Truth, Belief, and Essential Christianity

[child]

Hi all! 

I am new to this board and a relatively new Christian (3 1/2 years).  I have a question about belief that bugs me.  It may take a few rounds before I can articulate what really is the essence but it is something like this:

Where does belief start? When is one "in-the faith" and out of it?  I think it's accurate to say that I only believe what I understand.  Am I truly a believer, if I don't grasp all of Christian theology?  If I grasp very little of it?  If I don't agree with it?  What is the essence of salvation? 

These questions are all hitting around the issue of what I think that we all *truly* believe.  I think all Christians believe in a Jesus of the heart, rather than a Jesus of Theology.  There is so much to the Incarnation, the Trinity, exclusivity claims, and certain and absolute knowledge that I cannot grasp, and if pressed, I have to say, "I really don't know,  if you (or the Bible) say so."  In all honesty, I am not sure what I believe, or what belief really is.  I am committed to the Christian way, I *think* it is correct.  I have to be honest and admit that the evidentiary claims are only probabalistic.  I don't truly *know*, I believe.  This is what our great creeds say, "We *believe*...  I am 2000 years or more removed from our Bible, and the most I can say is that this is the best explanation that I can find, and I'll go with it.  I can tell another faith claimant that I don't believe he is correct.  When pressed for an explanation, ultimately it comes down to "cause I believe you are incorrect and I believe am right."  I am fine with this if that is what it must be.  (Actually it is less than satisfying, but if this is as good as it gets, so be it.) 

Some apologetes try to point out inconsistencies with other theologies, but the problems with our own are overlooked.  My point comes close to something like universalism.  If the essence of Christianity, that which I think we all truly believe---the Jesus of the Heart, the abstract conception of Love triumphing, our Savior, and so forth--- is the same as what the "innocent" true believer in other faiths and there essence holds onto, I do not *honestly* believe he/she is condemned.  Rather, I think that our institutional theology has gone awry, as all man-made systems do.  Do I deny what I really think, or allow myself to be brainwashed into thinking what others say to believe?

We can claim exclusivity, but in truth we are no better persons from the rest of the world.  We still are immoral, adulterous, lying, cheating, etc. We are no different.  We are different in word only.  In actuality what truly distinguishes us, aside from any non-falsifiable dogmatic statements?

There is much here, I understand, but hopefully somebody can show me the essence of what we Christians truly believe.  I have to admit that I don't know if I am a *true* believer.  I admit that more than any evidences, the reason I hold onto Christ is because he provides me with a foundation for life.  He makes sense of existence.  He makes Love real.  Nihilism does seem as the only other option, and I don't think that this is a false dilemma.  I hold on to Christ out of pragmatics, I fear rather than any true faith.  Is Christianity supposed to be like this?

 

 

[Matto]

Well, let me tell you what Christianity is like for me. I admit, for about six years, I was a lot like you. And I tried to "do the right thing" and "be Christian." It didn't work quite as well as something I picked up later.

Being an active, practicing Christian is a little differant than what I had been doing. It requires dedication to God. Daily prayer is an absolute necessity. Praying several times a day, on occasion for up to an hour, perhaps sometimes longer-- these things become more common. Daily devotionals and being in the Word daily are also important. Regular fellowship is another plus. Should probably include something other than just a sermon and a few songs. Discussion is great, especially if you're among believers who have been where you are before. You can also establish accountability among one another so you can keep each other spiritually disciplined (staying consistant with your prayers, for instance).

My friend does a small devotional and prayer every morning. I'm trying to, but I have to admit, I wake up groggy. He did too, for a while, until he got into doing it for a while. He wakes up ready to focus on God in the mornings now, which must be great.

You'll find that evil tends to bug you more than before. In yourself and in others. Which stinks, because you realize how utterly wretched you act a lot of the time. But, likewise, if you can pray to die to the flesh daily, and recieve the filling of the Spirit, then you can remain in Christ. And with the Word of God in your heart, Christ remains in you. By doing this, you attain the fruit of the Spirit, which is patience, kindness, love, mercy, self-control, etc. I've had instances where I've gone weeks without even thinking about some of my most cardinal vices, vices that run through me like addictions. But staying in Christ is the trick. Falling away for a while is easy.

Remember that Christ did not die just to forgive our sins, but to give us power over sin, and to overcome temptation. We are not slaves to evil. The Devil flees if we stand against him.

Perhaps in time you'll feel an urging to advance the Kingdom. You may even be called upon to approach people with the Gospel, which can feel pretty scary.

I'm still working on doing daily devotionals myself.

I don't know a whole lot about other faiths. I've got some basic ideas. And I've yet to meet someone outside of Christianity who has had encounters with the Spirit like I have. I've heard of other faiths that -have- a Spirit of some sort that's supposed to aid the believer in some way. But I'm not very convinced, from what I heard before. I intend to delve into that more.

Things you find as you grow in your faith is that when you learn to pray more, and to pray more efficiently, your prayer life will become more active. Sometimes in doing God's work, He decides to bless you in very special ways. I was unbelievably blessed after finishing some mission work for God last Summer.

I would encourage you to work on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He's real. The one who was, and who is, and who is yet to come. Hold tight, follow him, and remember that your faith is a journey. A very active journey. You've got to be walking all the time toward the goal. Get as close as you can. God loves to see His children take their first steps toward eternity.

(And, on another note, if you've accepted Christ that -is- a step on the journey-- it does not give you liscence to sleep in your pew, but it's a start. Do what you can, try to walk toward God always, stay Bible-based and Spirit-filled, and you'll be fine).

 

[BigEd]

Can i make a couple of suggestions:

1. Pray, ask the Lord to show you more about him.
2. Read your bible, the gosple of John is a great place to start.
3. Find other christians to ask questions.
4. find a church, that you can be a part of and fellowship with other belivers.

also I would suggest one book that might be very helpful

Knowing God by J.I. Packer
this book is a good overview of christian belife, faith and practice.

 

[Blessed-one]

Christianity is more than just " We are different in word only" as you put it. Remember the fruits of the Holy Spirit? as we come to understand and know God better, as we come into contact with Him, our lives are changed.
A true Christian, one who has accepted Christ and repented one's sin, should have a change in life. Something is different, and your perspective of the world would start to change.

A change.... that would be different for everyone, for a drug addict, he draws on God's strength to overcome the temptaton. For a bully, he stops bullying people. For one who doens't feel loved, he starts to reach out to others. For those who mourn, their tears are wept away.