Kathy Vestal recently asked a question that many avoid, yet one which should be addressed directly on a regular basis by those who seek to follow the way of Jesus:
Are we following the Church’s teachings more closely than we follow Jesus’ teachings?
So What?
In an ideal world, perhaps one would simply assume the teachings of the church and those of Jesus would be identical or overlap so significantly that any attempts to differentiate the two would seem artificial. In reality, church teachings have grown over decades and, in the case of many traditions, centuries.
- In what specific areas do you find yourself uncritically following the church’s teachings?
- Are you following the church’s teachings or Jesus’ teachings more closely?
- How do you seek to know and follow the teachings of Jesus?