Thankyou guys. I guess I should have elaborated a little bit more. I have heard many debate that salvation is from Grace-- and faith is expressed in the works we do. . .
I guess I am wondering;
when I hear christians arguing about docterine, is it because they enjoy the conversation, the intellectual dialogue or to convert people to their way of seeing "truth" ?
I can tell that most of the people on this thread are well read and have spent a lot of time investigating the reasons that they believe the things that they do. It doesn't seem to me that they missed any points on opposing sides. So is the debate for intellectual fun?
I have not heard of some of the people that were referred to. (with the exception of Martin Luther, read some of his thesis in college). I do not know some of the docterines that you argue. This is where I was throughly confused.
I don't know who the seclusion monks are-
but if they are happy serving Jesus in the way that they do, why is it wrong? It seems to me that we were all made differently and have a call on each of our lives. My husband and I believe that we are called to parent orphans- particularly special need foster children. We bought a fixer upper (AKA DUMP) with 6 bedrooms and land. We are working diligently on our "ark" to do what we were made to do. Many have looked at us and said, "why did you buy this house? Why do you want to take in other people's problems, etc...." Some of these people were leadership or pastors in various churches.
My question would be, "why do you want to pastor all these people?" I have no desire to prepare a sermon for every Sunday or organize church administrative functions. But I burn with a passion for the needy children, I see this "dump" of a house as an incredible dream. It has the potential for all the things that I need; room for small farm animals, organic gardens, big bedrooms all in a school system that is supportive to disabled students. . . .
I guess I am being long- I just wonder if God made some to be anglicans, pentecostal, catholic, congregational etc because it expresses the differences in His creation. If I tried to be Mother Theresa or the Pastor at the church down the street- I would not be worshipping Him in spirit and in truth. I would not be serving Him with my whole heart and being in the way I was made to serve Him.
Of course, I have no biblical references to point to nor do I know of any theologians that have discussed this.
I am honestly just curious. I guess to some extent we are also a product of our upbringing. I was baptised episcopalian (anglican, right?) as an infant. Raised with my mother and step father in the congregational church. My paternal grandmother was a devout Roman catholic. My father and his new wife were Lutheran so in 8th grade I went through their confirmation classes.
When I was twelve my mother's father became "Born again" in the assembly of God church and soon convinced my mother & step father to take us to that assembly.
As a young adult, I returned to the congregational church but soon left to a non-denominational church. My husband and I met in another non-denominational church and served in their leadership (not core) and body for over 8 years. We left a year ago after questionning some things.
We are currently not involved in a church but attend the local Lutheran church for some functions.
I guess these experiences have led me to see many people who LOVE our Lord and express this love in different ways. I am not one who believes that all roads point to heaven but I have come to believe that many diverse people come in Jesus' name.
Jane
