The Church Is Under Siege
One Church, Two Faiths
The Widening Riff Among Christians
There is a spiritual war raging all around us. One of the many signs that we are nearing the end of this age is the separation occurring in our churches.
Split in United Methodist Church Over LGBTQ Inclusion
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A split running through the Church
What’s causing such an alarming increase of church splits? There are many reasons a church splits; but, there is a growing number of the splits being caused by the differing ideological and doctrinal views between Conservative and Progressive Christians.
The differences between these two groups are quite stark — which leads to such saying like “one church, two faiths.”
While there are many differences between these two groups of Christians, there are two fundamental differences that stand out the most:
“Individuals who believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and say Jesus is the only path to salvation are conservative Christians. Those who do not believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and do not see Jesus as the only path to salvation are progressive Christians.” (Source: 3 Surprises from New Research on ‘Progressive’ and ‘Conservative’ Christians)
From this spring a host of other differences so wide these two groups have become opposites of one another. One group is called “fundamentalist” or “evangelical” while the other is “modernist” or “reformist.” One group is labelled as antiquated and intolerant while the other is more inclusive of other views and beliefs.
Two Faiths — Which Spirit Leads Which Faith?
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. — 1 John 4:1–6
There are two types of spirit. One spirit is of God (the spirit of Truth) and the other is the spirit of the antichrist (the spirit of deception). One teaches the true Gospel while the other does not.
Even believers can be deceived by false teachings.
“For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” — Matthew 24:24
How would we know which gospel and teaching are the true one? How can we discern which is which?
John very clearly stated how in the above passage:
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist… — I John 4:3
One would think that all churches would be preaching about the same gospel — the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But, sadly, many do not. Here are a few examples of the other types of gospels being taught in churches:
*Taken from the article: Beware These Seven Counterfeit Gospels
The Good-People Gospel: “We’re all good people. We make mistakes — nobody’s perfect — but we’re good people at heart.”
The Self-Esteem Gospel: “Believe in yourself! You might have some struggles and issues, but you’re resilient. There’s a Savior who will give all you need to solve your problems.”
The Expressive-Individualism Gospel: Christianity is all about “being true to yourself,” “following your heart,” and “living authentically.”
The Optional-Jesus Gospel: “Jesus is a way, not the way. A person can find their way to God through several different spiritual experiences.”
The Prosperity Gospel: Jesus guarantees his followers a happy, healthy life with no troubles.
The Faith-And Gospel: “Faith and” something else is sufficient to save me: Faith and my good works; faith and enough self-loathing; faith and a right understanding of God.
The Faith-So Gospel: “Jesus is my righteousness and perfection, so I can live however I want because in the end, I’m saved!”
Granted, the history of Christianity has never been one of complete cohesion. Even during the days of the apostles, people and churches had their own varied doctrines and interpretations — hence, leading to other kinds of gospels.
According to Paul, there is no other gospel outside the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. — Galatians 1:4–7
Paul went on to say that the purpose behind the other gospels aimed to please man (cater to the seekers, to the self rather than teach the Truth):
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. — Galatians 1:10
Any other kind of gospel not of Jesus Christ, Paul called it “man’s gospel.” And any church not teaching about the Gospel of Jesus Christ has fallen under the spirit of the antichrist (false gospel).
Jesus didn’t call us to be divided. He called us to be unified as one church with one faith.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all — Ephesians 4:4–6
