Leaving The Church Without Guilt
Posted April 13, 2004
[Updated to fit TOA Module October 9, 2010]
Mr. Vinson,
I'm reading your writings on Strong Delusion. It's powerful! And thank you. Spiritually, I'm going through some things with my church, and I need help. First, my current pastor was a close friend of mine and my husband before branching off to start his own church. We joined him because we felt he would be different. At least in personal conversations he was. I'm really, really perplexed about this whole church situation. I LOVE THE LORD, but I'm so tired of wasting my time with churches that are doing absolutely nothing but make the Pastor and his church look good. And the contradictions of teachings! In Sunday School Class, my pastor said that any man could have betrayed Jesus, but Judas took it upon himself to betray Jesus. My insides shook. He finished by saying Judas had a choice, but why he chose to betray Jesus, he didn't know. I said to my pastor that Judas didn't have a choice, this is what God ordered. My pastor turns around and tells me we have "free will." Mr. Vinson, I've got to remove myself from these godforsaken LIES.
There is a scripture in the Bible that says we need a preacher. I know you know exactly where the scripture is. This will be the scripture my pastor will use when I decide to leave the church for good. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF CHURCHES!
Mr. Vinson, please offer a suggestion to finally leave the church guilt-free. I have not read all of the Bible and I want to make sure I'm making the right decision. Please provide me with scriptures (for my Pastor, too) for strength and peace of mind that I am doing the correct thing. I am sick of my pastor telling us (the children, too) that some of us are going to burn in Hell forever and ever if we don't get our lives in order. This is cruel teaching for any child to hear. To most of these children, this is a horror movie with them in the leading role. And then my pastor wants to make a fuss about the mess on television.
I didn't see a name, but thank you for your comments.
I admire your courage and your apparent growth in your understanding of the mind and methods with which God is dealing with all mankind.
Your pastor will probably use :
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent?
To which you need to tell him that the minister sent to you does not ignore or squirm around any scripture in the Bible, but faces and answers them without fear.
He will no doubt quote:
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
To which you need to quote him:
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Remind him that these are the words of Christ which are the same "yesterday, today and forever." Therefore these words are just as true today as they ever were. I met for many years with no one but my family, and I learned more without the 'help' of men then I did with that 'help.'
Now what I want you to do is to go to the web page and read 'The Seven Steps to Salvation.' After you read that paper I want you to let me know if you have any more questions about "coming out of Babylon."
Your brother in His service,
Mike
