Practical Bible Teaching
Follow me on Facebook
or, send me an e-mail
  • BIBLE BLOG
  • My Story
  • Interesting Items
    • Character in the Workplace
    • Cardboard Testimonies
    • B.U.S.Y.

What Does a Christian Believe?

9/23/2012

1 Comment

 
Picture
I've been watching the intense controversy surrounding this current political season in the United States. People are taking sides in loud and sometimes obnoxious ways. Some people are even losing friends over this election.

There was an oh-so-true cartoon published on FaceBook today that solidified my desire to write this article. The caption read: "Let's argue about politics until we resort to name calling. Then we can move on to religion and finally kill each other."

A couple of weeks ago, the following comment was received by a friend of mine:

"I cannot believe that anyone who says that they are a christian would knowingly vote to put someone in the presidential seat who puts their stamp of approval on same-sex marriage and abortion...the murder of innocent children. You are right...you have your right to your opinion...but I would have to challenge your christian beliefs." 

I'm sorry.
Challenge your Christian beliefs?

While everything in me wants to get into the fray about what these candidates represent, that is not the purpose of this article.
I want to talk about this concept of Christian beliefs.
Actually, I want to challenge the concept.

Where did we come up with the idea that there are a set of beliefs that we must subscribe to?
That originated with the Apostles' Creed, which somewhat loosely followed the Roman Creed of the early church fathers. Today, as far as creeds go, most churches follow the Nicene Creed for their statement of faith.

I find it interesting that among many of the evangelical churches exists what is called a "Statement of Faith," but it is usually in the form of a list.

These statements of faith are good to a point--they allow the ones who subscribe to them to label anyone outside of that belief system as a heretic. While you may snipe at me for such a comment, that was the original reason for any statement of faith up to and including the Nicene Creed. They were formulated as an answer to various unorthodox doctrines of their time.

The biblical basis of this is found in Acts 15 where Paul goes to Jerusalem to check with the apostles there about the gospel he was declaring.

Usually, after the Statement of Faith is agreed to, one must also agree to the group's particular code of conduct.
It is this perceived code of conduct that divides Christians today and was the basis of the statement quoted above about checking in on your "Christian beliefs."

If there are any non-Christians reading this, I will tell you flat out that this is wrong. Just because the majority of the Christians you know live this way, that does not make it right. 

Once we subscribe to a code of conduct, it becomes necessary for a code enforcer to arise. Since the Lord never established one in the Church, we are left with no shortage of volunteers for the position. Almost everyone at one time or another--myself included--has tried to act as God's policeman and straighten out someone who is "obviously wrong."

That "obviously wrong" part can extend into any arena the policeman desires, whether conduct or belief. Here's the fun part--every policeman is armed with a Bible text that they will shoot at the supposed offender. Often, they get to shooting at each other, using the scripture to disprove scripture--the very scripture each holds to be totally, completely, perfectly inspired by God.

Is it any wonder we get laughed at and trounced upon?

What are we to do?

Well, let's try scripture.
Romans 14:4--"Who are you to judge another man's servant? Before his own master he stands or falls. and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand." Paul wrote this in response to those who were judging the behavior of others.

James 4:11--"Don't speak evil of one another. He who speaks evil of a brother is judging the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law."

Of course, there is always Matthew 7:1 which every non-believer knows by heart--"Judge not lest you be judged."

People have set themselves up as the arbiters of what is acceptable to believe and what is not.

Therefore, it is necessary that I join the fray and state my opinion about what it is that Christians believe.

The answer is quite simple.

Are you ready?

Here it is.

Everything.

As I observe the world and the Church I can come to no other conclusion. Christians believe all kinds of stuff. They are no different in this than anyone else upon whom we would hang a label. And they all believe different and sometimes opposing stuff. But, they are still a Christian.

Why?

Because what a Christian believes about politics, people, marriage, sexuality, food, movies, books, junk food, chocolate, newspapers, hair color or anything else has absolutely no bearing on whether they are a Christian. It is the fault of the people who call themselves Christians that we have gotten to this place, because they challenge everything that differs with their own particular orthodoxy.

Is belief important to a Christian?
ABSOLUTELY!!

But, only ONE belief is absolutely important--Jesus Christ, savior.

Contrary to popular opinion, not even belief in the virgin birth is necessary.

Jesus Christ, savior.

That is the belief that makes one a Christian.

All other beliefs only prove that they are a human being still sucking air.


Comments, questions, and criticisms are welcomed here. Please add to the discussion by giving yours. Thank you.  
1 Comment
John
10/5/2012 10:57:25 pm

Yes, it is pretty basic!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe to Practical Bible Teaching - Blog by Email

    Picture
    Dale Hill, PCCCA Certified

    Author

    Dale has been sharing the practical application of the truths from the Bible for more than 40 years. He has often said, "People know how to shout the victory on Sunday, but can't figure out how to handle Monday." This blog is an attempt to help God's people on that journey.

    SUBSCRIBE and have this blog delivered to your e-mail. Click the button below.

    RSS Feed

    Blogs I Follow

    Ponderings of a Princess
    Gracie's Quest
    Consider Jesus
    cinhosa
    My Money Methods

    Archives

    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    July 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Abuse
    Adam & Eve
    Antichrist
    Antinomianism
    Argument
    Authority
    Catholics
    Chaos
    Child
    Children
    Child Training
    Christian
    Church
    Clutter
    Cluttered Desk
    Communication
    Conflict
    Criticism
    Critics
    Death
    Dhammapada
    Disciple
    Discipleship
    Disobedience
    Education
    Episcopalians
    Escalate
    Escalator
    Eternal Security
    Everything
    Experience
    Faith
    Fear
    Finance
    Freedom
    Fruit Of The Spirit
    Futility
    Gays
    Goals
    God
    Godliness
    Grace
    Grief
    Hearing
    Heart
    Hedonism
    Heresy
    Holiness
    Homosexual
    Homosexuality
    Humanity
    Illusion
    Impatience
    Insult
    Keith Green
    Law
    Legalism
    Lesbians
    Liberty
    License
    Listen
    Listening
    Love
    Meditation
    Moving
    Name
    Narcissism
    Neat Freak
    Patience
    Plans
    Prayer
    Proverbs
    Public School
    Reason
    Resolutions
    Rest
    Rite Of Passage
    Road Less Traveled
    Self
    Self Denial
    Self-denial
    Self Esteem
    Self-esteem
    Self Love
    Self-love
    Self Protection
    Self-protection
    Self Worth
    Sin
    Speaking
    Stress
    Success
    Successful
    Tao Te Ching
    Testimony
    The Name Of Jesus
    The Tongue
    Transformation
    Two Roads
    Ultimate Reconciliation
    Vulnerability
    Vulnerable
    Waiting.
    Wisdom
    Writer's Block
    Writing

    SUBSCRIBE and have this blog delivered to your e-mail. Click the button below.

    RSS Feed


Proudly powered by Weebly