Mainline Theology Leads To Hell

(Scripture passages are from the ESV.)

Yes, this is a clickbait post for a reason.  I need to let this out.

I also wanted to emphasize that "Mainline" theology leads to Hell, and not only specific preachers and churches.

Yes, many progressive and fundamentalist churches are also false and lead to Hell, but that's not the main focus of this piece.

First, what is a Mainline church?

According to Wikipedia's article about "Mainline Protestant" churches, there are seven denominations that are the largest by membership.  In order, they are:

• 1. United Methodist Church (5.7 million)
• 2. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (2.9 million)
• 3. Episcopal Church (1.6 million)
• 4. Presbyterian Church USA (1.1 million)
• 5. American Baptist Churches USA (1.1 million)
• 6. United Church of Christ (710,000)
• 7. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (278,000)

Here are some things that I found about these churches, according to the article, and boy, are they damning:

Mainline Christian groups are often more accepting of other beliefs and faiths, affirm the ordination of women, and have become increasingly affirming of gay ordination.

This is quite damning.  True churches are to be INtolerant of other faiths, in particular, teaching them in church.  Paul says in Galatians:

Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

(Gal 2:4-5)

Jesus says to the Ephesians in Revelation:

Rev 2:2  “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 

On the ordination of women, I Timothy 2:12 says:

1Ti 2:12  I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 

On the ordination of homosexuals, firstly, homosexuals have no business being pastors (I Timothy 3:6 prohibits new CONVERTS from the pulpit, which also means that only converts can become pastors), because the homosexual is not a believer.  If he were, he wouldn't be a homosexual, or at least he would cease from homosexual activity. (see Leviticus 18:22 and Romans 1:27)

The Wikipedia article also says about the Mainliners:

Mainline denominations generally teach that the Bible is God's Word in function, but that it must be interpreted both through the lens of the cultures in which it was originally written, and examined using God-given reason.

Seriously?  Isn't it just enough to take God at His Word?  Isn't that what saving faith is (Luke 8:12)?  Just to believe what is written, and to do what God says?  Abraham certainly took God at His Word, and didn't require further interpretation:

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

(Jas 2:21-23)

In addition, look at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 through 7.  There are lots of places where Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said...but I say to you..."

And what was the crowd's response?

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

(Mat 7:28-29)

Jesus preached with AUTHORITY.  No interpretation needed.  Just do what He says, period.

Mainline churches, if by Mainline meaning neither very loose or very tight on theology, are those similar to the church in Laodicea in the Book of Revelation:

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

(Rev 3:14-19)

Sources:

Wikipedia contributors. "Mainline Protestant." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 28 Feb. 2024. Web.