Change of Mind

[Darrell]

I don't know that I'd say I've changed my mind as much as stopped caring about a lot of these.

Maybe there was 6 day literal creation. Maybe not. It's really beside the point theologically speaking.

[Jenni]

(11-07-2011 08:23 AM)Darrell Wrote:  Maybe there was 6 day literal creation. Maybe not. It's really beside the point theologically speaking.

I agree. I find it kind of sad that Fundies have taken so much time and effort to fight against the teaching of evolution and have forgotten about feeding the hungry and helping the homeless. As far as how the earth came about - that doesn't really keep me awake at night. It just doesn't. And when I hear evolution mentioned on TV or in a book, I don't feel like I have to object as vehemently anymore.

[Scorpio]

Jenni - funny that you would start a thread/poll with this topic. I have been thinking about starting a thread similiar in nature dealing with the "sacred cows" of the IFB. I'm still kicking the idea in my head but I wanted to get opinions on what are the "doctrines" that the IFB can never abandon or their whole house of cards comes tumbling down.

The ones that are apparent to me are the KJV-Only stance, tithing and End Times Stuff™. You take that stuff out of an IFB pastor's repertoire and he might have to preach on all that yucky stuff like love and mercy and helping people.

Enough of me hijacking this thread. Maybe this will be my motivation to put my thoughts together and start the thread I have incubating in the back of my mind.

[Ricardo]

The Trinity. Hear me out here. I'm not going to discuss Jesus.

Tell me what the difference is between God The Father and God the Holy Ghost?

The quick answer is: One is in "Heaven," one is on Earth. "Heaven" described according to the Judean cosmology as Above the firmament. to be more precise, in stationary geo-synchronic orbit above Israel.

So do I pray to the Father or to the Holy Ghost? or maybe I pray "in Jesus name," yeah, that will get His/Their attention quicker.

There is a God. All our efforts at describing "Him" are pitiful.

[Josh]

literal 6-day creation: I'm now in the TE camp, but couldn't care less what you think unless you're causing division about it.

worldwide flood: Not any more. And unless you're raising a ruckus about it, I'm not going to argue with you about it.

events/timeline of the second coming: I went from pre-mil and unsure about when the rapture would be to pan-mil (it'll all pan out...), though now I'm starting to think that it does matter, and that a-mil may be the place for me. Will probably be studying this one all my life, if I keep caring about it.

standards: dress, music, etc.: Never bought into this one.

separation from other churches: I used to think that if any Catholics were saved, it was despite their church's beliefs. I now suspect they have a sheep/goats ratio on par with the Baptists and other Christian denominations.

salvation through a confession of faith: I never bought in to the "you have to remember the date and time" thing, though I still think there can be a place for a prayer and/or confession of faith.

role of women in the church: I've really changed on this one. Together, not separate, and equal, not "but equal" in the "all animals are equal, but some are more equal..." sense.

innerancy of Scripture: I still believe this, but my definition of inerrancy has changed enough that it would be unrecognizable to a fundy.

the role of the church in helping the homeless or preserving the environment: I don't think I thought about this much in the past, but now I'm convinced that it's a both/and issue: spread the gospel and care for the poor, etc.

[Elijah Craig]

(11-07-2011 08:23 AM)Darrell Wrote:  I don't know that I'd say I've changed my mind as much as stopped caring about a lot of these.

+3

There were three, maybe four of these that my opinion is "meh."

[Ricardo]

(11-07-2011 06:51 PM)Donb123 Wrote:  

(11-07-2011 10:16 AM)Ricardo Wrote:  The Trinity. Hear me out here. I'm not going to discuss Jesus.

Tell me what the difference is between God The Father and God the Holy Ghost?

One of them sent the other One as a Comforter. I've never particularly "sent" myself on a mission. Have you?

Donb123, of all the people! I see. God wasn't here, so he had to send someone in his stead? You are digging a hole that has no bottom.

I know it is sort of dumb of me to be arguing about how to define a God that surpasses all understanding. But you would be the last person I would expect to stick to an anthropomorphic definition. So what you are saying is that, sure enough, when Jesus was alive in Jerusalem, God was not around, He was in Heaven? Presiumably the Comforter with Him?

We probably should start a new thread on the Trinity rather than hijack this one.

[Alaskagirl85]

(11-07-2011 11:31 PM)Donb123 Wrote:  Anthropomorphism in Scripture was obviously for the benefit of our mere human brains.

I have really struggled with anthropomorphism in the Bible, and never thought about it that way.


As for what I've changed my mind about..

literal 6-day creation- never could really convince myself of this. the only explanation that ever made sense was my pastor's wife telling me that God made Adam full grown, and so maybe He made the earth to look really old. Now I don't believe it.

worldwide flood- not sure.

events/timeline of the second coming- Clarence Larkin's view still makes sense to me.

standards: dress, music, etc.- skirts, gone. modesty remains. music is slightly more rockin, but still pretty tame.

separation from other churches- I no longer have a problem with ecumenicalism.

salvation through a confession of faith- not sure.

role of women in the church- I no longer hold the IFB view of this, but I guess it still makes sense considering what Paul said. I like some Pentecostal women preachers.

innerancy of Scripture- having a lot of trouble with this.

the role of the church in helping the homeless or preserving the environment- I definetly don't agree with my old church's stance to just "take care of our own."

[JimE]

literal 6-day creation: --- The duration of creation is not important, that God created everything is.
worldwide flood: --- Important only as an example of what God can do.
events/timeline of the second coming: --- Biblical prophecy is not there for us to predict the future. It is there to build faith. (In the end times, people will need a lot. This part of the Bible is for them.)
standards: dress, music, etc.: --- definitely different.
separation from other churches: --- Separation from other churches is ok, separation from Christians in other churches or not in churches is not ok.
salvation through a confession of faith: --- Salvation by trusting God. The mechanism of expression is not important.
role of women in the church: --- Equal.
innerancy of Scripture: --- Varies per specific error.
the role of the church in helping the homeless or preserving the environment: --- I lean towards church involvement. Both are very important, but the role of the church leadership in these areas is based on the current needs.

[Discovering Life]

Swiping JimE's format

literal 6-day creation: leaning against
worldwide flood: see above
events/timeline of the second coming: rapidly changing thx to N. T. Wright
standards: dress, music, etc.: were the first to change
separation from other churches: still think denominations have their place but that it shouldn't keep us from working together
salvation through a confession faith: salvation comes from God, the particulars are unique to each individual. I'm tired of judging who's in and who's out.
role of women in the church: equal in all areas of ministry
innerancy of Scripture: currently studying
the role of the church in helping the homeless or preserving the environment: don't know, depends on how "church" is defined, do believe the "us" only mentality common in the IFB is wrong. More concerned with "what is my role" in these issues.

Great question, can't believe how much of my thinking has changed in a relatively short period of time.