What do you believe

[Zeke]

After some of the things that where said in the "Christmas comes to early" thread I thought I would be good to have a thread that is for people to share their "religious" views (arg I hate that word)

[Margim]

Well, you did ask... . Simple answer is Christian, but here are some thoughts for anyone who cares to read them

Currently a Theology student, I'd be in the Jesus believer category (being a Christian), Baptist denomination (in the Australian sense of the word - that means anything from conservative to a few progressive thinkers; we are a mixed bunch down here).

For my beliefs personally; I take the bible as inspired by God, but written by people, which means not 100% exact in terms of facts, but 100% helpful in pointing towards God's truth... the things that matter. That makes me pretty relaxed on questions of evolution and the flood - I kind of recongise much of the Old Testament as being written by people in a pre-modern environment, so don't need to take everything as literal.
I believe Jesus is God, and God's ultimate self-revelation on Earth, and that everyone who is ultimately 'saved' in the afterlife sense is saved through Jesus. After a bit of reading, I'm not so sure whether that means we actually HAVE to believe in Jesus or not. Its certainly better and safer if we do, but in the end, God decides. Our role on earth is to do what we can to help people experience the hope, reconciliation and community that Jesus came to bring, and patch people back into God where we can.
People who don't 'get the message' - well, I'm hopeful that a loving God will recieve them as graciously as he'll recieve me. Thus, I love the John Newton quote;

"If I ever reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third, the greatest wonder of all, to find myself there"

Too much information?

[CynanMachae]

Due to various events in my life in the past few months, I've become rather dully eccentric regarding theology. I've grown up in a Refomed Baptist Church, so therefore I've always held the things of that denomination to be complete truth. But, even though I AM still a Reformed Baptist, I like to mix my views slightly when I debate other Christians.

This past spring in school I did some studying on Soren Keirkegaard (I know I misspelled his name, you know who he was), the Danish philosopher (1800's) and a lot of his ideas made sense to me. He is known as the "Father of Existentialism", and, though he never actually accepted Jesus as his Saviour, he had some ideas that I might agree with. (I won't bother to go into Existentialism, because I am NOT an Existentialist.)

Basically, after the events of this summer, I became a Theistic Existentialist, or so I said. I agreed with Keirkegaard that Christianity IS just a leap of faith, and not something that can be understood fully by fallen humans (I still believe this) and I bordered on Nihilism when I stated in a debate that "Nothing on THIS earth really matters. It's the NEXT world we are here for." I believed (and sometimes STILL believe) that the only two things a human can do that have ANY purpose whatsoever are: become a Christian, and tell others about Christianity (missionary work, etc.) Things things matter most because they are the only things that will pass through the Judgement Day. Anyway, I really don't believe this to be truth, but I like to debate about it with others. I suppose I'm still a Reformed Baptist at heart, and I suppose I always will be.

God: I believe that God is the Creator of every thing, living and non-living, and that He is Three in One, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus lived a perfect life and then willingly gave his life to be the Sacrifice for our wretched sins, in order to bring more glory to Himself.

The Bible: Is the Word of God, and should be revered as such. It is the absolute truth, and nothing in it is wrong in any way. How do I know this? By faith.

Me: I am a wretched pathetic human being, Created by God and unable to help myself in any way. It is only by the Will of The Father and the pull of The Holy Spirit that I shall stand in Heaven one day. I don't know why God chose me, but I'm sure not gonna question.

That's pretty much it. It's a lot more complicated than that in my weird brain, but somehow I can't just POST my beliefs, I have to TELL them.

[Zeke]

Well I started this thread so I should probably tell what I believe.
I believe that God created everything in 6 days.
I believe that man rebelled against God
I believe that Jesus came to save us
I believe that one day I will meet him in the clouds
I believe that the Bible is 100% true though there are some bad translations
I believe that free will is God given so you can believe what you like
I believe that there is only one way to heaven and that is by accepting Christ as your personal Lord and Savior

[blixbrunner]

- I'm a follower of Jesus.
- I afirm much of what Margim said above. (Man that reads strange - Margim is another member of this fourm (look above) not my mystic guide from 'above' or some such mumbo jumbo!)
- I believe we will never finish understanding the vastness of the love and grace that God has for us. He also likes us too.

[dinadan]

Skeptical Christian Mysticism, all the way.

[Hinata]

Simple answer:

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by eimmersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to gendure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

[Gwalchmai]

Well I guess I'll chirp in here.

I don't get into theology or anything of the nature at all. In fact, I don't think I've ever read a single holy script. This isn't to say I don't believe in anything, I just choose to not bother with it... if that makes sense. All I do is make sure I'm the best possible person I can be, and always try to make the decission to do the right thing, even to my hurt. Thats basically the extent of my "religious" doctrine.

[DanTheMan]

I believe in Jesus as the Son of God, and is God, and died for our sins.
I believe that God predestined believers.
I believe that God gives all complete freedom of choice.
I believe that we have all fallen short of the glory of God.
I believe that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
I believe we are not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus
I believe that faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead
I believe that no one, by themselves, deserves to go to heaven
I believe that God loves me and I am special to Him
I believe that on Christmas we should celebrate the birth of Jesus
I believe that on Easter we should celebrate the resurrection of Jesus
I believe that we can know God
I believe that we will never understand God
I believe that God hates sin
I believe that God is a loving Father

(I could go on, but that is probably sufficient for now.)

[twyrch]

I believe inter-denominational politics and Christians arguing over whether Adam had a belly button is absurd. I believe that if you have put your faith in Jesus, you will be saved, and no about of witnessing, good-doing, hymn singing, tithing or worshipping will mean dipply in the after-life.

[dinadan]

Here's the deal:

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through Him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
He came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day He rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and His kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. AMEN.

That's pretty much it for me. Everything else is fun to talk about and debate, but the above (Which is a translation of the original Nicene Creed) is, for me, the benchmark of Christendom.

[twyrch]

dinadan said:

Here's the deal:

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through Him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
He came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
He became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day He rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and His kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father.
With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. AMEN.

That's pretty much it for me. Everything else is fun to talk about and debate, but the above (Which is a translation of the original Nicene Creed) is, for me, the benchmark of Christendom.

Yep, I agree entirely.

[blixbrunner]

Hmmm?
Why are people answering the question 'What do you believe?' with the statement 'We believe'

I mean I guess I'm one of the 'we', the 'us' - 'we the SRL forum users' - but I don't believe some of the things that the other users state 'we' believe.

If 'we' means christians (well orthodox christians) then like dinadan said the Nicene Creed is the benchmark. Not that there is such a place as Christendom. (If you think there should be another read of the Celtic Crusades should put you off.)

As far as Hinata's.... "10 - We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory."
...goes I'm defiantly not one of those 'we'!!!!!! (But writing that might have been a joke, I can't tell, if it was you got me! )

Hey, have a good one people.

[dinadan]

Well, more or less the Nicene Creed is standard. It's true that, perhaps, it should read "I believe" (it is Pisteuo eis hena Teon in the original greek, which is first-person singular).

Actually, I wasn't refering to "Christendom" as place, but as a mental state. However, I'm of the opinion that it was a good idea (also, I would argue that the internationalist nature of the West--which identified itself primarily as Christian, then subsequently by regional and national qualifiers--did exist), and it would be again. And yes, my particular bent is Orthodox.

[Margim]

blixbrunner said:

Hmmm?
Why are people answering the question 'What do you believe?' with the statement 'We believe'

I mean I guess I'm one of the 'we', the 'us' - 'we the SRL forum users' - but I don't believe some of the things that the other users state 'we' believe.

If 'we' means christians (well orthodox christians) then like dinadan said the Nicene Creed is the benchmark. Not that there is such a place as Christendom. (If you think there should be another read of the Celtic Crusades should put you off.)

As far as Hinata's.... "10 - We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory."
...goes I'm defiantly not one of those 'we'!!!!!! (But writing that might have been a joke, I can't tell, if it was you got me! )

Hey, have a good one people.

I think you might have missed the context in which other people were speaking.

These guys are writing 'we' statements in terms of the larger communities to whose beliefs they proscribe. They are talking for their religious communities... not for this forum or for anyone else in it.

Hinata, if I read correctly, is of the Latter Day Saints tradition. She is speaking of the beliefs of those in that tradition. That is the point of this thread, I think, to express what we/our tradition believe.

I'd try not to make judgements about other people's beliefs in this thread... I don't think its the point here.