Name a doctrine that you used to believe in but dont anymore.

[NorrinRadd]

I used to believe one could "lose" one's salvation by sinning. I no longer believe that.

I briefly believed "OSAS." I no longer believe that.

I used to hold to "Positive Confession" and most of the other WoF distinctives (noting that by "distinctives," I mean the way I have encountered them in books, tapes, and actual practice, not the way they are presented in the documents in the WoF forum here at CF, nor in the SoFs of most WoF churches and organizations); I now reject that view.

I used to hold to the traditional Pentecostal belief that "baptism in the Spirit" is necessarily separate and subsequent relative to regeneration; I no longer hold that view.

I used to hold to the traditional Pentecostal belief that "speaking in tongues" constitutes the "initial physical evidence" of baptism in the Spirit; I no longer hold that view.

I used to hold to the traditional Pentecostal belief that Scripture teaches that there is a "gift of tongues" intended for delivering "messages in tongues"; I no longer believe that.

I used to hold the common "Pre-Trib Rapture" view of eschatology; I no longer hold that view, and as yet have an undefined eschatology.

I used to hold the so-called Complementarian (which would be better named "soft patriarchalism") view of gender relations; I now hold the egalitarian or mutualist view.

I used to have the vague general notion that a lot of OT practices should be modified and adapted in the NT; I now believe that only that which is clearly and explicitly reaffirmed should be imported from the Obsolete Covenant into the New and better Covenant.

 

[sunlover1]

Used to believe that I should pray to Mary
Used to believe that the RCC was the church Jesus founded.
Used to believe that I needed to confess my sins to a priest.
Used to believe that tongues was... not of God
Used to believe that God was angry with us.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I used to believe that God's disposition toward me was based on what I did, instead of on what Jesus has done.

I used to believe that the Holy Spirit's presence was a feeling one felt, and that I could be "near to God" if I thought the right things, felt the right things, and tried to live a certain way; rather than the Holy Spirit being objectively present because God has said so, and that He is near us in Word and Sacrament because He said so.

I used to believe that righteousness and holiness were on a sliding scale, and that what I did and didn't do shifted me up and down, and thus I could on some days be more righteous than on other days. Leaving me rather consistently in despair, afraid, and generally hopeless. I now know that I'm unrighteous every day, which doesn't lead me to despair because there is One who is Righteous for me, and who has said to me, "Where I am, there you will be also."

-CryptoLutheran

 

[godenver1]

]I used to believe that God's disposition toward me was based on what I did, instead of on what Jesus has don[/B]e.

I used to believe that the Holy Spirit's presence was a feeling one felt, and that I could be "near to God" if I thought the right things, felt the right things, and tried to live a certain way; rather than the Holy Spirit being objectively present because God has said so

I used to believe that righteousness and holiness were on a sliding scale, and that what I did and didn't do shifted me up and down, and thus I could on some days be more righteous than on other days. Leaving me rather consistently in despair, afraid, and generally hopeless. I now know that I'm unrighteous every day, which doesn't lead me to despair because there is One who is Righteous for me, and who has said to me, "Where I am, there you will be also."

-CryptoLutheran

Great post.

Re: the bolded, now, it' scares me to think of that....because I think I'd fail in 'earning' that disposition.

I used to believe also that the presence of the Holy Spirit was a feeling I felt in my...stomach. As a result, I used 'force' myself into praying out-loud and trying to get very emotional.

Also, I almost got sucked into JWs beliefs in an attempt to learn about them (I also have a JW friend). Whilst in hindsight it was unlikely I'd ever actually commit, it did cause confusion. It is my prayers that person would see the truth of Christ.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I find it interesting that sometimes what Church A teaches is Church B's weakness ... I can see that people coming out of Church A thought that very same about Church A while they were there.

I am wondering if it has less to do with a particular church's doctrine sometimes than it might have to do with the particular leaders/teachers of that church while we were in it - in some cases at least.

I find MOST interesting the people who change between traditional, evangelical, and pentecostal churches - in any direction of change. And how their stories line up against each others'.

 

[yogosans14]

This thread is still going?Jeez, let it die.

But 17,000 views wow...

 

[nephilimiyr]

I find it interesting that sometimes what Church A teaches is Church B's weakness ... I can see that people coming out of Church A thought that very same about Church A while they were there.

Funny in a way isn't it, how we humans act.

I am wondering if it has less to do with a particular church's doctrine sometimes than it might have to do with the particular leaders/teachers of that church while we were in it - in some cases at least.

Blaming the church leadership on how people act? Maybe in some cases but for the most part I would see that as a cope out from people who should know better. You can't always blame the leaders, people need to realize that it is God they serve, not their leaders.

I find MOST interesting the people who change between traditional, evangelical, and pentecostal churches - in any direction of change. And how their stories line up against each others'.

And how do you see them lining up?

 

[catholichomeschooler]

I was raised to believe that all people are, by nature, good and God, therefore, will take all people to be with Him in heaven after death.

When I became a Christian that was the first heresy I rejected.

Once saved always saved.

 

[godenver1]

I find it interesting that sometimes what Church A teaches is Church B's weakness ... I can see that people coming out of Church A thought that very same about Church A while they were there.

I am wondering if it has less to do with a particular church's doctrine sometimes than it might have to do with the particular leaders/teachers of that church while we were in it - in some cases at least.

I find MOST interesting the people who change between traditional, evangelical, and pentecostal churches - in any direction of change. And how their stories line up against each others'.

Yeah I can get that.

I have always attended a Baptist church (with a few one off Pentecostal/AoG churches) and still do attend a Baptist church. My post in no should reflect poor teaching but rather poor understanding on my behalf. I arrived at, and thankfully ditched some views through myself and not at the encouragement of any church.

 

[sunlover1]

I find it interesting that sometimes what Church A teaches is Church B's weakness ... I can see that people coming out of Church A thought that very same about Church A while they were there.

I am wondering if it has less to do with a particular church's doctrine sometimes than it might have to do with the particular leaders/teachers of that church while we were in it - in some cases at least.

I find MOST interesting the people who change between traditional, evangelical, and pentecostal churches - in any direction of change. And how their stories line up against each others'.

If you listen closely you might find a theme.
But we can't always listen if we have our own agendas.
That's why I always suggest fasting AND prayer.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Funny in a way isn't it, how we humans act.


Blaming the church leadership on how people act? Maybe in some cases but for the most part I would see that as a cope out from people who should know better. You can't always blame the leaders, people need to realize that it is God they serve, not their leaders.


And how do you see them lining up?

Well, I don't really want to get specifically "down" on any particular church.

I feel as though I've really been through a wide variety of churches now. While there are, truthfully, things I see as weaknesses here and there, I prefer to focus on strengths. I think God has let me see that for a reason.

I'm not talking about blaming the leaders, but ... I think our perception of churches is not always - consistent?

How about something like ... someone comes out of a traditional church, and feels the worship is "cold" there, and finds inspiration in more contemporary church. And someone from a more contemporary church finds their own church to be lacking in the very same way, but the traditional church resonates with them?

Something like worship I see a wide variety of preferences for and it's very subjective. But it's not only that. In fact, I see people's perceptions vary in many things.

I just find it interesting. I'm not wanting to say anyone is right or wrong.

A certain type of church was right for me at a particular time.

Later a very different church was right for me.

And later still another type of church was right for me.

I don't see it as the ones I left being "wrong" ... or I try not to. Sometimes I am tempted that way, but I don't think that attitude in me pleases God. Instead, I feel as though I'm gathering up precious gems from here and there, and seeing how they fit together.

They really do all have strengths.

But having been in so many kinds, I find it interesting to see others' perspectives. As I said, especially those that grow up in a certain kind of church, and change to a very different one. I see them go in ALL directions - and pretty much each one seems strongly convinced of what they decide. (Not only here on the forum, but people I know irl too.)

I'm not here to say anyone is wrong. I'm just interested to see the way God fits us all into different places.