Denominationalism

I posted something about this on here, which is on Steven Curtis Chapman's Official Messageboard hosted by the parent company of Sparrow Records.

We tend to view our denomination as being above criticism, even constructive criticism. We're so sure that "our" beliefs are right--but wait a minute: is this what we actually believe? Do we know our doctrine? I find that many claim to adhere to doctrines they know nothing about. Did you know, for instance, that any deviation from official Catholic doctrine is a mortal sin? Do you know why the Lutheran Church baptizes babies? Do you know what the Baptist church believes about Hell and Heaven and who goes where? If you belong to any of these denominations, you should. And you should compare what they teach to the Bible. The Bible should end all disputes. Sadly, nobody is willing to discuss the Bible with an open mind--one that is open to the voice of God no matter what one has been taught from the youth.

God is not going to tell me one thing about salvation and then tell you something totally different. Nor about any other essentials to the Christian walk. The real reason there is so much dissension in the Church is that no one who is wrong wants to give up their status--and that we are dealing with wolves as if they are sheep. Let's face it: Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven;..." (Matthew 7:21). Some of these wolves are coming out of the sheep's clothing that they were disguised in, but have managed to yet still pull the wool over the eyes of Christians who want to be tolerant.

Yes, we should be tolerant when the important stuff is not at stake. But when we're talking about salvation--what's more important than winning souls to Christ? If it means shedding the denominational attachment you have held for the past thirty years, if it means losing your job, if it means losing your spouse, if it means losing your life--for the sake of Christ, there can be no price too high to pay!! Otherwise, Jesus said that we can't be His disciples (Matthew 10:34-39; Luke 14:26-27)!!