Well, I'm not in the mood for theological debate and point by point.

But I consider myself "orthodox" in belief. Yes, trinity (not modalities). And there were schisms, even in the NT. The Jews vs. the Gentles, how to worship, how to eat, circumcise? The apostles and leaders came down to the minimum for fellowship, and it didn't come down to much. I feel in CHrist, there is great liberty in how to worship. IF I wish to celebrate the Jewish holidays, I may. If I wish not to, I don't have to. Paul said we are not to be judged according to times or seasons or moons. Well, I don't have to bind myself to a calendar, then. "Do this in remembrance" can be done daily, weekly, monthy, every 8 weeks.

The Spirit testifies in my spirit--I am His. And I am not bound to any denomination. None. I've been a member of Southern Baptist and Catholic churches more so than any other (and we are in a transitinal stage now, since we moved, and I long for a church home.)

I will leave it to the scholars and theologians to battle out the nuances. I'll read Kreeft and Geisler and Pelikan. I've read some Augustine and Aquinas and I read Moreland and Van Til. And I see the brotherhood/sisterhood does reach beyond denominations.

I don't see you as my arch enemy. I see a certain smugness that is divisive, perhaps, but not my enemy. I see my brother. And I will be happy, indeed, when this age is over, and the tags are gone, and all there is is Christ and the harmony that comes from his having transformed us into His image, and we don't have to argue any longer.

I guess I do love you, you provocateur, you. If you feel I am not of the Body, you may do so. I, however, grant that you are by faith in Christ, who Saves, not any organization.

But I won't wrangle theology. I spent years doing that, and no one changed my mind and I only changed a couple. So, I'll leave that to the ones who devote their lives to such discussions and minutiae. I'm quite content walking with Christ, fully convinced in my own mind and by the comfort of His presence.


Mir
Mir | Homepage | 06.25.07 - 11:02 am | #