Have your core beliefs ever changed?

[Cris413]

I'm interested to know if anyone has ever experienced a change in their core Christian beliefs.

I'm not referring to gaining deeper understanding but more so regarding a completely opposit belief of a previous belief.

This is something that has been on my mind for quite some time...any input is welcomed and appreciated.

 

[Cris413]

This is a private poll...votes are not identified.

 

[7angel]

Jesus says to his disciples that he was going to be delivered to the priests and elders, that it would make it suffer very much and they would kill it.
Pedro answered, Lord, it does not have to happen, Pedro could not understand still what Jesus was doing.
Then Jesus said to him, Out of here Satan, your thoughts are not those of God
After Pentecost, Pedro dealt and surely it changed in his beliefs

 

[Trelawrence]

Before I put my foot in my mouth, define "core."

 

[Corin]

No they havent.

 

[Cris413]

Before I put my foot in my mouth, define "core."

By definition:

2 a: a basic, essential, or enduring part (as of an individual, a class, or an entity) <the staff had a core of experts><the core of her beliefs>

Meaning anything regarding one's fundamental beliefs that define one's belief system.

7angel gave an example...however I consider this is an example of lack of understanding on Peter's part rather than a change in Peter's belief.

Scripture tells us Peter answered:

Mar 8:29 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ."

IMHO...when Peter then rebukes Jesus:

Mar 8:31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mar 8:32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.
Mar 8:33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

Peter's core belief that Jesus is the Christ did not change...but more so that he lacked understanding regarding WHY Jesus came and that He MUST suffer and die.

A change in core belief would be if Peter no longer believed Jesus to be the Christ.

Does this clear things up a bit? I'd like to give more examples...but for now I'd rather see where this goes without my suggestions.

 

[e. barrett]

I grew up believing in a legalistic, formal, "check box" kind of God. I thought that I had to work to gain acceptance, and as long as I was "good" I'd be alright.

I don't believe that anymore, and I now understand that there's nothing I can do to earn my salvation.

I'd say that represented a pretty big change in my core belief as to who God was. Although obviously I was wrong in my initial belief. I suspect there will always be important theological points that will change as I gain more understanding as to who God is.

 

[Cris413]

I grew up believing in a legalistic, formal, "check box" kind of God. I thought that I had to work to gain acceptance, and as long as I was "good" I'd be alright.

I don't believe that anymore, and I now understand that there's nothing I can do to earn my salvation.

I'd say that represented a pretty big change in my core belief as to who God was. Although obviously I was wrong in my initial belief. I suspect there will always be important theological points that will change as I gain more understanding as to who God is.

Thank you so much for sharing this...this is a fine example of what I mean by a change in core beliefs...

 

[mike74]

I'm interested to know if anyone has ever experienced a change in their core Christian beliefs.

I'm not referring to gaining deeper understanding but more so regarding a completely opposit belief of a previous belief.

This is something that has been on my mind for quite some time...any input is welcomed and appreciated.

Yeah i get this from time to time.One minute i have the ansaw to somthing and it feels so real. Then after a couple of weeks the ansaw has totally changed, the old ansaw has become practically alien in its unrecognisability to the question, and the new ansaw? well of course it feels real for now.
Not sure if im refering to gaining deeper understanding, or an opposite belief.
lol im not sure i even understand my own ansaw lol

 

[7angel]

The truth is something absolute, initially(originally), we all have false or wrong beliefs, but on having been growing in the faith, God is illuminating our thoughts to know the truth, then we change our former beliefs.
To the beginning, when the apostles took the God's word, they committed many mistakes believing that they were doing it well, but they learned of his mistakes, and changed the ancient(former) thing into the truth, Paul gave testimony of these mistakes

 

[ReformedChapin]

I have been saved for 4 years. 3 of those 4 years I attended a pencostal church and then a non-denom church. My last year I have adhered strictly to the doctrines of grace and a more of a reformed tradition.

 

[Cabal]

Again, depends on how you define it....in terms of core beliefs, I've always believed in the Nicene/Apostle's creed word for word.

How I've related to the church, (or rather certain beliefs common to many fellow-Christians) however, that's a long and frustrating story, and the reason why I'm still homeless (church-wise).

 

[JTLauder]

The truth is something absolute, initially(originally), we all have false or wrong beliefs, but on having been growing in the faith, God is illuminating our thoughts to know the truth, then we change our former beliefs.

So how is this "change in belief" different from "getting a deeper understanding" and growing in the faith which the OP said to not include?

I mean one does not get "deeper in the faith" by changing their belief to something they don't think is the truth. Wouldn't then all change in core belief be construed as growing in what you believe to be the faith?

 

[Nadiine]

I voted no that I haven't changed my core beliefs - I consider core beliefs to be the fundamentals of Christianity.

If anything's changed (in minor doctrinal subjects), it's mostly gone from a set belief to being more unsure about it (more in the middle on it) than holding a specific position.

 

[7angel]

So how is this "change in belief" different from "getting a deeper understanding" and growing in the faith which the OP said to not include?

I mean one does not get "deeper in the faith" by changing their belief to something they don't think is the truth. Wouldn't then all change in core belief be construed as growing in what you believe to be the faith?

The belief and the faith go for different ways?
Would not we be adoring God as an idol ?

 

[Ryan897]

i answered yes before i read your statement. being only 18 i know limited information. i have gained a better understanding of whats right in the way of life. and i still have things change day to day. more so with me being here withthe wide range of wise people. i guess i could say my core beliefs have changed because i have learned they were worng. not shure if im on topic but thats my imput

 

[JTLauder]

The belief and the faith go for different ways?
Would not we be adoring God as an idol ?

I don't understand what you're saying about belief and faith going in different directions; I mean why would they go in different directions? You would put your faith in whatever it is you believe in.

The other poster was saying that we might initially have a false belief and faith, but as we grow in God, then we change our beliefs to match that.
But the Original poster wanted to differentiate between changing one's core beliefs from when one "gains a deeper understanding" in God.

So combining those scenarios together, my assertion was that when you change your core beliefs to something more Biblically aligned, doesn't that automatically constitute a "deeper understanding" in God? I mean, how and why else would you change your core beliefs?

For example, say you grew up Mormon believing the Mormon view of God, but you study the Bible and learn what the Bible really says about God and Jesus so you change your core beliefs. How is that process not "gaining a deeper understanding of God" which the OP wants to not include?

 

[7angel]

So combining those scenarios together, my assertion was that when you change your core beliefs to something more Biblically aligned, doesn't that automatically constitute a "deeper understanding" in God? I mean, how and why else would you change your core beliefs?

For example, say you grew up Mormon believing the Mormon view of God, but you study the Bible and learn what the Bible really says about God and Jesus so you change your core beliefs. How is that process not "gaining a deeper understanding of God" which the OP wants to not include?[/quote]

I deal, that a God's better knowledge or deeper, it discovers our wrong, and we change for the truth.
What is it of the core belief ? because only one is the truth

 

[Nadiine]

So combining those scenarios together, my assertion was that when you change your core beliefs to something more Biblically aligned, doesn't that automatically constitute a "deeper understanding" in God? I mean, how and why else would you change your core beliefs?

For example, say you grew up Mormon believing the Mormon view of God, but you study the Bible and learn what the Bible really says about God and Jesus so you change your core beliefs. How is that process not "gaining a deeper understanding of God" which the OP wants to not include?

I deal, that a God's better knowledge or deeper, it discovers our wrong, and we change for the truth.
What is it of the core belief ? because only one is the truth

I think you're possibly misunderstanding the OP's meaning of deeper understanding in the replies she's looking for?

I'd say that's gaining a TRUE understanding of God moreso than a "deeper" understanding. Deeper implies more in depth truth's added to what you already correctly understand.

That's how I view the OP's meaning but I reserve the right to be wrong on that

 

[Cris413]

I think you're possibly misunderstanding the OP's meaning of deeper understanding in the replies she's looking for?

I'd say that's gaining a TRUE understanding of God moreso than a "deeper" understanding. Deeper implies more in depth truth's added to what you already correctly understand.

That's how I view the OP's meaning but I reserve the right to be wrong on that

Perfect timing sister...I just finished composing a post expounding on my OP...and you are absolutely correct:

My apologies for not being more clear but I didn’t want to point anyone in a specific direction.

Perhaps my premise is flawed but I’ll explain a bit further and see how the topic proceeds (or doesn’t proceed…LOL) from here.

IMO e.barrett hit the nail on the head by a change in his core belief that one could lose or had to maintain salvation by works and he now considers that belief to be in error and believes the exact opposite – that there is nothing he can do to lose his salvation.

Salvation is a core belief.

Now perhaps this could be considered “gaining a deeper understanding” but I consider this a completely opposite belief which negates the previous belief.

Regarding the Mormon belief of who Jesus is. My understanding is that Mormons believe Jesus to be a created being, just as Lucifer is a created being. In fact they believe Jesus and Lucifer to be brothers.

To change that belief to Jesus as Creator is a completely opposite belief that Jesus was created. Not simply a deeper understanding of God.

To me…gaining deeper understanding would be along the lines of…well…I’ll share my own experience.

I gained a deeper understanding of “Mustard seed” as noted in:

Luk 17:6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, "Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

And in:

Luk 13:19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."

…and it knocked my socks off….It was a real “WOW” moment for me. I thought mustard seed in both meant the same thing in the same context…that a small amount of faith could produce miraculous things.

However…the difference between the two is ‘and the birds of the air nested in it’s branches’ then I gained a deeper understanding that a small seed of truth can grow wildly out of control into an abomination where the enemy (birds of the air) can make a home.

My understanding of the two verses changed…however…my belief that a small amount of faith can do miraculous things hasn’t changed.

For my intent and purpose…I consider a deeper understanding IMHO will never negate the basic truth but only expound upon it…leaving the original basic truth in tact.

Another example would be:

Ruth and Boaz. When I first read the book of Ruth I thought it was an amazing account and example of a servant’s heart and an awesome love story.

As I grew in understanding I found Ruth to be a type of the Gentiles and Boaz to be a type of Christ...our Kinsman Redeemer. This new level of understanding which did not change the account of Ruth or the example of her servant’s heart but added a deeper meaning…another layer of understanding.

The reason I’m asking this question is because often times I see where people state “I used to believe (insert core belief)…now I don’t anymore” And it’s usually a 180 degree turn in the belief. And I simply lack understanding of how such occurs and if it’s more common that I originally considered.

Personally….my core beliefs have never changed (in the almost 30 years I’ve been saved and almost 20 years I’ve been studying Scripture) but I don’t want to be so ensconced in my “beliefs” that I ignore the TRUTH.