What am I?

[Golgotha1995]

Sorry if this isn't the right place for this topic.

Ok,
So I am supposed to be Roman Catholic, I have been until recently and I used to go to Church most weeks, I believe in God (although I do challenge his existence a little) but now I don't know. I don't really think I am a Roman Catholic any more, I don't even know if I am a Christian, I haven't been to Church properly in I think two years and I cannot believe in most of the Old Testament any more...thing's like Noah's Ark, I think are just impossible.

I tried speaking to my father but he's not so worried I don't think...I think he reckons I'm just being silly. Anyway I was wondering what can I call myself now?

Is there such a thing a Un-orthodox Christianity and if so, is there a place where I can sort of find out about it? I have searched the net in vain.

So please help me, I'm qute lost!

I post here because I wonder if I am non-denominational...I never heard of it though.

 

[ashout]

i'm not sure what your looking for. but what i think you might want to do is go to church in any ol church that is enjoyable, and just agree to disagree with the people who say they believe in noahs ark.

bottom line, you shuold continue to go to church, even if you don't agree with EVERYTHING they preach.

I'm assuming you believe Jesus is the Messiah at the very least, which if you do indeed believe you are technically called a christian in most circles.

 

[Golgotha1995]

But that just feels wrong now.

I don't know, I just wonder if anyone else is like me, someone who believes in God and Jesus, but doesn't know why, for if I believe in God but not the Old Testament, the story of his beginning if you will, then why should I believe in him, perhaps I am just weak in faith I don't know. Like, how do we pick and choose what to believe in in the Bible now? I mean two hundred years ago we used the Bible to prove God agreed with slavery, we use it to prejudice people like the homosexual community...we follow some teachings and ignore others, how can I be a part of that?

 

[ashout]

yeah your having a crises of faith. search for the truth in all matters, and you shall find it.

now if your searching for something OTHER then the truth without realizing it, then you shall find that.

my advice is to be willing to change and to follow your heart, although that's not garunteed to lead you to enternal life, only the bible you are rejecting will do that.

 

[sneezingleopard]

Golgatha,
Honestly you are a Catholic who is questioning his faith. The best thing for you to do is to start praying to God for answers and he will provide them for you when you are ready to recieve them. You might hear something a bunch of times but never really understand it or internalize it until you are ready to. What I would suggest for you is to start looking for answers to your specific questions. You might be surprised to learn what the Catholic church actually believes and teaches about certain things. I don't know if you've ever read any apologetics or theology or philosophy but it sound slike that is the sort of thing you will wan tot start investing some time in.
Start reading the bible adn let the words seep into you. You don't have to believe everything as you read. Also you may be having a hard time because you're under the impression that everythign in the bible is meant ot be taken literally. Catholics don't read the bible that way because the bible was never meant to be read that way.

It sounds like the kinds of things you are questioning are things that would prevent you from being any sort of Christian at least in a way that you actually believe what is being taught. What I mean is that to say you don't believe the old testament is inspired by God is really saying that you don't believe any of the bible is ispired by God because the old is a foreshadowing of the new and the new fullfills that which is in the old.

A great place to start asking specific questions (since you're acatholic) would be on Catholic.com which is a website run by Catholic answers. You can also listen to their archived radio program , "Catholic Answers" on that site in which people from all backgroudns and places call up to ask their toughest questions about the catholic church or christianity in general and some of the best American (living) Catholic apologists answer their questions live ont he air. You could call the show yourself if you so desired or get on theri forums and start asking questions.
Other than that you may want to read books like "Mere Christianity" or "Miracles" by C.S. Lewis which would get you in the mindset of thinking about tough questions in regards to the faith in logical in depth manner. Anotgher great modern day philosopher who has done a ton of great books on various topics (I think he's written over 75 books) would be Peter Kreeft who teaches at Bosotn College. I met him a couple of tiems and he's a great guy with lots of wit asnd knowledge. A giood starter book of his for you would liekly be "a Handbook to Catholic Apologetics" by Peter Kreeft. He also has some great free audio on his website www.peterkreeft.com . These guys will get you thinkign a lot. But I'm just realizing that your original question seemed to point more towards theological questions and things specifically dealing with problems you have with portions of the bible. SO you would wan tto look for books by Catholic apologists like Jimmy Akin, Tim Staples, Scott Hahn who can help you to get a good understanding of the bible as a whole. I would really need to knwo some of your specific questions to provide you with books that woudl answer those things.

 

[Christownsme]

You are a sinner seeking answers and grappling with the truth of God. Everyone begins there as the Holy Spirit convicts you and enlightens the truth to you. Forget all the names, and know that you are a disciple of God, who hasn't found the Truth to be truth yet.

Whether you're a Catholic or not, doesn't matter to Jesus. Paul noted the divisions among the churches even and said "one says I am of Apollos, another says I am of Paul.." but he challenged them to recognize they are all part of the body of Christ, and there should be unity such that no one is any different than anyone else. All are in Christ and Christ in all.

And if you're grappling with the truth of science and the chances that there was a big old ark, a garden of Eden, a time when the sun stood still, when the walls of Jericho came down, and whether Christ arose or not, focus on the last one. Focus on the gospel of John, to start with. Then move to Romans. When John saw the linen clothes lying there in the empty tomb, he believed. Jesus must be risen. Pray now that God will open up your mind to the truths of the Bible, especially this one.

I was the same as you, although I didn't come from a Catholic background. I came from a very legalistic Protestant church. But I doubted everything. If I couldn't explain it, I didn't believe it. Go back to John 20 and read about Thomas' doubts. The Lord didn't deny him his request. He said, "Put your hand in the wounds, feel the nail scars. Don't doubt but believe."

The scripture is very silent whether Thomas actually "scientifically" explored the wounds. He simply looked at Jesus, and said, "My Lord and my God!" and at that point he believed to salvation.

Salvation is a heart and logic thing, but mostly a faith thing. If you're working through doubts of historic facts of the ark, etc.. you're exhibiting faith in that you are looking for something with confidence you will find it. Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Isaiah 55:6 "Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near." And He may be found now, in this time of grace and undeserved favor God has on you. You'll find Him. You'd be a believer, Christian, child of God, follower of Christ Jesus.... these are the most potent names you can give your self, not Catholic, Protestant, nondenominational, Lutheran, etc,.... to be a child of the most High is what you would be called.

 

[Golgotha1995]

Thank you everyone actually this has been quite some help!

And I have read the Bible front to back minus psalms, I used to be take great comfort in it's teachings and in many ways I still do, but more so in the New Testament. I actually have two Bibles by my bed and rosary beads funnily enough, I suppose in that I know I cannot ever reject God.

@Christownsme - How do I pray to God, I find that if I start praying sometimes it lacks sincerity and meaning like I'm just uttering words. However every time I pray for something I sincerely need (I mean help through life not asking for £500 (= ) He answers I think!

 

[Christownsme]

Thank you everyone actually this has been quite some help!

And I have read the Bible front to back minus psalms, I used to be take great comfort in it's teachings and in many ways I still do, but more so in the New Testament. I actually have two Bibles by my bed and rosary beads funnily enough, I suppose in that I know I cannot ever reject God.

@Christownsme - How do I pray to God, I find that if I start praying sometimes it lacks sincerity and meaning like I'm just uttering words. However every time I pray for something I sincerely need (I mean help through life not asking for £500 (= ) He answers I think!

Awesome brother! You're asking the right questions!! Read Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit also helps our weaknesses: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself makes intercessions for us with groanings wich cannot be uttered.

First, there is sincerity in the direction you want to go. You want to go toward Christ. Second, God knows all that. So Romans 8:26. Third, mechanical prayers, nahh. Let them go and just say what you know: God help me, I feel lost, I need your help,..." and the Spirit fills in the blanks! God knows your heart so well, and I know what you mean. I've been struggling with this for years now. My motto is less is more in prayer. I pray only what I can, and leave the rest up to God.

I am really encouraged by who you are: you're a believer, friend. Holy, blameless before God, and righteous because of your faith. Jesus' blood sacrifice forgave (forgives) your sins, and keeps you. Nothing can separate you from the love of God.

 

[revrobor]

Never mind trying to be Roman Catholic or Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Non-denominational or Methodist for that matter. If you want to pin a label on your self read your Bible starting with John in the New Testament. Then, if you have accepted the gift God offers you in John 3:16 you can call yourself a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Whether or not you go to a church does not make you a Christian or a heathen. Repenting (turning from your old ways) and choosing to follow God makes you a Believer. There is no salvation in belonging to a church.

 

[His_disciple3]

You are just a natural person, warring between flesh and Spirit, and you are letting the flesh win for now as most folks do at some time in their spiritual life, our thoughts are not His thoughts our ways are not His ways, we as people say seeing is believing, we have to see to believe so we say God show us and we will believe. But God says believe and I will show you. Jesus says that people ask for signs, Jesus told Thomas great are you for seeing and believing. but greater is he that believes but have not seen. one area that you are erring in right now, ( but please don't feel like the lone ranger alot of People don't believe the 400 year old Christian bible is the true Word of God. and that all other translations are in error also) but this is also error. we must have a true Word of God or else it comes down to an individual interpretation. No one has the authority to believe what you want about scriptures and reject what you can't believe, One must believe that it is all true, all about God and His truth, so to say that I can't beleive in the ark , then how do you believe that Elijah raised the widow's son from the dead, or that Paul raised the dead, and that Jesus raised the dead. and if we can't believe in the ark , then how do we believe that God can raised to dead?? if we can't believe in the passover , how do we believe that Jesus was the passover lamb????

 

[Golgotha1995]

This is the thing, how do we? There are parts of the Bible we ignore now, 200 years ago people used evidence in the Bible to say that slavery was good but now those passages are void.

I believe in the New Testament because it isn't as old and it makes more sense, even the miracles. If you believe in the Ark, then explain how (and we know the dimensions of the Ark) every species, every animal was fitted into the Ark, then you must ask about the bacteria, the viruses, even fresh water fish which could not survive such a dramatic flood and a sudden and massive increase in salinity of the water.

All I know is I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost, I dedicate my faith to the Lord and soon I will pray to him for guidance I think. Is this not enough?

 

[drich0150]

OK,
So I am supposed to be Roman Catholic, I have been until recently and I used to go to Church most weeks, I believe in God (although I do challenge his existence a little) but now I don't know. I don't really think I am a Roman Catholic any more, I don't even know if I am a Christian, I haven't been to Church properly in I think two years and I cannot believe in most of the Old Testament any more...thing's like Noah's Ark, I think are just impossible.

Do you feel a need to know with certainty that this absolutely Did or did not happened? Why?

I tried speaking to my father but he's not so worried I don't think...I think he reckons I'm just being silly. Anyway I was wondering what can I call myself now?

Sounds like you are someone searching to make your father's faith your own.

Is there such a thing a Un-orthodox Christianity and if so, is there a place where I can sort of find out about it? I have searched the net in vain.

Perhaps you do not need a title right now. For those who are simply searching this is a good website. Exploring Christianity in the out reach section of the web site is a good place to start.

I post here because I wonder if I am non-denominational...I never heard of it though.

Non denomination means we do not believe in a centralized church government. There are no popes, conventions or leaders of the church as a whole. We do have elders that govern individual churches or maybe even regional leaders. This does not mean we can't be just as fanatical about what we believe as you are use to seeing.

 

[drich0150]

But that just feels wrong now.
I don't know, I just wonder if anyone else is like me, someone who believes in God and Jesus, but doesn't know why, for if I believe in God but not the Old Testament, the story of his beginning if you will, then why should I believe in him, perhaps I am just weak in faith I don't know.

We can not know the God of the New testament if we do not know the God of the old. your paragraph proves this. By undermining the God of the old testament you have undermined your own faith. Perhaps it is best to say i simply do not understand the God of the OT or how it relates to the new. (for now.)

Like, how do we pick and choose what to believe in in the Bible now?

We don't.
We do not get to pick and choose it is all there for us to believe. However we do not have to know what it all means or how it all relates all at once.
This is apart of the mystery of this life.

I mean two hundred years ago we used the Bible to prove God agreed with slavery, we use it to prejudice people like the homosexual community...we follow some teachings and ignore others, how can I be a part of that?

Who says you have to?

All you have to do is learn how to Identify Religion from scriptural teachings. Religion is Man's effort to take the tools he has been given, and worship God with them. This could include the bible oral and practiced traditions, Spiritual gifts and the like. it could also include a selfish desire to manipulate God's word for personal gain.

This "religious effort" is separate and away from what and how the bible reads. For example What the bible teaches about slavery in the New testament was based on the rules and regulations set up by the old testament concerning slaves. For instance a slave could not be had for more than seven years, more often than not poor men sold themselves into slavery as a way to ensure that their whole families were feed and well taken care of. Slaves were contracted servants, in that yes they were expected to work, but in return they agreed on all sorts of terms. Room, and board for their families, payment for parcels of land, payment for live stock, education, the right to marry into the rich man's family, the repayment of a debt, protection and security in certain areas, and so on and so forth. Does this sound like 17th and 18 century American slavery to you?

Were the land owners bound to care for or contracted to do anything for the people they owned?

And yet they took several passages out of their proper context in order to justify what it is they wanted to do, and ignored the rest. Do you see the discrepancy here?

The bible reads one way and yet the have done something else, but claim it to be the works and will of God. Just because they have done this does this change the way the bible was originally written? Does this change the will of God? Does this mean that because these men chopped up their bibles to do what they wanted to does it mean God supported them in anyway??

Of course not! So by studying the bible and having a better understanding of what it is meant by Slavery when the bible speaks of it we can separate the works of Man from the written word of God. As a courtesy we can call the works of man religion because it is in a religious effort that they are using the bible to underscore what they claim to be will of God.

The same can be done for how you understand the churches position on Homosexuality, Noah's ark, and just about any and all of your OT problems you have listed in this thread so far.. It all comes down to perspective and pride. You believe that because you have a grasp of the popular cultures understanding of certain terms and phrases. you have a complete understanding of them when those terms are applied to the bible. This is the perception can be changed if you are willing to curb your pride and open you bible and start reading it. Seek past your current understanding to find what your heart is looking for. If something seems contradictory of your understanding of God chances are it is because your are looking at it from the wrong perspective. Ask a question, pray over it, look it up, and research it to the best of your ability. For all those who seek find, those who ask will be answered those who knock the door will be opened.

 

[thesunisout]

Hello Golgtha,

What is important is that you believe in the Holy Trinity. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You know God is real and you know He is a triune being. You find comfort in the scriptures even if you don't understand all the particulars. These are very positive things.

I am a non-denominational Christian. What that means is that I do not subscibe to any particular institutions theology. What I have is the bible. Here is an important verse:

John 16:13

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Notice the words 'all truth'. Every Christian has received the Holy Spirit, and thus we are capable of learning Gods truth through the Spirits instruction. The Spirit will guide us into all truth, so put aside your doubts about particular passages and let the spirit teach you. Learn to pay attention to his small, still voice and he will guide you on your walk with Christ.

Now, another source of your confusion may be because of the way Catholicism is practiced and taught. Much of what they do is not biblical at all and the emphasis they place on Mary is seriously in conflict with Gods law. The Catholic church would have you believe that salvation is only through their church, but the bible teaches us that salvation is from our Lord Jesus Christ alone. The true church is not an institution, or a building, it is the body of Christ, of which all Christians are a member.

If you believe Jesus is God and did do all the bible said He did, then you know the bible is the inspired word of God. Place aside your doubts about what is fact or metaphor. The Holy Spirit wrote the bible, every word of it, and will teach us the truth that lay within. There is plenty of good reading in the OT..I wouldn't dismiss it because it doesn't fit with your ideas about God or what is possible. If a man can feed 4000 people with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish, why couldn't there be an Ark? Know that God is awesome, He could make literally anything happen. Don't pay attention to what the secular world says is or isn't possible. With God anything is possible.

It sounds like your core belief is intact, and that is a wonderful thing. To me you sound like a non-denominational Christian, and I would suggest you check out that forum here. Pray, and read the Word..let the Spirit guide you and teach you. You can't go wrong with that. God put you on this journey for a reason, so know that where God guides, He provides. God bless.

Sorry if this isn't the right place for this topic.

Ok,
So I am supposed to be Roman Catholic, I have been until recently and I used to go to Church most weeks, I believe in God (although I do challenge his existence a little) but now I don't know. I don't really think I am a Roman Catholic any more, I don't even know if I am a Christian, I haven't been to Church properly in I think two years and I cannot believe in most of the Old Testament any more...thing's like Noah's Ark, I think are just impossible.

I tried speaking to my father but he's not so worried I don't think...I think he reckons I'm just being silly. Anyway I was wondering what can I call myself now?

Is there such a thing a Un-orthodox Christianity and if so, is there a place where I can sort of find out about it? I have searched the net in vain.

So please help me, I'm qute lost!

I post here because I wonder if I am non-denominational...I never heard of it though.

 

[Christownsme]

I would agree. Rest easy in knowing that God will lead you forward. He's infinitely more willing to do so than we can give credit to. I believe you have been born again. And God may be leading you thru some desert to strengthen your faith. Just pray alot, I can't stress this enough. And start highlighting passages in the bible that mean something extra special to you. Keep in mind we come as we are into the family of God. We don't have to have to have anything figured out. All God really asks of us, because we need it, is Matthew 11:28-30

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

[LittleFeather]

I started Roman Catholic, but my love of science conflicted with that, now I do not have a problem, my love of science and faith are not in conflict, have not been foe a long time. but had to find my own understanding.

 

[Golgotha1995]

Hmm, perhaps I need to try and go to Church at some point, I read some of the Gospel according to John this morning, I forget the chapter but it was about Jesus and the Samaritan woman, I liked that passage.

 

[wayfaring man]

What am I?

You are "a human being for whom Christ died and rose again from the dead".

As long as we are in "this sinful flesh", this is the greatest description we may honestly/humbly possess.

Other titles which attempt to signify further greatness, do not add to this description- they distract/detract !

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? <-----> 1st Corinthians 1:11-13

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? <-----> 1st Corinthians 3:3+4

Denominate - means to name, more specifically to add a name which is designed to distinguish or differentiate - which predominantly coincides with "strife and divisions", between "people for whom Christ died and rose again from the dead".

"Just say non - to denomination."

And May The Lord Be Magnified !

wm

 

[wayfaring man]

Hmm, perhaps I need to try and go to Church at some point, I read some of the Gospel according to John this morning, I forget the chapter but it was about Jesus and the Samaritan woman, I liked that passage.

It's found in John Chapter 4.

 

[Jerushabelle]

This is the thing, how do we? There are parts of the Bible we ignore now, 200 years ago people used evidence in the Bible to say that slavery was good but now those passages are void.

I believe in the New Testament because it isn't as old and it makes more sense, even the miracles. If you believe in the Ark, then explain how (and we know the dimensions of the Ark) every species, every animal was fitted into the Ark, then you must ask about the bacteria, the viruses, even fresh water fish which could not survive such a dramatic flood and a sudden and massive increase in salinity of the water.

All I know is I believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost, I dedicate my faith to the Lord and soon I will pray to him for guidance I think. Is this not enough?

Hi Brother! First of all, I will be praying for you. Secondly, because I was a skeptic in regard to the veracity of the Scriptures especially when it came to scientific things, creation and stuff like Noah's ark, my faith walk got stuck for a while. I was right where you are at for several years until a man named Ken Ham put it all into perspective for me and I've never been the same since. I don't know how you feel about creation science. Maybe you've dismissed it already. I'm not saying you have to accept creation science in order to be a Christian but I am saying that Mr. Ham's explanations helped me to resolve so many issues. You may want to go to the Answers in Genesis website and at least read what Mr. Ham has to say about stuff. It might help. Just a suggestion.

Answers in Genesis - Creation, Evolution, Christian Apologetics