Non Denominational Churches

[HomeTeamFamily]

ok i (a catholic) have a friend who was raised as a baptist, but now says that she doesnt like all the "rules" that organized denominations follow. she now attends a nondenominational service regularly and i was wondering if yall had any advice as to what i could tell her regarding this topic. i myself am not a very avid apologetic, i have not really read any of the literature on the subject nor am very comfortable with confronting her about it because im scared i wont know what to say to what she comes back with......any advice would be amesome

thanks

peace and God bless

[photosynthesis]

I guess I would be sensitive to the way she feels, since it sounds like she's joining this new church for a reason. However, I would remind her that not all rules are bad. In fact, we need rules in order to remain accountable to ourselves and to God. Just because God has forgiven us of all our sins does not mean that we can abandon the commandments He has given us. In the Gospel of Mark, when the rich young man asks Jesus what he must do to be saved, Jesus says "If you love me, keep my commandments." We follow rules and traditions because we love God, and these rules and traditions are from God. For example, God said "Keep the sabbath holy" so the Catholic Church has instituted the Sunday obligation. Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfil it. Just because He has forgiven those who have broken the law, does not mean that the law has gone away. Remind your friend that the law still exists, and if she loves Jesus, she will obey His commandments.

[IXpenguin21]

at school, i do work-study w/ a salvation army day care center. my boss invited me to his service one week and said he'd go to mine the week after. offer to go w/ her, and ask her to go with you. she might not believe until she sees.

[cmotherofpirl]

Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and words.

Ask her which rules bother her and why.

[L5]

Surely there must be rules, or statements of faith that even a "non-denominational" church has.

[phatcatholic]

lankyswimmer,

first off, its good to have you here!

secondly, this can be a very frustrating scenario. its hard to convince a person "from the outside" that there can actually be freedom through God's laws. non-catholics look at all of these "rules" and they automatically see them as restrictions. the irony is that it is these very rules that free us.........free us from the bondage--the true restrictions--of slavery to sin.

i also think that it is helpful to use familial language to describe the authority of the Church and the nature of its laws. The Church is like a mother to us, a mother who loves us and longs for us to be happy and free. But, the Church knows that we are weak, easily suspectible to temptation, and we live in an unfair world. So, in its unbounding, motherly wisdom she gives us guidelines to protect us, because she cares for us and our well-being. a mother tells a child to avoid playing in the street, not b/c she wishes to be punitive, but b/c she knows that playing in the street is dangerous. the child will do well to listen to his mother in all things.

but, what becomes of the child who's mother says, "oh child, do what you wish. it is not my place to tell you what is right and wrong. i would never presume to have that much authority over anyone. now, go outside and have fun playing, ok?" this child will have a hard life under such care.

the first analogy is what the Catholic Church is for us. It is a Mother who guides us towards salvation with unabounding wisdom. And a "non-denominational" church? well, that church, in its attempt to avoid authority and be all things to all christians, is quite negligent in comparison.

hopefully this analogy will help. if you need a more concrete, theological argument, just let me know.

good luck and God Bless,

phatcatholic

Edited December 8, 2003 by phatcatholic

[MC Just]

Prayer is the strongest. I've been praying for family member conversions and some of them are now converting. It is the will of God that people become Catholic. Therefore it is right that we pray for their conversions. Also those who seek truth will find the Catholic Church.

[Mary's Knight, La]

you could try this point too

1. countries, states, cities, schools, clubs, households all have rules (treating all of these as secular institutions for the moment) these rules serve two main purposes 1. to protect your life 2. so that all members of the group may be identified by their behavior

now let's use that as an analogy of the spiritual

we know there's a hell Jesus said so, therefore if rules are necessary to preserve a transitory state of living, how much more so are they necessary to prevent eternaly dying? next point Jesus said they'll know your my disciples by your love. this points out that there is at least one rule christians must follow. but Jesus didn't say it was the only one. after that bring in how He said He came to complete the law, not to abolish it. So the old law still stands. After that you can move on to biblical proof of how He instituted His church.

but one warning:

don't expect to convince her. "I don't like all the rules" is usually a cheap rationalization to allow the person to do whatever they want. look at the claim she makes: the rules aren't valid because she doesn't like them. so you might bring that into the first part too, how many laws does she not like which are still valid.

[Muschi]

To all regarding "Rules".

First of all, rules are good to an extent because they serve as guides or rather like the mile markers on a free-way. You kindof know where you are at and whether you are progressing or not.

But I bet this person's friend has encounter rules such as:

If you are a woman: You shall not cut your hair, not even to trim it.

You shall not wear pantaloons as that is men's wear.

You shall not wear make-up as that would be like Jezebel.

You shall not wear jewelry as that would be like Jezebel.

For the girls and guys: You shall not go to movies lest your eyes witness sin. (never mind real life)

You shall not dance in public with others lest you fornicate.

You shall not watch television lest you sin with your eyes.

(actually, there might be some truth to that last one! lol)

You shall not listen to "secular radio lest you lust in your heart.

You shall not drink ANY alcohol lest you become a drunk.

You shall not....(place prohibition here.)

So, based on the above, I can understand why this friend is going to a non-denominational church based on my own experience.

It wasn't until I became Catholic and found that rules when practiced in moderation are not only good but necessary.

I hope this sheds some new and helpful light on your friend's situation. - God bless! - Muschi

ps. All of the above were how I was once brought up in my teenage years!! - :P

[phatcatholic]

This article may be too theologically profound, but it addresses your problem comprehensively:

Law and Order

good luck and God Bless,

phatcatholic