Are there two faiths called by the same name - christianity?

Question

I'm beginning to think there are two:

One is the Christianity born of the doctrine of men (catholic, protestant, orthodox, etc.)

The other is the christianity based on the teachings of the Messiah.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I think you need to go back and study your theology and history a bit more.

I sincerely doubt you would be able to recognize the authentic teachings of the Messiah, even if they fell out of heaven, right on to your own head.

Answer 2

Well I think you're on the right track. The scriptures say there are two churches: The church of God, and the church of the Devil. So if two people do not agree with each other in word and deed, either both of them of the devil, or one of them is.

Isn't that reasonable? It seems to be to be very reasonable to conclude. However, the teachings of the Messiah can easily be hid from a people. The Dark Age consumed the world after the Messiah was murdered, so is it reasonalbe to assume the truth could still be available from sources that originate from the Dark Age?

It doesn't sound very reasonable for a person to think that is possible. A universal apostacy (or a falling away from the truth) pretty much ensures that the truth will never be recovered if they aren't RESTORED. However, how can anything be restored if word doesn't come from the source? From the Heavens?

And so because people, wanting a 'better life' began to REFORM the teachings they had possession of, to the best of their knowledge. And that's where the REFORMISTS and PROTESTANTS come in to the picture.

But can new fruit grow from a dead tree? No. There needs to be an entirely new plant provided that is not corrupted, nor dead. And so the answer was that a RESTORATION was needed. A restoration of the teachings of the Messiah, his ordinances and covenants needed to be introduced for the first time in a long time of silence and ignorance.

And that is what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is -- the product of a RESTORED gospel, coming to mankind in our day and age, not originating from the stagnant ponds of the Dark Ages. And, consequently, when these things are taught to the people, the are taught things "which they've never considered before."

That is why the gospel is called the "Good news" incidentally. Because God's way to re-establish his order is through a RESTORATION, not a REFORMATION.

No other organization on Earth claims this RESTORATION of the teachings of the Messiah. And why would that be? Maybe, because there is only one capable of claiming it.

And so there is!

Answer 3

that's a really good point....though obviously the two overlap. but the ideal christianity should be that based on the Messiah's teachings. To make religion "work", though, humand invent their own doctrines for it, and this is where Christianity as an institutionn icomes in. And the doctrine of man can quite often go against the other sort, to an extent.

Perfect Christianity would bbe that bases on Jesus' teaching - but like everthing is, man has manufactured it to their own purposes. It may not be right, but whilst the "Church" which is in many respects manufactured by man is often the easiest way to become "a Christian", the two will continue to overlap.

Saying that, though, Christianity as an insitution has a lot of faults. The pure following of the Messiah's teachings has to be preferable - it's just more difficult to achieve.

Answer 4

I think you are right. But the teachings of Jesus (which He never called 'Christian' btw) came long before the distortions of the man made Christianity that continues today.

Answer 5

You may be right-- there are followers of Christ & then there are followers of Self (man) personally the true followers of Christ are a lot nicer to be around..

Answer 6

the more I see " Christians " on here the more apparent that is becoming
I couldnt agree more
I love the Christ followers.... not so keen on " Christianity "

Answer 7

I think you could say that.