Have your core beliefs ever changed?

[e. barrett]

I didn't touch on this in my original post, because I didn't want to imply I was heading toward heresy or anything

However I try to continually re-evaluate my views toward God. This doesn't mean that I'm open to accept any interesting argument (hence they heresy comment). But it does mean I recognize that I can be a bit strong-willed and prideful. Plus I'm not always in a place to really hear what God is trying to teach me. So I try to be open to a point of view if someone can ground it in the Bible and it has the "characteristics of God".

For instance, my views on violence in the Old Testament are starting to shift (maybe). I used to view violence as God's judgement / wrath. But now, based on some interesting arguments, what if the whole point of violence in the OT was to show that it simply doesn't work? What if it simply makes the argument that since an eye for an eye doesn't work, maybe we should love our enemies instead?

I'm not saying I'm sold on this topic, I'm just trying to throw out another example of where I think my core views on God may fundamentally shift.

At any rate, very interesting thread Cris413.

 

[JTLauder]

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 see where you're misunderstanding the corollary.

Yes, philosophical objectivity would dictate that there is only one absolute Truth. However, there is also what is known as subjective truth. (I differentiate between the two with a capital 'T' or lower case 't'.)

Subjective truth, or personal truth, is what each person believes. But that does not mean what you believe is the Truth, it's just your personal truth and your core belief, whatever that might be.

But if you grow to a deeper understanding of God and discover that God's Truth is not the the same as your personal truth, would you not then change your core belief to be more inline with God's Truth, which would then become your new personal truth.

I leave out the opposite scenario, where one might initially hold Biblically Christian beliefs to be his personal truth, but then ends up believing something counter to Biblical Christianity, which he would then make his new personal truth and core belief. If one turns away from Biblical Christianity, which we as Christians hold to be the absolute Truth, then from our perspective, no, that person has not gained a deeper understanding of God. But then that would also lead to the argument that that person only had a superficial or head knowledge of God and never actually experienced God's Truth.

 

[Cris413]

I didn't touch on this in my original post, because I didn't want to imply I was heading toward heresy or anything

However I try to continually re-evaluate my views toward God. This doesn't mean that I'm open to accept any interesting argument (hence they heresy comment). But it does mean I recognize that I can be a bit strong-willed and prideful. Plus I'm not always in a place to really hear what God is trying to teach me. So I try to be open to a point of view if someone can ground it in the Bible and it has the "characteristics of God".

For instance, my views on violence in the Old Testament are starting to shift (maybe). I used to view violence as God's judgement / wrath. But now, based on some interesting arguments, what if the whole point of violence in the OT was to show that it simply doesn't work? What if it simply makes the argument that since an eye for an eye doesn't work, maybe we should love our enemies instead?

I'm not saying I'm sold on this topic, I'm just trying to throw out another example of where I think my core views on God may fundamentally shift.

At any rate, very interesting thread Cris413.

Again you touch on the "core" of what I'm trying to learn here.

I love what you mention about being prideful and strong willed...to add to that thought a bit...that's my concern as well....can we become to prideful and strong willed that we are no longer teachable and reachable?

In the sense that...well...that's what I was raised to believe. That's what I've been taught all my life to believe. I've studied God's word for umpteen years and my understanding is absolutely correct.

Or..."I used to believe that...then the Lord spoke to me and now I no longer believe it...

As....I think it was JT who pointed out..."cherry picking" Scripture to fit our beliefs rather than our beliefs conforming to Scripture in the full measure of God's word.

There have been three times I've read quite compelling arguments in these forums that do not line up with my beliefs and I questioned whether or not my beliefs were grounded in Scripture and in truth...(I won't go into those right now...as I still do not want to lead or direct the flow of conversation)

Which led me to consider...what am I missing? Am I no longer teachable and reachable???

LOL...Like my mom used to say..."Well...just because you've been doing something the same way for 20 years doesn't mean you've been doing it RIGHT....LOL

One thing I have to say about CF...with all the disagreement that comes out of these discussions...it certainly encourages digging deep into Scripture...and like the Bereans:

Act 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

 

[Nadiine]

Ok, let me see if this is what a change in core belief:

I used to be more Arminian than Calvanist -- now I lean more towards Calvanism and believe it's alot more to do with God than my choice.

Is that change of a core belief? But my belief in God's election (choosing us) has still remained the samw. I didn't earn my salvation in any way.

 

[Nadiine]

Cris: I love what you mention about being prideful and strong willed...to add to that thought a bit...that's my concern as well....can we become to prideful and strong willed that we are no longer teachable and reachable?

In the sense that...well...that's what I was raised to believe. That's what I've been taught all my life to believe.

(clipped this to reply to this aspect only)

I've heard this alot from Universalists. They grew up in traditional churches, then one day they read the bibles for themselves & they just know we were all wrong about hell & condemnation....

They now claim traditionalists are still inside the box & pridefull/strong willed so we won't see the truth that God saves all people ultimately.

 

[Cris413]

Ok, let me see if this is what a change in core belief:

I used to be more Arminian than Calvanist -- now I lean more towards Calvanism and believe it's alot more to do with God than my choice.

Is that change of a core belief? But my belief in God's election (choosing us) has still remained the samw. I didn't earn my salvation in any way.

This is a really good question...and my answer...I dunno Perhaps someone else can offer more insight to that...as I'm not completely certain of the differences between Arminian and Calvanist beliefs...

 

[Cris413]

(clipped this to reply to this aspect only)

I've heard this alot from Universalists. They grew up in traditional churches, then one day they read the bibles for themselves & they just know we were all wrong about hell & condemnation....

They now claim traditionalists are still inside the box & pridefull/strong willed so we won't see the truth that God saves all people ultimately.

Yes...this is one of the things that quite some time ago....initially prompted me to consider whether or not core beliefs change and trying to understand why the change if they do change.

...and that is my literal-eternal-hellist, baby-lonian, old winebag, sheep in goats clothing (or was it goat in sheeps clothing) POV...LOL....

Although...I never found those arguments compelling enough to consider changing my belief on the subject...however...I do admit that I do not know exactly what "everlasting punishment" is EXACTLY.

Mat 25:46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

 

[Nadiine]

literal-eternal-hellist, baby-lonian, old winebag

 

[Cris413]

Yeah........those days are not easily forgotten...


ummmm....where were we??? Oh yes...core beliefs and change...LOL...

 

[Cris413]

I just wanted to thank everyone who participated in this thread. Although my premise may have been a little unclear...valuable insight was provided...

...thank you all!

 

[Nadiine]

I just wanted to thank everyone who participated in this thread. Although my premise may have been a little unclear...valuable insight was provided...

...thank you all!

I just had this issue come up in the conservative forum area where I was asked if my beliefs hadn't changed & he seemed shocked that they haven't.
His had (quite a bit)....

I kinda don't get it -

 

[Cris413]

I just had this issue come up in the conservative forum area where I was asked if my beliefs hadn't changed & he seemed shocked that they haven't.
His had (quite a bit)....

I kinda don't get it -

I know...I really don't understand it either (which is initially why I started this thread...to gain understanding). My core beliefs have always stayed the same...but I would like to think that I'm open to change if my beliefs are not supported by the truth in Scripture. I'm more interested in TRUTH than I am in clinging to my beliefs.

I truely thought the answer "No" in the poll would be by a significant margin....

I also find it quite interesting...and comforting...that as I look back on my life...even in my BC days...I had certain morals, values and standards...that unbeknownst to me at the time...were quite Scriptural...before I ever picked up a Bible.

I was never raised in any specific doctrine. My mom believed in God but she didn't come to Christ until she was 54.

I came to Christ about 10 years earlier than my mom...when I was 21...before that I was agnostic.

It would be another 10 years before I found a church and started to study Scripture.

I went to many churches in those 10 years but never more than once or twice and some...I didn't stay more than 10 minutes or so...

I just kept thinking as I listened to these preachers...I'm not exactly sure what's right...but I KNOW this isn't it.

When I finally found my church...I knew immediately I was "home" and exactly where I needed to be.

I consider I am truely blessed that the Lord led me to a Spirit led, Bible based church that teaches exponentially from Scripture.

So...not only have my fundamental core beliefs never changed...but as I move forward in His word...they are continually reaffirmed and sometimes downright cemented in my faith.

A few times...as I mentioned earlier...I considered if I was missing something...and considered the validity of some impressive arguments that didn't line up with my beliefs...but what I've learned is...rather than looking for Scripture to support my beliefs...I find it more beneficial to look for Scripture to conform my beliefs...and so far...in almost 20 years...my beliefs remain intact and my faith grows stronger.

Not that I'm all that and a bag of chips...all glory, honor and praise be to God...because it is His work in me...His word...that leads me to these understandings....apart from Him...I'm pretty much a mess...

 

[Grateful4God]

I used to be a total agnostic, borderline Athiest. Does that count?

 

[Cris413]

I used to be a total agnostic, borderline Athiest. Does that count?

Praise God He led both of us out of those beliefs!

And that's what really counts...isn't it......coming into the saving grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus...

 

[ANM29]

Core beliefs, No. But some of my understanding of what other Christians believe, yes.

 

[Jesus Is Real]

,.....but I don’t want to be so ensconced in my “beliefs” that I ignore the TRUTH.

that's sound wisdom

2 Thess 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. (from New International Version)

 

[56Bluesman]

I haven't changed on the essential doctrines of the faith at all. I have switched to becoming an old earth progressive creationist, from my previous position as a young earth-literal 6 day creationist. I also must say that I respect other views regarding eschatology than my own premil rapture school of thought, which really is the new kid on the block in terms of eschatology within church history. I've also become less legalistic in my thinking as I've grown up in the faith.

 

[Kelly]

As a child I thought prayer was like a fire alarm "break glass in case of emergency", that God didn't have time to care about day to day issues.

I thought if you didn't go to church or take communion each week you'd go to hell.

Those are some of the reasons I left the faith of my parents and was a non believer for my teen/young adult years, as well

 

[eNathans]

I switched from a creationist to an evolutionist after several years of investigation. I've also become a proponent of God's grace rather than assuming God's judgment based on what us humans see on the outside of an individual. I also consider the Bible A word of God, as to call it The word of God makes the assumpsions that all other revelations are false and I don't believe this to be the case (though I believe the Bible contains many fundimentals, such as the teachings of Jesus).

 

[Nadiine]

I switched from a creationist to an evolutionist after several years of investigation. I've also become a proponent of God's grace rather than assuming God's judgment based on what us humans see on the outside of an individual. I also consider the Bible A word of God, as to call it The word of God makes the assumpsions that all other revelations are false and I don't believe this to be the case (though I believe the Bible contains many fundimentals, such as the teachings of Jesus).

What other direct revelations of God are written by Inspiration of God's Spirit to man? Scripture is complete; NT fulfilling the OT.

I hope this isn't a new discounting of God's Holy words thru scripture.
And are you saying God isn't the Creator?