What makes a conservative????????????

[JustAsIam77]

I'm kind of simplistic in what I believe a conservative is. Old fashioned comes to mind. Like the belief system and traditional values the founding fathers of our nation shared. Fear God and keep His commandments.

 

[Nadiine]

I'm kind of simplistic in what I believe a conservative is. Old fashioned comes to mind. Like the belief system and traditional values the founding fathers of our nation shared. Fear God and keep His commandments.

& politically, those are the reasons I cannot be a democrat / liberal

 

[GQ Chris]

basically Conservative is everything Opposite from what I call "San Francisco family values"

 

[Jim47]

It's funny, I think far leftists have actually misappropriated the term "liberal", and now these are political words. I remember that like within a week of CC being started, someone started a good half dozen political threads, under the misapprehension that CC was a political forum, because the word "conservative" probably does have those connotations. And am becoming increasingly aware of the fact that it has different connotations in the States and the UK, for example.

But I think, doctrinally, it's a willingness to submit to the Lord's sovereignty. There's no attempt to alter who He is to fit us; if there's something we're uncomfortable with in Scriptures, we don't twist it to make it more palatable, and to tickle people's ears. I mean, theologically, it's probably an adherence to a more traditional view of Christianity but, ultimately, I really think it's a willingness to put God first, regardless of how that means people will react to us.

Very nice post Greenie

May I say in addition to "it's a willingness to put God first" that we have to accept what God has told us to do in His commandments. We are to live moral lives that don't center around our own selfish sinful desires (IE- living in sexual immorality and then committing the sin of murder through abortion) This kind of life does not follow God's direction or is it His will for us. God calls us to be holy:
Lev 11:45 I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.


1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
1Pe 1:15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
1Pe 1:16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
1Pe 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
1Pe 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
1Pe 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1Pe 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
1Pe 2:3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.


In short, this means living our lives in submission to The Lord's will, not our own sinful desires. We constantly battle sin, sometimes we lose, and sometimes we win, but we need to remember always that it was Jesus who kept the law perfectly in our stead, and it is not by our own deeds that we will be justified, but by the justification that was won for us by Christ Jesus. Therefore we strive all the harder to serve God and to make Him happy by living moral lives in His service.

 

[JustAsIam77]

Very nice post Greenie

May I say in addition to "it's a willingness to put God first" that we have to accept what God has told us to do in His commandments. We are to live moral lives that don't center around our own selfish sinful desires (IE- living in sexual immorality and then committing the sin of murder through abortion) This kind of life does not follow God's direction or is it His will for us. God calls us to be holy:
Lev 11:45 I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.


1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
1Pe 1:15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
1Pe 1:16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
1Pe 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
1Pe 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
1Pe 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1Pe 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
1Pe 2:3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.


In short, this means living our lives in submission to The Lord's will, not our own sinful desires. We constantly battle sin, sometimes we lose, and sometimes we win, but we need to remember always that it was Jesus who kept the law perfectly in our stead, and it is not by our own deeds that we will be justified, but by the justification that was won for us by Christ Jesus. Therefore we strive all the harder to serve God and to make Him happy by living moral lives in His service.

Here here. Now that's a well thought out post. It's hard to live perfect lives according to Gods will because of our inherited sin nature. If the apostle Paul struggled constantly with living as Christ taught him too vs wanting to do what he knew was wrong, I don't feel like the lone stranger. Thank God that in all HIS infinite wisdom the divinely inspired plan of salvation was enacted. Whereby we're saved by grace alone and nothing we can do ouselves to earn it. Thanks to Jesus Christs sacrifice on our behalf.

Praise God! What a terrible weight, (old covenant law), that has been lifted from us! Wanting to live our lives the way Jesus wants us to because of our love for Him. Versus having to live perfectly thru the law. Quite a distinction.

 

[Nadiine]

Very nice post Greenie

May I say in addition to "it's a willingness to put God first" that we have to accept what God has told us to do in His commandments. We are to live moral lives that don't center around our own selfish sinful desires (IE- living in sexual immorality and then committing the sin of murder through abortion) This kind of life does not follow God's direction or is it His will for us. God calls us to be holy:
Lev 11:45 I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.


1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
1Pe 1:15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;
1Pe 1:16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
1Pe 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
1Pe 1:18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,
1Pe 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1Pe 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
1Pe 2:3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.


In short, this means living our lives in submission to The Lord's will, not our own sinful desires. We constantly battle sin, sometimes we lose, and sometimes we win, but we need to remember always that it was Jesus who kept the law perfectly in our stead, and it is not by our own deeds that we will be justified, but by the justification that was won for us by Christ Jesus. Therefore we strive all the harder to serve God and to make Him happy by living moral lives in His service.

Matthew 10:38
"And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me
is not worthy of Me.

 

[A New Dawn]

It's funny, I think far leftists have actually misappropriated the term "liberal", and now these are political words. I remember that like within a week of CC being started, someone started a good half dozen political threads, under the misapprehension that CC was a political forum, because the word "conservative" probably does have those connotations. And am becoming increasingly aware of the fact that it has different connotations in the States and the UK, for example.

But I think, doctrinally, it's a willingness to submit to the Lord's sovereignty. There's no attempt to alter who He is to fit us; if there's something we're uncomfortable with in Scriptures, we don't twist it to make it more palatable, and to tickle people's ears. I mean, theologically, it's probably an adherence to a more traditional view of Christianity but, ultimately, I really think it's a willingness to put God first, regardless of how that means people will react to us.

I am so apolitical (in general) that I almost never associate "conservative" with politics. So I was really surprised when all the guys from the politics section came and posted in the thread where meh asked the conservatives what they perceived the problems to be. I know a lot of the conservative Christians left because of the "religious" changes, I didn't know if that extended to the politically conservative people, too.

 

[Nadiine]

I am so apolitical (in general) that I almost never associate "conservative" with politics. So I was really surprised when all the guys from the politics section came and posted in the thread where meh asked the conservatives what they perceived the problems to be. I know a lot of the conservative Christians left because of the "religious" changes, I didn't know if that extended to the politically conservative people, too.

as I've seen the issue, to me, they go hand in hand with moral values & which way the 2 parties lean religiously.

 

[MrJim]

Hadn't noticed this thread..

Maybe a bigger question is what separates the "conservative" from the "fundamentalist"?

 

[Anglian]

... Conservatives remember when we all responded in Latin!!!!!

Real conservatives still respond in Greek

peace,

Anglian

 

[A New Dawn]

Hadn't noticed this thread..

Maybe a bigger question is what separates the "conservative" from the "fundamentalist"?

Theologically, I don't think much separates a conservative from a fundmentalist. I know I accept the five tenets of fundamentalism. What separates us is that fundamentalists are separatists. They do not recognize as Christian someone who is more liberal leaning, and they do not condone conservatives who do accept them. It was explained to me, for instance, fundamentalists do not support Billy Graham (or his crusades) because they sometimes have moderate-to-liberal Christians on the stand.

 

[Nadiine]

Theologically, I don't think much separates a conservative from a fundmentalist. I know I accept the five tenets of fundamentalism. What separates us is that fundamentalists are separatists. They do not recognize as Christian someone who is more liberal leaning, and they do not condone conservatives who do accept them. It was explained to me, for instance, fundamentalists do not support Billy Graham (or his crusades) because they sometimes have moderate-to-liberal Christians on the stand.

?
I've never heard of that - I'm also fundamentalist but I disagree with that in a big way

 

[desmalia]

?
I've never heard of that - I'm also fundamentalist but I disagree with that in a big way

That goes for me too.

Probably one of the biggest differences between fundamentalist and conservative would be that RC and EO's are part of the Conservative community.

 

[A New Dawn]

?
I've never heard of that - I'm also fundamentalist but I disagree with that in a big way

Maybe my explanation is a bit off. Steve explained it to me when I told him I accepted the tenets of fundamentalism but didn't seem to fit in with them. He is the one who gave the Billy Graham example.

Maybe I shouldn't say anything else and let him explain it if he sees this. :o

 

[Nadiine]

Maybe my explanation is a bit off. Steve explained it to me when I told him I accepted the tenets of fundamentalism but didn't seem to fit in with them. He is the one who gave the Billy Graham example.

Maybe I shouldn't say anything else and let him explain it if he sees this. :o

awe, lol no problem.
I think you might be right, I mean, I have seen some pretty militant Christians bashing on Billy Graham before.
But I always told them to watch their judgments on the man & his ministry. It ticked me off.

As if there aren't enough enemies of the cross in the world than to have to pick on Graham?? please now.

 

[MrJim]

SOOooo conservatives are liberal fundamentalists....

 

[Nadiine]

*thwakkkk*



lol

 

[Anglian]

That goes for me too.

Probably one of the biggest differences between fundamentalist and conservative would be that RC and EO's are part of the Conservative community.

That's an interesting observation.

I am a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church, which has changed nothing since we were overwhelmed by the forces of Islam in the seventh century. So we are pretty conservative - but since I have no idea what these five fundamentals are, they are, perhaps, novelties introduced since then?

peace,

Anglian

 

[A New Dawn]

That's an interesting observation.

I am a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church, which has changed nothing since we were overwhelmed by the forces of Islam in the seventh century. So we are pretty conservative - but since I have no idea what these five fundamentals are, they are, perhaps, novelties introduced since then?

peace,

Anglian

Fundamentalism is considered to be built around the five tenets of the Christian faith, although there is much more to the movement then those tenets. The five tenets are:

1) The insistence that the Bible is to be taken as literally true. Along with this is the belief that the Bible is inerrant, i.e. without error and free from all contradictions.

2) The virgin birth and deity of Christ—the belief that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit and that He was and is the Son of God, fully human and fully divine.

3. The doctrine of substitutionary atonement through God’s grace and human faith—the belief that Christ was crucified for all the sins of man, and because of His perfect sacrifice, all men can find salvation through faith in Him.

4. The bodily resurrection of Jesus—the belief that He was crucified and died and on the third day, He rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

5. The authenticity of the miracles of Christ as found in Scripture and his pre-millennial second coming.

http://www.prodigalsonmagazine.com/walk/2008/01/question_what_is_fundamentalis.php

 

[Izdaari Eristikon]

Fundamentalism is considered to be built around the five tenets of the Christian faith, although there is much more to the movement then those tenets. The five tenets are:

1) The insistence that the Bible is to be taken as literally true. Along with this is the belief that the Bible is inerrant, i.e. without error and free from all contradictions.

I can go with the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, but I can only go with literally true for the parts that are meant that way. There are many different literary genres in the Bible. Historical narrative is one of them, but there are several others. Jesus was very fond of teaching via parables, and I don't think that just started when He was born as a man.

2) The virgin birth and deity of Christ—the belief that Jesus was born of the virgin Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit and that He was and is the Son of God, fully human and fully divine.

Yep, full agreement there.

3. The doctrine of substitutionary atonement through God’s grace and human faith—the belief that Christ was crucified for all the sins of man, and because of His perfect sacrifice, all men can find salvation through faith in Him.

Aye.

4. The bodily resurrection of Jesus—the belief that He was crucified and died and on the third day, He rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

Right.

5. The authenticity of the miracles of Christ as found in Scripture and his pre-millennial second coming.

Yes on the authenticity of Christ's miracles.

But I think the article is a little off on including premillennialism in the fundamentals. Many fundamentalists are premillennialists... but many aren't. I'm not so sure which theory of the end times is correct, and I call myself a pan-millennialist (i.e. trust in the Lord and it will all pan out ).

So... my position on those is conservative, and at least almost fundamentalist. And I'm a big fan of C.S. Lewis and N.T. Wright, two major Anglican conservatives. Not to mention the old timers: Calvin, Luther, Wesley, Augustine and others.

That I'm very respectful and even fond of the RC, EO and OO traditions defines me as conservative rather than fundamentalist. And that I'm charismatic separates me from non-Pentecostal fundamentalists.

But theology is most of what I'm very conservative about, and I'm not entirely conservative on that, since in addition to the writers I mentioned, I also like Brian D. McLaren, Rob Bell (emergent) and Tony Campolo (progressive evangelical).

I'm socially moderate, about as centrist as you can get on most social and cultural issues. I'm not a "values voter"; the hot button moral issues aren't a priority for me. Gun control is one exception: I'm a former gun rights activist, and still pretty vehement about my 2nd Amendment rights.

And I'm politically libertarian, pretty much in full agreement with the Libertarian Party platform on all but foreign policy, on which I'm more hawkish, pretty much in tune with traditional conservative Republicans, though not with the neocons (by which I mean the actual neocons -- Kristol, Podhoretz, etc. -- not the lefty pejorative version) who are too aggressive for my taste.