Buddhism
Islam
New Ageism
Agnosticism
Hindu
Judaism

Would it be wrong to at least draw lines this way? Or does anything go? If it’s ok to draw these lines, why?

Of course this was not my intent

But we must have a stting to point in what we are to believe, and even Paul when speaking to the jailer at Philippi left out a lot. He did, however, focus on the primary goal – believing in the Lord Jesus as the Christ.

In the case of Nicea, the Christians then ceratinly did not approve of committing adultery, and were highly keen on looking “after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted from the world” But that was not their goal. Their goal, and my intent, was to provide the foundation on which all could agree and believe. As Jay has pointed out on his blog, the looking after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted from the world comes once one has become a Christian as a result of one’s faith.

God bless

I wrote on the board:
1) Believe in God – all seemed to agree
2) Believe in Christ – all seemed to agree
3) The Bible is the infallible word of God – no outward objections to this one in this crowd.
then I wrote…
4) Live a pure life – the vocal objections were extensive. “What do you mean by that?”. “You can’t tell me what to do” “You’re drawing a line that isn’t right”, etc. (literal quotes to the best of my memory).

I was flabbergasted and shocked at the level and emotion of objection. It was then near the end of the class period. I read James 1:27 and said all I meant was whatever God meant here. Several told me after class I better not bring it up again.

This is what concerns me with many of the comments on this forum. There may be pure motives in the objections to the ten percent in the cofC who are overly nitpicky. However, the reaction to move to the other end of the spectrum seems to reflect the influence of the bigger societal objection to anything that even smells like authority and/or absolute truth. Yet, these are both strong and real concepts taught by Jesus.

This looks like a good starting point. However, to read the words (and I’m sure not your intent) I would say it is okay to commit adultery. There is no mention of pure religion that includes “to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted from the world” James 1:27.

It is typical 21st century post-modern thinking to only talk about the positive. I know for motivation reasons, we shouldn’t focus on the ‘thou shalt not’s’ but they are real and important and shouldn’t be forgotten. At least not if we want to truly respect and show God our love for Him.

I believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16).

I believe that Jesus poured out His blood for the forgiveness of sins
(Matthew 26:28).

I believe that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:4-10).

I believe that our faith must include turning from trusting whatever
we did in our old life to trusting in Jesus (Acts 2:38).

I believe that our faith must include being immersed in water in the
name of Jesus as a representation of His death, burial, and
resurrection to be raised to a new life so my sins will be forgiven
(Acts 2:38; Romans 6).

I believe that there is one God the Father, maker of heaven and earth
(Genesis 1 & John 1).

I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Word, who was
incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man
(John 1, Matthew 1, Luke 1).

I believe He suffered crucifixion, was buried, rose again on the
third day, ascended into heaven, and will come again to judge the
living and the dead (1 Corinthians 15: 1-8; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-
11; 2 Timothy 4:1).

I believe in the Holy Spirit whom God has promised to give to dwell
in the hearts of all Christians (John 7:38-39; Acts 2:38-39; Acts
5:32; Romans 5:5; Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 2 Corinthians
1:21-22; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 3:14-21).

I believe in the one Church, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27;
Ephesians 5:23).

I believe in and look forward to the coming resurrection of the dead
and eternal life (1 Corinthians 11:26; Hebrews 9:28).

God bless

Even sadder would be to allow an intellectual malcontent to set the tone and limits of our ministry and mission of our churches. I went to church in Denton, TX when a certain minister was churning out his anti-Holy Spirit, anti-progressive, anti-grace, anti-growth, anti-whatever propoganda that all but killed Pearl Street Church of Christ. Those who want to go on apostasy witch hunts is just sad to me. Do we want all our churches to only spew out judgement of others for doctinal perfection while a lost and dying world goes into further decline? If we do that, we deserve to turn into a “Blue-hair only” denomination that ages then dies instead of a dynamic, growing body of Christ.

I would much rather err on the side of grace, mercy, love, the Great Commission, Holy Spirit gifting, and freedom. If a third of the people were drawn to that, we would be the largest denomination in the world…and I like those numbers.

It’s a sad commentary of the state of the Churches if those who do right can expect 1/3 of the Churches to hate them.

I ascribe to the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 Theory. I want a third of the people to hate me, a third of the people to love me, and a third of the people to be apathetic toward me. If you look at the life of Christ, he had the same numbers. He really didn’t care if people hated him. He just did what his Father wanted he to. I would just place Dub in the appropriate 1/3 and then do what God is leading me to do.

In His words, “On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:40 (English Standard Version)