In Defense of Organized Religion

 In Defense of Organized Religion


I suppose that resistance to "organized religion" has probably been around since the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden.  The hue and cry is, "You cannot trust the establishment/you have to do your own thing."  One of the big problems with this (very arrogant) approach is, that those who "do their own thing" are no better than the established church and clergy (with regard to our particular discussion here).

 

Someone might say, "Yes; but do you not know that theologically-'liberal' intruders (for example) have 'taken over' much of the system of 'organized religion'--and hence, none of it can be trusted, or relied upon?"  This question's statement is factual in one sense; but it goes too far in another sense.

 

We should not be surprised that Satan plants his "weeds" amongst God's good "wheat" (Matt. 13:24-30); and our reaction to this is not to be panic, innovation, or self-righteousness.  Instead of "re-inventing the wheel," we are to stay faithful in the "system."  By "system," I mean the established church and pattern that God has set up in His world.  The historically faithfully-Reformed church is the glory of this "system" of His; and it is, very-understandably, the target and object of Lucifer's fiercest assaults.

 

Alternatives to "organized religion" are much worse than the "establishment."  Theological renegades are the epitome of doctrinal "kook-balls," who proudly and pompously lead foolish and ignorant people astray.

 

Now, it is true, that the faithful members of the "establishment" need to be especially-humble, gentle, secure, and persevering.  Where many others all around us are "jumping ship," and "throwing in the towel," we need to stay committed and consecrated to our Lord Jesus, His church, and His gospel in the world.

 

For all those who are going to ask the questions, and make the charges along these (following) lines, we will have a response (after we quote them).  They will say, "Well, who are you?  What makes you to differ?  Why should I listen to you?  Who says you are right, and that all your alleged-'kook-balls' are wrong?"

 

. . . OK; fair set of queries.  Here are our answers: "We are those who know ourselves to be called by Christ to His church's ministry.  We 'differ' in that, unlike the fakes and phonies, we persist in this gospel ministry.  You will 'listen to' us if you are being called (and led) by Jesus.  The Holy Scriptures themselves 'say' that we are 'right,' and that the 'kook-balls' are 'wrong.' "

 

Now, we know what their next retort will be. . . . It will be along these lines: "No; I do not trust you.  I am going to pursue my own course.  I am not persuaded by what you say."  Again, fair enough.  Let the best God, the best gospel, the best church, win.  On the Judgment Day all of this will be made clear.

 

We do not deny that subjectivity is involved in the assurance of our [the faithful ministers'] callings.  We affirm this; but the truthfulness of our callings is manifested over time.  Test us out against the "kook-balls" in a few years; and you will find us faithful (by grace alone); and the imposters will have abandoned you long ago.

 

Three cheers for "organized religion"!  Here is how our Lord Jesus--the ultimate standard of truth--put it, in Matt. 16:18b: " . . . And on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," (ESV).

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #66

21 January 2026

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Do we Know we Are Right?

  How Do we Know we Are Right? Have you ever asked yourself this question?  What gives  us --and, for sake of clarity, I will mean by  "us"  (particularly) those convinced and convicted members of the Reformed expression of the Christian religion-- both  the  "right"  and the  "confidence"  to boldly state that we  are,  with regard to religious debate,  "in the right"?   This is actually a very good, and important question.  I would like to forthrightly  answer  the query; and then seek to work out some of the details (that I am quite certain may be on many people's minds). . . .   The  true regenerated  saints of Christ's church--and in this case, we will include those who are members of any number of orthodox Christian communions (denominations)--know that they are "in the right" because of the  internal witness of the Holy Spirit within them,  (cf. for now Rom...
Read more

What Is Preaching?

  What Is Preaching? Dedicated to all truly-called church ministers of the gospel When I ask the question, "What is preaching?", the context I have in mind is mostly, (but not exclusively), the church's Sunday worship services.  I also hope to address the issue of the goal (or end) of preaching.   Paul's 10th chapter of Romans is probably the most comprehensive treatment of this sublime subject; and his (Paul's) Holy Spirit-inspired injunction of 2 Tim. 4:2a: "Preach the Word!", says it very succinctly.   I believe that preaching is the authoritative verbal presentation of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ in the message of His gospel of grace and mercy.  I also believe that anything short of this, is not preaching at all.  It is also my conviction that every text of Holy Scripture not only  lends  itself to this grand enterprise; but  exists  so as to facilitate it.   Therefore, when a true gospel preacher approach...
Read more

Persecution of Real Christians in America

  Persecution of Real Christians in America Dedicated to all regenerate churchmen in the United States A lot of times we hear people say, "There is no persecution of the church in America."  This statement, though understandable on one level, is  entirely  false.  In fact,  every  truly regenerated (born again) Christian  does  get persecuted; and it depends  not at all  on where we live, or in what era of human history we live.   Here are Paul's Holy Spirit-inspired words of 2 Tim. 3:12: "Indeed,  all  who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus  will  be persecuted," (ESV/italics mine).  This means that if you are a  real  Christian you  will  be persecuted--and it does not matter  where  you live.  There is simply no way around this inevitable spiritual law of the gospel.   Somebody might say, "Yes; but Christians in America are not thro...
Read more