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Diane (location unknown) Two years ago I moved into a new house. My neighbor had a daughter the same age as my little girl and her husband worked in the same office as mine. We immediately became friends and I was invited several times to go out with her and her friends. At first it was trips to the zoo and swimming pool, but soon they began to ask me about my "religion" (which is a bad word in the ICoC). I told them my background (Lutheran) and said I was looking for a good church since there were no Lutheran churches where we live. They invited my to an ICoC "Bible Talk," and since I enjoy reading the Bible, I agreed [to go]. Things went well until I began to "study the Bible" with them. I made it though the first three studies before I told them that while I had not lived a perfect life, I did believe I was saved and did not agree with their doctrine on the "kingdom" and physical "church" being the same. I was told that I could not study the Bible with them any more (weird!!). We were "forced" to still socialize (remember, our husbands still worked together and our daughters had become best friends). A few months later I wanted to talk to her about a Bible verse she had used in one of the studies. I noted that Mark 9:1 appeared to not be talking about Pentecost at all, but about the Transfiguration (the rest of chapter 9). She had a great counter, "Jesus doesn't always talk about what happens next, but about future happenings too." I agreed, but then I brought up the fact that Matthew has a parallel passage (also before the Transfiguration) that CANNOT be interpreted to mean Pentecost. Therefore, they must both be the same and mean the Transfiguration. She immediately became defensive and told me that she could no longer discuss religion with me because it was "hurting our friendship." Of course, she never cared about hurting our friendship when she told me I was not saved and was going to hell. Anyway, I have tried to avoid talking about things to her. I am very active in my [current] church (NOT to get me to heaven, but just because I enjoy doing things). I hope that she may see that there are people outside the ICC that love and serve God. I pray every night that she will break free of this bondage that holds her and that someday she will be able to fully understand and embrace the glorious grace of God. It hurts me that she never asks me to go anywhere (zoo, etc.) [anymore], but I understand that she is just doing what she is told. I recently refused to go to their "Women's Day of Destiny." I did not want to validate this church and their teachings with my presence. I pray for all people everywhere that they will come to the knowledge of the truth: Jesus Christ is Lord. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life." (John 3:36a) March 1999 |