Christian.
What denomination are you?
Denominations are not required by the Bible, and to be honest the main difference between many congregations is administrative. Denominations are good in that they are helpful in identifying what your church’s beliefs are and they define a standard set of governance for the church constitution. However what it all boils down to is that I'm a Bible-believing Christian.
Do you take the Bible literally?
Yes. The Bible is not allegory, the Bible is not myth or legend. Some things are intentionally metaphor, analogy, symbolism, etc. (i.e., Jesus saying “I am the bread of life”) because God knows how people communicate and this is God communicating with us at our level. The Bible is the word of God, it's not everything there is to know, but it's everything He needs us to know if we want to please and serve Him.
Do You Follow a Creed?
No. I follow the Bible.
So you believe in all of the miracles of the Bible? Like Jesus actually walking on water or raising people from the dead?
Yes.
Do you believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to a physical, glorified body?
Yes.
Do you believe that believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven?
Yes (see John 14:6). There is no other way mentioned at all in the Bible.
Do you believe Atheists and pagans will see God?
Of course, on Judgement Day.
What kind of Bible do you read?
Both kinds, paper and electronic
Do you believe in the Trinity (God the Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit)?
Yes. (Matthew 3:16-17)
Do you believe in a literal Heaven and Hell?
Yes.
Do you believe in the Rapture?
Absolutely. It says in the Bible it will happen, so it will happen. I highly doubt it will happen like anyone on earth currently envisions, it definitely won't happen like a Nicholas Cage movie, but it will happen.
Are you pretrib, postrib, prewrath, etc?
I am a pan-millennialist. I believe that what ever happens will happen regardless of how we interpret Bible prophesy. Because God is in charge, it will all pan out in the end.
Are you a Calvinist?
No.
No, I don't do cults.
What kind of Bible do you read?
Both kinds, paper and electronic
Ok, wiseguy, which version of the Bible do you read?
That depends, for just kicking back and relaxing with the word of God I go with the NIV, when researching or cross-referencing I use the New American Standard Bible (NASB) and the New King James Version, and when I'm in the mood for reading prose (mostly the Psalms) a King James Version.
Do you ever use any other kinds of Bibles?
There are no other kinds.
Do you ever use any other kinds of Bibles?
There are no other kinds.
You're not going to give this up, are you?
No. Sorry, I'm an English major.
Fine, have it your way. Do you ever use any other VERSIONS of Bibles
Yes, to paraphrase John MacArthur; "Whenever I become at all indifferent to error, I just read the Message for 15 minutes and I’m ready to go to battle for the truth.".
Do you believe in the Trinity (God the Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit)?
Yes. (Matthew 3:16-17)
Do you believe in a literal Heaven and Hell?
Yes.
Do you believe in the Rapture?
Absolutely. It says in the Bible it will happen, so it will happen. I highly doubt it will happen like anyone on earth currently envisions, it definitely won't happen like a Nicholas Cage movie, but it will happen.
Are you pretrib, postrib, prewrath, etc?
I am a pan-millennialist. I believe that what ever happens will happen regardless of how we interpret Bible prophesy. Because God is in charge, it will all pan out in the end.
Are you a Calvinist?
No.
So, you must be an Arminian.
No.
If you're not a Calvinist and you're not an Arminian, what are you?
A servant of my Lord, Jesus Christ.
Are you affiliated with Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon Church, Reformed, Joel’s Army, Hebrew Roots Movement, Church of Christ, Signs and Wonders, Pentecostal, Emergent, Purpose-Driven, Seeker Sensitive, NAR, or any such group?
No, I don't do cults.
Do you believe in the 7 literal days of Creation as described in Genesis?
Yes.
Yes.
So you are obviously a Young Earth believer.
No.
Then explain yourself.
I believe creation happened in 7 days, because God said it did. I also believe that in creating the earth God gave us many beautiful wonders to explore and learn from. If this were a young planet why would those wonders appear to be old when studied? If this not a failing in our understanding of these wonders (which is quite possible), it would mean God is lying to us by giving us a new planet which appears to be much older than it is. Lying is something He cannot do (Numbers 23:19). So the truth must lie somewhere else. Where? I have no idea, and to be honest I don't really care that much. My question is, is it worth fighting over? Does the age of the earth have anything to do with our salvation? To this end I file the entire discussion under Deuteronomy 29:29 and I'll be sure to ask Him about it when we meet.
I would like to make a donation/tithe/offering to your site. Do you accept them?
No.
So how can I support your ministry?
Praise God, love each other, and spread His word.
I would like to make a donation/tithe/offering to your site. Do you accept them?
No.
So how can I support your ministry?
Praise God, love each other, and spread His word.
Your paragraph about not being a YEC has one major flaw. Who says these things look old? They look "old" only based on the ideology of the evolutionists. Besides which, the great FLOOD Noah survived rearranged the entire world.
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DeleteI agree with both of you. When God made man he made him a mature man, that being Adam. So then since that is true then it is also feasible and more likely that when God created the earth he created it mature. However I agree with Doug as well in that it is not really that important. I stumbled across this site today and I'm glad that I did. It is refreshing that someone uses dr. MacArthur because in all honesty is probably one of the few today who is a true theologian that I would put on par with Charles Spurgeon. He wrote a good article and the ones I've read so far are impressive. I think I'll keep this book marks so I can check back from time to time because I really like what you have to say. You and I sound a lot alike in that I am from the United States Air Force and love the Lord and so forth. God bless you brother
ReplyDeleteCould you explain why you included the church of Christ in your list of cults?
ReplyDelete1. the Church of Christ’s emphasis on baptism as being necessary for salvation. While baptism is important as a public declaration of faith in Christ, a step of identification with Him, and a proclamation of desire to follow Him, it's not required at all for salvation. There are many Scriptures that declare salvation to be received by faith / believing, with no mention of baptism or any other requirement (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ saved us, not by works of righteousness that we have done but according to his mercy through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5) However the simplest response is always the best: The thief that was crucified with Christ was never baptized yet Jesus promised him salvation
Delete2. Some in the Church of Christ claim to be “the one true church,” outside of which there is no salvation. Some go so far as to argue that since the name is “Church of Christ,” that indicates that the church / denomination is the one and only true Church of the Lord Jesus. This is completely unbiblical. There is no one church or denomination that encompasses the entire Body of Christ. The “one true church of Christ” is comprised of all those who have, by grace through faith, personally received Jesus Christ as Savior. The Church is composed of true believers everywhere, no matter the local church or denominational affiliation. The claim of exclusive access to salvation is another common identification of a cult, not the teaching of a good biblical church.
3 (Minor issue) Some within the Church of Christ are fanatically against musical instruments. Some are fanatical to the point of declaring any church that uses musical instruments as not being a true, biblical, or godly church. Such dogmatism on a clearly non-essential issue is often the mark of a cult, not the mark of a good biblical church.
There are many denominations called "Church of Christ" - to which does this refer?
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ReplyDeleteActually Dr. MacArthur believes we have salvation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Anyone can die, it takes God to arise from the grave.
DeleteThe word of God is Jesus as explained in John 1, not a book.
The blood of Christ is just blood. Had He not died that blood would be meaningless. And Doctor John MacArthur believes that we have salvation through the death of Christ on the cross AND HIS RESURRECTION. You can't come here and just spew half truths.
DeleteAs for your comment "AV King James is Gods word period" unfortunately the King James version has some serious flaws that were corrected in both the New International Version and the more accurate New American Standard Bible. But it's December, and congregations that worship the King James Version, antiquated language and all, also repeat the greatest lie in Christianity that is caused by the Antique Version King James:
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
That's not what the angel said, that's not what the angel implied, that's not the word of God. Correctly translated from the Greek the unnamed angel decreed:
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
The KJV completely messed up the translation and syntax of the word eudokia (εὐδοκία) God didn't wish "Peace and Goodwill" to all men, God wished peace to men who HE felt goodwill toward.
Most importantly Mr. or Miss Unknown, but this blog is about the courage of convictions. It takes courage to put your name out there, no matter if it's a positive reaction or a negative reaction to a Christian blog. This blog is about the courage it takes to be a Christian, and to show that this blog needs names, even if they're made up names. Which means you have, unfortunately, been Moderated.
Um...OUCH!
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