What does "Non-denominational" mean??

[ToBeLoved]

I was raised in a nondenominational nominally Baptist home and went to a Baptist school k through 8th.

So you would say that most non denominational churches do teach on why that disagree with denominations and what makes them different? That they preach on why they do not believe in the sacraments, Tradition, liturgy, creeds, etc. Or would you say that most do not teach on these issues but rather focus on the "basics and fundamentals" of beings follower of Christ?

Honestly, most churches are preaching what they see as truth and don't need to preach about the differences, because if you read the Bible the errors in the things you mentioned pop out like a sore thumb.

If you want to believe in that, have at it. It's your life. Other denominations think it is a much bigger deal to us. We totally believe in your right to believe what you like. If you want to try to discuss it, we will point out your errors, but then again we are all called to Truth.

 

[tampasteve]

@ToBeLoved
I had a reasonably long post reply, but I don't think it helped anyone or furthered the conversation.

Suffice to say, it is simply from my observations, as well as the observations of others on this thread. But no, I am no expert.

 

[ToBeLoved]

@ToBeLoved
I had a reasonably long post reply, but I don't think it helped anyone or furthered the conversation.

Suffice to say, it is simply from my observations, as well as the observations of others on this thread. But no, I am no expert.

So then your use of the word ‘most’ is not the best word for millions of people since you don’t have extensive experience?

This is a pet peeve of mine, labeling millions by people.

 

[tampasteve]

So then your use of the word ‘most’ is not the best word for millions of people since you don’t have extensive experience?

This is a pet peeve of mine, labeling millions by people.

I'll amend my statement to make them less generalized.

• All of the nondenominational churches I have been to do not speak on these matters.
• Most of the nondenominational tv programs I have watched do not speak on these matters.
• All of the nondenominational churches I have been to and most of the tv programs I have watched focus on feel good sermons and basic Christian beliefs without delving into deeper theology.

 

[ToBeLoved]

I'll amend my statement to make them less generalized.

• All of the nondenominational churches I have been to do not speak on these matters.
• Most of the nondenominational tv programs I have watched do not speak on these matters.
• All of the nondenominational churches I have been to and most of the tv programs I have watched focus on feel good sermons and basic Christian beliefs without delving into deeper theology.

Ok. Well my churches messages are online and I’d love to send you a link to listen to a sermon so you can get a well rounded viewpoint.

Can I send it?

 

[tampasteve]

Ok. Well my churches messages are online and I’d love to send you a link to listen to a sermon so you can get a well rounded viewpoint.

Can I send it?

Sure, feel free to PM the link. Thank you

 

[Dave-W]

But how do they accommodate the serious theological and doctrinal differences among denominations? Or do they not take these things seriously?

Each nondenominational congregation usually reflects the theological understanding of the founder. And they are often more strict in that than congregations that have denominational affiliation.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Sure, feel free to PM the link. Thank you

I can do it later tonight.

 

[HypnoToad]

Do the preachers teach the attendees that none of the disputed doctrines matter?

Depends on the church and depends on the doctrine.

If they are unaffiliated aren't they uninformed

No, that doesn't follow.

and misled into thinking that the differences are unimportant?

Why is a doctrinal difference automatically important? Some certainly are important, but others certainly are not. For example, transubstantiation vs. real presence (doctrines relating to Holy Communion). Hypothetically, if there were two Christians, and they had completely identical beliefs except for one - one of them believed in transubstantiation and the other in real presence, there's no reason to think (from a Christian viewpoint) that the salvation of either one is affected in any way by that doctrinal difference.

 

[Sketcher]

Do the preachers teach the attendees that none of the disputed doctrines matter? If they are unaffiliated aren't they uninformed and misled into thinking that the differences are unimportant?

No, but there are certain doctrines that preachers acknowledge have good and Godly people on both sides, and it is a debatable matter. My church has had several pastors at once on different sides of such issues.

 

[Duvduv]

Interesting, so people increasingly acknowledge there is actual ambiguity that was never resolved since ancient times....

 

[ToBeLoved]

Interesting, so people increasingly acknowledge there is actual ambiguity that was never resolved since ancient times....

Do you mean that out of the billions of Christians that exist on this earth that some of them interpret and understand things differently?

I would say that is true about anything if you get enough people to weigh in on their opinions.

Since you list Judaism as your religion, you must be use to this too.

 

[Duvduv]

You misunderstood me. I meant that despite convictions about salvation based on the new Testament people may admit that they aren't sure whether their own denomination's traditiobs are accurate.

 

[ToBeLoved]

You misunderstood me. I meant that despite convictions about salvation based on the new Testament people may admit that they aren't sure whether their own denomination's traditiobs are accurate.

And many people have different opinions about the Old Testament. And Jews are very divided over beliefs also.

It's no different.

 

[Duvduv]

The similarity is not exact. The teachings of each denomination are thdt salvation lies in their own doctrine, and yet we are finding a lack of certainty and admission of ambiguity. In traditional Judaism this doesn't exist. It only exists among the groups who abandon the traditional teachings.

 

[ToBeLoved]

The similarity is not exact. The teachings of each denomination are thdt salvation lies in their own doctrine, and yet we are finding a lack of certainty and admission of ambiguity. In traditional Judaism this doesn't exist. It only exists among the groups who abandon the traditional teachings.

Wrong.

The similarity is that salvation is in Christ and Hos finished work on the cross. His perfect life and she’d blood on the cross, fulfilling the Law in that He never broke it, becoming the sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin.

No denomination disagrees with that.

You are barking up the wrong tree.

Where do you get these ideas from about what separates Christian denominations because it is incorrect

 

[Duvduv]

Among Lutherans and others there should never be any ambiguity from Scripture about what to believe, and if such people were to minimize these aspects, then certainly they are watering down their religion. Ignoring how justification and sanctification are attained, the importance or non-importance of baptism and the Lord's Supper can't be swept under the carpet, unless for the most liberal branches of the movements these are all insignificant, ignoring 1500+ years of theology in favor of a generic "belief in Christ," whatever that is supposed to mean without all the related aspects.

 

[PloverWing]

Among Lutherans and others there should never be any ambiguity from Scripture about what to believe, and if such people were to minimize these aspects, then certainly they are watering down their religion. Ignoring how justification and sanctification are attained, the importance or non-importance of baptism and the Lord's Supper can't be swept under the carpet, unless for the most liberal branches of the movements these are all insignificant, ignoring 1500+ years of theology in favor of a generic "belief in Christ," whatever that is supposed to mean without all the related aspects.

Why do you believe that "there should never be any ambiguity from Scripture about what to believe"? Scripture does not tell us everything there is to know about God, or about our relationship to God. How could it, when God is infinitely beyond our full comprehension? Scripture tells us enough to be saved, enough to be in a right relationship with God. Beyond that, there are many things we simply don't know.

Understand: I love theology. I read books about things like the early christological debates and the various theories of the atonement because I enjoy stuff like that, and it's all part of loving God with my mind. I try to be as educated as I can about the last 2000 years of theology and church history, and that helps deepen my walk as a Christian. But I'm very aware that God hasn't revealed all the answers to us. That's not being liberal; that's having appropriate humility for a human being trying to understand an infinite God.

 

[Duvduv]

Well, that seems to contradict the meaning and implications of "Only Scripture" which states that all that is needed to know about Jesus and salvation is contained within the Scriptures.

 

[HypnoToad]

Well, that seems to contradict the meaning and implications of "Only Scripture" which states that all that is needed to know about Jesus and salvation is contained within the Scriptures.

You are confusing what is needed to know with everything that can be known. All that we need to know to be saved is certainly in the Bible. That in no way means that the Bible provides all knowledge about everything there is to possibly ever know about God and/or salvation. It would simply be foolish to expect the Bible to contain exhaustive knowledge of God when our finite, limited minds simply can't comprehend exhaustive knowledge of an infinite God. That's like expecting to fit an ocean of water into a teaspoon.