Martin Luther addressed much of these problems in his teaching and understanding of VOCATION.
We each have jobs to do in this life. Many jobs(father, brother, worker, protector, etc). And if we are doing these vocations faithfully then we are as holy as the holiest mortals on earth.
Now Luther did see great benefit in church and heirarchy. And I would agree that it makes sense to have trained, language fluent, full time church workers. But he was clear that these men are not more holy or better in God's eyes than the mother nursing her infant child. Our work in this world is in caring for this world. Both spiritually AND physically.
I really take exception though at the flipant way click bait titles are done in regards to the Church and faith. Papa pepper did it recently. It is popular to do on YouTube. Well meaning christians take snide shots at Church because there ARE churches and leaders that are doing a terrible job. But the Church is Christ's bride. He made her. She cannot err or do ill. People can err and do harm. False teachers and false prophets. I think this is healthier to say than to make crack shots at 'the church' and 'christianity'. The only people this benefits are the athiests, straying and dissolusioned(Sp?). And this type of characature-ing only hardens their hearts and makes them even more unlikely to ever set foot in a church building. I don't think that is beneficial. The scriptures call us to not give up on gathering together. ...anyway...I probably had more to say but I really loathe having these conversations digitally. Take care.
Peace
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the Church is Christ’s bride. However, the churches (institutions) reflect the Bride-ness of God’s people by their obedience to His word.
It is not clickbait. The institutional church is terminal, and they will pass away since Jesus is the one walking among the lampstands. If we are to cure our institutions, then we must get with the ”program” laid out in the Bible.
I critique churches, not the Church. I think you should read it again while watching for capitalization. God often brought covenant lawsuits against the institutional forms of his people because of their failings (read the prophets). We must critique form. If people continue joining insular churches blindly, falling in with the errors of the institution, this will only perpetuate the problem and result in lost saltiness.
I plan on writing on what a local gathering of believers ought to look like in an upcoming post. Also, thank you @em3 for starting a digital conversation with me by commenting, even though you say you don't like having digital conversations on issues like these.
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