CORRESPONDENT OF THE DAY
Christian Commentary Raises Deep Questions
Editor, Times-Dispatch:
I find the Editorial Page editor's commentary on spiritual matters refreshing. It reflects an honest and thoughtful struggle with the meaning of Christianity.I have friends who are members of Christian churches where the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds are said. As we know, these creeds incorporate belief in Christ's virgin birth and resurrection. Several of these friends, however, do not accept these parts of the creeds. They are clearly people of good character who do believe in the teachings of Jesus. They give generously of their time and resources to helping others and serving their church.
Questions: Does being a Christian require belief in the virgin birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Should these good people be referred to as Christians, Jeffersonian Deists, humanitarians, or what?
Rives S. Hardy. Callao.
Reader Reactions
Interesting. We do observe Advent in our church, but do not observe Lent. I know that some churches do, but not in my experience.
As for the PCA practicing Replacement Theology. We practice Covenant Theology, and it is NOT the same. We do not believe that God has replaced Israel completely as RT states. We believe that God includes both the church and Israel in His covenant plan. RT is nothing more than a perjorative that dispensationalists use because they do not understand CT. Truth be told, RT is closer to DT than it is to CT.
Henry’s Ghost,
PC is the very one I was thinking, although WCC and NCC denominations share many of the same “doctrines”. Why does PC celebrate Lent and Advent? When I was growing up, we did not celebrate these RC “holidays”. Where did these come from? ... Ecumenical movement to sync all WCC and NCC beliefs.
Check out Replacement Theology. This teaching was unheard of prior to 3rd century.
Then G-d’s Word on the subject: Read Romans 11, Acts 1:6-7, Luke 21:24, Matthew 23:37-39, Ezekiel 36, Jeremiah 31, Zechariah chapters 12 - 14, Joel 3, Amos 9:11-15, Isaiah 2, Isaiah 62, and many, many others.
Most of the entire Bible is overlooked today by most organized Churches, but especially verses like Matthew 16:24 and Matthew 7:13-14 and Matthew 7:21.
Are there were quite a few Christians who laid down their lives for quite a few people…
You’re only seeing your side of the coin, flip it over.
Just to clarify - I had meant that the religion we call Christianity today with all its rites, rituals, doctrinal statements, beliefs (many of which are not biblical) is based on Constantine’s edicts from the Council of Nicea.
I would agree with you that many doctrinal statements particularly those of the Catholic and Orthodox churches are extrabiblical, but I do not find any in the Presbyterian church (to which I belong) to be so.
Have you ever hear this?
“Christianity began as a movement in Jerusalem, became a philosopy in Greece, an institution in Rome, a culture in Europe, and finally, big business in America.“
Nope.
Just to clarify - I had meant that the religion we call Christianity today with all its rites, rituals, doctrinal statements, beliefs (many of which are not biblical) is based on Constantine’s edicts from the Council of Nicea.
The disciples were first called Christians by others (in derogatory fashion?) Acts 11:26
G-d told the Israelites that they were not to worship the LORD their G-d as the pagans around them worshipped their gods. Didn’t he tear down the Ashteroh poles they used to worship Yahweh?
Have you ever hear this?
“Christianity began as a movement in Jerusalem, became a philosopy in Greece, an institution in Rome, a culture in Europe, and finally, big business in America.“
How true!
concerned,
Your statement that
Christianity is a RELIGION that was formed by Constantine
is incorrect. Prior to Constantine, Christians were persecuted by Diocletian. Constantine sought to establish religious tolerance, and as a compromise with the pagan worshippers combined Christianity with their practices. That is why Christmas is celebrated at the time of the pagan celebration of Saturnalia, and Easter coincides with their fertility celebrations. It was all done to make Christianity palpable to the Roman citizenry. Many of the pagan rites are still in place in the practices of the Catholic and the Orthodox churches, but they have been so “Christianized” that they bear little resemblance to their pagan roots. Christianity was long established centuries before Constantine was born, he just made it “acceptable”.
Also, the word “Christian” is found in three locations in the New Testament (twice in Acts; 11:26 and 26:28, and once in 1 Peter 4:16). Both books were written during the first century.
Reverend, Your friend must live on another planet. Most people, including Christians, would NOT die for others. Witness “Christian” silence during the Holocaust. Most turned a blind eye; many participated. Many Catholics and Protestants went to mass/church on Sunday and shot Jews on Monday. Witness 11 million murdered under the reign of a regime that was elected into power by a population that was half Catholic (christian) and half Protestant (christian). A miniscule number of Righteous did anything to save Jews and others during the Holocaust, many of these righteous were not even Christians.
Witness Rwanda in 1994. Pastors and Priests opened their church doors, not to provide sanctuary for those being slaughtered, but to provide a slaughterhouse. Some pastors and priests wielded the machetes and pistols!
The Messiah, the Anointed One, would die to atone for sin because He lived a perfect Torah-obedient life and was one (echad) with the Father. No one else could have done this. Isaiah 53.
Christianity is a RELIGION that was formed by Constantine, an unrepentant sun-god worshipper, in 325 a.d. at the Council of Nicea. Most of the “confessing” church today has nothing in common with early, first-century People of the Way (never called themselves Christians but were named this by others).
Study history.
A friend of mine once pointed out that Christ dying for our sins is something that if put into context, we would do for others if asked. If you could sacrifice yourself for the salvation of others, most would carry that burden.
He pointed out the difference was the resurrection, that God the Father brought him back, and annointed him savior of mankind. You have to accept the resurrection to get the full brunt of the force of will that Jesus gave us. He was, and is, the Son of God.
Anything less, and it’s just another good story about a prophet.
No, you’re not missing anything. You find hypocrites everywhere, even in the church. There aren’t any perfect Christians this side of heaven. Many people believe themselves to be a Christian, but they don’t accept the one thing that sets Christianity apart from all of the other religions of the world. It is the most basic premise of our faith. These people are fooling themselves.
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