If you remember, and I hope you do, I have spoken in the past about names, naming and what it means when someone names someone/something. Over the last several years, I have begun to take notice of the names of churches. Traditionally, churches take the names of important saints, or important events in the life of Christ. Roman Catholic, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox churches especially have historically practiced this. But as of the last few decades, churches have started naming themselves after experiential events. Take for instance "Open Door Fellowship", "Breath of Life" or "Liberty Fundamental Baptist Church". I don't really know what to think of a shift like this, other than to suspect that it is simply fruit of a spiritual gathering focused on experience rather than the Eucharist.
The other thing that is odd about these names is the lack of the term "church", in many. It's almost like a huge Freudian slip. These Protestant gatherings seem to unconsciously know that they are actually not churches, at least in the practical, historical sense. They have no priest, no hierarchy, no bread or wine, no confession and no practical connection with the apostolic faith.
I actually really do appreciate the renaming that is going on. At least they are being honest about who and what they are. I may come across as harsh, but a rose is a rose. A man may honestly believe himself to be invincible, but he's not. A spiritual gathering it may be, but historically speaking, it's not the church.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Names, again
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