What Does Being a Moderate Christian Mean to You?

[Koey]

Moderate?

Moderate? I am a fundamentally liberal conservative moderate. How can I fit one category?

I believe that fundamentalists are liberal when they turn wine into grape juice. I believe that liberals are fundamentalist when they insist that we follow their new legalistic rules which minimize God and maximize humanism. I believe that conservatives too often conserve human traditionalism rather than divine revelation by placing Calvin, Luther, Augustine or Thomas ahead of Christ's own words.

So, yes, I am a moderate, perhaps defined as someone who does see some advantage in the extremes - conservative on some issues, fundamental on others, and still liberal on others.

Perhaps a better word is eclectic - an eclectic Christian - someone who sees some good in all branches, but no perfection anywhere except in Christ.

 

[Reader Antonius]

I just want to say thanks for responding so far to everyone.

I really appreciate the feedback!

 

[Zionsfriend]

I've found over the years that the term 'moderate' is a self applied term mostly used by liberal politicians to soften their public image. In general, conservatives take pride in their conservative image so they don't claim a moderate position as often. As far as religion is concerned it seems to be a little more complicated but still follows the same pattern. Of course there are conservatives that claim moderate because they have a fear of being branded "fundamentalist' which is not a politically correct term in today's society. I have noticed that conservatives tend to be more Bible oriented and as the scale moves over to the liberal side there is less and less acceptance of the Bible as God's Word. There are always acceptions to the pattern but I think in general, that's the way it is. In my opinion we are basically all either liberal or conservative but some of us claim the term 'moderate' to enhance our public image.

 

[hiumble1]

Thanks in advance!

Lukewarm

 

[higgs2]

Lukewarm

even after reading what so many sincere and devout Christians have posted in this thread?

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Lukewarm

Not in the slightest. We "moderates" can be quite passionate about God's love for us, and our love for Him.

 

[WannaWitness]

Lukewarm

While I can see where that might come from, I doubt that's what is being meant, here.

Moderate, to me, simple means we as Christians agreeing to disagree and trying to remain at peace with one another, and realizing all our convictions are different. For instance, one Christian may be a vegetarian (for religious reasons) while another will eat anything. One Christian believes a woman should always be wearing dresses, while just the opposite is true of another. One Christian may believe playing Christian music in any style deemed "untraditional" (that is pop or jazz) is irreverent, while another Christian's musical tastes are versatile. One Christian views playing cards as a symbol for gambling, while another views them as a tool to play innocent games such as Crazy 8s and Go Fish. The list goes on....

I believe it just wouldn't be right to call one "lukewarm" or "ungodly" merely for having different convictions on such gray areas where so many have differing opinions. Romans 14 explains how to treat such situations and issues.

 

[Albion]

While I can see where that might come from, I doubt that's what is being meant, here.

Moderate, to me, simple means we as Christians agreeing to disagree and trying to remain at peace with one another, and realizing all our convictions are different.

I believe it just wouldn't be right to call one "lukewarm" or "ungodly" merely for having different convictions on such gray areas where so many have differing opinions. Romans 14 explains how to treat such situations and issues.

I agree with you. Maybe Hiumble1 was making some kind of joke that we didn't get, but, in any case, what the word means to this forum is just what was intended when the forum was started--and that's the meaning you described.

 

[hiumble1]

wow...
you asked. And I gave my opinion...(of course I do not know you and your passions) but the question was asked and I gave what I thought was an honest answer. It has nothing to do with the points wannawitness brought up.
How do you view the word of God? Literal or nonliterall or inbetween.
Does everyone go to heaven? no hell?...
these are just some thoughts to ponder.
Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm... (I used to be cold then lukewarm)

 

[hiumble1]

wow...
you asked. And I gave my opinion...(of course I do not know you and your passions) but the question was asked and I gave what I thought was an honest answer. It has nothing to do with the points wannawitness brought up.
How do you view the word of God? Literal or nonliterall or inbetween.
Does everyone go to heaven? no hell?...
these are just some thoughts to ponder.
Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm... (I used to be cold then lukewarm)

 

[Albion]

.

 

[Albion]

.

 

[Albion]

wow...
you asked. And I gave my opinion...(of course I do not know you and your passions) but the question was asked and I gave what I thought was an honest answer. It has nothing to do with the points wannawitness brought up.
How do you view the word of God? Literal or nonliterall or inbetween.
Does everyone go to heaven? no hell?...
these are just some thoughts to ponder.
Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm... (I used to be cold then lukewarm)

Hi. You're right, of course, that the question was asked and it was very openended.

If being a "Moderate" Christian here had to mean being lukewarm, I suppose you'd frequent some other forum. So would almost all of us.

But we also want it known that this discussion was held when the forum was new, and that the intention was basically what wannawitness outlined. Considering the word moderate in that way, we seem to be a group of Christians who are both respectful in behavior towards each other and also strong in our convictions. I think the forum was started, as a matter of fact, by people who were determined that it is possible to be both.

 

[non-religious]

I kinda see my moderation toward faith in the same way I view alcohol. I only drink on occasions. I only drink around others, I try not to drink to excess and I enjoy a wide variety of alcohol beverages.

So likewise, I tend to only pray on occasions. Only really ever worship God when I go Church. I'm not too hot on prayer meetings, Bible studies etc.. and I enjoy the vasy array of varied denominations and creeds that make up this faith.

So I guess by that definition I would be considered lukewarm...

Peace....

 

[WannaWitness]

How do you view the word of God? Literal or nonliterall or inbetween.
Does everyone go to heaven? no hell?...
these are just some thoughts to ponder.
Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm... (I used to be cold then lukewarm)

God's Word is infallible, and everything in it is true. People will go to one of two places at the end of their lives -- Heaven or Hell. Heaven will be the destination of Christians who are doing their best to obey God, while Hell is the destination of the unsaved. There is nothing in between.

While I am not perfect (nobody but God is perfect), I feel that I am straightforward in my beliefs and strive to be pleasing to the Lord; that is why I post in both the Conservative and Fundamentalist sections of CF. However, the things that would place me in the "moderate" category is that (1) I like to be at peace with people whenever I can, and (2) I am not politically motivated like many others, and I sincerely believe that all politicians (Congressmen, governors, mayors, presidents, etc.) need our prayers. Which would fit one of the meanings of the word moderate (yes, the word can have many meanings), but with me, it has nothing to do with being lukewarm.

Hope this helps.

 

[hiumble1]

Now that we are on the same page...
When I hear the word moderate... it is in terms of middle of the road, riding the median with respect to religious belief.... [considering this is a religious forum] A moderate would typically believe or not believe, sees things in shades of grey... (again my view) but again someone may call themselves something without a true understanding of the word or what it means, Kind of like when people just call themselves christian (because they go to church on sunday/saturday); this no more makes a person a christian as standing in a garage does not make you a car...
nice talk

 

[WannaWitness]

Now that we are on the same page...
When I hear the word moderate... it is in terms of middle of the road, riding the median with respect to religious belief.... [considering this is a religious forum] A moderate would typically believe or not believe, sees things in shades of grey... (again my view) but again someone may call themselves something without a true understanding of the word or what it means, Kind of like when people just call themselves christian (because they go to church on sunday/saturday); this no more makes a person a christian as standing in a garage does not make you a car...
nice talk

Makes sense.

 

[higgs2]

Now that we are on the same page...
When I hear the word moderate... it is in terms of middle of the road, riding the median with respect to religious belief.... [considering this is a religious forum] A moderate would typically believe or not believe, sees things in shades of grey... (again my view) but again someone may call themselves something without a true understanding of the word or what it means, Kind of like when people just call themselves christian (because they go to church on sunday/saturday); this no more makes a person a christian as standing in a garage does not make you a car...
nice talk

I definitely am able to see shades of grey. I'm not middle of the road, though. I'm not a nominal Christian as you describe.

 

[hiumble1]

I just fear these days which we live...
We must not compromise the word of God.. Not out of fear of man... For in the end it will do man no good (in real terms just the opposite)... I would rather upset mankind thann to upset God... Keeping in mind we are to be salt and light...
Alot of us do not know what that means (I never did... until I listened to this pastor speak) Salt was used back then to keep things from spoiling... so without salt, things spoil, without light things become dark...
Our love must be in the truest sense what love is... not a coddling love that lets a world become no better than a spoil child, but a correcting out of love bring forth the best... And then Also, (out of love) explaining to someone what they need to know (that covers an eternity; heaven or hell)... Some believe all we need do is love on people... but if you do not explain the gospel (in love) than do we love or are we a sinick, happy where we are and if the rest of the world falls, oh well... no... not exceptable.. would rather them hate me for explaining the truth in love, than never explaining out of a tolerating behavior and not make it... (soundwed rantish I know... but I was never saved because no one told me What I needed to hear... they told me what I wanted to hear... maybe for another thread)

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Now that we are on the same page...
When I hear the word moderate... it is in terms of middle of the road, riding the median with respect to religious belief.... [considering this is a religious forum] A moderate would typically believe or not believe, sees things in shades of grey... (again my view) but again someone may call themselves something without a true understanding of the word or what it means, Kind of like when people just call themselves christian (because they go to church on sunday/saturday); this no more makes a person a christian as standing in a garage does not make you a car...
nice talk

It's for that reason -- that "moderate" has associations that don't really fit who we are -- that we requested a name change for the forum. As far as I understand, the change was approved but never implemented, for reasons unknown.