Why.

[jckstraw72]

The only purpose of proper doctrine is to lead people to Christ. Christ is the goal - not doctrine. To think that doctrine is more important than Christ is like keeping the box and throwing away the diamond.

who said anything about doctrine being more important than Christ? that doesnt even really make sense. just saying "Christ" means nothing -- you understand who Christ is and what He did via the doctrines you espouse. they are inseparable. Do you believe Christ is God? thats a doctrine. do you believe He's your savior? that's a doctrine.

1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

 

[jckstraw72]

yes, some of them.

Just like some Catholics, some EO, some Protestants.

well dang gina. if you consider Mormons and JWs to be Christians then I really don't know what to say. they dont even believe Christ is God! Muslims talk about Christ too, are they Christians?!

 

[christianmomof3]

There are two things required to take communion in an Orthodox Church.

baptism and confession.

Forgive me...

I have been baptised.
And I confess my sins.
Guess I qualify.

 

[Uphill Battle]

well dang gina. if you consider Mormons and JWs to be Christians then I really don't know what to say. they dont even believe Christ is God! Muslims talk about Christ too, are they Christians?!

you think every Mormon out there doesn't believe Christ is God?

intersesting.

 

[christianmomof3]

well dang gina. if you consider Mormons and JWs to be Christians then I really don't know what to say. they dont even believe Christ is God! Muslims talk about Christ too, are they Christians?!

While the teachings of those religions are not correct, that does not prevent the individuals who meet with those groups from turning their hearts to the Lord and praying to Him, does it? It does not prevent them from calling upon the name of the Lord does it? The Bible says that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. I agree that the teachings of those groups are not correct. But, I also believe that the Lord saves those whom He will save and He does not require us to understand Him completely or perfectly in order to be saved. If He did - none of us would be saved. There may be and most likely are individuals who meet with those groups who are saved and are Christians despite the incorrect teachings of the groups that they meet with.

 

[jckstraw72]

you think every Mormon out there doesn't believe Christ is God?

intersesting.

well if they believe Christ is God just as the Father is God then they ARENT Mormons.

this site does exactly what im saying -- only those who accept the Nicene Creed can call themselves Christians. the only difference is we take it one step further, as has always been done, and say only those who accept the correct meaning of the Nicene Creed are members of the earthly Body of Christ.

 

[jckstraw72]

While the teachings of those religions are not correct, that does not prevent the individuals who meet with those groups from turning their hearts to the Lord and praying to Him, does it? It does not prevent them from calling upon the name of the Lord does it?

i said nothing about that. i simply asked if they were Christians. if your answer is yes then you are saying it is a Christian belief to believe Christ is NOT God.

 

[Uphill Battle]

While the teachings of those religions are not correct, that does not prevent the individuals who meet with those groups from turning their hearts to the Lord and praying to Him, does it? It does not prevent them from calling upon the name of the Lord does it? The Bible says that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. I agree that the teachings of those groups are not correct. But, I also believe that the Lord saves those whom He will save and He does not require us to understand Him completely or perfectly in order to be saved. If He did - none of us would be saved. There may be and most likely are individuals who meet with those groups who are saved and are Christians despite the incorrect teachings of the groups that they meet with.

thta's what I was getting at, in a nutshell.

well if they believe Christ is God just as the Father is God then they ARENT Mormons.

this site does exactly what im saying -- only those who accept the Nicene Creed can call themselves Christians. the only difference is we take it one step further, as has always been done, and say only those who accept the correct meaning of the Nicene Creed are members of the earthly Body of Christ.

one step further indeed.

 

[christianmomof3]

i said nothing about that. i simply asked if they were Christians. if your answer is yes then you are saying it is a Christian belief to believe Christ is NOT God.

Although someone may meet with one of those groups, they may not accept all the teachings of that group. Often times that is the case of people who meet in any Christian or religious group. People either consciously or subconsciously chose which teachings they will believe and which they will not believe. Some people go from group to group trying to find one that has teachings that they can agree with all of, - like grocery shopping for religion or something. Anyway, no, it is not a Christian belief to believe that Christ is not God. But, there are many "Christians" on this board and in Christianity who do not believe that Jesus is God. I suspect that some simply do not understand what it means that Jesus is God. Others may be rejecting the Lord. But some, who love the Lord with all of their heart, soul and mind, may be saved despite the fact that they meet with a group that has incorrect teachings. I do not know. Only the Lord knows people's hearts.

 

[jckstraw72]

one step further indeed.

yes, indeed. so its ok for Protestants to say Mormon beliefs are not Christian, but if a Catholic or Orthodox say that certain Protestant beliefs are not Christian then we're just being crazy elitists.

 

[jckstraw72]

Although someone may meet with one of those groups, they may not accept all the teachings of that group. Often times that is the case of people who meet in any Christian or religious group. People either consciously or subconsciously chose which teachings they will believe and which they will not believe. Some people go from group to group trying to find one that has teachings that they can agree with all of, - like grocery shopping for religion or something. Anyway, no, it is not a Christian belief to believe that Christ is not God. But, there are many "Christians" on this board and in Christianity who do not believe that Jesus is God. I suspect that some simply do not understand what it means that Jesus is God. Others may be rejecting the Lord. But some, who love the Lord with all of their heart, soul and mind, may be saved despite the fact that they meet with a group that has incorrect teachings. I do not know. Only the Lord knows people's hearts.

Lordy, you know what I'm asking. Is someone who espouses Mormon beliefs a Christian?

 

[Uphill Battle]

yes, indeed. so its ok for Protestants to say Mormon beliefs are not Christian, but if a Catholic or Orthodox say that certain Protestant beliefs are not Christian then we're just being crazy elitists.

this will get us nowhere, I think.

 

[jckstraw72]

this will get us nowhere, I think.

tis a double standard aint it? y'all get to be "elitists" against Mormons, JWs, and whoever else, but how daaaaare it be done to you.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I have been baptised.
And I confess my sins.
Guess I qualify.

My Priest tells me to confess in front of the Altar even if there is nobody there.

You do know that Orthodox confess to Christ directly right? The Priest is just a witness. In effect this is not very different from asking forgiveness of Christ in our personal prayers.

Every true confession is a cry for the healing of the human will. (I can't remember who said it.)

Forgive me...

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

Mark 9:38-40

And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part.

You don't have to be for it... Just don't be against it.

Forgive me...

 

[Uphill Battle]

tis a double standard aint it? y'all get to be "elitists" against Mormons, JWs, and whoever else, but how daaaaare it be done to you.

I don't automatically reject all JW and Mormons as non-Christian.

 

[jckstraw72]

I don't automatically reject all JW and Mormons as non-Christian.

so which Mormons and JW's who dont believe Jesus is God do you accept as Christians?

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I don't automatically reject all JW and Mormons as non-Christian.

Wow! :o

Really? How very.... um....

Ecumenical ~ including or containing a mixture of diverse elements or styles; mixed: an ecumenical meal of German, Italian, and Chinese dishes.

Forgive me...

 

[Uphill Battle]

so which Mormons and JW's who dont believe Jesus is God do you accept as Christians?

never had to worry about it much. They're too busy letting me know I'm not Christian because I'm not Mormon

Wow! :o

Really? How very.... um....

Ecumenical ~ including or containing a mixture of diverse elements or styles; mixed: an ecumenical meal of German, Italian, and Chinese dishes.

Forgive me...

how so? The fact that I don't automatically reject them as non Christian? I thought that was very Orthodox.

guess not.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

That would be because they aren't Christians. Nor are the Muslims.

Perhaps you mean that you don't call their salvation into question.

Forgive me...