Some Reflections
Much of the ‘heat’ in discussions on this newsgroup
derives from two basically conflicting views of Christian reality.
In my ministry as a consultant to all churches this polarization
is evident everywhere. Here’s a rough summary: you might like
to add other categories -
GOD – Mainly judge (Fundamentalists); mainly love (Liberals)
BIBLE – Inerrant Word of God, rulebook for all of life (F’s);
God’s message through fallible humans (L’s)
GOSPEL FOR SINNERS – ‘Go and sin no more’ (F’s);
‘I do not condemn you’ (L’s)
EVANGELISTIC MOTIVE – Prevent
souls going to hell (F’s); Share God’s love (L’s)
HELL – Majority of humans (F’s); Non-existent or non- eternal (L’s)
DOUBT- Lack of faith (bad)(F’s); Essential for faith (good) (L’s)
AMBIGUITY –
Bad (F’s);Good (L’s)
CHURCH – Exclusive – conform to our beliefs (F’s); Inclusive: all-comers/practices welcome (L’s)
DOCTRINE – Inflexible: black and white (F’s);
Flexible: shades of grey (L’s)
ORTHODOXY: Creedal (F’s); Covenantal (L’s)
BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIP – Be wary of it (F’s); Welcome it (L’s)
HOMOSEXUALITY – Worse than most
other sins (F’s);
Pride, greed etc. worse (L’s)
APPEALS GENERALLY TO – Less well
educated (F’s); Better educated (L’s).
Etc etc etc
Now, I reckon there’s a ‘fatal flaw’ in each broad
position (see the article ‘Was Jesus a Christian? I doubt it’
in my home page).
Shalom!
Rowland Croucher
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