A New Reformation.

In the past the Church has preached good works to earn a place in Heaven.

And sins, especially sexual sins, will land you in hell forever.

This kept everyone in line and maintained the power of the Church.

But modern educated people would not be bullied in this way.

They left the Church in droves.

The child sexual abuse scandals were just the straw that broke the camel's back.

It is time for a New Reformation of the Church.

A reformation which returns to the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus taught Love.

Love God and love your neighbour.

Forgiveness, mercy, compassion, charity, and peace.....

All these things derive from the teachings of Jesus.

The Church will have to give up its big stick - hell - and return to the original position of servant.

The Church is there to serve the community not to rule over it.

The Church is a servant not a master.

All too often the Church has assumed the position of master in order to gain power over humanity.

But Jesus said, "'whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave.'"   Matthew 20: 26b,27 (NRSV)

So the Church must change.

It must move on from the Machiavellian carrot and stick religion of the past and preach the Gospel of Love.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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