An Important Note To Students And Teachers
Most Christians who have a history that is at least two generations old in the Church of Christ know and use a religious vocabulary that is unique to us. We have meanings assigned to and understanding of certain words or phrases that are unique to us. The word "church" is one such word. When we ask a person, "How long have you been a member of the church?" we can tell by the response if they are a member of the Church of Christ. Their response will reveal their concept and understanding of "the church."
The purpose of this series is to challenge us to examine our concepts of the church from scripture. The purpose is not to debate or discuss our religious vocabulary or our use of our religious vocabulary. While there are some advantages in having a specialized religious vocabulary, there are also some disadvantages.
The moment we conclude we have a complete understanding of "the church" is also the moment we stop allowing scripture to deepen and expand God's concept of "the church." It is the moment we stop studying scripture to understand and start using arguments to defend our concept. Should those who belong to God defend God's new creation, the Lordship of Christ, righteous living, and godly behavior? Of course! Should those who belong to God through Jesus Christ be devoted to maturing in God's concepts? Of course! The "all in all's" [God--1 Corinthians 15:28] concept of what it means to be the "fullness of Him who fills all in all" [Christ--Ephesians 1:23] must always be the basic concept of God's people.
Because God's wisdom is superior to human wisdom [even Christians!], Christians will never reach the point that they do not need to grow and mature in God's concepts. Christians need to humbly understand this truth: we must defend God's divine wisdom, not human positions.
This series will begin with a study of the current need to increase our understanding of "the church." It will continue by focusing on God's basic concept of "the church," examining the basic objectives of "the church," and biblically examining the fact that "the church" includes Christians who are diverse.
The objective of this material is to challenge you to think and to study from a biblical perspective. It is not devoted to defending traditional perspectives. Its goal is to move us all closer to God's concept. Thinking about subjects/things we typically do not discuss is okay--as long as the concepts are biblical, reflected by scripture, and genuinely respect context.
The prayer is not that you will "change" as a result of this study. The prayer is that you will grow as a result of this study. The purpose is to deepen faith in God, not to destroy faith in God.
