I've decided to do something that can be frightening and exhilarating at the same time: study the early church. While I do this, I'm going to do my best to let scripture speak for itself without me bringing my biases into what I read.My purpose is to study what the scriptures have to say about the church in the books of Acts, I Corinthians, and Ephesians. I've selected these books because all three have much to say about the church.
I realize that what I currently believe about the church is a mix of biblical teachings and man-made traditions. I was reminded of this again today as I toured an extremely ornate Roman Catholic Church in Savannah, GA. The church building was absolutely filled with traditions that cannot be found anywhere in scripture. I think my beliefs are the same way.
So, I'll be studying through these three books for the next month or so. I plan to blog about some of what I find. I know I will be challenged.
Scripture, if correctly interpreted, is usually frightening and exhilarating. It confronts us where we are wrong and forces us to decide whether or not we will change to come in line with the bible.
I'm looking forward to this and am also a bit nervous about what I'll find.
3 comments:
Eric,
I can't wait to see what conclusions you come to. When I started to study church history it turned my world upside down. I wasn't prepared for the sheer amount of tradition and practice that has no scriptural basis.
The question I kept asking was "where did they get this stuff from?". Now I question everything - I think that has been healthy.
-jeff
Careful Eric. You might be pretty disturbed by what you find and you might find that raising questions can get you in trouble! Better to stick to tradition and pretend that it is Biblical.
Jeff and Arthur,
I know this study will probably lead me to some conclusions that will make me uncomfortable. However, we all know it will be worth it, too.
It really is amazing how much tradition has arisen over the years. Much of it is considered to be biblical even when there is no basis for it.
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