Expert: Dean Gade - 7/5/2006

Question
I have a very broad christian background in a variety of denominations. The problem I am having is that I still believe strongly in Jesus Christ, but am dissolutioned with the "Christian Church" being as almost all denominations, sects, factions of christianity and well as Biblically based "cults" and communes claim to be the one true faith. Is'nt it just as simple as "Jesus Only"? JN 14:6 I have experience with Roman Catholisim, Church of Christ, Pentecostal, a commune in Vermont, and the Church of God; as well as studying the Jehovah Witnesses and LDS mostly in that order.

Answer
I had 4 years of university study majoring in relgion and 4 more years at an accredited Christian seminary, plus almost 30 years as a parish pastor ....and I too am somewhat dissolutioned with the organized church on earth.

Humans have a difficult time living without organizations.  We like to have order so that we feel we know where we are in the "order of things".  But as soon as there is order structured and controlled by man in the church, the Holy Spirit ceases to be the source of our goals and actions.

Jesus had a problem with His own disciples:

Mark 10:35-45

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
36 "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
37 They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."
38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?"
39 "We can," they answered.
Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
(from New International Version)

Then there is the fact that any organized church has people in it who aren't true disciples:

Acts 5:1-5
5:1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.

3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.......
(from New International Version)

The root of the problem is:

Mark 14:38
38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
(from New International Version)


On the other hand,  there is no alternative than to meet and work together with fellow sinners like ourselves.  We are all that God has and all those He has called to be the church still have the flesh fighting the leading of the Spirit of Christ within us.

There are many passages in the Bible where it says we are to work for peace with one another, care for one another, work together as fellow servants of God, etc.    These indicate that God knew we are weak even before He called us and that our weaknesses sometimes show.

Some practical advice:  Keep looking.  Have fun by visiting congregations and be on the lookout for those which teach God's word, teach the  love and salvation in Christ, and show this love to strangers like you as well as to one another.

You won't find perfect, but find one where you CAN say, "Surely God is forgiving to these people, and so will I be towards them in their frailties"