Which denomination is the right one?

[seekingagnostic32]

There's so many Christians denominations. I've been informed that Calvinism may be wrong, so I want to know the right one. There's so many issues churches disagree on, like...

Is Christian rock music in church a sin?

Women speaking or preaching at church?

Tongues and spiritual gifts?

Is prophecy for today or no?

Healing?

Predestination and unconditional election or "free will"?

Women wearing make-up or jewelry?

Pictures of Jesus sinful or not?

Rapture or no?

Literal millenium or not?

Just the Bible or no?

Tithing for today or not?

Is birth control a sin?

Once saved always saved or no?

Should women have short hair / men have long hair?

Do we go to heaven when we die or soul sleep?

Is hell literal or a metaphor?

Creationism or evolution?

Literal Bible interpretation or allegorical?

Should pastors be paid or should anyone be allowed to preach?

Praying to saints or no?

Is Jesus the bread and wine, is he just there in presence only or is it just a symbol or remembrance of him?

Does God speak still or is it just the Bible?

Penal substitution, ransom theory or some other view of the atonement? Which is right?

Is Original Sin true or false?

Does God love everyone or just Christians or elect?

Does God want to bless us or is there meaning in suffering for us?

Which denomination is the correct one? I need to know! What is the true church and what is right or wrong on each issue listed above?

I'm willing to entertain the idea that Calvinism isn't correct for the sake of discussion, so help me out on this.

 

[drich0150]

I am answering these questions by either telling you there is a Direct Command that gives us a specific answer,(Not necessarily a Yes or a No, just that the answer is found in the bible) or if it is a matter of Worship. Meaning that even if there is freedom, this could be a matter (from some) of eating Meat offered to an Idol, and as such even if there is freedom for the stronger brother to Eat this "meat." for others it is a Sin just the same as if there were a direct command.

Is Christian rock music in church a sin?

Worship/belief

Women speaking or preaching at church?

It is written/Command

Tongues and spiritual gifts?

It is Written/Command

Is prophecy for today or no?

Worship/belief

Healing?

Worship/belief

Predestination and unconditional election

Worship/belief

Women wearing make-up or jewelry?

Command/Written

Pictures of Jesus sinful or not?

Worship/Belief

Rapture or no?

Command/Written

Literal millennium or not?

Worship/belief

Just the Bible or no?

Command/written

Tithing for today or not?

Command/written

Is birth control a sin?

Worship/belief

Once saved always saved or no?

Command/written

Should women have short hair

Command/written

men have long hair?

Worship/written

Do we go to heaven when we die or soul sleep?

Command/written

Is hell literal or a metaphor?

Command/written

Creationism or evolution?

Command/written

Literal Bible interpretation or allegorical?

Command/Written

Should pastors be paid or should anyone be allowed to preach?

command/written

Praying to saints or no?

worship/belief

Is Jesus the bread and wine, is he just there in presence only or is it just a symbol or remembrance of him?

It is Written

Does God speak still or is it just the Bible?

Worship/Belief

Penal substitution, ransom theory or some other view of the atonement? Which is right?

Worship/Belief

Is Original Sin true or false?

Worship/Belief

Does God love everyone or just Christians or elect?

It is Written

Does God want to bless us or is there meaning in suffering for us?

It is Written

Which denomination is the correct one?

What You should be asking is, do we have a command that unites us into one denomination?

I need to know! What is the true church

The true Church is the fellowship of Believers God elects from the different expressions of faith we have created for ourselves. what is the determining factor? In a sense it is our faithfulness to the Greatest Command. In that We are to Love our Lord God with all of our being. (Heart, Mind, Spirit, and Strength.) Not everyone can follow this command with in the confines of one expression of Faith. For instance the Charismatic could not worship God to His fullest capacity if He were in a button down Line by line book chapter and verse type of Church. And the Academic could not worship God with all of his being in a emotionally driven church, week in and week out. The "right" denomination is the one that allows you to Worship God with every fiber of your being.

We each have been created differently, thus the need for different expressions of Faith. However the Lynch pin to this freedom is that we will be judged on our faithfulness to God, rather than our faithfulness to religion or our preferred expression of faith. When/IF we out grow the faith our fathers, we are expected to go with the flow. if we do not then we become stagnate and Luke warm, thus separating us from God. we should be ever striving for a better understanding of God, using our different expressions of faith as a stepping stones, not a millstones or anchors grounding us and limiting our understanding of God.

and what is right or wrong on each issue listed above?

As we can not speak to your heart, it will be up to you to research and decide for yourself. Know that if I were to give you my answers you would only have a representation of my faith. As we are commanded to develop a relationship with God individually this will not help you. If you want to know then open your bible and start reading. Do not seek the predigested teachings of other men. Seek the Source. Seek out the Holy Spirit for understanding and a measure will be given unto you. One that you are responsible for.

I'm willing to entertain the idea that Calvinism isn't correct for the sake of discussion,

It sounds as if you are being directed to push past the faith of Calvin to find your own.

 

[GrayAngel]

There's so many Christians denominations. I've been informed that Calvinism may be wrong, so I want to know the right one. There's so many issues churches disagree on, like...

1. Calvinism is not a denomination.

2. No, it is not wrong.

Is Christian rock music in church a sin?

Depends on the content of the music. There's nothing innately sinful about electric guitars.

Women speaking or preaching at church?

This is debatable, but very few churches would actually label this as a sin. Traditionally, however, men are the spiritual leaders, and they hold the preaching positions in churches. At my church, nobody sees a problem with it. It's not seen as lowering the value of women.

Tongues and spiritual gifts?

Speaking in tongues is something you do when there is someone to interpret what you're saying. It's not useless babbling. And it was described by Paul as the least of the gifts.

There are a whole myriad of spiritual gifts. I could write a whole sermon on those.

Is prophecy for today or no?

Prophecy, as in the ability to hear messages from God to share with other people? Yes.

Healing?

Yes. I wouldn't exist if God didn't still use people to heal.

Predestination and unconditional election or "free will"?

Predestination is taught in the Bible. Free will is nothing but a myth, and is logically impossible.

Women wearing make-up or jewelry?

There's something to be said about decency, not flaunting one's wealth. But earrings are not innately evil. I would be more concerned with the way women dress today than their makeup.

Pictures of Jesus sinful or not?

Certainly not.

Rapture or no?

Don't know.

Literal millenium or not?

Not entirely sure what you're talking about. I haven't done much research into the end times.

Just the Bible or no?

Just the Bible for what?

Tithing for today or not?

Yes. It helps to sustain the church.

Is birth control a sin?

It may depend on the type of birth control. I've heard that birth control pills work by destroying fertilized eggs, which would basically a form early abortion. I am not a medical professional, though, and I have not looked into this yet.

Once saved always saved or no?

The Bible teaches that one cannot lose their salvation, if they ever had it. Paul said we "work out our salvation" to get the full benefits of it, but we cannot be saved and then lose our salvation.

Should women have short hair / men have long hair?

Doesn't matter.

Do we go to heaven when we die or soul sleep?

I don't know exactly how it works.

Is hell literal or a metaphor?

Hell literally exists, but it's probably not really a place of eternal fire, standing just outside the gates of Heaven, separated by a giant chasm.

Creationism or evolution?

Yes.

The details don't matter much to me.

Literal Bible interpretation or allegorical?

Depends on the book and its context. Every book is not written for the same audience or for the same purpose.

Should pastors be paid or should anyone be allowed to preach?

This is a matter of opinion.

Praying to saints or no?

We pray to God, not to saints, not to angels. Angels can serve as messengers, but they don't want any of the credit. I don't know what the roles of the saints are, or if they have any influence at all in our world.

Is Jesus the bread and wine, is he just there in presence only or is it just a symbol or remembrance of him?

"Do this in remembrance of me."

Jesus was not a breadman with wine in his yeasty vanes.

Does God speak still or is it just the Bible?

Even in the Bible, God sometimes spoke through silence. God still speaks today, and I have "heard" Him.

Penal substitution, ransom theory or some other view of the atonement? Which is right?

I'm not familiar with these theories. But the Bible teaches that we are saved through faith--which is a gift from God--which is displayed through works. Works cannot save us, but faith without works is dead (as in, it doesn't exist).

Is Original Sin true or false?

True. Adam and Eve sinned, and the world is not corrupted by sin. Jesus, whose Father was God, was the only one born without a sin nature.

Does God love everyone or just Christians or elect?

Just the elect. And only God knows who the elect are.

Does God want to bless us or is there meaning in suffering for us?

Yes and yes.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Acts 5:40-41 - His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Which denomination is the correct one? I need to know! What is the true church and what is right or wrong on each issue listed above?

There is no perfect denomination.

I'm willing to entertain the idea that Calvinism isn't correct for the sake of discussion, so help me out on this.

You're wasting your time, because the Bible teaches for predestination and against free will.

I don't know what else Calvinism is about, though, which is one of the reasons I don't call myself a Calvinist. But I know he was right on this one issue.

 

[razeontherock]

Wall-o'-questions! Let me try to narrow this down a bit, focusing on things that can actually matter. Please do realize that the objective of Chr5istianity is to have Jesus living His own Life in you, as only He can do it. Thsi is quite distinct from any element of "religion," and therefore many of the items you've listed fade into irrelevance. What's left?

Is Christian rock music in church a sin?

I doubt anyone would consider it sin per se, but almost nobody uses it IN Church, as part of worship.

Tongues and spiritual gifts?

The term you're looking for is "cessationalism." The Holy Ghost moving in the believer's life either ceased with the death of the 12 original Apostles, or it didn't. Despite all the focus on this in some circles, it really doesn't make a speck of difference until you're actually faced with them!

Predestination and unconditional election or "free will"?

Has absolutely NO effect on anything you or I would ever do.

Women wearing make-up or jewelry?

You're not a woman, so what do you care about this for? Modesty in the Bible, does not even pertain to this. (Unless somebody was decked out with lots of $ in jewels)

Pictures of Jesus sinful or not?

To say this is actually sinful, you've got to be awfully narrow about 1 particular verse. In the OT. Now, how much importance one may place on things of this nature in the exercise of their religion, can become a personal issue. Regardless of preference, there are denoms that will cater to it. (So I tend not to think any 1 is "the one true Church" everybody needs to be part of or be damned)

Rapture or no?

Literal millenium or not?

This matters only if you would consider Jesus approaching you with such as a present reality, which you decide "no thanks." Really? C'mon, this is idle chit-chat, passing curiosity, or interesting discussion at best. Niothing that would affect anything you or I would ever do.

Just the Bible or no?

THIS is significant! Nobody truly goes "just the Bible." We all have an understanding of it, and there's no shame in the honest perception of some part(s) not being sure about. The interesting thing here, is those that add other things to the Bible, don't contradict Scripture. All agree that is a significant measure!

Tithing for today or not?

The Lord loves a cheerful giver. Personally, I don't see Jesus telling us to build expensive buildings that we need to spend money to maintain. I think He's more pleased with $ going directly to those in need ...

Is Jesus the bread and wine, is he just there in presence only or is it just a symbol or remembrance of him?

Let me ask you, if anyone is observing this ritual according to their best knowledge in good conscience, do you think G-d would condemn them for it? I don't, and even those that are very particular about their way being the "right" way to do it, don't either. The strongest they'll say is outsiders don't get the full benefit.

That being said, I do believe there is Power to be found in Holy Communion.

Does God speak still or is it just the Bible?

False dichotomy: if G-d isn't speaking to you through the Bible, it's dead to you. MUCH more than any denominational concern, I would advise you to get yourself in the position where you can commune directly with G-d, via the Holy Bible. I do realize you are not in that position now, and that's not a put-down by any means. I am genuinely concerned about that, and think it's realistic to expect some difficulties between here and there ...

Penal substitution, ransom theory or some other view of the atonement? Which is right?

I wish to caution you about this either / or mentality. It's a trap! Divide and conquer is well within satan's arsenal, and here it is in all it's perverted glory.

The meaning of the Cross is infinite. We can all have drastically different ways of looking at it, w/o anyone being wrong, and STILL not appreciate the fulness of it's significance between us! (No that doesn't mean every thought anybody's ever had on the subject is true)

I have recommended EO to you before, and do so again. Not because I want you to practice their religion, and it IS a religion, but because they have a good understanding of many things I've seen troubling you. One caveat, is they do say the Cross is not to be understood via penal substitution. I haven't gotten tot he bottom of what they mean by that, and I suspect what they condemn is a very specific definition that I would never think of as being penal substitution. Anyway, dogma and closed-mindedness is not what I see Jesus as "being all about."

Is Original Sin true or false?

False, with enough elements of reality as to make this difficult to decipher.

Does God love everyone or just Christians or elect?

Clearly, He Loves the world! (This is the one big issue you need healing about)

Does God want to bless us or is there meaning in suffering for us?

False dichotomy. Seriously, please ponder this! Both are true, there is meaning and purpose to suffering, and G-d wants to Bless us. It is a very personal thing to know what things that have potential for suffering are to be accepted. One benefit of EO, (that I have never received) is their concept of "having a Spiritual Father." An individual that knows you, that you can turn to with such questions. Not a friend on equal terms, but someone above you in the Lord. W/o that, not having good answers to these questions can set us WAY back ...

 

[leftrightleftrightleft]

There's so many Christians denominations. I've been informed that Calvinism may be wrong, so I want to know the right one. There's so many issues churches disagree on, like...

Is Christian rock music in church a sin?

Women speaking or preaching at church?

Tongues and spiritual gifts?

Is prophecy for today or no?

Healing?

Predestination and unconditional election or "free will"?

Women wearing make-up or jewelry?

Pictures of Jesus sinful or not?

Rapture or no?

Literal millenium or not?

Just the Bible or no?

Tithing for today or not?

Is birth control a sin?

Once saved always saved or no?

Should women have short hair / men have long hair?

Do we go to heaven when we die or soul sleep?

Is hell literal or a metaphor?

Creationism or evolution?

Literal Bible interpretation or allegorical?

Should pastors be paid or should anyone be allowed to preach?

Praying to saints or no?

Is Jesus the bread and wine, is he just there in presence only or is it just a symbol or remembrance of him?

Does God speak still or is it just the Bible?

Penal substitution, ransom theory or some other view of the atonement? Which is right?

Is Original Sin true or false?

Does God love everyone or just Christians or elect?

Does God want to bless us or is there meaning in suffering for us?

Which denomination is the correct one? I need to know! What is the true church and what is right or wrong on each issue listed above?

I'm willing to entertain the idea that Calvinism isn't correct for the sake of discussion, so help me out on this.

You're looking at the moles, pimples and fingernails of the Christian body. If the heart, lungs and brain are functioning alright, then the other stuff doesn't matter as much.

The Nicene Creed is the correct Christian denomination. And, as far as I know, every "major" denomination follows the Nicene Creed.

 

[seekingagnostic32]

You're looking at the moles, pimples and fingernails of the Christian body. If the heart, lungs and brain are functioning alright, then the other stuff doesn't matter as much.

The Nicene Creed is the correct Christian denomination. And, as far as I know, every "major" denomination follows the Nicene Creed.

No, all of these matters are important to me actually.

God doesn't live in creeds. But surely He must have some thoughts about all the issues I posted. Every one is important to me.

 

[seekingagnostic32]

Wall-o'-questions! Let me try to narrow this down a bit, focusing on things that can actually matter. Please do realize that the objective of Chr5istianity is to have Jesus living His own Life in you, as only He can do it. Thsi is quite distinct from any element of "religion," and therefore many of the items you've listed fade into irrelevance. What's left?



I doubt anyone would consider it sin per se, but almost nobody uses it IN Church, as part of worship.



The term you're looking for is "cessationalism." The Holy Ghost moving in the believer's life either ceased with the death of the 12 original Apostles, or it didn't. Despite all the focus on this in some circles, it really doesn't make a speck of difference until you're actually faced with them!



Has absolutely NO effect on anything you or I would ever do.



You're not a woman, so what do you care about this for? Modesty in the Bible, does not even pertain to this. (Unless somebody was decked out with lots of $ in jewels)



To say this is actually sinful, you've got to be awfully narrow about 1 particular verse. In the OT. Now, how much importance one may place on things of this nature in the exercise of their religion, can become a personal issue. Regardless of preference, there are denoms that will cater to it. (So I tend not to think any 1 is "the one true Church" everybody needs to be part of or be damned)



This matters only if you would consider Jesus approaching you with such as a present reality, which you decide "no thanks." Really? C'mon, this is idle chit-chat, passing curiosity, or interesting discussion at best. Niothing that would affect anything you or I would ever do.



THIS is significant! Nobody truly goes "just the Bible." We all have an understanding of it, and there's no shame in the honest perception of some part(s) not being sure about. The interesting thing here, is those that add other things to the Bible, don't contradict Scripture. All agree that is a significant measure!



The Lord loves a cheerful giver. Personally, I don't see Jesus telling us to build expensive buildings that we need to spend money to maintain. I think He's more pleased with $ going directly to those in need ...



Let me ask you, if anyone is observing this ritual according to their best knowledge in good conscience, do you think G-d would condemn them for it? I don't, and even those that are very particular about their way being the "right" way to do it, don't either. The strongest they'll say is outsiders don't get the full benefit.

That being said, I do believe there is Power to be found in Holy Communion.



False dichotomy: if G-d isn't speaking to you through the Bible, it's dead to you. MUCH more than any denominational concern, I would advise you to get yourself in the position where you can commune directly with G-d, via the Holy Bible. I do realize you are not in that position now, and that's not a put-down by any means. I am genuinely concerned about that, and think it's realistic to expect some difficulties between here and there ...



I wish to caution you about this either / or mentality. It's a trap! Divide and conquer is well within satan's arsenal, and here it is in all it's perverted glory.

The meaning of the Cross is infinite. We can all have drastically different ways of looking at it, w/o anyone being wrong, and STILL not appreciate the fulness of it's significance between us! (No that doesn't mean every thought anybody's ever had on the subject is true)

I have recommended EO to you before, and do so again. Not because I want you to practice their religion, and it IS a religion, but because they have a good understanding of many things I've seen troubling you. One caveat, is they do say the Cross is not to be understood via penal substitution. I haven't gotten tot he bottom of what they mean by that, and I suspect what they condemn is a very specific definition that I would never think of as being penal substitution. Anyway, dogma and closed-mindedness is not what I see Jesus as "being all about."



False, with enough elements of reality as to make this difficult to decipher.



Clearly, He Loves the world! (This is the one big issue you need healing about)



False dichotomy. Seriously, please ponder this! Both are true, there is meaning and purpose to suffering, and G-d wants to Bless us. It is a very personal thing to know what things that have potential for suffering are to be accepted. One benefit of EO, (that I have never received) is their concept of "having a Spiritual Father." An individual that knows you, that you can turn to with such questions. Not a friend on equal terms, but someone above you in the Lord. W/o that, not having good answers to these questions can set us WAY back ...

You said some of this has nothing to do with what I say or do. Wrong. What I believe, teach and think is at stake. That is important. Whether I believe god creates people for the good pleasure of eternally torturing them or He doesn't, that is a pretty big difference.

I care what the women look like because I care what my girl looks like. If she is not allowed to look attractive, I don't think I'd want to join a church with ugly broads. Just being honest here.

Okay, so you said Orthodox is good. All right. Thanks for your opinion. The other guy said Calvinism is true, so I'm already at odds with the ideas here. They cannot both be correct. Either one must be true, or they must both be false. Which is it?

I need more votes.

 

[Publius]

Nevermind.

 

[seekingagnostic32]

I am answering these questions by either telling you there is a Direct Command that gives us a specific answer,(Not necessarily a Yes or a No, just that the answer is found in the bible) or if it is a matter of Worship. Meaning that even if there is freedom, this could be a matter (from some) of eating Meat offered to an Idol, and as such even if there is freedom for the stronger brother to Eat this "meat." for others it is a Sin just the same as if there were a direct command.

Worship/belief

It is written/Command
It is Written/Command
Worship/belief

Worship/belief


Worship/belief

Command/Written

Worship/Belief

Command/Written

Worship/belief

Command/written

Command/written

Worship/belief

Command/written


Command/written


Worship/written


Command/written

Command/written

Command/written

Command/Written

command/written

worship/belief

It is Written

Worship/Belief

Worship/Belief

Worship/Belief

It is Written

It is Written


What You should be asking is, do we have a command that unites us into one denomination?


The true Church is the fellowship of Believers God elects from the different expressions of faith we have created for ourselves. what is the determining factor? In a sense it is our faithfulness to the Greatest Command. In that We are to Love our Lord God with all of our being. (Heart, Mind, Spirit, and Strength.) Not everyone can follow this command with in the confines of one expression of Faith. For instance the Charismatic could not worship God to His fullest capacity if He were in a button down Line by line book chapter and verse type of Church. And the Academic could not worship God with all of his being in a emotionally driven church, week in and week out. The "right" denomination is the one that allows you to Worship God with every fiber of your being.

We each have been created differently, thus the need for different expressions of Faith. However the Lynch pin to this freedom is that we will be judged on our faithfulness to God, rather than our faithfulness to religion or our preferred expression of faith. When/IF we out grow the faith our fathers, we are expected to go with the flow. if we do not then we become stagnate and Luke warm, thus separating us from God. we should be ever striving for a better understanding of God, using our different expressions of faith as a stepping stones, not a millstones or anchors grounding us and limiting our understanding of God.

As we can not speak to your heart, it will be up to you to research and decide for yourself. Know that if I were to give you my answers you would only have a representation of my faith. As we are commanded to develop a relationship with God individually this will not help you. If you want to know then open your bible and start reading. Do not seek the predigested teachings of other men. Seek the Source. Seek out the Holy Spirit for understanding and a measure will be given unto you. One that you are responsible for.

It sounds as if you are being directed to push past the faith of Calvin to find your own.

So rather than answer me, you just give me a long list of command / worship whatever. That doesn't tell me anything. I was asking YOU what denomination was correct and what the truth was on each issue. Either you know, or you don't.

 

[seekingagnostic32]

It's also important that I know the truth since I conduct Bible studies on my personal time with friends and seekers, so I need to have the correct truth on these matters. For instance, a friend married someone of a different race and if that is a sin, I need to be able to point the truth out to him.

 

[GrayAngel]

It's also important that I know the truth since I conduct Bible studies on my personal time with friends and seekers, so I need to have the correct truth on these matters. For instance, a friend married someone of a different race and if that is a sin, I need to be able to point the truth out to him.

Interracial marriage was never mentioned in the Bible. I don't believe the Bible even acknowledges the existence of race, probably because race wasn't even conceived of yet.

There's no reason to think it's a sin, except for our modern ethnocentric egos.

For anything else, if the Bible doesn't say anything specifically about it, we have this:

I Corinthians 6:12 - All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

If you want any specific Bible references for anything else, let me know.

 

[razeontherock]

What I believe, teach and think is at stake.

I really hope you don't consider yourself qualified to teach? Our thoughts are always in flux, and "what we believe" is not the almighty thing modern churchianity has it cracked up to be. If you were to time travel to the early Church and present them with that idea, they would look at you like you were nuts. Judgment according to works, and almost none of these things affect that.

I care what the women look like because I care what my girl looks like. If she is not allowed to look attractive

If "your girl" needs jewelry and make up to be attractive to you, I suggest she is not a match Seriously. (Personally, I do think it's man-made fabrication to insist such things are verboten)

Okay, so you said Orthodox is good. All right. Thanks for your opinion. The other guy said Calvinism is true, so I'm already at odds with the ideas here. They cannot both be correct. Either one must be true, or they must both be false.

Context, please! I'm saying you carry open wounds, and EO is good at dispensing salve for your particular issues. Just gaining some of their perspective would be very healing for you

 

[razeontherock]

For instance, a friend married someone of a different race and if that is a sin, I need to be able to point the truth out to him.

Moses was accused of this. G-d struck down his accusers. Issue settled.

 

[razeontherock]

So rather than answer me, you just give me a long list of command / worship whatever. That doesn't tell me anything. I was asking YOU what denomination was correct and what the truth was on each issue. Either you know, or you don't.

Why gloss over the subleties of what you inquire about? It is not as simple as "one true Church." No disrespect intended to those very few groups who maintain their group is the "one true Church," but our Lord never said anything like that. What He expressed is the supremacy of worship in Spirit and Truth.

I'm sure you knew this, at some point. Please take inventory of what moved you away from that simple and Powerful Truth. (And then remove that from inventory, obviously)

 

[seekingagnostic32]

I really hope you don't consider yourself qualified to teach? Our thoughts are always in flux, and "what we believe" is not the almighty thing modern churchianity has it cracked up to be. If you were to time travel to the early Church and present them with that idea, they would look at you like you were nuts. Judgment according to works, and almost none of these things affect that.



If "your girl" needs jewelry and make up to be attractive to you, I suggest she is not a match Seriously. (Personally, I do think it's man-made fabrication to insist such things are verboten)



Context, please! I'm saying you carry open wounds, and EO is good at dispensing salve for your particular issues. Just gaining some of their perspective would be very healing for you

Every man is a teacher and every man a student. That said, I do have a gift to teach verbally and I do quite often, not just in religious matters either.

What is next? Telling me I am not allowed to be attracted to slim girls, or telling me I must look within and ignore what my girl looks like? This is a legitimate problem with most religions; when they attempt to dictate who I can and cannot find physically attractive. What's next, telling me which soap I may use and which toothpaste to purchase? My last church was very controlling as well.

As for the EO, I can't understand a word they say and I don't agree with priests being single, so I'm not sure how that would work out for me.

 

[razeontherock]

Wow, you just went off on many strawmen there, but a flower can grow from a pot of dirt, right?

EO doesn't have single Priests, I question what effort you have made to understand "a word they say," and nobody said you couldn't be attracted to slim girls. Please refrain from such unreasonable and diversionary tactics

 

[drich0150]

So rather than answer me, you just give me a long list of command / worship whatever. That doesn't tell me anything. I was asking YOU what denomination was correct and what the truth was on each issue. Either you know, or you don't.

How could I be more clear? None are 100% correct. None are even close. Why? Because righteousness is not purchased through our worship practices or religious traditions. This is Made evident by the lack of instruction we have to establish a central religion/denomination as was the case with the Jews. If God wanted one religious expression of Faith He would have given us the command to establish one with a complete set of rules as with the Jews. so what is left? Reread my 1st post and see if you can figure it out this time.

 

[leftrightleftrightleft]

No, all of these matters are important to me actually.

Okay. But that's not what you were asking. If all these matters are important to you then you seek out your answers. You were asking what denomination is correct and I replied that they are all correct in that they all follow the heart, mind and lungs of the Christian body of worship. The eyebrows, fingernails and haircut are not essential to the Christian body of worship.

You are concerning yourself with the eyebrows, fingernails and haircut. If those things matter to you, then you can concern yourself with them. But they pose no detriment to the heart and soul of Christian identity.

God doesn't live in creeds. But surely He must have some thoughts about all the issues I posted. Every one is important to me.

Okay. But that's not what you were asking. You weren't asking which ones were important to you. You were asking which issues were important to Christianity and from this you wanted to determine the "true" denomination. I'm telling you the Nicene Creed is the heart and soul of the Christian body. Therefore, the Nicene Creed is the "correct" denomination and it encompasses all other major denominations.

If you do not believe that God lives in creeds that's fine, I'm just providing information on how Christianity describes reality. Think of it this way: you believe God is experiential. Early Christians had God-experiences of varying degrees and wrote these down in a descriptive way which became the Nicene Creed. Its just like you writing a quick description of God. If I then turned around and said, "But God doesn't live in your description!" you'd retort, "Well, I was just describing my view of reality."

Just because all these issues are important to you does not mean that God "must have some thoughts about all the issues" you posted.

I hate olives. That doesn't mean God hates olives.

 

[Aeneas]

As for the EO, I can't understand a word they say

As a group? It would be very strange for an entire, multicultural denomination to all share some speech impediment, so that might be a hearing issue.

and I don't agree with priests being single, so I'm not sure how that would work out for me.

The EO doesn't have single priests...

 

[oi_antz]

So rather than answer me, you just give me a long list of command / worship whatever. That doesn't tell me anything. I was asking YOU what denomination was correct and what the truth was on each issue. Either you know, or you don't.

You have yet to overcome whatever it is that puts a bee in your bonnet. If you were to read drich's post fairly you might notice the wisdom in comments such as this:

The "right" denomination is the one that allows you to Worship God with every fiber of your being.

and this

we should be ever striving for a better understanding of God, using our different expressions of faith as a stepping stones, not a millstones or anchors grounding us and limiting our understanding of God.

You are one of those who just wants to be spoon fed, drich is one who wants you to think for yourself:

it will be up to you to research and decide for yourself

Anyhow, I will answer what you've asked because I think you could benefit from another opinion. Apparently your past experience with Christian teaching has left a foul taste in your mouth. My experience has been different and I obviously know that Jesus is good or I wouldn't be trusting Him to teach me, I'd be looking for someone else. However, you must accept that everyone grows differently, and there may be some lessons that I have not yet learned that others have, and vice versa, there may be others that haven't learned the same lessons I have learned. This is what makes us unique. The goal of life is to grow, to become holy as the saints. In order to achieve this we must be perfectly repentant, so when you are taught a lesson you have to learn from it. It's never easy when we have pride to contend with, and we all have our portion of that.

Here goes:

There's so many Christians denominations. I've been informed that Calvinism may be wrong, so I want to know the right one.

I think drich said it best which I quoted above. You need to shop around until you find the one that best facilitates your relationship with God. Notice that this requires that you actually have a relationship with God. You will have to ask Jesus for that. Quoted proof:

39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas,[d] because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

There's so many issues churches disagree on, like...

Naturally there will be reasons why people hold different opinions. I once knew a teacher of music who hated rock music. She even said that heavy metal music isn't really music!

Is Christian rock music in church a sin?

I'd like to see a scripture that demonstrates that rock music (or it's ancient equivalent) is sinful. If it is singing praise to God I'd find it quite a stretch. What does your common sense say?

Women speaking or preaching at church?

1 Timothy 2:12
And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.

Tongues and spiritual gifts?

What about it?

Is prophecy for today or no?

Yes, prophecy is God's voice.

Healing?

I have witnessed it.

Predestination and unconditional election or "free will"?

I understand that we each have free will, and God has a will too. Whenever our will conflicts with God's will He will intervene. So history is made of people (and other creatures for that matter) acting upon their free will. The future is merely history waiting to happen, and since God knows everything that there is to know, even knowing every grain of sand on the seashore, He can predict what will happen in the future. Jeremiah 1:5
“ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Women wearing make-up or jewelry?

You had two good answers already.

Pictures of Jesus sinful or not?

I hate the image of Jesus on a cross, I love the image of a risen savior.

Rapture or no?

What does the bible say?

Literal millenium or not?

What does the bible say?

Just the Bible or no?

The bible is the final authority. Other resources can be useful though.

Tithing for today or not?

Of course!

Is birth control a sin?

Genesis 38:9 is similar to condom use.

Once saved always saved or no?

No, everyone is free to walk in or out of a relationship with Jesus, however it happens on His terms so He isn't like a doormat. Look at the story of the prodigal son, he took his inheritance squandered it, was at the point of starving to death and came grovelling back to his father, willing to be a slave and his father accepted him with arms open wide. If you who are evil know how to give good gifts, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask for it!

Should women have short hair / men have long hair?

I don't mind seeing different styles, but according to scripture Paul is pretty specific.

Do we go to heaven when we die or soul sleep?

Jesus said "In my fathers house there are many rooms" and "I go to prepare a place for you" and "Today, you will be with me in paradise". Also the story of Lazarus and the rich man indicates pretty well that there is consciousness after death.

Is hell literal or a metaphor?

Both actually. People can metaphorically live in hell on earth, while there is a literal place called hell for those who Jesus deems worthy of it.

Creationism or evolution?

Both (try to get your head around that).

Literal Bible interpretation or allegorical?

Both. Read this in Ray's signature:

“There is nothing in the Mosaic books that yields its meaning on the surface. No rabbi ever read Genesis literally until modern times!” - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Should pastors be paid or should anyone be allowed to preach?

I am fond of the structure of the Open Brethren. Each week the church elders take turns teaching. This gives variety and distributes the responsiblity.

Praying to saints or no?

Psalm 5
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
Consider my meditation.
2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.

Is Jesus the bread and wine, is he just there in presence only or is it just a symbol or remembrance of him?

I think you know the answer to that.

Does God speak still or is it just the Bible?

John 10
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

If people were not engaging in a real relationship with God then Christianity would be dead. However, what we are seeing is that a huge proportion of the world actually testifies that God speaks to them in one way or another.

Penal substitution, ransom theory or some other view of the atonement? Which is right?

I have told you in another thread that Jesus went peacefully to comply with the Jews because He trusted God's overall plan to conquer Rome and bring the Jews and Gentiles into God's grace. Paul speaks about how Jesus' sacrifice made the final atonement in Hebrews 9. Make sure you read that and understand every single verse of it, because I think you may have had your head stuffed with false teaching on this one. Verses like this are not to be glossed over:

11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come,[a] with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Is Original Sin true or false?

It is true that we are born in a state that prefers to sin. We must make a conscious effort to overcome sin, that is called repentance.

Does God love everyone or just Christians or elect?

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son". He does love us even as unbelievers. There may however be things about us that He hates, such as those who torture animals.

Does God want to bless us or is there meaning in suffering for us?

God does want to bless us, but you know the joke about the flood. God says "I sent your neighbor to warn you, a boat to rescue you and the helicopter too, yet you refused my help!". I think there is a sincere lesson there to get off our but and take action for positive changes in our life.

Which denomination is the correct one? I need to know! What is the true church and what is right or wrong on each issue listed above?

drich answered this very well for you. You need to find one that helps you grow toward God. I think it is good for you to move away from Calvinism, it seems to have harmed you more than helped you.

I'm willing to entertain the idea that Calvinism isn't correct for the sake of discussion, so help me out on this.

Hope it helps