De-Christian doctrines

Some of the blogs I read with most fascination ( Phil Ritchie, Peter Kirk, Sam Norton) have recently had this meme - I haven't been directly tagged but the theme has set me thinking...so here's my thoughts for your perusal and comment. Not sure that they are particularly 'doctrines', maybe more observations but nonetheless areas of concern and with potential for devaluing the true Christian doctrines that we should be focused on.

5 Deeply De-Christian doctrines:

1. The belief that the person stood at the front is better/knows more/is more holy or in touch with God than everyone else sitting down.

2. The belief that a certain type of music is better or more worshipfull or gets us into the presence of God more effectively that other types of music - this applies across the board. My preference is more modern, contemporary worship songs...but that doesn't mean that worship cannot be done with organ. choir and music from the 15th century...obvious I know, but a permeating belief. Linked with this is the assumption of course that 'worship' is when we all sing together...

3. The belief that the 'church' will survive just so long as we don't compromise on our traditions and that everyone conforms to the way 'we' do things...wake up and smell the coffee.

4. The belief that there are some sins, particularly sexual sins which are worse than other sins and which take more work or repentance or time to be 'recovered' from. Perhaps if we truly treated sins such as lying, gossiping, jealousy and unfriendliness in the way they should be rather then making them culturally acceptable in our Christian communities we would have more of an impact on those living around us and watching our every move.

5. The belief that 'becoming a Christian' is the pinnacle of our human experience. We have lost the skill of discipleship in our Christian communities and we think that an Alpha/Emmaus 10 week course will get everyone sorted and 'believing'...we've gotta understand the long haul that is the journey ahead of us with hard people as well as those we love.

There you go - I tag paul trathen, jonny baker, mark berry, phil greig - everyone else I woulda tag already has been!

Comments

[Phil Ritchie]

Hi Alice,
consider yourself tagged retrospectively and I've added you to my blog list. (meant to do it ages ago but...)
Phil

[Peter Banks]

Even better, Tim Abbott already Tagged you!

http://timabbott.typepad.com/timabbott/2009/10/5-deeply-dechristian-doctrines-meme.html

Still working on mine ;-)

PB

[Paul]

I had been tagged by Phil Ritchie already, but lovely to be tagged again.

I have had a rant (sorry, response) over at my 'journey home' blog...