|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 12, 2012 16:47:54 GMT -8
From Aletheia's value statement: #6.
We hold fast to the key doctrines of Christianity, defined as the clear teaching of Scripture
(2 Thess. 2:15, 1 Tim 4:16).
2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings (traditions) we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
1 Timothy 4:16
Watch your life and doctrine (teaching) closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
First we discussed the importance of both our beliefs and our actions; our doctrine and our way of life. Just as actions flow out of our deeply held beliefs, so our beliefs shift over time based on the experience of our actions.
Paul is saying that the disciple of Christ needs to take both their beliefs and their way of life seriously, and that in some instances the consequences are of major importance.
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 12, 2012 16:51:59 GMT -8
Thanks to those who participated in the activity today. It was fun and informative, hopefully to all.
What follows are some of the questions that guided the discussion.
What is a primary doctrine? Those pertaining to salvation? Those that define authentic Christianity? Those without which you don’t have genuine Christianity? That which is “main and plain” or “clear” in the Scripture?
What is secondary? Things that are important in varying degrees, but not necessary for salvation? Things that we need not agree on to be in healthy fellowship? Things that are relatively unclear in Scripture?
There is a spectrum here betweenwhat we believe to be primary and secondary, not necessarily two hard and fast columns. Each person is on the spectrum and each Christian community is on the spectrum.
Ultimately we need to be careful about judging other’s place on the spectrum (or even Churches) but at the same time we need to seek it out before the Lord and take Scripture seriously * in assessing where we should be.
I then provided some examples of things which might well be considered "clear" teachings or "main and plain" teachings in the Bible, pointing out that in each of these passages there are also many sub-points or tangental points that might be unclear and therefor secondary.
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 12, 2012 17:12:52 GMT -8
Some examples of things (out of many) I consider main and plain:
[glow=red,2,300]The Events Associated with Jesus Death and Resurrection
[/glow]1 Corinthians 15:1-8 1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.[glow=red,2,300]The Fact that Jesus was a Real Man, Not Merely a Mythical Figure[/glow]1 John 3:1-3a 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. (this one serves as a good example of how both clear and unclear ideas can be found in one Scripture passage. We might debate what John means by the spirits and their abilities in this passage, but it's crystal clear that John wants us to know that Jesus was a real, fleshly person) [glow=red,2,300]All are Sinners, Faith in Christ's Redemptive Sacrifice and Salvation by Grace as the Means of Salvation[/glow]Romans 3:12-25a 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.
In this passage and others like it, I think Paul is very clear about the how we ought to define the means of salvation. However, each of the terms "faith, justification, redemption" are all theologically dense terms with a mulitiplicity of subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) differences of interpretation that need unpacking.
[glow=red,2,300]Works are important, but grace is the means by which we are saved[/glow]
Ephesians 2:1-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
[glow=red,2,300]The Lordship of Christ/ Following Jesus Means Obeying Him[/glow]
1 John 2:3-6
3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
(in this example, it's clear that John is saying that obedience to Jesus is essential to to the life of the believer. He is, however, using hyperbole which might lead to debatable sub-points: e.g., is he really saying that a Christian who doesn't obey isn't really a Christian?)
[glow=red,2,300]The Most Important Commands[/glow]
Matthew 22:34-40
34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
John 13:34
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 12, 2012 17:22:39 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by LadyAjax on Feb 12, 2012 19:23:49 GMT -8
How did the pictures of the activity charts come out? I would like to see them; I am fascinated by the diversity of the results!
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 12, 2012 20:51:15 GMT -8
I'll see if I can post them tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
Post by Josh on Feb 19, 2012 19:16:08 GMT -8
|
|
