A New Look at the Church C.H.U.R.C.H. An Acronym for an Effective Community in the 21st Century Why I wrote this book. At the beginning of the Common Era there was an apocalyptic prophet named John who said (Revelation 21:1-3): "I saw a new heaven and a new earth, because the first heaven and earth had disappeared, and the sea was gone. Then I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, dressed like a bride ready for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, "God lives with humans God will make his home with them, and they will be his people."Indeed, things began to dramatically change from the time before the Common Era when people were mainly hunter/gatherers and nomads. Societies were very local and separate from one another not far from the cradle of civilization.During the Common Era, from the 1st century until now through the 20th century, several major changes have come to the fore, changing styles of human interactions, knowledge of our habitats, and forming civilized societies. During these 20 centuries some very major changes occurred: Organized Religions CULT - a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents]Beginning of Philosophy, "the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group"Beginning of Science, "the state of knowing: knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding."The Enlightenment: European intellectual movement of the late 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition.]Population expansion throughout the whole earth.This 21st Century appears to be the beginning of a new ERA.With the addition and creation of AI (Artificial Intelligence), there is a growing prowess in our ability to explore the universe. There are plans to inhabit our Moon and possibly the Planet Mars in the next few decades, along with images for new inventions and methods of developments for earth and beyond.This book lists many ideas and beliefs that can no longer be held as verifiable truth and that need to be discarded, enabling our moving forward in progress for this new Era. In Chapter Five I begin with summaries of necessary suggested changes for the 21st century in replacing beliefs with verifiable truths that are essential for the scientific principles of observation, hypothesis, and theory. I use acronyms to amplify and enhance the full value of these concepts. L.O.V.E. Limitless Offerings Veraciously Expended] F.A.I.T.H. Finding Authenticity In Today's Happenings]C.H.U.R.C.H. Charitable Humanity Utilizing Resources Creating Hospitality]Acronyms hopefully provide a more complete and comprehensive understanding of changing procedures to make these progressive changes as we facilitate our new future. A personal model of mine is to follow the historic reality of Jesus, known as the "son of man" who taught, lived, and served among the people in Galilee and surrounding areas. I neglect all the exaggerations and stories that have grown up about him toward his being named God the Son, as formulated in the Doctrine of The Trinity, that developed after three centuries under Constantine with several hundred bishops of Rome. This book will hopefully help us to clarify the many misconceptions and additions that have been added for many years, enabling us to move forward with more verifiable truths as we begin the 21st Century. Other books from the author: Tradition versus Traditionalism: The Apparent Heresy of Jesus? Transitioning To New Life - Now And Beyond That They All May Be One: Words Often Spoken - Seldom Lived The Jesus Movement In The 21 Century Today's Renewing F.A.I.T.H.: Finding Authenticity In Today's Happenings Liberty And Justice For All - How I learned to participate...
