tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222065172626712190.post4624531320091457646..comments2024-03-09T05:13:08.154-05:00Comments on What in the World?: Religion and BelongingAdrian Hellemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12611563345804489187noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5222065172626712190.post-21415466802521900742014-11-13T15:41:23.761-05:002014-11-13T15:41:23.761-05:00If “Beliefs and behavior have a place in the churc...If “Beliefs and behavior have a place in the church, but the priority belongs to belonging" then there seems to be a problem in reconciling biblical examples where certain beliefs and behaviors (derived from beliefs) actually disqualifies people from belonging. Specifically, the Christ-rejecting Pharisees of John 10.25-26, Ananias & Sapphira in Acts 5, Simon the Magician in Acts 8 as well as the young man of 1 Corinthians 5.<br /><br />I don't disagree that “belonging” is a serious human need and should be provided by the church (as opposed to a bar, above). However, I'm not sure you’ve made the case that “belonging” is a greater “priority” of the Christian Church than “belief” or “behavior.” In fact, the case may be made that behavior is derived from belief and is an indicator of belonging – at least in the case of God’s calling us, regenerating us to faith and repentance. Michael Bentleyhttp://www.christcommunitychurchei.orgnoreply@blogger.com