What Does it Mean to Be a Conservative Christian?

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Would seem to be a tough thing to be theologically conservative yet embrace things such as abortion and gay marriage...

I am pro-life, and I take pretty much the same position on it as Ron Paul (not my candidate btw, but I like most of his domestic policies): That the federal government has no constitutional authority to be involved with abortion at all, pro or con, and that all laws relating to it should be made at the state level.

Neither am I for gay marriage, especially when imposed by judges (as a strict construction constitutionalist, I generally take a dim view of activist courts), though I do think civil union laws might be a good thing. But better yet, I would prefer that government get out of the marriage business altogether, and let churches marry or not marry whomever they choose.

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

I am yet to find another Christain in this forum site that sees the body of Christ as local, not universal.. with the family of God as universal. I was hoping that under the Conservative forum they wouldn't have all believers living and dead as the body of Christ.. but I guess that is the dominant view in all Christian circles. Oh well.. if there are any Christians in this forum who see the body of Christ as an assembly or congregation (local) and not universal.. I would love to hear from ya.

This reply is meant as a search for Christians with this doctrine.. not to cause debate.

It was my understanding that seeing the church as both local and universal was pretty much the universal Christian belief. I'm not quite sure what hairs you're splitting here or for what purpose.

 

[nzguy]

well, it's just I find very few christians who have the same doctrine as I do in chat rooms and forums regarding church, and it would be nice to find someone to get into studying it deeply on the same position. But anyway... the universal for me is the Family of God.. every believer living and dead. The body of Christ is an assembly like a body of water.. or the post office.. or the bar.. or the school. I got this from hearing about the position, and then studying it in scripture in-depth, and it is very sound. Anyway, I'll keep lookin

 

[Koey]

I am yet to find another Christain in this forum site that sees the body of Christ as local, not universal.. with the family of God as universal. I was hoping that under the Conservative forum they wouldn't have all believers living and dead as the body of Christ.. but I guess that is the dominant view in all Christian circles. Oh well.. if there are any Christians in this forum who see the body of Christ as an assembly or congregation (local) and not universal.. I would love to hear from ya.

This reply is meant as a search for Christians with this doctrine.. not to cause debate.

I agree and disagree. The word church in the Bible is ekklesia, which simply means an assembly - originally a town meeting in Greek. However, it means much more than that. The whole nation of Israel was called the church in the wilderness, so the word can apply to much more than a local assembly. In fact the first time that Jesus uses the word he says that the gates of hell will not prevail against his church - notice that he said church, not churches - i.e. the whole church across all denominations and national boundaries, not just a local congregation in this case.

So, yes, the word church can be applied locally, nationally, and even universally. It really depends on context.

 

[MrJim]

I agree and disagree. The word church in the Bible is ekklesia, which simply means an assembly - originally a town meeting in Greek. However, it means much more than that. The whole nation of Israel was called the church in the wilderness, so the word can apply to much more than a local assembly. In fact the first time that Jesus uses the word he says that the gates of hell will not prevail against his church - notice that he said church, not churches - i.e. the whole church across all denominations and national boundaries, not just a local congregation in this case.

So, yes, the word church can be applied locally, nationally, and even universally. It really depends on context.

And on an international internet forum the universal aspect of the church is going to be more of a focus than locality~hopefully that is what we focus upon when we are not in cyberspace

 

[ReformedChapin]

And on an international internet forum the universal aspect of the church is going to be more of a focus than locality~hopefully that is what we focus upon when we are not in cyberspace

you're a baptist again I see

 

[NorrinRadd]

I'd be interested in that too, especially since I'm a strong supporter of gun rights and a strong opponent of high taxes. If we could find those verses, I'd really like to use them.

Umm, ok... How about the ones where Jesus told some of His disciples to take staffs along on their journey, or when He told them to bring swords? He clearly expected them to have access to the typical personal-defense weapons of the day.

And how about the ones about muzzling the oxen? Confiscatory taxation amounts to muzzling the ox.


Hey, if there's no Scripture that fits, twist one 'til it does!

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Umm, ok... How about the ones where Jesus told some of His disciples to take staffs along on their journey, or when He told them to bring swords? He clearly expected them to have access to the typical personal-defense weapons of the day.

And how about the ones about muzzling the oxen? Confiscatory taxation amounts to muzzling the ox.


Hey, if there's no Scripture that fits, twist one 'til it does!

Thanks, sort of. Those are good as far as they go, but I won't try to push them farther than that.

I really don't think God is political in worldly terms, though I do think something on the conservative side of libertarianism is generally in tune with the laws of the universe He made. But I knew that even before I was a Christian: I got it from John Locke and the Tao Te Ching, to pick out just two sources from many.

 

[MrJim]

you're a baptist again I see

Thanks for noticing,
just wearing the icon again since that's where I've been attending for four years now~sorta gave up the catholic quest for now~reality is I should be back in a mennonite/brethren church or maybe a conservative weslyan church, and leave the baptists to the calvinists

 

[Canuckmom]

...really?
tulc(I'd be interested in the scriptures supporting gun rights and against high taxes)

In our family reading the other day I noticed that when the Israelites asked for a king,1Sam.8, Samuel warned that the king would take 10% of their income. Hey, if only we could pay just 10% today!!

 

[tulc]

Hey, if there's no Scripture that fits, twist one 'til it does!

Ahh! A time honored Liberal and Conservative pastime!
tulc(looking for more coffee)

 

[Maranatha27]

I am a conservative christian, I belive the way I understand my Bible and the Holy Spirit within me makes me such.

Doctrines I hold not to be compromised by the enemy:

Virgin Birth of Christ
Sinless Christ
Sacrificial death of Christ
Physical resurrection of Christ
2nd coming of Christ
Inerrancy of scripture (original)
And I love the Jew and believe that God is not finished dealing with them.

I've be in some liberal churches where they said I shouldn't say such things I may offend someone.

 

[Reader Antonius]

Just wanna say thanks for all the feedback I have gotten so far.

Great to see such inter-denominational love here on these forums.

Praise Jesus!

 

[Koey]

It was my understanding that seeing the church as both local and universal was pretty much the universal Christian belief. I'm not quite sure what hairs you're splitting here or for what purpose.

I think he must be a Baptist. That is their view, in order to support their congregationalist theology. i. e. no hierarchies, no bishops, no authoritarianism. It has some merit, but is not the entire story as you rightly pointed out.

 

[MrJim]

I think he must be a Baptist. That is their view, in order to support their congregationalist theology. i. e. no hierarchies, no bishops, no authoritarianism. It has some merit, but is not the entire story as you rightly pointed out.

I can tell ya that whatever merit there is sure isn't much to speak of~something to be said about having some leadership beyond the congregational level to be accountable to and to help assist a congregation. Sometimes I get the feeling in our congregation that it's just us vs. the world, us being the little 50 person congregation. But I guess most baptists like it that way...

 

[NorrinRadd]

Thanks, sort of. Those are good as far as they go, but I won't try to push them farther than that.

Good for you. I was just having a little fun.

I really don't think God is political in worldly terms, ...

I generally agree. But I also think it's a mistake to go as far as some and say things along the lines of, "Well, the NT doesn't show any disciples involved in politics, so Christians shouldn't be entangled in such 'worldly' things." That makes about as much sense as saying, "Well, the NT doesn't show any disciples using computers, so Christians should be involved with such things."

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Good for you. I was just having a little fun.

I thought so. It seemed light-hearted, and that's a good thing.

I generally agree. But I also think it's a mistake to go as far as some and say things along the lines of, "Well, the NT doesn't show any disciples involved in politics, so Christians shouldn't be entangled in such 'worldly' things." That makes about as much sense as saying, "Well, the NT doesn't show any disciples using computers, so Christians should be involved with such things."

I've always thought people who know and care about politics should be involved with it. And those who don't know or care? Politics will be better off without their participation, so they're excused.

I see it as more a good citizenship thing than a Christian thing. As Christians we should never forget that our primary loyalty is to the Kingdom of God, but at the same time we live in whatever worldly polity too, and if there's anything we can do to make it better without sacrificing our main mission, that's all to the glory of God. No obligation, but paying a little bit of attention to it might do some good.

 

[BellaSong]

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