In Reply to: what is a "christian organization"? posted by ray on July 22, 2003 at 14:40:27:
I think the word 'ekklesia' is particularly significant in relation to the Family, since it means the called-out ones. Ray, while I agree with you that the church (group of believers) consists of Christians all over the world and, in this case, in and out of the Family, it is also true that entire organizations, denominations and "groups" of believers can tend to fall away en masse.
How many other groups of believers must sign oaths of loyalty to leaders who blatantly tell them that their Words and prophecies are more important than what the Bible teaches. How many groups of believers routinely mock the apostles in the New Testament as bigoted men writing their own opinions which happen to disagree with the Law of Lust?
While there numerous true believers within the Family, it could hardly be said that the Family per se is part of the true church. I don't think you were necessarily saying this, butjust wanted to clarify. Those in the Family who are true Christians are Christians DESPITE the Family's heresies & policies, not because of them.