A Different Sort of Question

[DXDXDX]

Something I've noticed...(then again maybe only I'm weird enough to see this if it even exists!)...there seems to be a sort of "distancing" between mainstream Christianity, including Christian radio and the Salvation Army. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

Something I've noticed...(then again maybe only I'm weird enough to see this if it even exists!)...there seems to be a sort of "distancing" between mainstream Christianity, including Christian radio and the Salvation Army. Has anyone else noticed this?

I think I see what you are asking about. First, let's agree on terminology. I suspect you are not visualizing "mainstream" Christianity but "Evangelical" Christianity when you ask the question.

First, I know that our friends who are part of "Evangelical" churches will protest and say: "WE ARE mainstream Christianity." In shear numbers and in growth the Evangelicals are vibrant and somewhat dominant in today's display of Christianity in America.

For people who discuss churches and what makes them different, "Mainstream" is a terminology used to describe the churches that were in the forefront... maybe in the first half of the 20th Century. We are talking about Methodists, some of the Presbyterians, some of the Lutherans, the Disciples of Christ branch of The Christian Church, the American Baptists, the UCC and others who back in the 1950 and 1960s put a lot of energy into discussing the possibility of merging into one large church group. Do a search on COCU..... Council on Church Union.

If you will let me use my understanding of these terms, let me put it this way: There is some distance between the Evangelicals and The Salvation Army.

I think a lot of people who study this situation think of The Salvation Army as part of the group I choose to refer to as "Mainstream Christianity". I think if you will look into history and theology, the Salvation Army is grouped with The Methodist Church, The church of The Nazarene, The Wesleyan Church and some others. This collection is sometimes referred to as "Holiness Churches".

We have been through a period of time for the last century or so where Christians in the U.S. (not including our Catholic friends) divided into two camps who tried to simplify the Christian faith as follows: There are two kinds of churches... those who believe salvation is delivered through a major conscious decision on the part of an adult or one old enough to make his/her own decision. These churches shied away from programs that would in any way give the impression that anyone there thought salvation was the result of "works".

The Mainline churches have during all this time not been timid about engaging in social work and activities to the point that some people in those churches may indeed think their good works are their path to salvation. When you talk to the theologians in those churches you will find their theology about salvation is not as skewed as some would claim on this subject.

NOW. What is the Salvation Army best know for? Shelters for the homeless. Warehouses full of clothing and furniture available to those in need. Getting the whole society to joining them in financing their good works with the kettles at Christmas time. And sending their "Army" in following floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.

We are now in an era when the Evangelical Churches have re-evaluated what the Bible has to say about coming to the aid of "widows and orphans" that are so often mentioned in scripture. I suspect the leaders of many Evangelical groups are much more willing to reach out and work together with The Salvation Army in disaster relief issues and maybe in ongoing community benevolence programs.

While you are making your observations about how the church and Christian radio relates to groups such as The Salvation Army, you may notice there has also been a big chasm between the Evangelicals and the Seventh Day Adventists, the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses. OH! And for some a chasm between them and what I have described as The Mainline Church.

I am reminded of the old saying: I asked him what time it was, and he tried to teach me how to make a watch. Hope my explanation did not overwhelm you.

 

[quadraphonic]

The Salvation Army doesn't seem to "mix up" with many other groups. They seem pretty self-contained, with their own requirements for membership that they work out in their own way, and they tend to be stricter than most organizations. It seems like their scope kind of tightens year by year.

I haven't ever heard them on the radio, except at one station 15 years back, for about a year they would buy time to come on once a week and talk about what they were doing. It was a fine little program. That did lead my wife and I to go check them out, but it didn't make us want to stay. Other than that, I don't think they've ever considered themselves part of "mainstream Christianity" or "Christian radio" so I don't think they'd mind you noticing any rift, DX.

 

[MyCatKnight]

In the Pacific Northwest, they're involved, engaging, and work nicely with Christian radio on their bell-ringing, concerts, etc. Maybe it's easier in areas that have a large Kroc Center that holds many events.

 

[xmusicmatt]

In the Pacific Northwest, they're involved, engaging, and work nicely with Christian radio on their bell-ringing, concerts, etc. Maybe it's easier in areas that have a large Kroc Center that holds many events.

Here in Columbus this past Christmas, the local Christian Rock station DJ's rang bells at kettles.

 

[anotherguyTN]

WIGH, the AFR station in Jackson, TN has had some of their people ringing bells at kettles as well. Also, Geoff Moore had a song Heart to God, Hand to Man, that was a tribute to the Salvation Army.

 

[johnbasalla]

I used to frequent, and today very occasionally, visit a Salvation Army thrift store. Over the years, I've gotten some good, and occasionally collectable, records from there. My best find at this store was a box of 45 rpm records from the 1950s. They were all in their original sleeves. Both the records and sleeves were in very good shape. There were even a few that are considered "collectable". Funny thing was, they weren't displayed in the store where all the other records were placed. Rather, this box was in a large wooden cabinet. That lead me to believe that these records may have been original residents of that cabinet prior to being donated to the Salvation Army. I had to pay 25 cents for each record. I still have all of them.

 

[Silkie]

I have an obscure Motown 45 that I picked up for 50 cents at a sale years ago. A Place In The Sun, by Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations. Flip side of I'm Gonna Make You Love Me.

 

[johnbasalla]

"I'm Gonna Make You Mine" was a pretty big hit, although not of super-classic status like "You Can't Hurry Love" or "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" or other Supremes or Temptations hits. "A Place In The Sun" is the B-side, and was a remake of that song which was a big hit for Stevie Wonder.