Contarini:
The phrase “accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and savior” is not in Scripture. That doesn’t mean that the idea isn’t, but I have heard definitions of what this means that certainly do not embrace most historic Christians. And of course you omit baptism, which Scripture actually does mention!
I don’t think that any definition that separates out some “true Christians” from the body of the baptized can possibly be straightforward.
You’re proving my point. Your apparently “simple” statement actually had hidden code language. You didn’t really mean that anyone who says “Jesus is Lord” is a Christian. You meant that anyone who means by it what you (and I) mean is a Christian. That’s why these simple definitions are never really simple.
If you don’t believe me that JWs and Mormons would subscribe to your original statement, I’m happy to start a new thread and ask them.
Absolutely no disagreement there!
Who’s “we”? Apparently you would, but I see no reason to share your unfounded expectation.
I think you are stereotyping Catholicism based on some of the unfortunate developments in post-Reformation Roman Catholicism. Why do this? In particular, why apply this expectation to an Anglican who can surely be expected *not *to share this Tridentine vision of uniformity? And at the risk of sounding patronizing, I have to wonder how familiar you are with Catholic ecclesiology of the last 50 years. Have you read any Yves Congar? Or for that matter the writings of the present Pope? In 2005 he
said explicitly that unity did not mean uniformity. So where are you getting this from? Why impose this outdated and parochial stereotype on a discussion of Christian unity?
**
It’s certainly true that we can no longer claim to be immune to the deeply divisive dynamics of American Christianity. But some of us are struggling. And at least the divisions are new and unformed enough that we can still mount some kind of witness against them without the huge practical problems that we face trying to promote unity among all Christians. I am going to be a delegate to my diocesan convention this fall. I’m thinking about ways we can try to mount such a witness. Fortunately, I live in a diocese that is seriously committed to avoiding schism, however impossible that may seem at present. (Specifically, I would like to see us make some kind of meaningful statement of unity with the ACNA as well as TEC, particularly with those dioceses in each which predated the schism–i.e., Pittsburgh, Quincy, San Joachin, and Fort Worth in the ACNA.)
In Christ,
Edwin**
Thank you Edwin - I appreciate your perspective and what you are trying to do within the Episcopalian Church. As to my perspective on the gospel, I’ll restate it to avoid any ambiguity:
I believe the “core Christian doctrines” are that Jesus Christ it the Messiah, Lord and Saviour - that he died for our sins, was resurrected and will return and that he is God. I believe in the Trinity and in the inerrancy of scripture. I believe these core doctrines are shared by many Christians and bridge most denominational lines.
I believe that Baptism is a sacrament and commandment of Christ - but itself does not “save” - that is the work of the Holy Spirit. I believe baptism is a sign (visible) sign of our salvation and is a response, out of love and desire, to an express command of Christ.
As to other doctrines such as confession, rapture, infant v. adult baptism, nature of the Eucharist, etc., I think we, as Christians, spend WAY too much time arguing about them and if we spent 1/10 that time focusing on “love” (which is Christ’s cardinal rule and Paul’s greatest wish for us), the world would be a better place, and we, as Christians, would be a much greater example for nonbelievers with the hope of leading to Christ.
I love the Anglican and Catholic liturgy - but don’t believe there is one denomination with “The” truth. I’m a student of Church history (not a “student” any longer in years - I’m in my mid 40s

- I mean relatively well read on Church history and the writings of the early Church fathers - There is a lot of value there, and a lot of disturbing antisemitism that is anathema to the teachings of Christ (lest we forget that Jesus, all 12 initial apostles and Paul were all Jews). I don’t believe in the doctrine of “replacement Theology” (actually embraced by the Church in the past (thankfully - not now (but an indicator of the fallacy of “infallibililty”) which I think is actually a tool of Satan.
To the contrary, Jesus, in his own words, said that he would not return until the leaders of Israel (perhaps the nation as a collective) call on the name of the Lord and Paul preached of his ultimate return of Israel (its like the prodigal son) and this is consistent with Zechariah - so the promises to Israel remain effective and unconditional. This teaching has been lost through history - was rediscovered by the puritans and, thankfully, is again being taught (at least in a sense) by the Church after Vatican II.
Blessings,
Brian