Darrel Tessier
What is NOT the Gospel?
Posted on: 07/05/2011 10:15
When I first became a Christian ("accepting Jesus as my Savior!") I read the Bible with a group of fundamentalists who interpreted the scripture in a "face-value" kind of way similar to what one hears on some posts and by TV evangelists and from many pulpits too. But over time, it ended up, even these people who all "took the Bible literally" argued with each other! They even went so far as to say of other fundamentalists that they were "of the devil" and preached a "false gospel!" For example, Baptists who believed "once saved, always saved" denounced the Pentecostals who said, "... but you can lose your salvation!" It was a mess!
This simplistic way of interpretation ("... but the Bible says.... blah, blah, yadda, yadda....) can become idolatry. I heard some one call this "biblio-alitry!" When we ALL get to heaven will some be walking around with their noses stuck in their Bibles? "Wait a minute there God... I'm not sure what you’re saying to me here in front of you’re throne! Let me check that in the Good Book here and find a scripture about that! Ah, you see... but it says here...!” This putting God in a box, don't you think!?
Comments
seeler
Posted on: 07/05/2011 12:59
Answering the question 'what is NOT the Gospel?"
In my opinion anything and everything that gets in the way of the Good News that Jesus brought to a hurting world. That God loves us and that God's kingdom is near at hand. Anything that gets in the way of that message is NOT the Gospel.
Dcn. Jae
Posted on: 07/05/2011 13:32
You're generalizing a bit much. Certainly not all Baptists even believe in eternal security. Even in my small little church of about 25 members, there is a wide scope of beliefs, all within the evangelical circle. I wouldn't say we denounce those who don't agree with us as you suggest. We just agree to disagree on minor non salvific issues.
GordW
Posted on: 07/05/2011 13:34
To be fair MC, he did not say all Baptists did that, but related that some he had seen did that (at least that is how I read it)
Dcn. Jae
Posted on: 07/05/2011 13:48
To be fair MC, he did not say all Baptists did that, but related that some he had seen did that (at least that is how I read it)
Yes, that's true Gord. Fair enough.
musicsooths
Posted on: 07/05/2011 13:54
People are funny about church goers. I was at the store yesterday and we were talking about how we fight at home sometimes. Someone called me a hypocrite because I profess to be a Christian and still fight with my family sometimes. I said that even though I am religious it does not mean that I am perfect I am still human and I make mistakes.
Dcn. Jae
Posted on: 07/05/2011 14:34
People are funny about church goers. I was at the store yesterday and we were talking about how we fight at home sometimes. Someone called me a hypocrite because I profess to be a Christian and still fight with my family sometimes. I said that even though I am religious it does not mean that I am perfect I am still human and I make mistakes.
Well said musicsooths. Don't we all.
seeler
Posted on: 07/05/2011 16:06
We talk, discuss, argue, and sometimes fight. It doesn't mean that we don't love and respect and care for each other. It means that we are trying to find out what matters to each of us, what we can agree on, where we will have to compromise, where one or the other will have to bend a little, and how to handle it if we cannot agree. This is a healthy relationship. What isn't healthy is when one insists that their way is the only way, or if they agree that one person will have all the authority and make all the decisions and the other will nod and agree. "Of course, dear. You are right, dear. Silly me to think that I had an opinion."
waterfall
Posted on: 07/05/2011 16:36
It's probably closer to say that we are in the box, not God.
blackbelt
Posted on: 07/05/2011 17:52
It's probably closer to say that we are in the box, not God.
i would say thats really close , really really close
unsafe
Posted on: 07/05/2011 18:49
[quote=waterfall]
It's probably closer to say that we are in the box, not God.
GordW
Posted on: 07/05/2011 18:50
OR to say that we want to put God in teh box but God is not in the habit of obliging...
Dcn. Jae
Posted on: 07/05/2011 19:06
Has anyone else here considered the feelings of the box itself?