Ask a protestant a question thread.

[Syele]

**

One question? Can I belive as you do, and make statements about Christianity, to believe as I want to and chose not to belive when I dont want to about Christian sound doctrine?**

No one forces you to believe as a Catholic. You had to make that choice at some point. Likewise, I had to make a choice to believe as I do. Can I suddenly change my mind and believe something else? Could you? Sure we could! The question is not can we change our beliefs but SHOULD we? A persons beliefs about God affect their eternity. Changing them could result in and eternity in hell or with God. So should a person change frequently? Certainly not! Should they do all in their power to listen to God and Do what HE says? 100% most definitely. Just because there are Protestants with different beliefs, doesn’t mean we all take those decisions lightly.

 

[Roy5]

**]A BIG TENT CHRISTIAN/**B]

 Hm! I'd like to get beyond the Protestant/Catholic thing. I have kinfolk on both sides and we get along well because we discuss rather than argue.

  As for me, I'm a 'big tent Christian'. I presume to strict Catholics that would make me a Protestant, but many Protestants would not accept me as one of theirs.

  Here are a few 'beliefs'.

  (1) None of us knows very much about eternal mysteries. I can live with that. "Someday He'll make it plain to me" - an old gospel hymn. Or, "Farther along we'll know all about it" - another old hymn whose opening words reflect my thinking

   (2) Jesus is my Lord. Now this doesn't mean that Jews, Muslims, Buddhists etc can't get to heaven. I honestly believe that there are different paths that we need to respect. I'm not arrogant enough to believe that God chose me, or that I'm smart enough, to be a Christian while others are destined for hell. (By the way, I don't suscribe to most traditions re hell.)

    (3) The church can serve as a fine institution - extended family, a source of morality, etc. - unless it begins to control our minds or create hatred. How many wars in the past have been caused by religion - and yes, obviously today as well?

    (4) When Jesus was asked by the lawyer how to inherit eternal life, he didn't respond with any narrow doctrines. No, he gave the parable of the Good Samaritan, a person not of the same faith as the Jewish traveler. Says something about the need for tolerance.

     I've rambled on enough. As far as choosing a local church, I look for an interesting service, good and intelligent preaching, an open-minded congregation, and a friendly bunch. The label means little to me. Depends on the local church. I am likely to find what I'm looking for (oh, and I'm not into high liturgy) among UCC, Methodists, Presbyterians, Disciples, and 'ABC' Baptists, though other churches might be okay depending....

 

[Publisher]

**]A BIG TENT CHRISTIAN/**B]

 Hm! I'd like to get beyond the Protestant/Catholic thing. I have kinfolk on both sides and we get along well because we discuss rather than argue.

  As for me, I'm a 'big tent Christian'. I presume to strict Catholics that would make me a Protestant, but many Protestants would not accept me as one of theirs.

  Here are a few 'beliefs'.

  (1) None of us knows very much about eternal mysteries. I can live with that. "Someday He'll make it plain to me" - an old gospel hymn. Or, "Farther along we'll know all about it" - another old hymn whose opening words reflect my thinking

   (2) Jesus is my Lord. Now this doesn't mean that Jews, Muslims, Buddhists etc can't get to heaven. I honestly believe that there are different paths that we need to respect. I'm not arrogant enough to believe that God chose me, or that I'm smart enough, to be a Christian while others are destined for hell. (By the way, I don't suscribe to most traditions re hell.)

    (3) The church can serve as a fine institution - extended family, a source of morality, etc. - unless it begins to control our minds or create hatred. How many wars in the past have been caused by religion - and yes, obviously today as well?

    (4) When Jesus was asked by the lawyer how to inherit eternal life, he didn't respond with any narrow doctrines. No, he gave the parable of the Good Samaritan, a person not of the same faith as the Jewish traveler. Says something about the need for tolerance.

     I've rambled on enough. As far as choosing a local church, I look for an interesting service, good and intelligent preaching, an open-minded congregation, and a friendly bunch. The label means little to me. Depends on the local church. I am likely to find what I'm looking for (oh, and I'm not into high liturgy) among UCC, Methodists, Presbyterians, Disciples, and 'ABC' Baptists, though other churches might be okay depending....

“This Friend speaks my mind!”

 

[moondweller]

**]A BIG TENT CHRISTIAN/**B]Here are a few ‘beliefs’.

  (1) None of us knows very much about eternal mysteries.

But God has not left salvation a mystery to us.

(2) Jesus is my Lord. Now this doesn’t mean that Jews, Muslims, Buddhists etc can’t get to heaven. I honestly believe that there are different paths that we need to respect.

What about the atheist? The agnostic? So is heaven reserved only for the religious? How about the Hindus? Did you ever read these words spoken by Christ?Matt 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it."Sounds like there might be a “big tent” on the other side of that wide gate.

 

[bengal_fan]

these threads grow faster than i can respond so i will just say this…

i think that everyone who disagrees with me is wrong and i have sources to back up everything i say!!!

LOL, just kidding. i do disagree with many who have disagreed with me. we all us the same scriptures (for the most part) and we arrive at some different conclusions. that is why i stick to what augustine said, “in essentials, unity. in non-essentials, charity”.

 

[Truthstalker]

Syele -

Good idea. Admirable job.

This makes me want to start a “Feed the Troll” thread but I think the Moderators would have something to say about it.

 

[Syele]

these threads grow faster than i can respond so i will just say this…

i think that everyone who disagrees with me is wrong and i have sources to back up everything i say!!!

LOL, just kidding. i do disagree with many who have disagreed with me. we all us the same scriptures (for the most part) and we arrive at some different conclusions. that is why i stick to what augustine said, “in essentials, unity. in non-essentials, charity”.

LOL It did grow fast, but I think once the initial questions are answered it’ll slow down a little.

Syele -

Good idea. Admirable job.

This makes me want to start a “Feed the Troll” thread but I think the Moderators would have something to say about it.

thanks but yeah… no troll feeding! BAD!

 

[Veritas41]

OK lots of threads, as usual, are making assumptions about what protestants believe about this and that. (we all know what assume spells…)

So here is a place to ask a question, accept the answer and move on. I’m am Arminian type Protestant. Hopefully a Calvinist will jump in and state their views too.

(I don’t mean questions like “Why not be Catholic?” those type require long discussion, simple do you believe this or not type.)

Have fun!

Hi Syele! I USED to be a Calvinist, but now I’m Catholic. I am curious how “Arminian” you are – do you believe it’s possible for a Christian to lose his salvation, or do you believe in eternal security for believers?

 

[Syele]

Hi Syele! I USED to be a Calvinist, but now I’m Catholic. I am curious how “Arminian” you are – do you believe it’s possible for a Christian to lose his salvation, or do you believe in eternal security for believers?

It is possible to lose salvation. Free-will includes the ability to choose against God.

 

[Syele]

Hi Syele! I USED to be a Calvinist, but now I’m Catholic. I am curious how “Arminian” you are – do you believe it’s possible for a Christian to lose his salvation, or do you believe in eternal security for believers?

Sorry for the double post on this one but I want to clarify.

I believe that Calvinism and Arminianism both make logical sense when reading scriptures and have much to back them, but if they are mixed up, it causes error because it forces people to say things about God that do not make sense or worse, contradict scripture. So I subscribe to all 5 points.

 

[khutcheson]

I subscribe to all 5 points.

Syele,

I’m curious. How can you subscribe to all 5 points of Calvinism and believe that we can choose against God? Doesn’t the doctrine of irresistible grace render the free will of the elect moot?

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

these threads grow faster than i can respond so i will just say this…

i think that everyone who disagrees with me is wrong and i have sources to back up everything i say!!!

LOL, just kidding. i do disagree with many who have disagreed with me. we all us the same scriptures (for the most part) and we arrive at some different conclusions. that is why i stick to what augustine said, “in essentials, unity. in non-essentials, charity”.

It amazes me when a protestant quotes a Catholic theologian.
If I can please just make one comment here, You said we all use the same scriptures but come to different conclusions.This is true.
The difference is Protestants have the liberty to come to their own conclusions about the scripture teachings, Catholics dont have that priviledge, we have to stick to a 2000 year old scripture interpretation, maybe thats what all this rucus is about? what do you think?

 

[khutcheson]

**It amazes me when a protestant quotes a Catholic theologian.
**

Why should it? Where do you think Calvin came up with ideas about predestination?

 

[Syele]

Syele,

I’m curious. How can you subscribe to all 5 points of Calvinism and believe that we can choose against God? Doesn’t the doctrine of irresistible grace render the free will of the elect moot?

no no, I subscribe to all 5 Arminian points(no fancy acronym)… the 5 Calvinism points(TULIP) were written out to try and refute the Arminian points.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

Why should it? Where do you think Calvin came up with ideas about predestination?

It amazes me because the Catholic theologians protestants quote remained Catholic, and yet they didnt.

 

[khutcheson]

no no, I subscribe to all 5 Arminian points(no fancy acronym)… the 5 Calvinism points(TULIP) were written out to try and refute the Arminian points.

I understand now.

I have a project in mind–to prepare an excel spreadsheet listing verses that support OSAS on one side, and verses that indicate that salvation can be lost on the other. To list verses that support the doctrine of election on one hand and verses that indicate that salvation was intended for all on the other.

I see support for all four positions in the Bible–my mind isn’t capable of reconciling Biblical passages that seem to support the Calvinist position with passages that support the Arminian position

It’s troubling.

 

[khutcheson]

khutcheson;3322163:

Why should it? Where do you think Calvin came up with ideas about predestination?

It amazes me because the Catholic theologians protestants quote remained Catholic, and yet they didnt.

Huh???

Augustine died over 1000 years before Luther was born.

Besides, every Protestant I know will admit that Catholics are right on some doctrinal issues.

 

[Syele]

I understand now.

I have a project in mind–to prepare an excel spreadsheet listing verses that support OSAS on one side, and verses that indicate that salvation can be lost on the other. To list verses that support the doctrine of election on one hand and verses that indicate that salvation was intended for all on the other.

I see support for all four positions in the Bible–my mind isn’t capable of reconciling Biblical passages that seem to support the Calvinist position with passages that support the Arminian position

It’s troubling.

Many protestants believe in some mixture, but try as I might I cannot find a way that it can work and be reasonable according to scripture. I think most of them have never really studied it and just got bits and pieces from different sources, not realizing what it comes out as when looked at as a whole.

I like your idea of listing all the verses for each point on each side.

 

[khutcheson]

Many protestants believe in some mixture, but try as I might I cannot find a way that it can work and be reasonable according to scripture. I think most of them have never really studied it and just got bits and pieces from different sources, not realizing what it comes out as when looked at as a whole.

I like your idea of listing all the verses for each point on each side.

My problem with either school is that it seems they ignore scripture supporting the other position. I have finally come to the conclusion that my mind isn’t equipped to understand the whole truth, but that fortunately my salvation isn’t tied to my having a correct understanding.

 

[Syele]

My problem with either school is that it seems they ignore scripture supporting the other position. I have finally come to the conclusion that my mind isn’t equipped to understand the whole truth, but that fortunately my salvation isn’t tied to my having a correct understanding.

I think the scriptures typically used for Calvinism are taken out of context. It’s really a matter of ignoring them but of seeing that you have to read whole passages, not individual verses. The Bible wasn’t originally divided into such Chapters and verses anyhow.