How to promote unity while acknowledging doctrinal differences

[crossnote]

And sometimes...it even happens to the regenerate.

Galatians 5:14-21 (KJV)
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

[mwc68]

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What you're talking about is everyone understanding and acceding to orthodoxy--the basic beliefs that someone must espouse to be called a Christian.

Historically, the Creeds (Nicene and Apostles) have represented statements of basic Christian doctrine. The vast majority of Christendom agrees with these Creeds. Even Christians who are unfamiliar with the Creeds will read them and say, "Yes, that's true. I believe that."

I've been told by a certain poster, who shall be nameless, the Creeds mean nothing! This is hurtful and wrong imo

 

[Sirk]

And sometimes...it even happens to the regenerate.

Galatians 5:14-21 (KJV)
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

If we spend too much time worrying about the way another person fellowships, worships, prays etc we forget to be grateful for the way the Lord has called us? Isn't the Christian walk about obedient gratitude. It's what I strive for. Shouldn't the way we conduct ourselves and love God be contagious?

 

[Gr8grace]

I think this is the main issue: prideful people cannot let stuff go. for example: let's say I told a brother or sister in Christ that I smoked a cigar from time to time. that person responded " well, I think it is wrong of a professing Christian to do that". if I said o.k. then I will never do around you, and not mention it. that should be the end. but the prideful person would continue to bang on me about it, thus creating division. so letting little things would be huge for the sake of unity.

From my experience, the Christian who is focused on " YOU shouldn't do that." Is doing the same thing and often times something even worse. Its takes the focus off of what we are doing and transfers the focus to someone else and allows us to justify our own actions.

So they can't let it go, until they let it go in their own lives.

The Christian who lives as, " I am what I am by the grace of God." Doesn't worry much about someone else's behavior.

 

[Jackson123]

No body perfect

If every body perfect then every body love each other, and have perfect doctrine, then it will united

Most denomination have the same foundation, it is bible.

The different is in the interpretation.


But between Catholic and Christian, the different is from foundation.

Catholic use bible, and traditions as foundation.

It is huge different.

 

[Miri]

Another difficulty is that everyone is at different levels in their walk with Jesus.

As a young christian I thought I knew it all and everything seemed very black and
white and I was full of myself (looking back I knew nothing).

As an older christian now I know I don't know nothing and I'm going grey,
spiritually and physically.

Just when I think I know something, Jesus turns it completely on its head!

I remember ages ago someone said "when I get on my high horse, Jesus comes
along on a donkey".

Every time pride rears it head, I take a tumble.
Every time I get judgemental, I find myself in the same position.
Every time I find myself getting all worked up over nothing, Jesus
whispers count your blessings.
Many times I have started to post on CC, then heard a little voice
whisper, forget it and move on, let me deal with this.

We are fighting a spiritual battle, it's all around us day in day out.
Sometimes it is right to be at the front, other times we need to let
Jesus handle it.

When satan rears his ugly head, point him to the cross
and remind him of his fate. The battle isn't against people on CC.

Eph 6 v 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

 

[mwc68]

Some people need to stop calling a certain denomination devil worshippers

 

[crossnote]

If we spend too much time worrying about the way another person fellowships, worships, prays etc we forget to be grateful for the way the Lord has called us? Isn't the Christian walk about obedient gratitude. It's what I strive for. Shouldn't the way we conduct ourselves and love God be contagious?

I think in the Galatians case the culprit was a false Gospel Gal 1:6-9 (Jesus 'and') and which led to the warnings carnality of in Gal 5.
I see some here with a perverted understanding of the simple Gospel, that's my main concern , yes, otherwise it is a life of thanks.

 

[Chica]

Christian orthodoxy believes that the church (and by that I mean the body of Christ, not any version of Catholicism that makes itself available as an alleged Earthly final authority) and faith are inseparable, and I fully believe that. Orthodox Christian teaching is not the purview of a denomination, but is found in the pages of God's Holy Word, the Bible.

Neither the Apostles' Creed nor the Nicene Creed are Scripture. Both have issues, the Apostles' Creed being more solid than is the Nicene. But I'm not talking about the Creeds. I'm talking about biblical truth. We don't need creeds to identify it.

And? Where did I say in my post that the creeds are superior to Biblical truth?

 

[PoetMary]

I've been told by a certain poster, who shall be nameless, the Creeds mean nothing! This is hurtful and wrong imo

I just find it ironic. Particularly when Christians bemoan, "Why can't we all just get along?"

Most of the time the discord is based on people pretending that non-essentials are issues of orthodoxy. So, their pet view of ______ (fill in the blank) becomes the litmus test of someone's Christianity.

The Creeds predate the canonization of scripture and even helped the Councils determine which texts were genuinely from God and which were not. They've also been the standard used by the vast majority of Christendom throughout history. Even today, the Creeds are used as "the basics for believers" by all manner of churches from traditional liturgical believers, to evangelical, to reformed.

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

And? Where did I say in my post that the creeds are superior to Biblical truth?

I didn't intend to come across as saying you did. Sorry about that. I was clarifying my take for you and Mary on what the Creeds represent.

 

[Sirk]

I think in the Galatians case the culprit was a false Gospel Gal 1:6-9 (Jesus 'and') and which led to the warnings carnality of in Gal 5.
I see some here with a perverted understanding of the simple Gospel, that's my main concern , yes, otherwise it is a life of thanks.

Ya. I totally get that. I know in my heart that the message of the gospel is simple on purpose. Believe in Jesus that he was the perfect sacrifice and the only way to reconcile us to God. We are required to do nothing but believe in him and what we do outwardly is a symptom that the Holy Spirit dwells in us and is making us new.

 

[crossnote]

I just find it ironic. Particularly when Christians bemoan, "Why can't we all just get along?"

Most of the time the discord is based on people pretending that non-essentials are issues of orthodoxy. So, their pet view of ______ (fill in the blank) becomes the litmus test of someone's Christianity.

The Creeds predate the canonization of scripture and even helped the Councils determine which texts were genuinely from God and which were not. They've also been the standard used by the vast majority of Christendom throughout history. Even today, the Creeds are used as "the basics for believers" by all manner of churches from traditional liturgical believers, to evangelical, to reformed.

The OT predates the Creeds and the Councils and was the basis of NT Scripture. Acts 17:11 also...

2 Timothy 3:1, 15-16 (KJV)
1 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 

[Billyd]

Paul devotes the entire thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians to how we as Christians should behave. If we put it into practice, we will become one voice for Christ.

 

[crossnote]

Ya. I totally get that. I know in my heart that the message of the gospel is simple on purpose. Believe in Jesus that he was the perfect sacrifice and the only way to reconcile us to God. We are required to do nothing but believe in him and what we do outwardly is a symptom that the Holy Spirit dwells in us and is making us new.

Yes and forgetting those basics we start operating in the flesh.

 

[PoetMary]

The OT predates the Creeds and the Councils and was the basis of NT Scripture. Acts 17:11

I'm not sure I understand your point.

The Creeds are not in opposition to the bible. The Creeds are not objects of worship. The Creeds provide a clear and concise summation of the essentials of the faith.

There are Christians from varying denominations who argue over these very essentials (the Trinity, for example, comes to mind here). These arguments are based one one of two things: 1) a lack of understanding about basic orthodoxy and/or 2) an idiosyncratic interpretation of scripture.

There are some believers that are ignorant, for example of the history surrounding the Creeds. Once they discover the heretical battles that the Councils were addressing (namely gnosticism and arianism), they will often realize that some battles have already been resolved by the Church and need not be refought.

Additionally, the Creeds also supply a rational basis for understanding "heresy." So, "heresy" isn't based on some opposition to an idiosyncratic interpretation of scripture. It's based on opposition to the clear ideas understood about our faith from the very foundations of the Church.

 

[Sirk]

Yes and forgetting those basics we start operating in the flesh.

It is prideful of us to believe that we can return in kind what God has so graciously given to us. He doesn't want anything from us but our heart....and even that wouldn't be good enough except for Christ.

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

I would prefer this not become a thread that debates what the Creeds are, so please refrain from turning it in that direction. This thread is about how we promote Christian unity. The OP discusses essential beliefs, important but non-salvic teachings, and interesting but non-essential teachings. I will repeat those from the OP:

I do believe all of us should agree on the essentials: The inspiration and authority of Scripture; the Trinity; the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ; His substitutionary death on the cross; His bodily resurrection; His bodily second coming; and, salvation by grace through faith alone, apart from works.

The important doctrines upon which we can differ, I believe, would include end-times prophecy, Calvin vs. Arminius, baptism, roles of men and women in the church and home, church governance, acceptance or rejection of psychology, creation, and (this is going to floor a lot of you) charismatic gifts. There is a lot of room for disagreement but we can still accept each other as brothers and sisters despite those disagreements.

What I would classify as "interesting but non-essential matters" -- they wouldn't even rise to the doctrinal level -- would be interpretive issues with difficult passages, the preferred Bible version, and discussions of specific biblical passages such as: "Who are the sons of God in Genesis 6?" "When does/did the Ezekiel 38 battle take place?" "Did Christ descend into hell?"

Can we please confine remarks to that realm? Thanks.

 

[crossnote]

I'm not sure I understand your point.

The Creeds are not in opposition to the bible. The Creeds are not objects of worship. The Creeds provide a clear and concise summation of the essentials of the faith.

There are Christians from varying denominations who argue over these very essentials (the Trinity, for example, comes to mind here). These arguments are based one one of two things: 1) a lack of understanding about basic orthodoxy and/or 2) an idiosyncratic interpretation of scripture.

There are some believers that are ignorant, for example of the history surrounding the Creeds. Once they discover the heretical battles that the Councils were addressing (namely gnosticism and arianism), they will often realize that some battles have already been resolved by the Church and need not be refought.

I'm not debating the usefulness of the Creeds or their rich heritage. I was only referring to this...

"The Creeds predate the canonization of scripture and even helped the Councils determine which texts were genuinely from God and which were not. "

Many forget that OT Scripture was established before the Creeds and was mainly used to determine what was valid NT Scripture.

 

[crossnote]

I'm not debating the usefulness of the Creeds or their rich heritage. I was only referring to this...

"The Creeds predate the canonization of scripture and even helped the Councils determine which texts were genuinely from God and which were not. "

Many forget that OT Scripture was established before the Creeds and was mainly used to determine what was valid NT Scripture.

Sorry, I was tap tapping this out when #38 went up.