Ship of Fools: MW 3214: Maranatha Baptist, Peoria, Arizona

Thread: MW 3214: Maranatha Baptist, Peoria, Arizona Board: Ecclesiantics / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by Al Eluia (# 864) on :

I thought Amanda B. Reckondwythe was quite charitable in her report. (link) Based on the things I've read about Independent Fundamental Baptists, I might have expected a more hellish experience.

For those of you not familiar with this segment of Christianity, here are a couple links:

The Fundamentally Toxic Christianity

www.baptistdeception.com/

There are many stories out there from people raised IFB who had pretty abusive family and church environments. On the relatively benign side, many IFB's hold to a kind of conspiracy theory about modern Bible translations.

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :

Maybe I should have gone to Sunday school after all.

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :

I think you escaped lightly, Miss Amanda.

These people call themselves Christian?

[Projectile]

Posted by Higgs Bosun (# 16582) on :

For those who shun rock music, the choice of opening song seems interesting. “You are good, you are good, when there’s nothing good in me” are lines from a Hillsong song entitled "Forever reign". It is a bit of a "Jesus is my boyfriend" song.

Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :

That was my impression -- that they had taken a Christian rock song and de-rocked it.

It does seem like IFBs have some peculiar notions, but they are far from being the only ecclesial community who thinks they are the One True Church and everyone else is doomed to hell.

I tried not to be judgmental. I saw nothing in the service that really turned me off, although the pastor made some interesting remarks in his sermon when he was talking about "big sins" vs. "little sins." "You would never set foot in a bar or night club, but you don't come to church every Sunday." "You would never be unfaithful to your wife, but you like to look at pornographic magazines." "You would never commit a homosexual act, but you would never love a homosexual to God." (I found the latter expression especially interesting -- "love someone to God.")

Mind you, I do not and cannot subscribe to many of their ultra-conservative beliefs, but I do think the testimony of those that are moved and inspired by the IFBs should be read along with the testimony of those who are repelled by them.

Posted by Al Eluia (# 864) on :

I'm glad you had a good experience. I'm also glad the music at Maranatha wasn't like this:

Worst gospel singer ever?

I think this guy may be an IFB judging from the website of a church he mentions in the intro to the song. Click on the link if you dare!

Posted by wild haggis (# 15555) on :

You don't want to read (or maybe you do) some of the rude comments that I've written on my copies of Christian music books over the years.

Mind you it isn't new!
Back in the early '80s at a college that used a book with Victorian Christian hymns and songs, we had one that talked about being deeply steeped in sin and giving it up long ago and instantly and now being as happy a a bird and just as free!!!!!! So nonsense words aren't new.

Myself and 2 others stood at the back during morning prayers, singing the tune to "tweet, tweet, tweet." We were never caught. But when on morning piano duty and it came up again, I asked the leader that morning, who happened to be the Principal (didn't I have a cheek!) if they had ever really thought about the words. I said that for me and many others we were singing a lie. We never sang it again! He said he never really thought of it in these terms!!!!!

There are many hymns and songs that I refuse to sing the words to. It isn't just morn stuff either. Look at Hymns Ancient and Modern or some of the other older hymn books.

We have made ourselves into liars - just for the sake of a good tune or good sing.

It happens all over the world in all different languages. As Christians we really need to think about what we say and sing in worship.

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