- Apr 23, 2005
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It was suggested in another thread that we "Moderates" establish what it is that we are calling Christianity and how we mean that in this subforum. This, to my mind, is actually quite an undertaking since most of us have some general notion of what a Moderate is, and it is quite likely that many of us don't see eye-to-eye on everything.
In light of this, I'd suggest a system that is more descriptive than prescriptive or proscriptive; and even then, something fairly minimal. That is, most of us probably feel very strongly about some of the things we think and it makes sense to identify some of the core points and point to them as things with which we would like to be identified. But it should not be treated as a metric for Christianity.
For example, I am quite persuaded that God is Triune and I would identify that as something necessary for one to accept in order to be a follower of Christ (if they are able to grasp it). Even so, if the doctrine makes it into our self-description I would do everything I could to welcome those who think otherwise and not treat them as lesser Christians. Although I think it is an absolutely necessary doctrine I am also not the Judge (probably a good thing). But by putting such a thing into our statement, it provides a framework for discussing it (and debating it in the appropriate sub-forum).
Essentially, I'd hope for something that is a minimal-but-adequate description that doesn't act to exclude those who disagree. As a first suggestion, I'd put up the Apostle's Creed.
Thoughts?
In light of this, I'd suggest a system that is more descriptive than prescriptive or proscriptive; and even then, something fairly minimal. That is, most of us probably feel very strongly about some of the things we think and it makes sense to identify some of the core points and point to them as things with which we would like to be identified. But it should not be treated as a metric for Christianity.
For example, I am quite persuaded that God is Triune and I would identify that as something necessary for one to accept in order to be a follower of Christ (if they are able to grasp it). Even so, if the doctrine makes it into our self-description I would do everything I could to welcome those who think otherwise and not treat them as lesser Christians. Although I think it is an absolutely necessary doctrine I am also not the Judge (probably a good thing). But by putting such a thing into our statement, it provides a framework for discussing it (and debating it in the appropriate sub-forum).
Essentially, I'd hope for something that is a minimal-but-adequate description that doesn't act to exclude those who disagree. As a first suggestion, I'd put up the Apostle's Creed.
Thoughts?