Am I being stuck up??

[GuitarMia05]

I'm really not sure how to explain this so if you don't understand what im saying...im really really sorry

Our church just started a study called... The Basics of Baptist... we'll ive been a baptist all my life...my dad is a baptist preacher... but for some odd reason...im really offended that were learning this book. I fell like im going off of my title as being a baptist...instead of going off my faith by being a Christian... When i told my dad, he explained it's pretty much the basics of Christianity in this book... but for some odd reason the book still offends me... am i just being stuck up about the whole learning the book?

 

[eutychus]

To my knowledge, the purpose of the book was to help Baptists understand what they believe, so that they won't be clueless about the denomination's doctrinal beliefs. I don't think that the book intends in any way to usurp Scripture, but to instead point out how the Baptist belief aligns with Scripture, and to take sides in Scripture where other denominations do not.

In other words, it depends on how the book is being used. If it is being used to show members of a Baptist congregation their beliefs as Baptists, I think it's good--and needed, as I know a lot of people in my church would not ascribe to being Baptist if they knew what it entailed.

 

[daveleau]

It's just a study guide to help people understand Scripture. It is good to read what others write about Scripture to be able to understand better and to be able to discern good writing from bad writing in the theological sense. IMO, I agree that we should learn to be good Christians rather than good Baptists, if that is what you are getting at. I think being faithful to your denomination can be dangerous because the denominations are not inerrant. Even us Baptists.

 

[ZiSunka]

I hate it when denominationalism gets put ahead of being a Christian so I understand where you are coming from. That being said, I bet the authors of the book were looking to write a book for people new to the baptist church where they could learn and discuss what baptists believe as opposed to other denoms. It's probably harmless.

 

[GuitarMia05]

yeah...to a point I agree...but it seams like my church is using the book...some by scripture...but more by it's title... The basics of BAPTIST! but i do thank everyone for your help

 

[ZiSunka]

Well, they aren't going to use a book called the Basics of Methodist are they

But what do you expect a baptist church to use as their basic textbook?

 

[RED that's ME]

Mia you will be ask by plenty of people as you get older what the Baptist believes and it will help you knowing what to say. That question gets ask in this forum all the time. One plus is studying what the Baptists believes you can also see how that lines up with scripture and hopefully also help you to know what you believe and why you believe it.

 

[Joshua Howard]

Me being a part of a holiness Church, I have been torn pretty badly trying to understand theology. When you get down to the wire, My views could have holes in them. So could my Church, as could any denomination. We all may get to heaven and say, "Wow, was I wrong!"

Bottom line, you don't have to understand a stitch of Doctrine to be what God wants you to be. Just faith and obedience. I think we oftentime get tangled up trying to explain things God never really intended us to understand.

You don't have to understand the physical attributes and composition of the universe to live in it. Neither do you have to understand the inner workings of God's providence to serve Him with all that you have.

 

[Matthan]

Always remember, Super Senior 2005, that you are a Baptist by choice, but a Christian by God's grace. And, while our "free will" can be either a wonderful blessing or a terrible curse, you will always have that inner warmth and comfort of always knowing you now belong to God, a far more important gift and personal honor than any other title you might also claim as your own.

Matthan <J><

 

[GuitarMia05]

acutally this sunday...when we did the books...it went alot smoother....we acutally discussed our faith....it was uplifting. Im starting to enjoy this book, i think i did what everyone else has done...judged the book by it's title, it's acutally an okay book...it's just my sunday school teacher is kinda slow...but his heart is in it for God...so it's worth it.