Considering that there are a vast numbers of Christian denominations, does it matter which denomination someone belongs to?
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Considering that there are a vast numbers of Christian denominations, does it matter which denomination someone belongs to?
I don't think it matters but others may disagree.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
Some denominations themselves seem to find it important, even to the extent of assigning different Christian believers to eternal torture in hell. This is mostly true among fundamentalists and evangelicals, and is not as widespread as it once was. In the Middle Ages, it was held by the dominant denomination - Roman Catholicism.
Catholicism evolved to the belief that salvation depended on acting according to one's informed conscience. It is called Primacy of Conscience. By this tradition, all religions are able to find salvation. Even atheists, presumably, are included.
The fundamentalist/evangelical tradition continues to hold the extreme position which they support by a literal interpretation of the Bible.
The Catholic Church retains to itself the "fullest" expression of the religious impulse.
Nice.Quote:
I don't think it matters
Why there are Different denomination:
I understand it having to do with where you are at in your Faith. Paul said, "Those that are strong in the faith can eat meat, those who are weak in the faith...
It is tragic how the church has been split and divided over the most ridiculous things. It would be great if we could recognize that we have differences of feelings, convictions, or opinions on the different issues involving the Christian walk. We 'need' to recognize that people have different convictions, that not everybody is going to see the thing the right way like I see it.
Might be a good idea;
if we disagree, we disagree agreeably, to accept those weaker brothers in the faith.
We then that are strong [strong in the faith] ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves (Rom 15:1).
(I need to put up with him and not live for my own pleasure.)
Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up (Rom 15:2).
And that's the crux of the problem. Far too many Christians agree with that, that their way is the right way, the only way.Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
You [we] have got to respect the right of people to be wrong and not create a big dissension over the differences.
Exactly, waltero! Or...maybe just maybe "you [we]" are wrong and making a big kerfuffle over nothing.Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
A good rule is live to please God, not live to please myself. Living to please yourself can create a stumbling block for weaker brothers, so in love, because it would please God, be gracious. Don't exercise your liberty in such a way as to cause offense.
I use to have a problem with going to Church. I don't mind visiting different denominations. You can find a word of Truth in most. Over and over the Lord reminds me that it is His church, and because it is His church, I have no business worrying about it. I no longer worry a bout what church I should visit on any given Sunday.
God is in control.
Yes, love God and, in His name and by His example, love each other.Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
This is where you loose me. What Is "His" example and where can I find it (his example)?Quote:
His example
Simply Asking. I want to know if Jesus is somewhere unbeknownst to me?
The four Gospels are full of stories about Jesus' love for others, even for people he didn't know.Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
Look over this site:
https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow...s-showed-love/
AH, Gotcha. I just wanted to know if we were on the same page...didn't want to be missing out on something.Quote:
The four Gospels are full of stories about Jesus' love for others, even for people he didn't know.
I Don't think we're on the Same page anymore Toto.Quote:
Or...maybe just maybe "you [we]" are wrong and making a big kerfuffle over nothing.
Don't lose faith WG. It's not meant to be taken as; who knows more. It's all In Christ Jesus.
We all belong to the Same body.
And God's love is bigger than we can inagine!Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
Sorry, If you could please explain? Does that mean we are to Imagine God's love as being unattainable? Or more of a reason why we shouldn't even try to 'imagine' God's love?Quote:
And God's love is bigger than we can imagine!
We are human. We love. We hate. We have various feelings in between those two. God is love, only love. God loves even those who are, to us, not worthy of love. We can't understand that, but we will one day.Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
I was just wondering if "God's big love" should be identified with ones own imagination.Quote:
And God's love is bigger than we can imagine!
Maybe a better thought: God’s love is great— so great that it surpasses our knowledge.
Excellent, waltero!Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
Ephesians 3:19 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Can you imagine the freedom that would come to our hearts from having full confidence in the love of Christ?
I rephrased this:
Replaced God with We.Quote:
We are human. We love. We hate. We have various feelings in between those two. God is love, only love. God loves even those who are, to us, not worthy of love. We can't understand that, but we will one day.
Ephesians 3:19Quote:
We are human. We love. We hate. We have various feelings in between those two. 'We' is love, We love even those who are, to us, not worthy of love. We have to understand that, and We will be full of confidence in the love of Christ?
To know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Thankfully, embracing God’s love for ourselves destroys the fear of criticism.Turn the page.Quote:
Or...maybe just maybe "you [we]" are wrong and making a big kerfuffle over nothing.
Nicely stated and rephrased, waltero!
Thanks.Quote:
Nicely stated and rephrased, waltero!
Going for broke!
rephrased:Quote:
Quote: Wondergirl
The Bible (not the Word)
Quote:
The Bible is the Word.
rephrased:Quote:
Quote: Wondergirl
The Bible (not the Word) has existed for millennia and has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood all that time.
Quote:
The Word (not the Bible) has existed for millennia and has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood all that time.
I gather that your disappointment in the Bible is based on there being; so many Christian denominations? so many Bible versions? so many variations in Christian beliefs? As a result of "the Bible has existed for millennia and has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood all that time"?
I hope your not reading this with the belief that I am trying to set you up.
Hoping that I might be able to learn something new.
waltero, I was thinking of Jesus as the Word. He is the personification of the written and spoken Word. The testimony that God revealed through the Old Testament prophets was made human (Jesus Christ). Therefore, the Word became flesh.Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
I'm not disappointed in the Bible. I'm disappointed in humans who have, for millennia, mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood the Bible, thereby opening the door to myriads of denominations, Bible versions, and variations in beliefs (thus, the plethora of denominations).Quote:
I gather that your disappointment in the Bible is based on there being; so many Christian denominations? so many Bible versions? so many variations in Christian beliefs? As a result of "the Bible has existed for millennia and has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood all that time"?
Original Quote:
A Question has presented itself- yes - no?Quote:
The Bible (not the Word) has existed for millennia and has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood all that time. Why are there so many Christian denominations? Why are there so many Bible versions? Why are there so many variations in Christian beliefs?
"Humans have for millennia, mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood the Bible."- "thus being the reason, for this- "thus, the plethora of denominations"? thereby, providing the Proof, that the Bible has been Corrupted"???Quote:
humans who have, for millennia, mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood the Bible, thereby opening the door to myriads of denominations, Bible versions, and variations in beliefs (thus, the plethora of denominations).
waltero, please ask your questions simply and as a 1, 2, 3 list.
lolol.Quote:
Originally Posted by wondergirl
OK:Quote:
waltero, please ask your questions simply and as a 1, 2, 3 list.
1)-Is one denomination more "Christian" than another?
2)-The Bible (not the Word) has existed for millennia and has been mistranslated, misinterpreted, and misunderstood all that time. Why are there so many Christian denominations? Why are there so many Bible versions? Why are there so many variations in Christian beliefs?
3)-Am I [we] wrong and making a big kerfuffle over nothing?
-Will this work-?
Why are there so many Christian denominations? Why are there so many Bible versions? Why are there so many variations in Christian beliefs?
I'd like to find the answer? I think I found it, but if you already know the answer then I will buzz off.
1) Is one denomination more "Christian" than another?
Until the Protestant Reformation, the Christian Church was largely composed of only two groups or "denominations": the Roman Catholic Church in the west and the Greek Orthodox Church in the east.
With the Reformation, however, as neglected Bible truths began to be restored and emphasized, different denominations arose holding different doctrinal positions on a number of issues. Sometimes these differences were rather minor; in other cases, they were quite significant.
Other Christian denominations grew up around a gifted spiritual leader, such as Martin Luther (Lutherans), John Calvin (Calvinists), John Wesley (Methodists), or in more modern times Joseph Smith (Mormonism) and Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science).
https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questio...-denominations
Is one better or more Christian than another?
According to the New Testament, there were divisions in the church as soon as the church came into existence after Pentecost. Paul addresses divisions in 1 Corinthians 1: 12-13. Since the division in Christianity existed at the beginning, I believe no one denomination can lay claim to being the one true way of Christianity.
C.S. Lewis puts it best in Mere Christianity: Christianity is like a hall with several doors leading to rooms. The doors represent different Christian denominations or churches. Growing in your faith comes from the benefits of being in one of the rooms. Lewis recommends going into a room versus staying in the hall, he does not recommend one room over another.
Do they lay claim to that (being "the one true way")?Quote:
I believe no one denomination can lay claim to being the one true way of Christianity.
Quote:
Faith means believing God’s Word.
What is it I'm missing?Quote:
No, it doesn't. Try again.
Many of them do, yes. Those denominations believe they have it all figured out.Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
Yes, faith is belief in God's Word...but is there only one way to understand it and believe?Quote:
What is it I'm missing?
I know of only one; the Holy Bible.Quote:
but is there only one way to understand it and believe?
I asked, is there only one WAY [the Lutheran way, the Mormon way, the Catholic way, etc.] to understand it...?Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
We may modify our language, but we cannot change our hearts.Quote:
I asked, is there only one WAY [the Lutheran way, the Mormon way, the Catholic way, etc.] to understand it...?
The alienation that exists is addressed by the reconciliation that is provided in the work of Jesus
Ultimately, if the Bible is to be brought home to us, it must come, as it were, through the lips of Jesus himself—that by the Holy Spirit, it is not enough simply to hear the voice of a mere man, but in it, through it, and beyond it, we actually hear Christ. So, we have this wonderful record of what God has done, beginning this work of transformation, putting us in a right relationship with himself and in a unique relationship with one another.
And all of those denominations would say and do that. Then, if I'm unchurched, which one should I join?Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
Would it matter? Pick up a Bible is probably going to be the best choice.Quote:
And all of those denominations would say and do that. Then, if I'm unchurched, which one should I join?
Unchurched would want to join a church, why?
That's an excellent question! Now let's invite other members into this discussion.Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
Is Methodism much different from Mormonism or Catholicism? If so, do their differences really matter as to salvation?
Thank you for the invitation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
I think that differences in Christian denominations do not matter as to salvation.
I also think differences in religion (Jew, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, etc.) and/or absence of religion (atheism, agnosticism) also do not matter as to salvation.
What I think matters as to salvation is living your life according to the lights you have been given. Christ and other spiritual masters have given the way to such a life.
I believe this because insisting that God prefers one denomination or religion or lifestyle over another would mean that God has created the overwhelming majority of humanity to not be worthy of salvation.
The question of evil is not so simple. The best answer I have is that those individuals who are truly evil and promote their evil are subject to death as a finality. But it's possible they too can experience salvation.
living your life- is this your source or means of being saved?Quote:
living your life
Being transformed in and of yourself?
We have nothing. We've been given nothing. It is by God's grace (something he offers)...for everyone who will receive His gift of salvationQuote:
lights you have been given
Athos you make that sound so simple and easy without all the human complications, proclamations, and solicitations! What do threats and lectures have to do with spirituality anyway? Isn't salvation a unique thing to the believer or does it have to be dictated by some dufus.Quote:
Originally Posted by Athos
Certainly life is difficult. I never said or implied otherwise.Quote:
Originally Posted by talaniman
What are you referring to? Surely nothing in my post.Quote:
What do threats and lectures have to do with spirituality anyway?
Huh? I couldn't have been any clearer - salvation depends on how a life is lived. Asking if it "has to be dictated by some dufus" is nowhere near what I wrote.Quote:
Isn't salvation a unique thing to the believer or does it have to be dictated by some dufus.
You are inserting much into my post that simply isn't there. Why?
Why do you mangle my words? Are you trying to create animosity?Quote:
Originally Posted by waltero
You have been given much. It's right there in your own sentence. Your insistence on not understanding simple things is growing old.Quote:
We have nothing. We've been given nothing. It is by God's grace (something he offers)...for everyone who will receive His gift of salvation
Not my intent to insert anything to what you posted, but just agreeing and obviously I resent others defining MY salvation or anyone else's . Not you, but the dufus who trolls this forum. So no need to get your back up, I just found your logical posting rather easy to agree with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Athos
Lol - I didn't have my back up - I was genuinely interested in what you posted being such a voice for reason on these pages.Quote:
Originally Posted by talaniman
Tks for explaining.
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