Done with christianity...... interesting blog...

[StormyOne]

A friend shared this blog... quite interesting I believe....

Some of the blogospheres dealing with religious issues of late have been awash in reactions to a recent comment by novelist Anne Rice. Rice was raised Catholic but had not been a practicing member of that communion for many years. During those years, she enjoyed success as a novelist, having a number of best selling books. About a decade ago, she returned to her Catholic roots and subsequently wrote a number of devotional volumes.
On her Facebook page last month, she declared in part: "Today I quit being a Christian . . . I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being "Christian" or to being part of Christianity. It's simply impossible for me to ‘belong' to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious and deservedly infamous group . . . My conscience will allow nothing else . . . In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. . . anti-feminist. . . anti-artificial birth control. . . anti-democratic. . . anti-science. In the name of Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen."
I suspect there may be many first world Adventists who, after the recently concluded General Conference session, may be thinking something parallel to the sentiments of Anne Rice in the context of their relationship to the institutional Adventist Church. Perhaps they are thinking something along the lines of: "I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being "Adventist" or to being part of an institutional Adventism. It's simply impossible for me to belong to religious system so "officially" anti-gay, anti-feminist, anti-intellectual, and fundamentalist. In the name of Christ, I quit being Adventist. Amen."

Following the Jesus Way: Denomination Optional | Adventist Today

Thoughts?

 

[Sophia7]

A friend shared this blog... quite interesting I believe....


Following the Jesus Way: Denomination Optional | Adventist Today

Thoughts?

I think that we would all be better off if we stopped labeling ourselves and others. When I was an Adventist, I didn't like the labels "Traditional" and "Progressive." I never felt that I fit completely into either of those boxes. I no longer call myself an Adventist and am no longer a member of the organization, but Adventism is still a part of who I am. I still call myself a Christian, but if that label were a stumbling block to someone else because of negative experiences with other people who used that term, I wouldn't have to be called that. I would still believe what I believe without the label. I particularly dislike denominational labels at this point. I don't completely identify with any one denomination anymore, and misconceptions and assumptions about denomination-specific teachings too often divide Christians, especially in CF discussions.

 

[Joe67]

Denomination specific teachings only divide those that condemn others or despise others.

Condemning and despising are secret emotions within us that we deny exist within us, just as Sarah denied that she laughed.

Gen 18:11-15
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
13 And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh. KJV

Joe

 

[Fire for God]

How do you follow Christ if you leave the church?

 

[StormyOne]

How do you follow Christ if you leave the church?

Before there was a church people followed Christ...

 

[Avonia]

Before there was a church people followed Christ...

For sure.

How about this? "Before there was a Jesus, people followed Christ."

*ducks for cover*

 

[StormyOne]

For sure.

How about this? "Before there was a Jesus, people followed Christ."

*ducks for cover*

that'll work too...

 

[Sophia7]

How do you follow Christ if you leave the church?

What do you mean by "the church"--the Adventist Church, another denomination, Christianity in general? Do people have to belong to an organization to follow Christ?

 

[Princessdi]

I have to just say right here that I really so love and appreciate my BSDA?CF Family...........they constantly serve as a reminder to true freedom in Jesus Christ. Excellent!

For sure.

How about this? "Before there was a Jesus, people followed Christ."

*ducks for cover*

 

[Joe67]

Acts 13:32-34
32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. KJV

Jesus of Nazareth, born of Mary, is the Christ/Messaiah/Anointed One of God, according to God's eternal purpose which he purposed in Jesus Christ, in his grace, before the world began.

Acts 2:32-36
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. KJV

This same Jesus is the true and full Christ, the Head of the Body. All who come before him are thieves and robbers.

Joe

 

[AzA]

I think there's a link between some objections to "Christ before Jesus" and a basic discomfort with Christ as pre-existent and uncreated. Let alone a concept of Christ that is larger than that.

It wasn't until the late 1890s that EGW moved away from her husband's semi-Arianism. For years before that, she had taught that the door of God's mercy was shut to those who believed in a pre-existent Christ but did not accept the seventh-day Sabbath or the 1843, 1844, or 1851 set dates for Jesus' Second Coming.

A wary view of certain models of the Godhead is a part of our heritage and influences our discussions of this subject.

 

[Fire for God]

Haha, as in I was just trying to say that God intended Christians to be part of a body (the church, or whatever you call in).

Romans 12:5
so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Fellowship, faith and service are all great things. To be legitimate, none of these must necessarily be performed in the context of an entity called "Christianity."

BFA

 

[Joe67]

Fellowship, faith and service are all great things. To be legitimate, none of these must necessarily be performed in the context of an entity called "Christianity."

BFA

BFA,

Eph 3:9
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:KJV

Eph 4:4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.KJV

Col 1:23-25
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;KJV

Phil 2:9-11
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. KJV

Joe

 

[Byfaithalone1]

BFA,

Eph 3:9
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:KJV

Eph 4:4-6
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.KJV

Col 1:23-25
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;KJV

Phil 2:9-11
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. KJV

Joe

Thanks, Joe. Your proof texts seem to confirm that fellowship, faith and service need not be conducted within an entity titled "Christianity." Rather, Jesus Christ is the common thread and not a human entity.

BFA

 

[Joe67]

Thanks, Joe. Your proof texts seem to confirm that fellowship, faith and service need not be conducted within an entity titled "Christianity." Rather, Jesus Christ is the common thread and not a human entity.

BFA

BFA,

Jesus Christ is a human, with flesh and bones. He is the Lord of the hosts, the Head of the family that the Father prepared from eternity.

When he appears, we will bow before him and confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The common salvation sees Jesus as only a good and holy man. The religion of the "many" see him in this common thread.

The family of the royal priesthood see Jesus as their Lord and God, the Christ of God, the Father, the Head of the Body, the Church; ordained of the Father to minister to the Nations, who are ruled by a rod of iron and are healed with the leaves of the tree.

Joe

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Joe . . . I notice that we pretty consistently miss each other and that our exchange of posts rarely leads to 2-way dialogue. This isn't what I'd prefer, but I don't know how to engage you in 2-way dialogue. Perhaps you can provide some tips.

This exchange offers a good example to illustrate my point.

Jesus Christ is a human, with flesh and bones. He is the Lord of the hosts, the Head of the family that the Father prepared from eternity.

Although we agree on this point, it does not seem to relate to my previous assertion that fellowship, faith and service are not limited to an entity bearing the title "Christianity."

When he appears, we will bow before him and confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Again, although we agree on this point, it does not seem to relate to my previous assertion that fellowship, faith and service are not limited to an entity bearing the title "Christianity."

The common salvation sees Jesus as only a good and holy man. The religion of the "many" see him in this common thread.

Are you suggesting that this is how you view my position? If so, you have misunderstood. As I've previously confirmed, I frimly believe that Jesus Christ is God. However, I also believe that Christianity is not God.

The family of the royal priesthood see Jesus as their Lord and God, the Christ of God, the Father, the Head of the Body, the Church; ordained of the Father to minister to the Nations, who are ruled by a rod of iron and are healed with the leaves of the tree.

You seem to be implying that only those bearing the title "Christianity" are worthy to be counted among this royal priesthood. Have I misunderstood you?

BFA

 

[Joe67]

...
You seem to be implying that only those bearing the title "Christianity" are worthy to be counted among this royal priesthood. Have I misunderstood you?

BFA

BFA,

These are the ones who will be counted.

Luke 9:23-26
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. KJV

Joe

 

[Byfaithalone1]

BFA,

These are the ones who will be counted.

Luke 9:23-26
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. KJV

Joe

OK. So I see that a connection to the title "Christianity" is not required. Do we agree or disagree on this point?

BFA

 

[Joe67]

OK. So I see that a connection to the title "Christianity" is not required. Do we agree or disagree on this point?

BFA

BFA,

Luke 9:26
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. KJV

Matt 24:48-51
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. KJV

Luke 21:34-36
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. KJV

This is our Lord's warning to all that he calls his children.

Joe