I think that a fundamental test as to whether a particular denomination or sect is Christian in its doctrine is whether it holds to an orthodox understanding of the Trinity. Despite their many other problems, most Protestants denominations do correctly understand the Trinity. This is in contrast to the LDS which has a very strange understanding of the Trinity and the Jehovahs Witnesses which believe that Christ is a created being.
No. You shouldn’t paint anyone with a broad brush when it comes to their beliefs.
They’re not.
#]Lutherans and many other Baptize infants. I was baptized a month and a day after my birth.
) and told to go interpret it in anyThanks Jon… What i listed is primarily southern baptist. I wasn’t sure of the lutherans.No. You shouldn’t paint anyone with a broad brush when it comes to their beliefs.
If you want to know the distinctions, put up a thread that asks, n-C Christian churches, what do you believe? Generalizing and broad brushing only leads to misunderstandings.
Baptists don’t want to be grouped with Lutherans (or the other way around), for example.
They’re not.
#]Lutherans and many other Baptize infants. I was baptized a month and a day after my birth.
#Lutherans and many others do not believe in OSAS.
#The Bible is the final norm, to which all teaching and teachers are accountable. In Lutheranism, there is authority in the Confessions, the early councils and the creeds.
#Lutherans are not free to interpret scripture as we want, when it comes to doctrine.
We are held to the Lutheran Confessions, as they rightly reflect scripture. I was never
given a copy of the Bible (KJV or otherwise
way I choose. I was catechized to be a confessional Lutheran.
Hope that helps.
Jon
I did mention exceptions. But let’s be honest here. I do not know what denomination you are from, maybe you are non denominational, evangelical etc. If you are methodist, this does not apply to you as I mentioned.
One belief that I’ve heard many Protestants say is that they believe that a deceased relative or friend is “watching over” them from heaven. And they don’t mean just looking. They mean that these relatives actively have a hand in their lives.
That’s fine, windlessuser. May I then suggest that when posters list an “unscriptural belief” they identify its source (denomination, ecclesial community, etc), just so there’s no confusion?
Sure, that would be best, as well as a short description of the belief in question.
Sorry 'bout that.You make some good points here. I think it is safe to say that one can identify about 5 particular groups of western non-catholic Christians: Lutheran, Anglican, Reformed, anabaptist, etc. Many of the smaller groups, non-denoms, etc, have their roots in Baptist and/or Calvinist thinking. Very few of them are Lutheran or Anglican splinters.
I think this thread should be “Please list unscriptural non-catholic christian beliefs”.
No - that is my biggest concern with Calvinism. It’s leading people straight and happily to hell.
No, I don’t believe in baptismal regeneration. It’s not the act of baptism that saves, It’s by faith through God’s grace that we are saved. Baptism in the outward sign of inward conviction. The Bible tells us that believers were baptized. I know this could be the beginning of a long discussion and will try to get to it more fully soon. But my experence is that discussing such things with Catholics doesn’t usually produce much fruit because I don’t hold to Catholic tradition. I go strictly with scripture.
I suspect it isn’t our place to decide who is or is not going straight to Hell, happily or not. That said, I agree with your sentiments about Perseverance of Saints.
Here is where identifying one’s communion is important, and I hope you will take a moment to do so. Lutheran understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism is essentially the same as Catholic: “Baptism now saves you.” And scripture does not specifically limit Baptism to adults. We are told to go into all nations and Baptize. Children and infants are part of nations. Entire families are reported Baptized in scripture. And Christ Himself says, Suffer the little children to come to me, and forbid them not.
I sure you are aware of websites by Ex Catholic Priests who say Protestants have it right.
I think this is something that’s going to go back and forth perpetually - converts convert for a reason, and when the reason is doctrinal they have more to say than when the reason is because you want to marry your spouse in his or her church and weren’t ever that into your own growing up.
This begs yet another question for probably yet another topic - if you live believing and convinced that you are following what the Lord intends, will the Lord hold you responsible for what you believe and have been taught your entire life, or for the correct understanding?
This is actually helpful - it tells us that we must rely strictly upon Scripture in attempting to convince you of our position. At the same time, you probably aren’t here to be proselytized as much as to understand why on God’s Green Earth we do things the way we do, so still it would be helpful to present our beliefs according to rationale that you are most familiar with, bearing in mind that we consider Scripture differently than you.