the worship of money. The best connections I ever feel with God are when I am on a lake or just out in the open, or a timber
I remember sitting in trinity baptist church in Yukon many years ago, when it was still on Vandament. The preacher was on stage asking us to pray for a land deal that will put the church on much more valuable property..as they were passing the plates around. It left a very sour taste. Of course they did get a land deal and put them on the many acres on Garth Brooks south of I40.
Lutherans pulled away from the Church in Rome long ago, with reason. Episcopalians/Anglicans (a form of Catholicism) have been pulling away for the fringe left from some time.
I lump the Lutherans as they pulled away and moved left of center. There have been schisms, most sects are now seeing them in droves, In my travels I have seen far more left than centrist or theologically what one could call “High Church”.
I lump the Lutherans as they pulled away and moved left of center. There have been schisms, most sects are now seeing them in droves, In my travels I have seen far more left than centrist or theologically what one could call “High Church”.
YES
Yes, the Lutherans left the Catholic Church centuries ago because of its non-biblical practices and teachings, which the Pope, at that time, refused to address. Most of said practices have been reformed in the centuries since.
But as far as the leftward lurch by many Protestant denominations since the 1960s. the Lutheran Church has stood apart and remained rooted in scripture. I'll admit there is one Lutheran denomination, (the "Evangelical Lutheran Church of America", or ELCA) that has embraced much of the leftist agenda, including LBTGQXYZ culture. They're looked upon by mainstream Lutherans the same way traditional conservatives would look at a "Republican" group that was in favor of open borders, higher taxes, and repealing the 2nd amendment.
Religion is Man's attempt to reach God.
Jesus Christ is God's attempt to reach Man.
My experiences, observations are that bricks'n'mortar and Man get in the way.
Til God personally announces a revision, I'm sticking with His inspired word 1.0.
New acquaintance at my church's periodic evening classes shared that his wife was raised Catholic. He didn't share his upbringing. I inquired. He responded he had been Lutheran.
I smiled and thought....Maybe slightly out loud.....ah, Catholic Lite.
His wife enjoyed that, he not as much.
I dated a Lutheran girl during college. Mom wasn't warm to her "heathen" upbringing...Christians...HUH?!?!
I didn't ask her to marry me, went a home team preacher's daughter direction. Lasted 30 years, grew weary of the alcoholism, feared to get that dreaded call in middle of night. She rebelled her whole life from the overly controlling church, her parents. Always the best looking woman in the room, life of the party, sadly learned to worship at the altar of alcohol the most. Preacher's kid died in drunk driving accident with a friend. Sadly, she was the drunk. My son got that call. Didn't think that one fully through.
Lutheran girl passed this past November. Should have married that heathen girl 55 years ago, again 23 years ago when we were both single again. Too soon old, too late smart.
Religion often gets in the way of life.
You already said that.
And, I should have married that stripper in '96.
