A local newspaper printed an article with the title "Alternative Church." This new group is described as a "church for people who don't like church." Features for this cluster are: it meets in a night club; people are dressed in sweats; the music was played under purple and red stage lights; it plays loud 'Christian' rock; the spectators were handed foam ear plugs due to the loud music; it has a Biblical message (which you might hear provided you remember to take your ear plugs out); and the go-go platforms were transformed into Sunday School classes.

Regardless of what this group of people does or doesn't do, note the catch phrase. Just what is a "church for people who don't like church"? First, let's apply this thinking to other areas of life. Can you imagine: school for kids who don't like school; diets for people who don't like diets; clothes for people who don't like clothes; work for people who don't like work? Using this formula we end up with: no education, nothing to eat, no clothing to wear, and no jobs. Now ask this same question concerning the spiritual.

What are the responses to these all important concerns of life: a God for people who don't like God; a Bible for people who don't like the Bible; a gospel for people who don't like the gospel; and a hell for people who don't like hell?

If I don't like the God who created me and will be my Judge, does that mean I can make one up to suit me? If I don't like some of the things in the Bible, can I just alter the Bible to make it pleasing to me? If I don't like the message that Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, and that he was seen by eyewitnesses, can I just invent a new gospel? If I don't like the fact that those who reject Christ as Saviour will be placed in hell forever, do I have the liberty to make up a new hell without torment?

How far can folks push this selfish, relative way of thinking? The Church consists of all those who understand their just punishment for sins and then have placed their trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary. The Bible tells us Christ loves His Church, even though some folks don't (Ephesians 5:25, 29). The Bible proclaims the Church belongs to the living God. The Church is the pillar and ground of truth (I Timothy 3:15). The Church shows itself as holding the truth only as long as it holds onto the Word of God, the Bible.

We need to be turning to the pages of truth instead of being hasty about a "church for people who don't like church." The Bible has the answers we need to hear. We should be glad we DO NOT have: a God who is not really eternal; a Creator who did not make heaven, the earth, and all of us people; the Word of God (Holy Bible) which really isn't God's very Word; a Saviour who did not give his life a ransom for our sinful lives; a heaven which doesn't exist; and no life after this mortal body dies!

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17

by James Utter