re: Why have churches started allowing gay preachers?

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The most expensive catholic school in Lake Charles is called Episcopal Day School and …

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Wow

Why has God made some people gay
Sure some are choosing but c'mon some are made gay.

So why do you hate God's creation.....again

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It should be frightening that 75% stayed.

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More would have left but they simply can’t afford to purchase their building and property.

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As church membership continues to decline, so does the amount of money donated to the church. Self preservation says to open up to more people to bring more people into the church... Who hopefully bring more money. I would expect more of this in the future

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This does seem as a plausible reason. However they are driving away many long timers members who actually tithe…..in an attempt to attract a new batch of people with no obligation to donate to the church.

The collection plate doesn't discriminate.

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I read his whole post.

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you just seemed to not really understand what he was talking about is all. Like some of his points went directly over your head

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They are going to be cash rich.

You must pay a fee to leave and then negotiate the terms of the real estate.

It’s sickening.

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Yup.

The Global Methodists are going to struggle, but at least they will still preach the actual Gospel.

Those remaining with the UMC are going to pat themselves on their backs and wave pride flags all the way to hell.

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Good thoughts. Thanks.

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And thank you. I enjoy these conversations- as long as they are friendly. I bet you and I agree on much more than what we disagree on. Sure, the things we disagree on are important to us, but I believe them to be secondary issues that we can discuss in a respectful manner.

I agree with much of what you say; regarding sola scriptura being responsible for divisions and heresies- in the sense that if it didn’t exist… If you couldn’t own a Bible, then you couldn’t take it out of context or misapply its teachings. An analogy: Like guns, right? If you just took away all guns, (except from the government), then there would be no shootings, right? Right. But, people are gonna people- no matter what.

Blaming Sola Scriptura, instead of blaming those who mishandle it; is like blaming the gun instead of the shooter. A gun alone, kills no one. And, when used safely, properly, with good (true) judgment, and without ill intent- it is an indispensable tool that procures and maintains the life and safety of the innocent; and when in the wrong hands, causes often irreparable harm to the innocent. At bottom, the only thing that stops bad guys with guns, is good guys with guns.

The same goes for God’s Word. When someone, Protestant or Roman Catholic, rightly dispenses the intended teachings of the Bible- immeasurable benefit is received by those who hear, accept, understand and apply it. When someone, either intentionally or unintentionally, mishandles the Word (due to a failure in one of the aforementioned categories), unspeakable harm is the likely outcome. If the Word was treated with the reverence it deserves, by everyone, we wouldn’t have this problem. But, the problem is not with the Word, but those who handle it. I think we are in agreement on that last statement.

For well over 100 years before the reformation, people were translating and distributing the Bible. If it hadn’t been the reformation from within, it could have been chaos from without. I suppose we’ll never know if things would have been worse, or better, if the reformation had never happened. We can only speculate. But, it doesn’t require a giant leap in logic , or an all-inclusive understanding of human history, to postulate that the reformation may have done more good than harm- much like the Roman Catholic Church, itself.

A few questions (that you are free to ignore):
- Can someone, who is not a Roman Catholic, enter heaven? Under what circumstances?
- Can a professing Roman Catholic be sent to hell? Why or why not?
- Is the Bible the inspired, inerrant Word of God? How or how not?
- Where does Rome get its authority from? And, how do you know that it’s legitimate? Can you prove it?

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Sure, the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages had two Popes for a bit. But the theology was the same throughout the whole world in all of Christendom,

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Was it though? It seems like if that were true- there would have been no reformation. Can you provide documentation from the apostles that affirms the theology of the Middle Ages? Are we talking pre or post reformation?Do we have any extra biblical writings from Peter?

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It's intellectually dishonest to argue that the two Popes is the same thing as the scores of different Protestant denominations, many of which believe some totally opposite morals and doctrine.

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I agree with you. The point was more that there have always been divisions in the church- all the way back to the first century (1 Corinthians 11:18). Literally the only thing that hasn’t changed is the Bible. Theologies, doctrines and dogmas have all evolved over time, but the Bible has remained the same.

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Protestantism has a big problem. It's broken into many pieces.

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No doubt. But Christianity remains unfractured. If we stray from the truth then the truth is not in us.

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You can ignore it. That's probably what is best for you. But, for thinking people

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Somebody has a high opinion of himself.

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This is because anybody can pick up a Bible and "find" a new interpretation that allows Gay Sex, or some other new idea.

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No doubt. But also, anyone with a bible and an unperverted, unhindered desire for truth can refute heresy- using a proper, faithful, consistent exegesis of scripture. Anyone can take a couple of verses out of context, and derive “new” and “revolutionary” doctrines based on inconsistent interpretations. But, when held under the light of the overarching meta-narrative of the entirety of scripture- these false teachers are exposed as such, and only those who desire a false gospel will follow.

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If some of the congregation don't like the new theology, they can branch off and start their own brand new Protestant denomination.

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Like, a … reformation??? I’m just messing with you.

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I say it's better to stick with Saint Thomas Aquinas's denomination. He was a smart guy. If Bible Alone was correct, Aquinas would have said so.

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I love Aquinas. One of the greatest theologians of all time. But, he was not infallible. In the end, you scold Protestants for their acquiescence to the interpretations of fallible men- while deriving your own theology from (different) fallible men, yourself.

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Another fact, the UMC's own creed clearly states that it is a traditional Protestant Bible Alone/Faith Alone denomination.

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I know plenty of guys who call themselves electricians. They’re not. They may fool non-electricians, but they don’t fool real electricians.