Let us see how "open minded" you are where doctrine is concerned!!!!

[scraparcs]

ohhh Steven Anderson... i don't take seriously anything he teaches. he's discredited himself beyond repair IMHO.

LOL. You should go to his church and tell him off. Just make sure you wear a dress when you enter his church because women can't wear pants in HIS church.

I was going to point out that he's the crazy guy who preached about praying for Obama's death.

I've been sorely tempted to go there (it's about a 30 minute drive from me) wearing pants and do other bad things like talk about love.

Then I decided I didn't want a machine gun in my face.

 

[WileyCoyote]

As long as it's coming out of the actual Bible, I'm open to it. And yes, there have been times where I've been swayed on certain doctrines. And there are doctrines that I am still on the fence about.

Which doctrines are those?

I was going to point out that he's the crazy guy who preached about praying for Obama's death.

I've been sorely tempted to go there (it's about a 30 minute drive from me) wearing pants and do other bad things like talk about love.

Then I decided I didn't want a machine gun in my face.

Yeah, he's pretty out there. But as bad as he is, many people believe that Eternal Security is THE gospel and if you don't believe in it, you are damned. If you believe a certain doctrine is true, let the Bible prove it's validity. But don't threaten the people who may disagree with it.

 

[Wren]

As long as it's coming out of the actual Bible, I'm open to it. And yes, there have been times where I've been swayed on certain doctrines. And there are doctrines that I am still on the fence about.

This is pretty much where I stand.

Much of what we know is from what we are taught. With how much disagreements there are between denominations, obviously not everyone is right. I don't consider myself a great scholar of the Bible. I do read it every night, but I'm hardly an expert on it. If someone can show me in the Bible something that backs up a differing belief they have, I will look at my own Bible, and do a little studying into it (for things like cultural context and such). I definitely have beliefs on things, but I'm willing to accept that I may be wrong.

 

[WileyCoyote]

This is pretty much where I stand.

Much of what we know is from what we are taught. With how much disagreements there are between denominations, obviously not everyone is right. I don't consider myself a great scholar of the Bible. I do read it every night, but I'm hardly an expert on it. If someone can show me in the Bible something that backs up a differing belief they have, I will look at my own Bible, and do a little studying into it (for things like cultural context and such). I definitely have beliefs on things, but I'm willing to accept that I may be wrong.

Reps.

 

[trentlogain2]

I've probably been wrong about more things that I've been right. As far as eternal/conditional security goes, I believe once saved always saved. Some people are adamant on their beliefs. Do I think that if a person believes in conditional security that they are not saved? Of course not. It makes me wonder if they are basing their salvation on works or a mixture of both grace and works. - Which in my view is wrong no matter how you cut it, but whatever.

 

[welshman]

Personally I believe in "eternal security". It is something that I have looked into, read about and heard the subject preached on; and is one of the things that I wouldn't ever change my mind about, because I am that convinced is true (literal 6 day creation, Christ died for my sins etc) Those things I would stand for if I was the last man on earth (at least I hope I would). My favourite saying is "those who stand for nothing will fall for anything"...

I find it interesting to here people who do not hold to this doctrine. I have yet to ever hear someone who does not hold to eternal security tell me that they themselves are not saved because they have done some sin that made them lose their salvation. It always seems to be other people who have lost their salvation, and not them when you ask them. I think if we could lose our salvation then pretty much everyone that has ever walked this earth would be in serious trouble of not "making the cut" so to speak. Just my take on it anyway.

Personally, I do think there are certain doctrines that are a salvation issue. What about Christology or Soteriology? If someone doesn't believe that Christ was the Son of God, then I'd take issue that they are not saved. The same goes for someone who doesn't believe they need Christ as their saviour, but can get to heaven through doing "good things". They both seem to be about salvation issues to me anyway.

As for changing my mind on "theology", only Christ can ultimately convict someone of something. I wouldn't stop loving anyone in the Lord if they don't believe what I tell them I believe to be true in the Bible. As far as I am concerned, I have done what I can in trying to present the truth to them. That is all God asks us to do. I count myself extremely lucky to have attended such a lovely church with people who will sit down with me and help me figure stuff out through God's Word. I don't believe I know it all. Not for a second. There are things, as I've said; that I am absolutely convinced over. There have been things that I have changed my mind over (such as drinking) during the years; after doing studying on it...

Just my thoughts for what it's worth.

 

[Im_A]

I'll be honest:

The only theological views I'm willing to listen/consider/think about is from the Eastern Orthodox Church. The rest I am not open minded to.

Modern/Western Christianity is a failure in my eyes...from Rome to the little Baptist church in the country hills of the heartland.

So when it comes to Christian doctrine, I'll only consider the positions of the Eastern Orthodox Church because the best that I can see, understand and researched, the Eastern Orthodox Church is the historical church so if I am going to listen to anything about Christianity, an ancient faith, then logically it has to come from the ancient church...a church that predates modern thinking, that isn't Western Christianity.

Sure I can relate to other types of Christians. Sure I can talk about all types of theologies with all types of Christianity. Yet I am not open minded enough anymore with Christianity to think I need to be a mut-Christian and just take what anyone has to say as a possible fact of truth and constantly think, "I may be wrong so I need to always 'progress'". To me there comes a point when one thinks that they have to constantly progress that they end up going no where. Liberal Christianity is philosophy in my opinion and not religious doctrine and mixes in political thought with religion. Progressive/moderate Christianity is philosophy in my opinion. Conservative Christianity is another philosophy with politics being added and not religious doctrine. I would argue that the only two denominations that hold credibility in Christianity is the Eastern Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church...I just think Eastern Orthodox is the historical ancient church.

So I figure, there's one church that I hold my skepticism and cynical side with religion away from to just listen and consider what they are saying that is the Eastern Orthodox Church. There are things I like about the Roman Catholic Church but I'll never become a RCC, and Protestant Christianity in all its forms of traditions, freelance, I am completely done with.

 

[Super Kal]

I have not done enough research to validate my own doctrinal opinion... however having said that, even though God will never let us go, we do have the choice to walk away.

having said that though, with so many verses pointing to both sides, for me in my mind, this is the only logical and Christian decision I can make:
don't mess with your salvation

it's a very important issue within Christianity, and the best thing to do when it comes to our salvation, we shouldn't mess with it to begin with

 

[Inkachu]

What is required for salvation, and what I believe about everything else, are two separate things. I can differ with other Christians about various issues, but what makes a person saved is spelled out in black & white in God's Word, and that's that.

 

[Blank123]

Personally I believe in "eternal security". It is something that I have looked into, read about and heard the subject preached on; and is one of the things that I wouldn't ever change my mind about, because I am that convinced is true (literal 6 day creation, Christ died for my sins etc) Those things I would stand for if I was the last man on earth (at least I hope I would). My favourite saying is "those who stand for nothing will fall for anything"...

maybe i should clarify my first post here - i do believe in eternal security, no question. I know that no one can snatch me out of the hand of my Father as the Scriptures say. But I also believe that the Scripture discuss this personal relationship as a two way street. Its not a real relationship if I don't have the power to choose to stay, to follow, and to love Him every day (which is what Scripture is talking about when it tells us to pick up our cross daily).

I find it interesting to here people who do not hold to this doctrine. I have yet to ever hear someone who does not hold to eternal security tell me that they themselves are not saved because they have done some sin that made them lose their salvation. It always seems to be other people who have lost their salvation, and not them when you ask them. I think if we could lose our salvation then pretty much everyone that has ever walked this earth would be in serious trouble of not "making the cut" so to speak. Just my take on it anyway.

i don't believe that any one sin (with the exception of course of the unforgiveable sin) is enough to make me lose my salvation. I don't believe its something one can lose by accident. It would have to be an active decision. The person making that decision would have to actively fight against the drawing and conviction of the Holy Spirit. Not easy by any terms, I'm sure. but its also not impossible.


sorry for the rant - i don't want anyone to misunderstand what i'm saying and it just bothers me to see the doctrine of OSAS (which i reject) lumped in with the doctrine of eternal security (which i accept) - and i know that sounds confusing

 

[Markus6]

Some of what I believe is so different from the mainstream that being dogmatic about it would mean cutting myself off from most of the faithful. I think that has forced me to re-evaluate then nature of salvation and be very generous when it comes to doctrine.

 

[WileyCoyote]

Interesting answers so far. Keep them coming.

 

[Wren]

With my initial post I was following the OP of considering doctrine outside of "fundamentals", but Welshman and Inkabink's post made me want to add something.

While I am open to the possibility that I could be wrong on various doctrinal issues, I do believe there are basics of Christianity that I can't change on and still consider myself a Christian.

 

[WileyCoyote]

With my initial post I was following the OP of considering doctrine outside of "fundamentals", but Welshman and Inkabink's post made me want to add something.

While I am open to the possibility that I could be wrong on various doctrinal issues, I do believe there are basics of Christianity that I can't change on and still consider myself a Christian.

Like what?

 

[Wren]

Most things people debate to me are not part of the essentials of Christianity, which is why I am open to others' opinions and biblical research.

The essentials to me are pretty simple:
Belief in Jesus Christ as a personal Lord and savior
Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Virgin Birth
Trinity (God the Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit)

 

[WileyCoyote]

Ah, gotcha. I consider those things the "essentials" as well. Though I believe in the inerrancy of scripture.

 

[Stravinsk]

So, what about you? Are you willing to compromise where some of your doctrines are concerned? Or do you believe in them so strongly that you will go to the grave believing in them and even condemn others to hell for not believing your doctrine? Now I'm not talking about the fundamentals (resurrection, Trinity, virgin birth, etc etc), I'm talking about those doctrines that are not part of the fundamentals but you believe in strongly.

To compromise a belief for some other reason than that I have been persuaded it is in error is folly, imo. A strong conviction about something doesn't give me the right to make a judgement call on who is going to Heaven or Hell, however.

It would be pretty difficult to peruade me out of certain convictions I now have, however - seeing as I hold them despite being at odds with most Christians, not to mention so called "church fathers". They are also biblically supported. I'm certainly willing to listen to an opposing view, and have sent emails to persons I respect who have that view for that purpose. So far, the response has been 0, I suspect because it falls into the category of "fundamental doctrine" that is either considered heresy or dangerous or both.

 

[radhead]

The Bible being the word of God (although I don't think it's inerrant....translation issues is one reason)

I don't think *anyone* thinks that translations are inerrant. It's referring to the original texts in Greek and Hebrew.

 

[canehdianhotstuff]

You accept Jesus as your Saviour, welcome him into your life and seek forgiveness, you go to heaven...period.

And Im an old earth creationist, but Darwinism is crap.

 

[Blank123]

I don't think *anyone* thinks that translations are inerrant. It's referring to the original texts in Greek and Hebrew.

*waits for a KJVO person to show up