I'm not moderate..

[Tigger45]

in the passion I have for Christ but I am moderate/gentle in how I interact with both believers and non-believers.

I don't lable myself a conservative Christian because too often {not in every case} they have a predominate culture of legalism. They will tell you they are being submissive to God but it usually ends up smelling of self righteousness.

1 Corinthians 13:1

New International Version (NIV)

13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

I don't lable myself as a liberal Christian although they are more welcoming then {a lot} of conservative congregations. They can be a bit wishy washy when it comes to standing their ground expressing their own faith. I believe we can be respectful of others beliefs and still be firm in our own.
Ephesians 4:14

English Standard Version (ESV)

14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

I believe the best Bridges are built on a firm foundation of doctrine with the bricks of that foundation being mortared together by love.
Ephesians 4:15

New International Version (NIV)

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

That's a good point. If a "moderate Christian" meant a lukewarm Christian, that's the last thing I'd want to be!

To me self-identifying as a moderate means rather that I'm a passionate orthodox Christian who doesn't wish to be associated with the conservative or liberal factions, which strike me as the modern equivalents of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

It also means I think we ought to be moderate in our behavior toward one another, as in common sense, reasonable and courteous, and in extending grace and the benefit of the doubt... and all of that describes what discussions between liberals and conservatives (or any Christians) ought to be but rarely are.

 

[Tigger45]

What blew me away after joining CF was conservative groups evan within their own denominations that are not in communion with each other. I mean how many different ways did the Lord communicate that He wanted us His disciples to be one as He and the Father are one.

It dosen't do any good to have your theological ducks in a row if they are headed in the wrong direction.

Copied and pasted from another thread.

 

[Peripatetic]

The term Moderate is unassuming and humble, so I kind of like it. Sometimes people want to be too closely identified with their label. But I do agree that it shouldn't mean lukewarm or nonchalant.

People think a moderate position is lazy or wishy-washy, but I would argue the opposite. A moderate seeks to understand all positions and approach them with an open mind while trying to see them through a lens of wisdom. That takes more effort than latching on to a whole slate of beliefs at once.

 

[Tigger45]

Philippians 4:5

King James Version (KJV)

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

BluhdoftheLamb came up with this verse on another thread. I have to say it says it all.

 

[Andres88]

Definitely. "Moderate" in this context is not about being passive in love. It's about being able to conciliate different positions, or at least, keep the differences at peace.

 

[Tigger45]

Hey my friend are you a moderate/bridge builder. Back in the early 90's I belonged to a Lutheran church and once a year our Pastor would give a sermon at a local Catholic church and their Priest would come to our church and give a sermon. Have you ever heard of this? I've not heard or seen this since. Just curious.

Definitely. "Moderate" in this context is not about being passive in love. It's about being able to conciliate different positions, or at least, keep the differences at peace.

 

[Peripatetic]

The area where I grew up has always embraced unity. We have a very strong Interfaith Ministry that was started in the 1960s by a Presbyterian minister, Catholic priest, and a Jewish Rabbi. I was always taught to respect and lean about other denominations, so it was quite a shock to me when I saw how much dislike and disdain exists between them online and in most other towns and cities that I've encountered.

 

[Tigger45]

For a second there I thought you were going to tell us a joke.

"There once was a minister a priest and a rabbi..." Lol J/K!

The area where I grew up has always embraced unity. We have a very strong Interfaith Ministry that was started in the 1960s by a Presbyterian minister, Catholic priest, and a Jewish Rabbi. I was always taught to respect and lean about other denominations, so it was quite a shock to me when I saw how much dislike and disdain exists between them online and in most other towns and cities that I've encountered.

 

[TheApostleJohn]

I'm starting to embrace the moderate label more for similiar reasons to the OP. I have problems with both "Conservative" and "liberal" Christians. Conservatives tend to think I'm too liberal and Liberals tend to think I'm too conservative. So moderate seems like the right term.

 

[FireDragon76]

I'd define myself as a moderate as well, because I tend to focus on the essentials and I'm not interested in expanding that to include a host of other issues, whether its conservative culture wars or liberal social justice issues. They all involve the same problems spiritually, IMO- the world is not ultimately in our hands, it is in God's hands.

I also believe in the idea of "generous orthodoxy". Nobody's theology is going to be good enough.

 

[Norah63]

This is a nice thread. No christian wants to be lukewarm. Becoming a bridge builder is just another way of reaching out to those we would not otherwise have communication with. Learning about how they find worship and fellowship.
Jesus Christ and Him crucified, that is our unity.

 

[WannaWitness]

I think what is meant by "moderate" here is someone who strives to get along with everyone even while differing in opinion and convictions on various issues. However, I also understand that some define the term as being "lukewarm" (and lukewarm is something I definitely don't want to be), so I know it can be confusing. That's why I believe that when this forum was named "Bridge Builders" it was a good choice, as everyone here is striving to "build a bridge" and get along with other fellow believers despite obvious differences of opinion.

I feel myself to be reasonably conservative and fundamentalist in that I believe that the whole Bible is the straightforward, infallible Word of God, and that all Christians should strive to live a holy life to the best of their ability using the Bible as a guideline, and moderate politically with views on both sides of the spectrum and plenty in between (what I can understand of politics, anyway), and as a result I am a nonpartisan. But I would like to think that this doesn't make me any less of a sister in Christ, and political views only scratch the surface when it comes to the differences of opinion between Christians. Other issues are things such as Bible versions, music styles, modesty (more specifically, whether or not Christian women should wear pants), what TV programs are okay for Christians to watch (or whether or not Christians should have anything to do with TV), creation views, end-times views, and the list goes on. I have my basic views on these and other issues, and how conservative one might view me depends on who is listening at the time and what their feelings are about whatever issues are being discussed at any given time. I feel I fit in with this thread because I am one of those people who can be considered by some to be some sort of renegade anything-goes type of person while others consider me a legalistic Bible-thumper. So, it's not as easy being "moderate" (or what I believe this site is referring to as moderate) as a person thinks.

Romans 14 is a good Scripture to read regarding what it means to be a Bridge Builder.

 

[Peripatetic]

I completely identify with WannaWitness' post above. I found myself nodding my head the whole way through.

 

[WannaWitness]

I completely identify with WannaWitness' post above. I found myself nodding my head the whole way through.

Thanks.

 

[Peripatetic]

I thought about this forum when I read about Pope Francis' quote that's been getting a lot of publicity:

"The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there."

Of course many people are now saying that he is preaching universalism, works righteousness, or condoning atheism, but that's not what he believes from what I understand. It sounds like bridge-builder practicality to me: the world needs more doing good for others... it IS a good place to meet. From there, anything can happen in the heart of a Christian or Atheist according to God's will.

 

[Esdra]

And concerning lukewarmness, we ought not to be lukewarm by Jesus command!

'So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.' (Revelation 3:16, RSV-CE)​

 

[WannaWitness]

And concerning lukewarmness, we ought not to be lukewarm by Jesus command!

'So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.' (Revelation 3:16, RSV-CE)​

I agree with you completely. I don't think that's what "moderate" is supposed to mean on this forum, though. I feel it means we try to understand other fellow believers' convictions and respect them as brothers and sisters in Christ. For example, people who prefer the King James translation should not regard themselves as holier or more Spiritual than one who has not been convicted in the same way; at the same time, the one who does not should still respect the ones who do. Debate is okay within reason, but should never turn into bloody arguments just over different opinions, and should eventually come to the point of agreeing to disagree about various theological issues. See the following links for more detail:

How Can We Agree to Disagree on Theological Issues? | LifeCoach4God

Living Word Heartbeat: Dealing with the Corporate Conscience of the Church (Part 1) by Pastor Carmelo Caparros II | Living Word Christian Churches of Cebu International, Inc.

However, like I said, I do understand the general confusion regarding the meaning of the word "moderate", so this is probably why this forum is referred to as "Bridge Builders" - a quite fitting term, in my opinion.

 

[Esdra]

I guess in the sense of a bridge builder, you could also label me moderate I guess.

 

[Norah63]

We are all holding tight to the bridge that Christ provided. A way from here to eternity with Him. Showing our fellowman that we can listen and hear their hopes and encourage their walk the same as our own.
Personal freedom to worship as we each choose. That is part of what this memorial day means to me.