common beliefs

  • Thread starter Thread starter mpjw2
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
dianaiad said:
I wish your statement was true. Unfortunately…

I had an ongoing discussion with a very strict Calvinist for close to 10 years on alt.religion.mormon (a usenet group) who absolutely insisted that Christ did not have unconditional love for everybody, nor did He indeed die for everybody. He loved, and died for, only those who were of ‘the elect.’ Those who were fated for damnation, the ‘unregenerate,’ were no more worthy of His love and sacrifice than the cracked pots broken in the fire.

Now I have no real idea whether he was speaking for all Calvinists, or just hyper-Calvinists, or any particular group. I do know that he held to that position for over a decade in the face of some very severe criticism, so he was absolutely speaking for himself, if not for others. He was accepted as Christian by all those who decided that I wasn’t worthy of the title, and he called himself a Christian–I suppose he was (and is, if he is still around) a Christian.

but then I think I am, as well. 😉
Click to expand...
hi diana, you cited more confusion within the Christian family.

My heart goes out to anyone who does not believe Jesus’s unconditional love for each and every one of us.

You say you think you are christian. What prevented you from saying “I am a Christian”?

God bless Mike

answer me in private if you prefer
thank you and God bless
 
JordanSRT said:
Thank you, even though the words no longer hold meaning for me the sentiment does. 🙂
Click to expand...
hi jordan, the other side of true chritianity…apologizing and acceptace of one’s forgiveness

God bless you Jordan
 
mpjw2 said:
hi diana, you cited more confusion within the Christian family.

My heart goes out to anyone who does not believe Jesus’s unconditional love for each and every one of us.

You say you think you are christian. What prevented you from saying “I am a Christian”?

God bless Mike

answer me in private if you prefer
thank you and God bless
Click to expand...
What prevented me from saying “I am a Christian” rather than “I think I am a Christian?” Context. The context of the post was referencing, not the actual Christianity of the writer, but of the difference between what someone thinks himself to be, and what others think he is.

Besides, writing “I think I am a Christian” doesn’t attract near the fire that “I am a Christian” does, if one is Mormon. 😉 The one is a declaration of opinion; how can anybody argue with me? Are they going to say 'you don’t either think you are a Christian?" After all, the refutation is easy. I simply say 'I do too, so there." What possible argument can anybody have with that?

But a bald statement…" I am a Christian…" Trust me, you may as well paint bright red concentric circles on my monitor and stand back, because I won’t have time to yell ‘incoming!’

Oh, I will proclaim that I am a Christian, when it is called for, but when I do, it is ALWAYS challenged, and the subject changes instantly to 'Are Mormons Christian?"

So…it’s about the context.
 
thank you again for all for your responses.

I am curious as to why no one added any other common belief other than Roman Catholic (creed) and my OP … Jesus’s unconditional love for all of us.

As Diana cited some christian families do not believe in His unconditional love for everyone.
We see that Claire cited some who call themself christian do not believe in the importance of Jesus rising from the dead, if he did at all.

To all my christian brothers and sisters to which that applies, I pray that you may have a change of heart and realize the power and importance of Jesus’s ressurrection.

For example, if Jesus did not rise from the dead, it would be very difficult to believe He was who He claimed to be.

Let me offer another common belief

…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Heb 9:22

According to the bible, the only way our sins can be forgiven 8s by the blood Jesus shed on the cross.

Responses ??

God bless
 
dianaiad said:
What prevented me from saying “I am a Christian” rather than “I think I am a Christian?” Context. The context of the post was referencing, not the actual Christianity of the writer, but of the difference between what someone thinks himself to be, and what others think he is.

Besides, writing “I think I am a Christian” doesn’t attract near the fire that “I am a Christian” does, if one is Mormon. 😉 The one is a declaration of opinion; how can anybody argue with me? Are they going to say 'you don’t either think you are a Christian?" After all, the refutation is easy. I simply say 'I do too, so there." What possible argument can anybody have with that?

But a bald statement…" I am a Christian…" Trust me, you may as well paint bright red concentric circles on my monitor and stand back, because I won’t have time to yell ‘incoming!’

Oh, I will proclaim that I am a Christian, when it is called for, but when I do, it is ALWAYS challenged, and the subject changes instantly to 'Are Mormons Christian?"

So…it’s about the context.
Click to expand...
Hi diana, thank you for getting back to me. I understand your point and it being a matter of context.

I also understand the incoming challenges you or anyone may face who declares that they are Christian.

In all do respect, I believe all of us in our christian family have the best leader in Jesus Christ, who faced head to head every challenge imagineable to mankind.

That said, I am proud to declare myself a Christian.

Diana, I here your voice…“incoming”

I accept the challenge of being a Christian and being a follower of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Will you join me Diana?

I invite you or anyone else to declare “I am a Christian”.

God bless
 
mpjw2 said:
Hi diana, thank you for getting back to me. I understand your point and it being a matter of context.

I also understand the incoming challenges you or anyone may face who declares that they are Christian.

In all do respect, I believe all of us in our christian family have the best leader in Jesus Christ, who faced head to head every challenge imagineable to mankind.

That said, I am proud to declare myself a Christian.

Diana, I here your voice…“incoming”

I accept the challenge of being a Christian and being a follower of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Will you join me Diana?

I invite you or anyone else to declare “I am a Christian”.

God bless
Click to expand...
I truly admire your sincerity. As you can see, I have already declared it.
 
mpjw2 said:
let’s ignore the differences and debates and focus on what we believe we Christians have in common

I will start with what I believe is #1

Jesus has illustrated His unconditional love for each and everyone of us on the face of this earth
Click to expand...
I reject the notion that all Christians have this belief in common. As has been said, there are some Calvinistic-like notions that would not agree.
 
How about this one…“God’s love was revealed in Jesus of Nazareth”.
 
common belief

with respect to Mary:

all believe that Mary was/is ‘blessed’

right? 🤷
 
Why not start with the Creeds? That will give one a good indication as to where he or she is in regard to the True Faith.
  1. Do you believe in ONE God?
  2. Do you believe in God the Father, the Almighty?
  3. Do you believe in God Who made the heavens and the earth, and all that is seen and unseen?
  4. Do you believe in ONE Lord, Jesus Christ?
  5. Do you believe Jesus Christ as the ONLY Son of God?
  6. Do you believe Jesus Christ as eternally begotten of the Father?
  7. Do you believe Jesus Christ as God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God?
  8. Do you believe Jesus Christ is begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father?
  9. Do you believe that through Jesus Christ, all things were made?
  10. Do you believe that, for us and for our salvation, Jesus Christ came down from Heaven?
  11. Do you believe that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary and became a human being - a MAN?
  12. Do you believe that, for our sake, Jesus Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate?
  13. Do you believe that Jesus Christ suffered, that he died, and was buried?
  14. Do you believe that Jesus Christ rose Himself up on the third day in fulfillment of the Scriptures?
  15. Do you believe that Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven?
  16. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father?
  17. Do you believe that Jesus Christ will come again in glory to the world?
  18. Do you believe that Jesus Christ will judge both the living and the dead?
  19. Do you believe that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ will be eternal?
  20. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
  21. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit is Lord and giver of life?
  22. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son?
  23. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit, together with the Father and the Son, are to be worshipped and glorified as ONE God?
  24. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit has spoken through the Prophets of the Old Testament (and New)?
  25. Do you believe in ONE Church founded by Christ on earth?
  26. Do you believe that the Church founded by Christ on earth is HOLY?
  27. Do you believe that the Church founded by Christ on earth is catholic (universal)?
  28. Do you believe that the Church founded by Christ on earth is apostolic?
  29. Do you acknowledge ONE baptism?
  30. Do you acknowledge one baptism FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS?
  31. Do you believe in the Resurrection of the dead?
  32. Do you believe in the Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world?
  33. Do you believe in the Life of the world to come?
 
Publisher said:
How about this one…“God’s love was revealed in Jesus of Nazareth”.
Click to expand...
I think that may be a possibility…I don’t know anyone who would disagree, but then I’m not familiar with all Christian sects.

I wonder; would someone calling him/herself a Christian disagree with this?
 
John7 said:
common belief

with respect to Mary:

all believe that Mary was/is ‘blessed’

right? 🤷
Click to expand...
Uhmnn…

Would those Christians who believe that Jesus was mortal, and did not rise from the dead, or that He was the product of possible rape (yes, there ARE people calling themselves Christian who believe this!) call her 'blessed?"

I mean, I would, but…
 
peary said:
Why not start with the Creeds? That will give one a good indication as to where he or she is in regard to the True Faith.
  1. Do you believe in ONE God?
  2. Do you believe in God the Father, the Almighty?
  3. Do you believe in God Who made the heavens and the earth, and all that is seen and unseen?
  4. Do you believe in ONE Lord, Jesus Christ?
  5. Do you believe Jesus Christ as the ONLY Son of God?
  6. Do you believe Jesus Christ as eternally begotten of the Father?
  7. Do you believe Jesus Christ as God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God?
  8. Do you believe Jesus Christ is begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father?
  9. Do you believe that through Jesus Christ, all things were made?
  10. Do you believe that, for us and for our salvation, Jesus Christ came down from Heaven?
  11. Do you believe that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary and became a human being - a MAN?
  12. Do you believe that, for our sake, Jesus Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate?
  13. Do you believe that Jesus Christ suffered, that he died, and was buried?
  14. Do you believe that Jesus Christ rose Himself up on the third day in fulfillment of the Scriptures?
  15. Do you believe that Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven?
  16. Do you believe that Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father?
  17. Do you believe that Jesus Christ will come again in glory to the world?
  18. Do you believe that Jesus Christ will judge both the living and the dead?
  19. Do you believe that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ will be eternal?
  20. Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
  21. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit is Lord and giver of life?
  22. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son?
  23. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit, together with the Father and the Son, are to be worshipped and glorified as ONE God?
  24. Do you believe that the Holy Spirit has spoken through the Prophets of the Old Testament (and New)?
  25. Do you believe in ONE Church founded by Christ on earth?
  26. Do you believe that the Church founded by Christ on earth is HOLY?
  27. Do you believe that the Church founded by Christ on earth is catholic (universal)?
  28. Do you believe that the Church founded by Christ on earth is apostolic?
  29. Do you acknowledge ONE baptism?
  30. Do you acknowledge one baptism FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS?
  31. Do you believe in the Resurrection of the dead?
  32. Do you believe in the Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world?
  33. Do you believe in the Life of the world to come?
Click to expand...
Nice list.

Irrelevant. “True Faith” is not the same as “Christian,” y’know. As well, at least half the Christians in the world would have problems with one or more of the above items. Do you really want to present them as 'common beliefs?"
 
Newbie2 said:
I reject the notion that all Christians have this belief in common. As has been said, there are some Calvinistic-like notions that would not agree.
Click to expand...
Hi newbie, Diana made reference to this.

If this is true, I wonder who they believe Jesus does not have unconditional love for?

God bless
 
mpjw2 said:
Hi newbie, Diana made reference to this.

If this is true, I wonder who they believe Jesus does not have unconditional love for?

God bless
Click to expand...
Those who are not of the elect, or the unregenerate. Stands to reason that God does not love (nor did Christ die for nor redeem) those who are predestined for hell.
 
John7 said:
common belief

with respect to Mary:

all believe that Mary was/is ‘blessed’

right? 🤷
Click to expand...
Hi John, I believe all of us are blessed by God in one way or another.

Mary was blessed with giving birth to the Savior of the world.

God bless
 
dianaiad said:
Uhmnn…

Would those Christians who believe that Jesus was mortal, and did not rise from the dead, or that He was the product of possible rape (yes, there ARE people calling themselves Christian who believe this!) call her 'blessed?"

I mean, I would, but…
Click to expand...
wow. this shocked me to think there might be chritians who believe Mary was raped

this would be in total disregard to the immaculate conception and the power of God
 
mpjw2 said:
wow. this shocked me to think there might be chritians who believe Mary was raped

this would be in total disregard to the immaculate conception and the power of God
Click to expand...
It would be, to your beliefs, and indeed to mine. I don’t believe that Mary was raped, but then…I don’t believe in the Immaculate conception, either.

There are all sorts of Christians out there, and they are, of course, not all RIGHT.

They are simply …Christians.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top