Individual Christians are isolated. First, congregations are isolated from other congregations, each being autonomous. If there is association between congregations it is limited and is due to the leadership of each thinking alike. (When we all think alike, someone is not thinking).
Second, Christians are isolated within each congregation. Christians apparently believe the bible is best studied alone. That is presuming there is study. Research shows the majority of Christians spend little time in study and even less reading the bible.
Third, for many congregations the preacher is the primary source from which the members receive instruction in the bible. This limits those Christians to one individual's understanding and ideas. Lecture is the vehicle for conveying information but not for teaching.
Isolated Christians reject challenges to what they believe; anything that threatens their level of comfort.
If I were to tell you our understanding of Heaven and Hell is erroneous my guess is you would disagree. If I were to tell you our understanding of what Paul said about women is not correct, my guess is you would disagree. If I were to tell you instrumental music is irrelevant you would most likely disagree. If I were to tell what we do on Sunday has nothing to do with worship you would disagree and if I said Paul told us what worship is and Hebrews tells us what purpose the assemblies serve and that they are separate you would disagree. If I were to tell you the Bible was written for us but not to us, my guess is you would disagree. If I were to tell you much of what Jesus said to his disciples/apostles does not include us you would disagree. If I were to tell you Satan has no more influence on us today than the influence Michael and Gabriel have you would disagree.
Those just might be fodder for a small group study.
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Gatlinburg, TN
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face"
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