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Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:29 pm
by JohnL
I've noticed what seems to be a growing phenomenon of non-denominational preachers, teachers, seminaries and churches. The ones I'm familiar with teach Biblical inerrancy and fidelity. One of the preachers who seems to be getting a lot of traction these days is Alex McFarland. He was president of the Southern Evangelical Seminary which is also non-denominational. He'll be speaking at The Cove on July 28 and I'm thinking my wife and I might enjoy going to that.
I for one think that this non-denominational popularity might reflect people getting tired of the politics in their own denominations and seeking direction in living out the Bible's teachings. At least that's been the stories I'm hearing this past year.
What do yall think of this trend of non-denominational speakers and organizations? Is it a good trend? Or mixed blessings?
Re: Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2025 1:03 pm
by JohnH
JohnL wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:29 pm
I've noticed what seems to be a growing phenomenon of non-denominational preachers, teachers, seminaries and churches. The ones I'm familiar with teach Biblical inerrancy and fidelity. One of the preachers who seems to be getting a lot of traction these days is Alex McFarland. He was president of the Southern Evangelical Seminary which is also non-denominational. He'll be speaking at The Cove on July 28 and I'm thinking my wife and I might enjoy going to that.
I for one think that this non-denominational popularity might reflect people getting tired of the politics in their own denominations and seeking direction in living out the Bible's teachings. At least that's been the stories I'm hearing this past year.
What do yall think of this trend of non-denominational speakers and organizations? Is it a good trend? Or mixed blessings?
Non-denominational is just another denomination, usually evangelical and often is actually Baptist, Reformed, or Pentecostal in belief system.
As Anabaptists I would be very uncomfortable with any kind of “non denominational” Bible school, seminary, or missions.
Re: Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 9:42 am
by barnhart
JohnL wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:29 pm...
I for one think that this non-denominational popularity might reflect people getting tired of the politics in their own denominations and seeking direction in living out the Bible's teachings....
What do yall think of this trend of non-denominational speakers and organizations? Is it a good trend? Or mixed blessings?
It might be driven by an attempt to escape un-biblical ideas mixed into broader denominational groups or it might represent a refusal to be ordered or disciplined by the broader church and a determination to pursue self determination.
Re: Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 9:47 am
by JohnL
barnhart wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 9:42 am
JohnL wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:29 pm...
I for one think that this non-denominational popularity might reflect people getting tired of the politics in their own denominations and seeking direction in living out the Bible's teachings....
What do yall think of this trend of non-denominational speakers and organizations? Is it a good trend? Or mixed blessings?
It might be driven by an attempt to escape un-biblical ideas mixed into broader denominational groups or it might represent a refusal to be ordered or disciplined by the broader church and a determination to pursue self determination.
Then would you say that it's mixed blessings? I guess it depends on the denomination folks are trying to escape wouldn't it? I can see them looking for Biblical fidelity if they're leaving the Episcopalians, the Methodists, and others. But if they're coming from a smaller group that already emphasizes Biblical fidelity there's other reasons in their baggage I suppose. There's small groups that are considered cults too and they might be escaping those.
It's probably going to take a more differentiated research approach to examine this trend. My question is probably too broad.
Re: Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 9:56 am
by barnhart
JohnL wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 9:47 am
barnhart wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 9:42 am
JohnL wrote: ↑Wed Jun 25, 2025 12:29 pm...
I for one think that this non-denominational popularity might reflect people getting tired of the politics in their own denominations and seeking direction in living out the Bible's teachings....
What do yall think of this trend of non-denominational speakers and organizations? Is it a good trend? Or mixed blessings?
It might be driven by an attempt to escape un-biblical ideas mixed into broader denominational groups or it might represent a refusal to be ordered or disciplined by the broader church and a determination to pursue self determination.
Then would you say that it's mixed blessings?
I would say wait and see the fruit... When congregations, or groups e congregations in my own branch of Christianity remove names that identify their roots, it usually seems to be in pursuit of broader appeal. To my eye there is usually a lot of baby thrown out with the bathwater.
Re: Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 11:43 am
by JohnH
Non-denominational is what I most associate with “God and country” mixing of right wing nationalism with Christianity.
Not to get into politics, but non-denominational Christians were the largest bloc that voted for Trump. That should give us pause.
Re: Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 12:00 pm
by JohnL
JohnH wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 11:43 am
Not to get into politics, but non-denominational Christians were the largest bloc that voted for Trump. That should give us pause.
You say "not to get into politics and then you get into politics.
This is
not a political thread. It's in the General Theology forum. We're discussing theological and personal reasons for non-denom popularity.
Re: Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 12:17 pm
by Ken
Some of the oldest and most prestigious seminaries in the US are non-denominational. But I suspect this is not what you are talking about. For example
Harvard Divinity School
Yale Divinity School
Princeton Theological Seminary (was Presbyterian but now mostly ecumenical)
University of Chicago Divinity School (originally Baptist but now officially nonsectarian)
Duke Divinity School (originally Methodist but now mostly ecumenical)
And on the other end of the spectrum there are schools like Talbot School of Theology at Biola University which is conservative and evangelical but has always been non-denominational.
Re: Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 12:25 pm
by JohnH
JohnL wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 12:00 pm
JohnH wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 11:43 am
Not to get into politics, but non-denominational Christians were the largest bloc that voted for Trump. That should give us pause.
You say "not to get into politics and then you get into politics.
This is
not a political thread. It's in the General Theology forum. We're discussing theological and personal reasons for non-denom popularity.
I think it’s reasonable to observe that the non-denominational denomination has a very strong political bias.
Re: Non-denominational seminaries and church groups
Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2025 12:36 pm
by Ken
JohnH wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 12:25 pm
JohnL wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 12:00 pm
JohnH wrote: ↑Thu Jun 26, 2025 11:43 am
Not to get into politics, but non-denominational Christians were the largest bloc that voted for Trump. That should give us pause.
You say "not to get into politics and then you get into politics.
This is
not a political thread. It's in the General Theology forum. We're discussing theological and personal reasons for non-denom popularity.
I think it’s reasonable to observe that the non-denominational denomination has a very strong political bias.
The majority may lean conservative. But there are non-denominational congregations across the theological spectrum. It is really more a question of geography. Walk into any non-denominational church in any major city and there is a good chance it will be theologically liberal and have a congregation that leans liberal politically. Walk into one in the rural or exurban south and the opposite is likely to be true.