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Some Christians think that you must believe every part of the Bible, including the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis, is infallible to be a true Christian. That is, you must believe the universe, Earth, and humanity were created in six 24-hour periods, otherwise they think you’re not a true Christian.
Other Christians have accepted evolution science. Unlike atheists, though, most of these Christians believe God guided the evolutionary process, that it was his tool for creating humans. Many creationists think this type of Christian who accepts evolution cannot be considered a true Christian.
What do you think? Do believers have to accept the creation narrative in Genesis to be a true Christian? Or do you think otherwise?
False dichotomy.Some Christians think that you must believe every part of the Bible, including the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis, is infallible to be a true Christian. That is, you must believe the universe, Earth, and humanity were created in six 24-hour periods, otherwise they think you’re not a true Christian.
Other Christians have accepted evolution science. Unlike atheists, though, most of these Christians believe God guided the evolutionary process, that it was his tool for creating humans. Many creationists think this type of Christian who accepts evolution cannot be considered a true Christian.
What do you think? Do believers have to accept the creation narrative in Genesis to be a true Christian? Or do you think otherwise?
So if you do not believe what Jesus states throughout the Bible that he being God created all the plants, created all the fishes and whales,
that he created all the animals, and that he created human beings, from nothing,
then where does your unbelief leave you in respect to acknowledging Jesus as your Lord and God.
To believe in Jesus requires also believing all things about God.
OP Q: "Do you have to be a "creationist" to be a true Christian?"
A: Belief in any DOCTRINE does NOT save. Evolution is an unproven theory: no missing links between the "animal kingdoms" nor with homo sapiens.
God is infinite and eternal. He no time constraints nor models nor "clocks" like Man. As the Great Spiritual Designer, He created all from the heavenly realms by His will and mind. Time? Who cares!
2 Peter 3:8
But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is "like" a thousand years, and a thousand years "like" one day.
Isaiah 42:5
Thus says God the Lord,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring,
Who gives breath to the people on it (Body/Soul)
And spirit to those who walk in it,
Zechariah 12:1
...Thus declares the Lord
who stretches out the heavens,
lays the foundation of the earth, and
forms the spirit of man within him,
PLUS the Genesis accounts!
For one thing I question my salvation so I don't really claim anything. I say this through all my threads. I am a believer in Christ yes. But I don't believe that being a Christian automatically makes me saved. Personally I think it's just a title that the world gives not God. I call myself a Christian though. I just don't know if I am a saved Christian.
And another thing I do believe everything that he says in Scripture. I don't have proof, but I believe because of the testimony of my mother and other trustworthy people who have experienced God.
The point that I was making is I didn't think that you had to believe everything that was written. If you watch the documentary on secrets of the Bible, then you know that there are things are mistranslated, and the Bible contradicts itself. I'm sure the original Scripts were infallible.
But I am starting to realize what he meant about believing the Bible in relations to creation.
Yes I believe that Jesus Christ is the creator. Yes I believe that he was here in the beginning. And yes I believe that it was God the Father who created the world through Jesus Christ Our Lord.
As for having an assurance of salvation:
You can have an assurance of your salvation right here and right now. First, a person has to initially ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins, and they have to receive Jesus Christ, and they have to believe that Jesus had died on the cross for their sins and that He was risen 3 days later from the grave on their behalf (If a person is not sure how to go about this: I would recommend checking out this comic tract here that has helped me). God's Word in 1 John 2:1 tells us to: "sin not" but if we happen to stumble, we have an advocate named Jesus Christ that we can go to. For it is written, "if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). This leads us to walking uprightlly in Christ's commands in the New Testament. For if we walk in the light as He is in the light, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). The person of Jesus Christ (who can live inside of you as spirit) is the source of our salvation (1 John 5:12). In fact, 1 John 2:3 says we can have in assurance in knowing Him (who is salvation) if we find that we are keeping His commandments (Like loving God and loving others according to the New Testament).
As for doubting the perfection of God's Word:
Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). We are ultimately saved by faith in believing God's Word (i.e. the gospel message). This is what it means to be "born of water." Ephesians 5:25-27 says that Christ sanctifies His church (i.e. His people) by the washing of the water of the WORD! For Jesus said elsewhere, "you are clean by the Word which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3). Also see 2 Timothy 3:16-17 while reading Ephesians 5:25-27. Also, in the parable of the sower we are told that the seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11). A person who receives this seed into their heart has understanding because they have joy in receiving God's Word (Matthew 13:20). The one who does not receive God's Word into their heart does not have the understanding because the wicked one took the Word out of their heart (Matthew 13:19). A person has to believe God's Word and believe the gospel message to have joy and assurance in their salvation. For it is written, "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Anyways, in regards to whether or not there are contradictions in the Bible:
Well, first, Jesus says, "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matthew 5:18). One jot and one tittle is an expression like the crossing of a "t" and the dotting of an "i". This means God cares about even the smallest details of His Word in being fulfilled.
Second, if there are contradictions in God's Word than that means God failed to preserve His Word for us today. But that is not possible. Why would God allow His Word to be corrupted in any way whereby we would doubt it? For if one word was corrupted in my Bible, then what makes me trust the rest of it? The Bible is perfect (i.e. the KJV) along with the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. We know this for several reasons.
Please check out my Blogger article on the many evidences that back up God's Word (if you are interested):
Love Branch: Evidences for the Word of God
Anyways, may God's love shine upon you.
And please be well.
Sincerely,
~ Jason.
Side Note:
As for Jesus statement in Matthew 5:18 that says Heaven and Earth will not pass away until the "Law" will be fufilled: Well, the word "Law" used by Jesus here is in reference to the "Law and the prophets" as a whole (Matthew 5:17). The word "Law" in this case included the books on the prophets, as well. Jesus fulfilled the "Law" aspect of the "Law and the Prophets" with His death upon the cross. Yet, there are future prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled out of the "Law" (i.e. the Law and the prophets). But Jesus fulfilled the many commands among the 613 Commands in the Old Testament as a whole because the temple veil was torn from top to bottom letting us know that the animal sacrifices (That was from the Law) was no longer binding. Jesus is now our sacrifice. In other words, the "Law" has changed (Hebrews 7:12). Meaning believers in God today now look to the commands in the New Testament and they do not look to the commands in the Old Testament to obey God.
...
I do believe in creationism but I do not believe in hell. I believe someone can choose not to believe in creationism and still be a Christian.Some Christians think that you must believe every part of the Bible, including the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis, is infallible to be a true Christian. That is, you must believe the universe, Earth, and humanity were created in six 24-hour periods, otherwise they think you’re not a true Christian.
Other Christians have accepted evolution science. Unlike atheists, though, most of these Christians believe God guided the evolutionary process, that it was his tool for creating humans. Many creationists think this type of Christian who accepts evolution cannot be considered a true Christian.
What do you think? Do believers have to accept the creation narrative in Genesis to be a true Christian? Or do you think otherwise?
I get it.
I should not be listening to human beings.
Also thank you very much about the advice on how to be a truly saved.
You are most welcome.
And may God bless you.
...
I did watch the whole of the video but I can't say I enjoyed it too much. I felt the presenter was too much "in your face" and constantly lurched from one point to another and back again. Having said that, I was already aware of quite a lot of what he was saying and I'm in full agreement with his put-down of the myth of evolution which masquerades as science. I much prefer documentaries like "Evolution's Achilles' Heels" or "What you aren't being told about astronomy."If you are interested, here is a wonderful explanation of why exactly the theory of evolution is hugely flawed (from both a scientific and a Biblical viewpoint).
I did watch the whole of the video but I can't say I enjoyed it too much. I felt the presenter was too much "in your face" and constantly lurched from one point to another and back again. Having said that, I was already aware of quite a lot of what he was saying and I'm in full agreement with his put-down of the myth of evolution which masquerades as science. I much prefer documentaries like "Evolution's Achilles' Heels" or "What you aren't being told about astronomy."
You're welcome. The second of the three astronomy DVDs is my personal favourite; it ends with some wonderful uplifting music and has many quotes from the Bible to reinforce how God's word fits well with what we see when we look out into space, in vivid contrast to man's vain attempts to try to explain it all without God.Thank you for the other links, much appreciated
I think the danger lies in that once you start throwing out parts of the Bible which were clearly meant to be read literally, such as the creation account in Genesis, where do you stop? Do you throw out the global flood story as well? What about the virgin birth or the miracles of Jesus, not to mention when sin was supposed to have come into the world? Eventually you will probably come to believe that we all descended from some ape-like creature via the mythical process of macro evolution. The ironic thing is, there is plenty of good science to support the Biblical accounts, but it gets shot down because there is a hidden agenda to discredit the Bible. It all goes back to the original attack when satan spoke to Eve through the serpent and cast doubt in her mind when he said, "Did God really say...?" He's still doing it, but he's adopted a much more subtle approach nowadays and he's using the mass media to spread his lies faster than ever. Even young children are being indoctrinated by this anti-God philosophy. So no, you can believe in evolution and long ages if you want, but be aware of the risks.I do believe in creationism but I do not believe in hell. I believe someone can choose not to believe in creationism and still be a Christian.
I think the danger lies in that once you start throwing out parts of the Bible which were clearly meant to be read literally, such as the creation account in Genesis, where do you stop? Do you throw out the global flood story as well? What about the virgin birth or the miracles of Jesus, not to mention when sin was supposed to have come into the world? Eventually you will probably come to believe that we all descended from some ape-like creature via the mythical process of macro evolution. The ironic thing is, there is plenty of good science to support the Biblical accounts, but it gets shot down because there is a hidden agenda to discredit the Bible. It all goes back to the original attack when satan spoke to Eve through the serpent and cast doubt in her mind when he said, "Did God really say...?" He's still doing it, but he's adopted a much more subtle approach nowadays and he's using the mass media to spread his lies faster than ever. Even young children are being indoctrinated by this anti-God philosophy. So no, you can believe in evolution and long ages if you want, but be aware of the risks.
I find that bizarre. For me to believe in evolution is simply unbelief.Other Christians have accepted evolution science. Unlike atheists, though, most of these Christians believe God guided the evolutionary process,
I find that bizarre. For me to believe in evolution is simply unbelief.
What do you think? Do believers have to accept the creation narrative in Genesis to be a true Christian? Or do you think otherwise?
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