What is a Christian Deist?

[Daniel Marsh]

What is a Christian Deist?

It is a phrase I do not remember. thanks

 

[Strathos]

Deism is incompatible with Christianity, although I suppose one could be a deist and a cultural Christian.

 

[John Hyperspace]

Most terms used by people are generally very ill-defined, so it's difficult to really know precisely what anyone is talking about when they use the term; though deism generally conveys the idea that the Creator is not interfering in His creation. A Christian deist would believe that God has finished His work of creation at some point in the past (probably at the resurrection, or, Pentecost), and now the creation is what it is because of the workings of its constituent parts. Much as if God built a machine and is letting it run according to its own mechanics.

 

[Speedwell]

Most terms used by people are generally very ill-defined, so it's difficult to really know precisely what anyone is talking about when they use the term; though deism generally conveys the idea that the Creator is not interfering in His creation. A Christian deist would believe that God has finished His work of creation at some point in the past (probably at the resurrection, or, Pentecost), and now the creation is what it is because of the workings of its constituent parts. Much as if God built a machine and is letting it run according to its own mechanics.

I think Cre8id has it about right on the Dinosaurs Lived with Man thread. A deist believes in God and the moral teachings but not the divinity of Jesus--a Unitarian, basically.

 

[dogs4thewin]

Deism is incompatible with Christianity, although I suppose one could be a deist and a cultural Christian.

This you cannot be a Christian Deist.

 

[JackRT]

I have heard a great many contradictory definitions of "what Christianity actually is". I accept all who claim Jesus until I have reason to believe otherwise.

 

[cre8id]

I have heard a great many contradictory definitions of "what Christianity actually is". I accept all who claim Jesus until I have reason to believe otherwise.

So Mormons, who believe in Jesus but also believe their "god" had a father, who had a father, etc. They believe their "god", Elohim, had sex with Mary in order to bare Jesus. Under your definition, "they claim Jesus" then Mormons would be Christian. They are not. They are a cult. There is a LOT more, but the point is that not everyone who claims to be a Christian is one. That is why doctrines, which are just statements of what one believes, are often divided into primary (or essential) doctrines that a person MUST believe if they are are a Christian; and secondary (or non-essential) doctrines, which Christians can (and do) divide over.

The age of the earth, etc. Is a non-essential doctrine.
The dual divine AND human nature of Jesus is an essential doctrine... so is the uniqueness of the Triune Godhead (the Trinity) as the only true God that exists.

 

[SkyWriting]

What is a Christian Deist?
It is a phrase I do not remember. thanks

It means that they are sure Jesus was a good guy and a swell philosopher.
But that most of scripture was altered by fanatics.

 

[Bungle_Bear]

So Mormons, who believe in Jesus but also believe their "god" had a father, who had a father, etc. They believe their "god", Elohim, had sex with Mary in order to bare Jesus. Under your definition, "they claim Jesus" then Mormons would be Christian. They are not. They are a cult. There is a LOT more, but the point is that not everyone who claims to be a Christian is one. That is why doctrines, which are just statements of what one believes, are often divided into primary (or essential) doctrines that a person MUST believe if they are are a Christian; and secondary (or non-essential) doctrines, which Christians can (and do) divide over.

The age of the earth, etc. Is a non-essential doctrine.
The dual divine AND human nature of Jesus is an essential doctrine... so is the uniqueness of the Triune Godhead (the Trinity) as the only true God that exists.

OK, so what is primary doctrine and how does that preclude deism?

 

[Bungle_Bear]

This you cannot be a Christian Deist.

Really? There is a definition for what a Christian Deist believes, and I think you'll find it is perfectly possible to be one.

 

[Guide To The Bible]

There's one one here who claim's to be one I think they're called Waring Storm?

 

[cre8id]

OK, so what is primary doctrine and how does that preclude deism?

Within Christianity are basic, essential doctrines (i.e., Primary Doctrines) as defined by the Old and New Testaments. The Bible teaches:

*1. monotheism (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6, 8);

*2. that God is a Trinity (Matt. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 13:14; Jude 20-21);

*3. that Jesus is God in flesh (John 1:1, 14; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:8);

*4. that Jesus rose from the dead physically (1 Cor. 15:14; 17);

*5. that salvation is by grace alone through faith (Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 5:4; Rom. 3:20).

Traditionally, Deists recognize Jesus as a great man and teacher of moral principles, but do NOT recognize Jesus as "God in the flesh" and deny the Trinity. Thus true Deists are not usually recognized as Christian... which is why I find the term "Christian-Deists" an oxymoron.

If people would just come out and say what it is they actually believe instead of playing semantic word games, things would be much simpler.


BTW, here is the Nicean Creed that, I have been told, is used by this Christian Forum board to determine whether or not someone is Christian:

We believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from the Father before all ages,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made;
of the same essence as the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and was made human.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered and was buried.
The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again with glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will never end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life.
He proceeds from the Father and the Son,
and with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.
He spoke through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and to life in the world to come. Amen.
​

 

[FireDragon76]

A Christian deist is an oxymoron.

 

[Guide To The Bible]

Three's a charm Waring Storming

 

[cre8id]

Really? There is a definition for what a Christian Deist believes, and I think you'll find it is perfectly possible to be one.

So why didn't you share that definition with us. I, for one, would like to see it.

 

[Bungle_Bear]

So why didn't you share that definition with us. I, for one, would like to see it.

Don't you think you should check these things before you start proclaiming that there is no such thing?

Google

 

[Goonie]

What is a Christian Deist?

It is a phrase I do not remember. thanks

Thomas Jefferson possibly.

 

[Goonie]

And why is this in Creation & evolution? Wrong thread.

 

[AV1611VET]

What is a Christian Deist?

I would assume a Christian Deist is one who believes that JEHOVAH created the primordial atom, then went to read-only mode to observe nature taking its course.

 

[AV1611VET]

There's one one here who claim's to be one I think they're called Waring Storm?

Warden_of_the_Storm