Is There a Universal Doctrine in the House?

Christian, Christian, Who's Got The Christian?











The flap about Mitt Romney's religion has become a three ring circus with no ringmaster, so let's look at it all in a broader context:

The Roman Catholic Church claims its authority through the Apostle Peter. It claims it's the only "true" religion.

Protestants have doctrinal differences that have led to over 3,000 denominations of significant size (over 20,000). They all stress "truth" in their doctrines.

Mormons believe that their practices are closer to "original" Christians.

Church of God With Signs Folowing are non-denomational because they believe all denominations carry "The Mark of the Beast."

Snake handlers have a doctrine based on two verses from the King James Bible. That's two more than the Christians who have the doctrine of the "Rapture."

So who has the True doctrine? The Best doctrine? The Only doctrine? Nobody. Is there a doctrine that's common among all of them? There's supposed to be: the teachings of Jesus Christ. Somehow, however, that doctrine gets short shrift. Then, of course, there's alwas this doctrine:

Or this one:

Images: Snakehandlers (ca. 1946), Joseph Smith, Pope Benedict XVI, Televangelist JoyceMeyer and "Rev. Prosperity" himself, Joel Osteen.