Non-core beliefs

A more general view of this leads to the generalised question of when is a belief part of the core religion or part of the culture of the people?

This questioned is stated in such an usual way that it doesn't sound like something a Christian would say.

So... are you a Christian?
I can't simply check your profile because you have it hidden so no one can see it.


...

This questioned is stated in such an usual way that it doesn't sound like something a Christian would say.

So... are you a Christian?
I can't simply check your profile because you have it hidden so no one can see it.


...

I've commented about this in other threads but thought it worthy of a thread of its very own.

One of the things I find fascinating is how, for some people, non-core beliefs become inextricably linked to their faith.

For example, some people claim that a mathematical derivation of the age of the Earth purely using the Bible yields a result of 6,000 years or so.
Some people accept this as the actual age of the Earth.

Other people also feel that they've discovered something else numerical in the Bible.
Examples:
1. 144,000 people will go to heaven.
2. The date/year that Jesus will return.

Such derivations are of course completely fallacious.

Without even looking at external physical evidence, a simple application of rational thought should set alarm bells ringing...

If you calculate the age of the Earth NOW to be 6,000 years, then in 10 years time your calculation should yield 16,000 years.
But it doesn't!
How do I know?
Because the information you're using to make the calculation hasn't changed, if only the Bible is used.
You'd still get the same result of you calculate the age of the Earth (purely using the Bible) in 10,000 years in the future or 5,000 years in the past.

In other words, this calculation produces a number that doesn't alter with time, as one would expect when calculating age.

But such beliefs are, firstly, non-core and, secondly, beyond the scope of the information and story that the Bible is meant to convey.

The Bible also tells us to keep our wits about us.

So why is it that such blatant untruths become inextricably linked to some people's faith, to the extent that additional stories are created to support the beliefs (e.g. Satan planted fossils to trick us).

It isn't just numeric beliefs either.

In more happy clappy churches you tend to get a lot of 'faith healers' on the speaking ring, for example.
In these types of churches, the more wild the story you're willing to accept without question, the stronger your faith - or so the culture leads you to believe.

A more general view of this leads to the generalised question of when is a belief part of the core religion or part of the culture of the people?

I too have pondered such accuracy of Biblical accounts and have made this conclusion; If questioning part of the Bible causes you too question the validity of the entire Bible then leave it alone. Personally I think the story of Creation and Eden have meanings not teachable to the carnal learner. To them everything has to be concrete and finite, black or white. Just like Christ taught with parables and abstract spiritual lessons, in opposition to Moses. If people really want to know God they have to understand Him. We do that by questioning.

I have no problem with people believing that the earth is about 6000 years old..
I do have a Big problem if they then put forward the teaching that if you do not believe the world is 6000 years old you are damned..

The 144,000 being the number of people to have eternity with God can be easily countered using the very scripture used in the same book.. But again i have not heard anyone state that our salvation is dependant on us affirming that only 144,000 will have eternity with God..

The date/year that Jesus will return can only ever be speculation because the Bible makes it clear that no man shall know the hour or the day of the return of Jesus.. But again i have not heard anyone come forward with a date here or on other religous forums and state that people must believe that their date is the correct day or they will be damned..

As for faith healers and other manifestations of the gifts i never rely on signs and wonders.. I wait to see what dopctrines they are preaching.. What doctrines they affirm.. All the signs and wonders are irrelevant to me because i know there can be fake signs and wonders.. Even signs and wonders by the power of satan..

2 Thessalonians 2: KJV
8 "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: {9} Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,"

Faith is not an invitation to believe absolutely anything, or an invitation to lay down your God given gift of considered thinking.

So, I'm guessing your logical mind has a wee bit of a problem with the Virgin Birth and the Holy Trinity? BOTH of which must be taken on FAITH......???

Seems I remember a Scripture that just might serve you well in the future.........

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

and, here's another....;

1 Corinthians 3:19) For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

I am not impressed with folks who try to impress others with their wisdom

Any other views on this?
I just don't know how to process or view the fact that people allow false non-core beliefs (as I call them) to become part of their faith.

Making up terms like "core beliefs" is probably alright for some, but it smacks of confusing the plain talk availed in the Word.

People who have conceived of denominational separations oftime add new vocabulary or useage of known vocabulary in order to impress others.

You've misunderstood what I said.

I said faith is trust and part of the relationship with God/Jesus, not an invitation to essentially cease thinking.

If you see faith as basically that, an invitation to lay down your God given ability to exercise considered thinking and perception, how do you hope to keep your wits about you and exercise due diligence as Jesus told us to do?

You're implying that anybody with faith should believe anything they're told by anybody.

Is this what the Bible says...?

I'm not trying to impress anybody by the way.
All I'm doing is exercising thought, something we're all capable of doing and something the Bible instructs us to do.

I've commented about this in other threads but thought it worthy of a thread of its very own.

One of the things I find fascinating is how, for some people, non-core beliefs become inextricably linked to their faith.

For example, some people claim that a mathematical derivation of the age of the Earth purely using the Bible yields a result of 6,000 years or so.
Some people accept this as the actual age of the Earth.

Other people also feel that they've discovered something else numerical in the Bible.
Examples:
1. 144,000 people will go to heaven.
2. The date/year that Jesus will return.

Such derivations are of course completely fallacious.

Without even looking at external physical evidence, a simple application of rational thought should set alarm bells ringing...

If you calculate the age of the Earth NOW to be 6,000 years, then in 10 years time your calculation should yield 16,000 years.
But it doesn't!
How do I know?
Because the information you're using to make the calculation hasn't changed, if only the Bible is used.
You'd still get the same result of you calculate the age of the Earth (purely using the Bible) in 10,000 years in the future or 5,000 years in the past.

In other words, this calculation produces a number that doesn't alter with time, as one would expect when calculating age.

But such beliefs are, firstly, non-core and, secondly, beyond the scope of the information and story that the Bible is meant to convey.

The Bible also tells us to keep our wits about us.

So why is it that such blatant untruths become inextricably linked to some people's faith, to the extent that additional stories are created to support the beliefs (e.g. Satan planted fossils to trick us).

It isn't just numeric beliefs either.

In more happy clappy churches you tend to get a lot of 'faith healers' on the speaking ring, for example.
In these types of churches, the more wild the story you're willing to accept without question, the stronger your faith - or so the culture leads you to believe.

A more general view of this leads to the generalised question of when is a belief part of the core religion or part of the culture of the people?