The United Church of Christ Controversy

There have been some controversies about the “United Church of Christ” in the news lately. Some people confuse them with the “Church of Christ.” I would like to set the record straight. The “United Church of Christ” and the “Church of Christ” have two totally different religions beliefs. The ‘United Church of Christ” has accepted gay marriages among other things. Those of us in the “Church of Christ” are 100% against gay marriages.

The Bible does ‘not condone gay marriages or gay life styles, but condemns them. Read these scriptures in your bible and you will see for yourself; (Rom. 1:24-27; Gen. 19:15; Lev. 18:22; Deut. 23:17; I Cor. 6:9; Jude 1:7). Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed for their wickedness and gay life style. The scriptures condemn all of those that fall into a liberal gay life style. We hope and pray that those people will change their life style.

This article is not centered on “gay bashing.” But is intended to make people aware that the “Church of Christ” has no affiliation with the “United Church of Christ” organization. There is as much difference between these two religions doctrines as there is light from darkness. And we are not affiliated with the “Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints,” they represent the Mormon beliefs.

There are several of the “Church of Christ" congregations in a fifty-mile radius of Thomson. I know of no “United Church of Christ” congregations in a fifty-mile radius of our area.

In the “Church of Christ” we teach the Bible and only the Bible. There are no Creed books, Prayer books or Catechisms. We prove our belief by giving book, chapter, and verse from the bible. We are conservative Christians. The Church of Christ dates back to 33 A.D., when the Apostles were baptized with the H.S. and preached on that glorious day of Pentecost the first Christian sermon (Acts chapter 2).

The United Church of Christ was founded in 1957 as the union of several different Christian traditions: from the beginning of their history, they affirmed the ideal that Christians did not always have to agree to live together in communion. Their motto—"that they may all be one" The UCC is one of the most diverse Christian denominations in the United States. They consist of 1.4 million members, and has become the largest denomination to officially sanction “gay” marriage.

The unity that they seek requires neither an uncritical acceptance of any point of view, nor rigid formulation of doctrine. It does require mutual understanding and agreement as to which aspects of the Christian faith and life are essential.

The United Church of Christ has no formula that is a test of faith. Their valued of authentic “testimonies” of faith consist of historic statements such as the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Evangelical Catechism, the Augsburg Confession, the Cambridge Platform and the Kansas City Statement of Faith. They are basically “all things to all people.” That is to say, “your doctrinal beliefs are not important, just worship God the way you want to.”

The UCC declares that the study of the scriptures is not limited by past interpretations, but it is pursued with the expectation of new insights and God's help for living today. Their concept of scriptures is that it can change and evolve to fit this present day. And that the H.S. helps man to interpret the scriptures in his or her own unique way. Thus giving way to Liberalism in the worst way.

I hope this give you a little insight to the UCC beliefs? I am disturbed that people confuse the UCC with the “Church of Christ,” because it cast a bad reflection on us. We just need to educate people about the difference in beliefs. We worship in the church that Jesus built (Matt. 16:18) and not in the UCC way. If anyone has any questions about the “Church of Christ,” please contact a minister at a Church of Christ near you, or Gary Palmer.