The American Spectator

/p>

Lawrence Henry had me going with his article about a Bible Church in New England; and then, he ended with this phrase: “People are hungry for religion, not spiritualism.” Maybe I do not follow his remark, but religion is nothing more than Man’s attempt to deal with a corrupt world; I do not think we hunger for that.

On the other hand, spiritualism is different. I think most people hunger for spiritualism, though many find it outside of God. In my view, what makes Bible churches different is that they present the Bible as it was meant to be, which is spiritual, not religion. The difference is that religion is man, but Bible-driven spiritualism is God-based. We can trust the infallibility of God, but man will always let us down.

p>Where I live, Bible Churches are common, and I am a member of a 7000 member Bible church (it was once a member of the Southern Baptist Convention — most Baptist churches are akin to Bible churches). Where I attend, God is sought, praised, taught, and worshipped, and that feeds the hunger for something bigger than us and bigger than any religion. br> — Steven R. Shaver br> Dallas, Texas /p>

As I was reading your article, it was as though it had been written by me. Our family stuck with the Episcopal Church for years, vainly trying to rationalize why. Although the service itself is beautiful and meaningful, there’s no “meat” anymore. And the national Church has gone from radical to ridiculous. The new Presiding Bishop is little more than a cute mascot; a nice, albeit radical woman with a very light resume. She’s an embarrassment more than a threat. Fortunately for us, there’s a wonderful “Bible Church” a few miles away, Parkside Church, led by Alistair Begg, known nationally for his Truth for Life radio show.

p>He too is a gifted, knowledgeable and engaging speaker with a firm and voluminous knowledge of scripture. His half hour sermons fly by and always leave the congregation wanting more. I have been sad for the loss of the Episcopal Church but in this wonderful country vacuums are filled quickly with entrepreneurs. It’s true in business and it’s true in the spiritual business as well. And, more importantly of course, truth will prevail. br> — Pam Lange br> Chagrin Falls, Ohio /p> p> It is amazing how similar our churches have begun. We started a cowboy church two years ago in a dance hall and it has grown to the point in which 55 acres have been purchased and a 7800 sq ft building is going up as we speak. People are hungry for the Bible and Jesus’ teaching to lead them through this most twisted world.