What is Christian Doctrine???

[In Awe of Him]

Ok... so .... the title of this thread is ... What is Christian Doctrine?

There have been some very vague statements made regarding which age group has fallen prey to watered down / false beliefs.

I agree that the younger generation has been swept away by a false narrative of "your own personal truth" which in essence has NO truth in it whatsoever. It is a term coined to ACCEPT whatever one desires to believe.

I made a comment that I felt this "slow FADE" was due to the teachings of the Charasmatic/Pentecostal/WoF movement that began to make traction in (lets say the mid 70's... for the sake of picking a time line ). Today we are STUCK with a smorgasbord of MOSTLY these types of churches that seek to use and abuse the powers of God via the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I guess this is why I am having trouble with the argument that it's an AGE thing. These older preachers that have taught and participated in these movements are responsible for such DAMAGE done to the Christian Faith. It is the older generation that has tainted the TRUTH of the GOSPEL... and now we are seeing the younger ones UNABLE to accept the HOLY WORD of GOD as it was WRITTEN.

I'm not trying to play the blame game here..... and I refuse to mention any names... but these major players are all over the age of 60.

 

[In Awe of Him]

HA.... I feel like I'm making a speech... I wanted to finish my thoughts with GOOD NEWS....

It doesn't matter WHY Christianity has been perverted. It is written that this would occur.

The GOOD NEWS is that the BIBLE is still as TRUE today as it was when first BREATHED by GOD.

The solution is to approach GOD for WHO HE IS..... NOT what He can give you.

Worship....Thanksgiving.... Gratitude... JOY... and PEACE are all by-products of being and staying in the TRUTH.

If we would simply approach FATHER GOD with a heart to WORSHIP HIM... we would not have need to get caught up in the GIFTS.
Everything would fall into place from approaching Father with a humble heart.

I am so BLESSED that I live my life in this way. I do not place FALSE expectations on God because I have all that I need. My life is lived with a spirit of GRATITUDE.... the reward for this is continued JOY to overflowing and PEACE that surpasses all understanding.

The scripture is filled with promise upon promise... some are free... some are conditional... but I don't think a believer can go wrong IF they simply approach GOD for WHO the BIBLE says HE is.

God bless each and every one. Tenderly, In Awe of Him

 

[Major]

With over 1/4 of the Bible dealing with eschatology, it's a shame that it would be considered secondary points of doctrine; perhaps it is our opinions that are secondary when it comes to eschatology...not the actual contents of prophecy...

Revelation 1:3 (KJV) Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

My brother, I hear you and agree with you.

I think that you will agree with me when I say that there are differences between first-order doctrines which a denial represents the denial of Christianity itself or better said, the Essentials of the Faith. In other words, these are doctrines that must be accepted to be a Christian.

Then there are second-order doctrines upon which Bible-believing Christians may disagree, but they create significant boundaries between believers, whether as distinct congregations or denominations.

Then there are third-order doctrines upon which Christians may disagree, but yet remain in close fellowship, even within local congregations.

 

[crossnote]

I think that you will agree with me when I say that there are differences between first-order doctrines which a denial represents the denial of Christianity itself or better said, the Essentials of the Faith. In other words, these are doctrines that must be accepted to be a Christian.

I just would have put eschatology in this slot because if the Jews had paid closer attention to God's promises regarding their (1st coming) Messiah, many more would have gladly received their Messiah and thus been saved.
Salvation is a Person in this regard.

 

[Marilyn C]

The apostle Paul warned in his day -

`For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.` (Acts 20: 27 - 30)

So, we see that from the earliest beginnings of the Body of Christ that error has come in. Down throughout the ages there has always been this battle against error and false teachings.

I believe that Christian doctrine is all based on Christ - His character and His purposes.

`...till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...` (Eph. 4: 13)

 

[Major]

I just would have put eschatology in this slot because if the Jews had paid closer attention to God's promises regarding their (1st coming) Messiah, many more would have gladly received their Messiah and thus been saved.
Salvation is a Person in this regard.

You know, I have asked that question for years.........How did the Jews miss their Messiah????

They were looking for a Military saviour to rescue them from the Roman oppression and NOT a spiritual Saviour to rescue them from their sins! That is the easy answer.

Then there are those who say that the message of Scripture is that most of Israel hardened their hearts when they abandoned God and filled their hearts with idols. Due to their sinful and stony hearts (Ezekiel 36:26, 38), they did not believe in God. So, God punished them by having the Babylonian army invade Israel. Consequently, since the time of the Babylonian invasion in 586 B.C., their hearts have been hardened. So, they rejected Christ and are still rejecting Christ. Their hearts will remain partially hardened until Israel recognizes Jesus was their Savior Messiah at the second coming of Christ when He will then set up His kingdom. The time period in which Israel’s hearts will be hardened is called the times of the Gentiles.

During Christ’s ministry we learn from Matthew 13:10-15 that the hearts of the Jewish leaders and the people were still hardened. The passage tells us that the disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables to the people. Then Jesus answered them in Matthew with,
“Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”

 

[Major]

The apostle Paul warned in his day -

`For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.` (Acts 20: 27 - 30)

So, we see that from the earliest beginnings of the Body of Christ that error has come in. Down throughout the ages there has always been this battle against error and false teachings.

I believe that Christian doctrine is all based on Christ - His character and His purposes.

`...till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ...` (Eph. 4: 13)

Yes mam. ....just as " Christian doctrine is all based on Christ - His character and His purposes", so is the Bible. The Bible is all about Jesus the Christ and what He has done, is doing and will do!