quote:Originally posted by zippadeedoodah: Bill, I don't worship the place. It's cool to visit, especially if you like art. If you choose to visit, it's a few thousand bucks and a passport. If you don't, don't.
World religion game show? With all the reality TV crapola on the tube these days, you should've figured it would happen eventually. Wife Swap? Give me a break.
As far as cathedrals go? Men built them to honor God. The Crystal Cathedral? I've been to the Christmas pageant. It's great.
You may assume whatever you will about the motivations people may have for building these impressive edifices. Frankly, I'll take people at their word, or just enjoy them for the art. God can look into people's hearts; not you and certainly not me.
Hi Zip,
Yes, I am very familiar with the Crystal Cathedral. I attended there in the early 1970s and was there on the day they had their very first television broadcast. If you could ever see that very first tape; look at the back left side of the church -- and you might find a tall, blonde fellow -- me. In those days, it was called the Garden Grove Community Church.
I was there when the planning and building of the Cathedral was done. I was there for the ground breaking ceremony with Henry Fonda as guest of honor. And, I still feel it is a cathedral built to honor a man -- instead of God.
I always like to compare the ministries of Robert Schuller and Chuck Smith. Both started a church in Orange County around 1965. In 1965, Schuller started preaching from the roof of a drive-in theater snack bar -- and has built one massive cathedral -- with one, maybe two other churches growing from the first.
Chuck Smith began Calvary Chapel with about twenty members in 1965. Today, there are many, many thousands of Calvary Chapels all over America and in many other countries; especially Europe and Britain. Many Calvary Chapels are large enough to be classified as mega churches. I do not know the number; but I would guesstimate that millions have come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ through the Calvary Chapel Movement -- around the world.
These two represent the two polar views of Christianity: Schuller, being of the Reform Church embraces the Calvinist views -- and I never heard an altar call in any of his services. Chuck Smith embraces the evangelical view that we all were given marching orders to Go, Make Disciples, Teach Them, Baptize Them (Matthew 28:18-20) and to be His witnesses in all the world (Acts 1:8). I have heard many, many altar calls in Calvary Chapel churches.
How would I compare the two? Robert Schuller courts celebrities; Chuck Smith courts those who need to be saved.
Personally, I would rather be on Chuck Smith's team.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
