COMMANDER: We’re fighting for freedom. And part of that freedom… is the freedom of religion. One day, men, there will be churches across this entire great nation called “The United States of America,” in various denominations.
SOLDIER 1: What’s a denomination?
COMMANDER: It’s a way of saying your church got it right, and the others didn’t.
SOLDIER 2: How many denominations will there be, sir?
COMMANDER: Nobody knows.
SOLDIER 2: But surely they will at least all get along with each other for the sake of the gospel?
COMMANDER: Unfortunately not. They shall separate over issues like baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and what instruments are used in worship.
SOLDIER 2: Instruments, sir? Like the piano?
COMMANDER: Yes. The Church of Christ people will be against the piano. But many others will be against guitars and drums.
SOLDIER 1: Guitars and drums? What are these instruments, sir?
COMMANDER: Basically a modern version of David’s harp and Hebrew cymbals. But the older people at church will hate them. Young people will love them, along with the coffee bar in the foyer of the church.
SOLDIER 3: What’s a coffee bar?
COMMANDER: Basically something non-denominational churches will one day have to make sure visitors feel welcome, in case they forgot to get a Starbucks before coming to church that morning.
SOLDIER 2: What is a “non-denominational” church, sir?
COMMANDER: Nobody knows. But usually it’s just a Baptist church that doesn’t want people to know they’re Baptist. Or a cult masquerading under an ambiguous church name like “The Bridge” or “New Destiny.”
SOLDIER 1: Cults shall have churches?
COMMANDER: Yes. Many, many cults shall have churches. Like the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
SOLDIER 1: What is the difference between those two cults, sir?
COMMANDER: Mostly just holy underwear. One wears them, the other doesn’t. But both don’t really believe Jesus is God. One of them, however, will do far better financially and with their marketing than the other.
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SOLDIER 4: But surely all these non-cult churches will preach the gospel faithfully every Sunday morning, right?
COMMANDER: It depends.
SOLDIER 4: On what, sir?
COMMANDER: If it is summertime, and they have their annual “At the Movies” series.
SOLDIER 4: Movies?
COMMANDER: Yes. It shall be a time of utter debauchery in the house of God, where there are roller coasters on stage, dancing stormtroopers, and select clips from the most recent Hollywood hit being played.
SOLDIER 4: But at the end of that, the pastor will surely preach on man’s sin, God’s holiness, and the gospel… right?
COMMANDER: Nope. It will be a vague pep talk about believing in yourself and being successful in life.
SOLDIER 3: [Gasp] Even the Presbyterian, Anglican, and Lutheran churches shall be doing this?
COMMANDER: No. Mostly just Baptist churches that took the name off their sign, along with many charismatic and Pentecostal churches.
SOLDIER 3: Charismatic and Pentecostal? Are those cults as well, sir?
COMMANDER: Sometimes. Sometimes not. Some just like dancing a lot at church and speaking in funny, made-up languages while still believing the gospel. Others will claim to have the power to raise the dead and heal people by touching them or hitting them with their suit jacket.
SOLDIER 2: Raise the dead and heal people? That is wonderful!
COMMANDER: Not really, because they actually can’t do it and will charge you money to think it’s going to happen.
SOLDIER 2: …Is that legal?
COMMANDER: Surprisingly, yes.
SOLDIER 1: Then why do people still go to those churches, even though there is heresy?
COMMANDER: They have really really trendy music. And a coffee bar.
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SOLDIER 5: But sir, what of the mainline denominations like the Presbyterians, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Methodists? Surely they will not be caught up in this nonsense and will be true to the gospel?
COMMANDER: It depends.
SOLDIER 5: On what?
COMMANDER: If they are a progressive mainline church or a conservative mainline church.
SOLDIER 5: What is “progressive,” sir?
COMMANDER: It means questioning the historical reliability of Scripture, downplaying Christ’s miracles and bodily resurrection, and slowly replacing the gospel with social causes.
SOLDIER 5: That doesn’t sound Christian, sir.
COMMANDER: It’s not.
SOLDIER 5: Then why will people still go there?
COMMANDER: Nobody knows.
SOLDIER 5: But the conservative mainline churches… they shall be focused on the gospel and not get sidetracked with secondary issues and infighting, right?
COMMANDER: Unfortunately not. There shall be disputes over race, kinism, Christian nationalism, theonomy, eternal subordination of the Son, and paedocommunion, cigars, tattoos, and alcohol all of which will cause them to fight with one another, separate from one another, and become distracted from the gospel.
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SOLDIER 3: So this means the Baptists, at least, will be unified, get along, and focus on the gospel?
COMMANDER: Absolutely not. They shall have more splits, rifts, associations, and sub-denominations than all the other denominations combined.
SOLDIER 3: How many will there be, sir?
COMMANDER: Nobody knows.
SOLDIER 3: What will cause their splits and rifts?
COMMANDER: Many of the same progressive issues, secondary doctrinal disagreements, and the color of the carpet in the auditorium.
SOLDIER 3: Carpet color?
COMMANDER: Oh yes. The carpet issue shall be so divisive that one city alone may have a “Twelfth Baptist Church” that split off from “Eleventh Baptist Church”… because of carpet color. Or because of the guitars and drums.
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SOLDIER 2: Sir, this is all very unsettling and depressing.
COMMANDER: It is, soldier. But the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church, and the Lord will still use imperfect people, imperfect churches, and imperfect movements to advance His kingdom and one day return to Earth.
SOLDIER 2: Amen and amen, Commander! And all of these various churches and denominations will at the very least agree upon the nature and manner in which the Lord Jesus returns to Earth, correct?
COMMANDER: [Looks off into the distance and walks away.]
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Written by @JoshuaBarzon
@LloydLegalist Woodside Ave. Church of God (Cleveland, TN Pentecostal). I went to Berea High and Furman for music undergrad before Nashville 40 years ago.