Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 10/5/2008

Question
i love the bible, Jesus, and his apostles... and im in the bible everyday studying Christ and scripture. i even take notes. ive always wanted to ask.. with all these churches and denominations which church would God attend if he were here on earth in the flesh again? and if there is true simplicity in Christ why are all these churches so different with traditions that are sometimes not even bible or Christ related? why do catholics keep trying to complicate Christ's simplicity? i get angry sometimes but i know we are all entitled to our own opinions and everyone see's the world in their own way but if it's in black and white how is there any room for such ridiculous interpretation concerting the clear teachings of Christ...is it not grace by which we are saved and not works? and if it is the free gift of grace by which we are saved then why are there so many people trying to earn they're way to heaven by the things they do. there is no impressing a perfect God right? because we have already fallen short correct? the first sin is a ticket of death..no one is worthy, except through Christ right? so why are we still trying to lead Christ like lives if we get the same reward? can we fall out of grace? is their an expiration date on Gods grace? how can denominations have a different point of view on so many different things haven't we((denominations of Christianity)) all come together at one time and debated these differences compared our doctrine with the bible and declared what was of God and what was irrelevant tradition of man? im so lost thanks for the help :)

Answer
Hi Connor,
Wow! This is not a question it is many questions and many books have been filled trying to deal with the issues you raise but I will try to offer some thoughts that may be of help to you.
First regarding Catholicism. We need to remember that for centuries the bible was only available in Latin and that very few people (very few church leaders even) could understand Latin. During that time a great deal of more superstitious ways crept into church practice largely because folk didn't know any better. Some of these practices developed a kind of ritual all of their own that became a comfort to believers, so when the reformation came and people began to read the bible in their own languages, even though many beliefs got sorted out the habit of the ritual continued. The vestiges of that are still present in all mainstream denominations but most clearly in Catholicism. Also the Catholics believe that church tradition is an equal authority to scripture. This belief explains some of their more odd doctrines.
Having said all that even those denominations that claim to be true to scripture have come to different interpretations on some matters - like baptism and church government. These views are sincerely held and it would be good to listen to one another more.
For all that you are right. It is the Gospel of grace that matters most. This, I believe is central to Christian truth however much disagreement there may be about more minor issues.
By the way I don't believe we all get the same reward. Grace alone gets us to heaven and where someone has been truly born again (and only God is the judge of that) they are secure in Him. There is no expiry date on grace. However, when we get to our glorious eternal destiny the bible is clear that we will be rewarded according to what we have done with the gifts God has given us. It will be fair and no one will grumble or mind but the idea of a bland heaven where we are all doing identical things is not biblical.
I hope my comments are of help and pray that God will lead you wisely through life's complexity, staying rooted in the simple message of love and grace.
Stuart Woodward