Grand Rapids Adventure

So we went to Grand Rapids this weekend, and we visited the church of some of our friends (Hi Troy and Amy!).

Anyway, the service was unique and interesting. I rather enjoyed it. I was thinking of several questions during and after the service…and I’ll share them.

1. Is it incumbent upon a Christian to partake in communion unless they have a reason to decline, or is it incumbent upon a Christian to decline communion unless they have actively sought communion.

Let me use an example. If I’m traveling across the country and stop into a church at random on a Sunday morning, do I partake in communion if they happen to be partaking on that day? Or should I politely decline since I don’t really know much of anything about the church? I have erred on the side of declination in general because it takes a while for me to know if I am in fact in unity with that church body.

2. I heard today that Unity within the church centers around this question: “Do you believe that Jesus is God and that your sins were forgiven when he died on the cross?”

Indeed, this is the essential of the faith, but most Christians I know would not affirm the above statement. Most modern evangelicals don’t believe that their sins were forgiven when Christ died on the cross. They believe that their sins are forgiven when they make a decision or a confession of faith…or do something.

A.W. Pink wrote in his book on the doctrines of salvation and justification that most theologians begin their suma theologia, or summation of their theology, with the attributes of God. His argument is that every theologian should begin rather with how salvation occurs. He states their view of salvation tells much about their view of who God is. Do they worship a truly sovereign God who is sovereign even unto salvation, or do they worship a God who can’t really bring about His will?

Do I seek unity with those who deny the sovereign God? Do I pursue unity with Jews? Do I have unity with Roman Catholics or Mormons? Jehovah Witnesses? What about the United Pentecostals or the Apostolic churches which deny the trinity? What about the modern evangelicals who claim salvation is affected by our own decision or commitment?

It isn’t really all that simple.

3. I am a member of the Christian Reformed Church, and we are dedicated to a true, biblical view of the sovereign God. How does this “reformed-ness” influence or color our worship services? I have wondered at times about how I am personally effected by the reformed faith, but how is my church unique or what distinctives jump out from our faith? I noticed several things in Grand Rapids today, but I’d be interested in what Troy or Amy would say.

Anyway. I enjoyed it, and I enjoyed seeing you guys!