It is Written or ??

When Jesus was in the Wilderness his defense against Satan was “It is written…” Specifically which practices of the Church of Christ can be defended with “It is written..?”

 

Go or Send?

The Great Commission

 

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

 

Those who believe Jesus was speaking to us say He did not mean we had to go but we could send. Usually this is in reference to going to other countries.

 

On the other hand we are told we must "go" and evangelize our neighbors and the Great Commission is used as support.

 

If I am authorized to "send" a missionary why can't I  elect to send the local preacher?

Need for Leaders

 

 

 

In his book The Age of Turbulence, Alan Greenspan wrote:

 

While each individual has an opinion, there is a visible tendency for much of society to coalesce around a common point of view, which often differs measurably from the choices of other societies. This I sense, results from the need of people to belong to groups defined by religion, culture, and history, which, in turn, is fostered by an innate need of people for leaders: of the family, the tribe, the village , the nation. It is a universal trait that probably reflects the imperative for people to make choices to govern their day-by-day behavior. Most people, much of the time, feel inadequate to the task and seek guidance from religious direction, the recommendations of family members, and the pronouncements of presidents. Almost all human organizations reflect this need for hierarchy. The shared views of any society, in practice, are views embraced by its leadership.

 

He was writing on the subject of The Modes of Capitalism but the need for leadership includes the church.