First let me say this.  I respect the beliefs and stance of the Sword of the Lord and in my youth I was a reader of their newspaper.  Why the respect? They do attempt to actually read, believe and follow their holy book.  Where many churches ignore the bible in exchange for membership and peace with the membership, the Sword of the Lord group seems a bit more consistent. 

On the other hand this statement of faith is all too familiar. I’ve read a dozen similar statements from a variety of churches. What’s wrong with it (and I say this hoping it will change for the better)?  It’s a classic example of hitting all of the controversial points—of defending the faith—without any real purpose.  

James 1:27 (a verse all Sword of the Lord staff and readers can quote) makes the point.  Religion isn’t just about marketing the religion and defending or fighting for the religion.  To be pure it must be about helping earthly people who are having a hard time.  Orphans and widows are singled out as particularly important people to serve and care for.

The Sword of the Lord statement of faith is typically bereft of concern about one’s fellow man and his suffering.

Related Posts:

Pointless statement of faith #2, First Baptist Church of Southwest Broward