Joseph B. Lumpkin

The Prodigal Church: Rescuing Spirituality from Religion Joseph B. Lumpkin

In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centering on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And, finally, it moved to America where it became an enterprise. -- Richard Halverson Most would agree that the modern church has become a disgraceful place, which still houses an eternal truth. Even when faced with this knowledge it is difficult to break away from our traditions. How do we rescue our own spirituality from the church? We shall cut tradition away from truth and let truth stand on its own. Tradition is a prison housing truth and religion is the hangman of spirituality. Both truth and spirit can be rescued with the courage to question and still believe. We will attempt to use the "double-edged approach" of faith in God and historical - political scrutiny of the church. The errors of religion are placed along side the beauty of the spiritual view of the mystical church. It is hoped that such a dual approach may lend itself to a more balanced view while mimicking the feelings many of us now harbor for the modern church. We come to the church with fear and disdain of its judgment and greed, all the while seeking God's love and mercy. When the truth is revealed God can still be seen in the rumble of what has become the church. He is beckoning the individual soul. The personal path is made clear in these pages.