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That raises some interesting questions and concerns.
Hello Gismys_7, I appreciate your discernment. May I ask if this here website is a nest of progressives? I feel somewhat punch drunk reading their comments.
Feeling guilty?Exploring the many facets of the issues of doctrinal unity and individuality.
Issues range from the dictates of religious institutional tyranny on one extreme end of the spectrum,
to freewheeling excesses of biblical interpretation on the other extreme end.
Seeking balance somewhere in the middle.
Another issue that presents itself is: The potential conceit of doctrinal individuality.
This is manifested in a person that thinks they ALONE have the correct biblical interpretation.
Since they believe that God has informed them, there can be no other answer. Right? (wrong)
Typical statements of biblical/doctrinal conceit:
- "Haven't you read the Bible?"
- "God told me..."
- "Who should I believe; you, or God?"
- "God's Word disagrees with you."
Such statements are usually used to win a debate.
Playing "the God card" to end the discussion.
This same conceit plays out in the defense of denominational beliefs as well.
The use of a religious organization as an unquestionable authority in matters of faith and practice.
And one might reply that "The Bible is the unquestionable authority in matters of faith and practice."
Unfortunately, there is no consensus on what the Bible says. What to do, what to do... ???
Related topics:
Unity of the faith - at what cost?
The call for doctrinal unity has gone out across the centuries. Are we there yet? (not by a long shot) Where is the problem? Perhaps it is in the assumption that the unity of the faith is doctrinal unity. - Can there be unity of the faith that overlooks doctrinal differences? - Does the Body...www.christianityboard.com
Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?
This is a follow-up to the previous topic: Unity of the faith - at what cost? Link below. Probably the biggest roadblock to Christian doctrinal unity is holding on to the freedom we have to determine our own beliefs. Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of Christian doctrinal...The tyranny of doctrinal unity - "Join or die."
A follow-up to the two previous topics: https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/would-you-surrender-your-own-beliefs-in-the-cause-of-doctrinal-unity.56191/ https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/unity-of-the-faith-at-what-cost.56095/ - Do you have the right to allow the Holy Spirit to...
Yes, very concerning when the "Male" numbers are HIGHER than the "Total" figures. - LOL
| Ro 8:14 | For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. |
| 1jo 3:2 | Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. |
| Mt 5:44 | But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; |
| Mt 5:45 | That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. |
| Joh 17:11 | And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. |
| Joh 17:12 | While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. |
| Joh 17:13 | And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. |
Duh. What do you expect? Do you really believe that people hold beliefs that they know are incorrect?
There is no conceit in affirming a doctrinal position. You are confusing conceit with surety. The two are not the same thing.
The second doesn't defeat the first. The verity of the Bible doesn't depend on consensus. It would remain true though every man is a liar.
Matthew 5:48
We are commanded to love. But the command to "love" isn't a command to have affection. In this case, "love" refers to beneficent action toward another person. Jesus said to love our enemies. He didn't mean "feel affection" toward them or even like them. He means, if you see an enemy thirsty, give him a drink of water, if you see an enemy hungry, give him some food, if you see an enemy hanging from a cliff, help him up. In other words, do good to all human beings.
We are commanded to love. But the command to "love" isn't a command to have affection. In this case, "love" refers to beneficent action toward another person. Jesus said to love our enemies. He didn't mean "feel affection" toward them or even like them. He means, if you see an enemy thirsty, give him a drink of water, if you see an enemy hungry, give him some food, if you see an enemy hanging from a cliff, help him up. In other words, do good to all human beings.
