What do you believe in?

SocialOutcast SG

Hi everyone, not sure if this is done before. Just wish to know the wide beliefs of people in the room. If this has been done before, I apologize.

If possible, just follow the titles I give, if not add your own

Theological Position: Theist
Faith: Christian, Protestant, Presbyterian
Why I believe/ Don't believe in God:

Why I believe in God. (pls note these are not arguments for existence of God, but personal thoughts)

1. Presence of meaning in this world. Love, morals, Man's ability to rationalize, creativity shown in music etc are just some of these. They either come by chance alone, or possibly by God. I believe in God.

2. ...

3. ...

Ironside SG

i believe in Conservative Evangelical theology:

a) Salvation by grace through faith alone in Christ [sola fide]

b) Trinity- three persons in the Godhead but one God

c) The Bible as innerrant from Genesis to Revelation and therefore authoritative and the only source for faith and practice [sola scriptura]

As to Calvinism and Arminianism:

I am a four-point Calvinist, i do not accept all the five tenets of Calvinism.

I accept only: a) Total Depravity b) Unconditional Election c) Irrisistible Grace and d) Preservation and perseverance of the Saints.

I reject Calvinism's doctrine of Limited Atonement; that Christ died only for the elect and not for all men.

I believe in Universal Atonement. The Atonement is universal and sufficient for all but efficacious only for those who believe. The atonement is universal but limited only because of man's unbelief.

As to my system of interpretation:

I am a Normative Dispensationalist like Scofield, Chafer, Swindoll, Ryrie, Pentecost, Barnhouse, Gray, Henry Allan Ironside, Woodrow Kroll and etc.

Essenstials of Dispensationalism:

a) Normal and plain interpretation of the Bible from GEnesis to Refelation, recognizing figures of speech but looking for the plain meaning behind the figure.

b) We Believe that the Church is not Israel [unlike covenant theology]. The Church is a distinct entity from Israel. A new creation.

c) We believe that God's goal of History is to glorify Himself.

d) We believe in one method of salvation in all of time [unlike Ultra Dispensationalist].

Icemoon SG

Originally posted by Ironside:
I am a Normative Dispensationalist like Scofield, Chafer, Swindoll, Ryrie, Pentecost, Barnhouse, Gray, Henry Allan Ironside, Woodrow Kroll and etc.

Rolling Eyes

SocialOutcast SG

Thanks for your input.

Well, I thought Limited Atonement means Christ's death is sufficient for the whole Mankind, but only efficient for the elect? That's how I interpret it. And I always thought that it is in line with the other 4 tenets of Calvinism.

Ironside SG

hello there Icemoon..............actually Henry Allan Ironside is one of my favorite Bible expositors. I got my nick on his last name.

Smile Smile

fallin SG

All this theology doesnt appeal to me, I prefer in simple Christianity. I believe in Jesus Christ. Nothing more nothing less.

sgFish SG

you have to know your faith well enough to defend it. And by defending I mean you bring in logical arguments, not necessarily all from the Bible.

Christians nowadays are more passionate than knowledgeable about their faith. Though this may be good in a sense, a lack of knowledge might hamper evangelistic efforts.

just my 2 cents worth =)

askxyz SG

Agree. Very Happy

fallin SG

But don't you agree that many of the little details that theologians debate on have fairly little to do with a Christian's daily walk? And like you, this is only my 2 cents worth. =) LOL.

sgFish SG

very true. but when it comes to substantiating your case against atheists or attempting to bring one to Christ, especially one who has considerable knowledge of certain aspects of science that are supposedly against basic Christian assumptions, or one that attempts to point out logical flaws in the Bible, you might need these little details =)

oh, and don't try to be antagonistic.

Icemoon SG

what is this supposed to mean?

M©+square SG

Do you mean every single believers are to have considerable amount of knowledge in biblical and science studies so to stand as a christian?

Are you trying to tell me this is a ideal Christian.
Or without those, a christian will lose their powers to evangelise and to live as a believer of Christ?

I might have different interpretations, please shed light in regard to your post. =)

Cheers

SocialOutcast SG

Well IMHO, if you have a chance to further studying....

Why not?

If you have the opportnity, we should all expound scripture to the best of our abilities, rather than leave Christianity "as it is". In fact, Christianity "as it is" is damn theological. We see a lot of 'Just believe in God' messages today, probably stemming from experential ideology, which is kind of sad since it undermines the Word of God as the most important thing in a Christian's life. No doubt faith is the most important thing that actually saves you, but a Christian with little love for Truth is kinda oxymoronic IMHO.

So, why not? Laughing

SocialOutcast SG

Well regarding whether a Christian will 'lose' evanglising powers, first, it is God who converts. Second, without theology, what kind of gospel are you going to sell? A salesman must know everything about his product and as much as he can about rival products in order to sell it successfully. Without a good foundation of God's truth, I dare to say we might be unknowingly undermining His Gospel.

Yet on the other hand I feel that sometimes, all talk and no action is no use. A person who lives a righteous life is usually the one who can influence people more than someone who preaches well.

Heh. But both is best.

askxyz SG

I like SocialOutcast reasonings. Mr. Green

sharked SG

am i gonna get shot at here? Confused

i am a free thinker~~
but i respect all religion and beliefs and occassionally am interested in the histories and mythologies of some beliefs i read them up.

i shun those who persistantly tries to convert others....

SocialOutcast SG

i hope you shun only persistent people, and not people who talk to you nicely about religion Cool

Yeah, and welcome. No shooting allowed here

M©+square SG

This was discussed briefly between brey and myself regarding Theology in Christian living.
I don't know if we have a common ground here or not.

We must be objective onto the primary issues.
Theology does not save, it guides and aids to better understand of God and firm ground on doctrinal issues.

Yup. If a christian have the zeal like you do, they should go into studies about the word and science.
However it is not necessary, not a must.

M©+square SG

1) I cannot argue with you, since our stand is differs.
God converts - only through God's sovereign plan, he decides who to convert.
Who gives the power to evangelise? God gives empowerment Christians to evangelise?
God gives empowerment to study theology then.

2) Please define Theology.
I sense that you're trying to present theology as 'ultimate, the absolute'
To have good foundation, one must go through the study of Theology?
What is your product then? Theology?

How many Theological camps are there, and which are you talking about?

3) On the hand, you said it very well, and it is the best form of Christian Living. So what's the thing about Theology?

M©+square SG

Then state your stand.