My Beef with Church Denominations (updated)

I thought that I would go ahead and spruce up my Church Denomination article to show the reader what problems there are with the modern concept of church. While some of these issues are only directed toward one or a few denominations, others are almost universal and spread across a wide array of church sects. As Christians yes we shouldn't forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb 10:25), this doesn't however mean that we shouldn't examine how we do church. Here is my list of 28 problems with the modern church.

1. Church Denominations Themselves

The first thing that i want to discuss is that division in and of itself among the body of Christ is a mark of carnality (Mat 12:25, 1 Cor 1:10-13, 1 Cor 3:3-4, Rom 16:17). The only label i put on myself is Christian because that is what they were called in the bible. Christian simply means follower of Christ. (Act 4:12, Act 11:26, Act 26:28, Gal 3:26-29, Eph 3:14-15, Php 1:21, Php 2:9-11, Jam 2:7, 1 Pet 4:16). As believers we should strive for unity and not divide over non-separable offences(Psa 133:1, Eph 4:3).

2. Infant Baptism

 The next thing that I desire to point out is that many church denominations still baptize infants; including Methodist, Lutheran, Angelican to name a few. It surprises me that this practice still goes on today. Maybe it is because evil men have removed the bible verse requiring belief before baptism (Act 8:37).

3. Luke warmness

Another thing that bothers me is how liberal or lukewarm churches are today. The bible tells us to judge, rebuke, not be a hypocrite, that there are ungodly men who turn God's grace into lasciviousness, and that Jesus will spit out those who are lukewarm.

Lev_19:17  Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Rom 2:3  And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 

Jud 1:4  For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 

Mat 21:28  But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 

Mat 21:29  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 

Mat 21:30  And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 

Mat 21:31  Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 

4. Pagan Holidays

One thing that most Church's have in common today is that they promote Pagan Holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, Easter, etc. Since I have articles which describe these abominations elsewhere I needn't address it here (1 Cor 5:11, 1 Cor 10:14, Deu 12:29-32).

5. Pride

In my personal experience some church attendee's will seem to pressure you into coming to all of their services and guilt trip you if you miss. Some even look down on those who don't attend as if they are "backsliding" because they  missed a few services. Some church members may even be arrogant enough to belief that their "church" is more true than other churches or that they have the only truth.

Isa 65:5  Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. 

Luk 18:11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 

6. Ignorance of Bible Doctrine

Another disturbing trend that we see throughout the church system is a massive ignorance of bible doctrine. This is evident by the amount of false teaching and teachers that are creeping around church buildings. Examples of false doctrine include prosperity gospel, Annihilationism, Jesus is Micheal the archangel, Easy believism, that Jesus suffered in hell for sins, that God isn't three persons but still one God, that the unclean food laws of Leviticus 11 is still binding on Christians, soul sleep, etc.

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

1Th 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 

7. Tithing

I have an article on this so I won't go into much detail here, but I will say that all that tithe money doesn't go to the poor but instead it is used for the pastor's salary or the church building (Mat 25, 2 Cor 9:7).

 

8. Debt

One big problem that I see in regards to modern day Christianity is the fact that they take out huge loans in order to finance this "church building" and then teach unbiblical doctrines like NT tithing. 

Rom 13:8  Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 

9. Having Church with Unbelievers

Another big fault that i find with Modern Christianity is that instead of witnessing, Christians will invite the lost to church hoping that they will hear the gospel there and get saved.

Jesus said "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.", he didn't say bring the lost to church. The church is the assembly of called out ones so it's an oxymoron to have unbelievers fellowshipping with you (Mat 28:19, Mar 16:15, 2 Cor 6:14, 17, Jam 4:4).

10. Promoting Bible Perversion

Many churches nowadays read out of newer bible translations, and while I don't believe that it is a separable offence; these New English bible translations contain many errors (some of which affect doctrine).

2Co 2:17  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 

11. Church is the Building?

It makes me cringe when I hear other believers say things like "it's nice to be in the house of God", or "no eating in the 'sanctuary' ", or when they call their buildings temples. The bible teaches us that the church isn't the building, and that God doesn't dwell in temples made with hands (Act 9:31, Act 7:48).

12. Presence of an Altar

This is another thing that I find wrong with modern day churches. The purpose of an altar in the old testament was to offer up animal sacrifices to God. Since we don't do animals sacrifices anymore, what is it's purpose now? (1 Pet 2:5).

13. Elevation of Pastor

The idea of a 1 pastor church where he is the only one doing sermons and contributing to the service while the others are just spectators is just unbiblical. It's also disturbing to see these pastors develop a "little pope syndrome" where he is always right and highly esteemed.

3Jn 1:9  I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 

3Jn 1:10  Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 

see also Prov 24:6

14. Female Deacons

If i recall correctly, a long time ago I was at goodwill and overheard a woman talking how she just recently became a deacon at her church. This directly defies scripture as deacons have to be thee HUSBAND of one wife (1Tim 3:12).

15. Mega Churches

One of the biggest issues that is see with this is it can be very difficult if not impossible to disciple everyone in your church if you have 5000 + members.

16. Service focused on Pastor only

From 1 Corinthians 12 we learn that the body of Christ is many members. We are to edify one another (1 Thess 5:11). How can we do that if only the pastor is allowed to contribute? See 1 Cor 14:26-33.

17. Questionable Music

As Christians we need to be aware of the lyrics sung even by Christian Music Artist.

We will give an account for every idle word spoken (Mat 12:36).

One example is Tauren Wells song titled "known"- Ridiculous grace!?!

We must also exercise caution when considering singing or buying songs from artist who you know teach false doctrine, we wouldn't want to lead someone else into following their ministry nor is it wise to financially support them.

And finally we shouldn't listen to Christmas Music as Christmas is devil worship.

These are just a few examples, I'm sure you can find much more with further research.

18. Sunday School

What's wrong with Sunday school and youth pastors you ask? 

1. Fathers pass the buck on the discipleship of their children contrary to Deut 6:7-8 and Eph 6:1-4

2. Age segregation is unwise as little children will influence other little children negatively (Pro 13:20, Pro 22:15), children need to be around good, mature role modals & primarily their parents.

3. It's foolish to believe that a 1 or 2 hr sunday school class once a week will offset the tidal wave of ungodliness your children will be exposed to if they are public schooled.

19. Not Feeding Sheep

One consequence of churches being seeker-friendly is that instead of helping Christian's grow in the word they instead focus on preaching the same or similiar messages over and over again. Which are the basics of Christianity, the stuff that every born again Christian already knows well. Basically how to get saved. (Heb 5:11-14, Heb 6:1-3).

20. Lack of Church discipline

Since they have Church at a Special building nowaday's instead of at each others house, many church members don't know one another on a personal level and as such can't administer proper church discipline. (Mat 18:15-17, 1 Cor 5).

21. Legalism

This is the adding of rules and commandments of men and teaching them as commandments of God.

Examples include: No Instruments in worship, men have short hair/women long, don't eat unclean meat, etc.

Mar_7:13  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Rom 14:14  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 

1Co 11:15  But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 

1Co 11:16  But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 

Psa 150:3  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 

Psa 150:4  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 

Psa 150:5  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 

22. Unbiblical Church Leadership

Most Churchs where I am from that I am aware of don't have Bishops or Deacons, instead they only have just pastors. 

Tit 1:5  For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 

Tit 1:6  If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 

Tit 1:7  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 

23. Jesus Pictures

Here I just want to draw attention to the portraits of "Jesus" that you can find in some churches.

They usually depict this handsome, effeminate, white guy with long light brown hair. Not only is this depction probably inaccurate, the bible tells us not to make graven images (Dt 27:15). Does this include pictures? Check out Ezekiel 8:10.

24. Sunday Best?

While there is certainly nothing wrong with wanting to look diligent as we don't want to give the appearance of slothfulness (1 Th 5:22), however the idea that you have to dress a certain way when going to fellowship seems to me more of a tradition of man that a commandment of scripture. As a matter of fact the bible condemns those that judge merely on appearance (John 7:24, Jam 2:1-9). 

25. 501C3

When a church applies for a 501C3 from the Government it enables them to not be taxed on the income they receive, the drawback is however that the Government can dictate what they can and cannot preach on.

Luk_16:13  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

26. Division of "priest" and "laity" class

Although this is more pronounced in Catholicism (with the long fancy robes, etc) this is still reflected in Protestantism. With the "priests" doing their functions on stage while the "laity" sitting quietly in their pews.

1Pe_2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 

27. Ritualistic

What do I mean by "ritualistic"? I'm talking about "believers" just going through the motions. Doing the same thing every week, eg. they show up on Sunday at 10am, stand for prayer, sing a few songs, collections are passed around for offerings, the people are seated, they listen to the sermon, and then finish with a prayer. This is the typical Sunday service for many churches. Although none of things are sinful in and of themselves, the problem arises when people assume just because they were raised in this environment that they are saved and are on there way to heaven. I question whether someone is saved when this is all they do and no effort is being made to follow Christ the rest of the week. If your not praying and reading the word daily and examining yourself to see if your actions line up with the word i highly recommend that you check yourself. (Isa 1:11-20).

28. How the Building is set up

The bible teaches us to love not the world (1 Joh 2:15), not be conformed to the world (Rom 12:2), and not to worship God the way that the pagan's worship their gods (Deu 12:30). What I find peculiar is that the way the church building is structured it resembles a theatre, a concert, a classroom, or a sporting event. You got the seats for the audience and you got the stage for the performers. The one's on stage are paid to be there and the one's in the chairs are there to worship their God, or in the pagan's case; gods.