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New here and I have some questions

C

Caris

Guest
Hi everybody,

I have been searching for a Christian forum that will accept me as a sister in Christ, and I have been burned a number of times. Please be honest with me as to whether I will be accepted here as someone who is a faithful Christian, redeemed by Christ Jesus. There are a number of issues that have caused other Christian forums to pretty much consign me to hell and treat me as an enemy of Christ. I'm not just talking about members of the forums, but the administrators as well. I have no problem with disagreement on these topics, but I do not want to fellowship with people who believe that because of them I am not a Christian. Here are my issues:

I am a Prebyterian -- a MAINLINE Presbyterian
I was baptised as an infant and I do not believe that believer baptism is necessary for salvation
I am divorced. My former husband was a believer, and also verbally abusive. I initiated the divorce. I do not belive my divorce was a sin, and I do not believe that it would be a sin if I remarried.
I am not an evolutionist, but neither am I a creationist. I don't believe the Bible ever intended to give us the answer to HOW the universe was created, but WHO did it and WHY. I believe that science has given us a glimpse into the HOW, but I believe that when we stand before the Lord, the HOW will be utterly unimportant.
I DO NOT believe that the Catholic church is the "whore of Babylon" and that all Catholics are going to hell unless they leave the Catholic church.
I DO NOT believe that one must classify themselves as "born again" in order to BE born again. I do believe being born again is one of several biblical metaphors Jesus used to describe what happens when someone comes to Christ, but is not a label we must put on ourselves in order to be saved.
I belive that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, a free gift of God based on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But I also belive (along with Christians like C.S. Lewis) that people can be saved by the grace and action of Jesus Christ without ever having heard His name, but by responding in faith to the light they have received.
I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is God's own self-revelation in written form, but I DO NOT BELIVE that every word in it is scientifically or historically 100% accurate. I am NOT a biblical literalist.

I have no desire to convince anyone of these things because, in my opinion, they are not essentials of the faith. I also don't have a problem respectfully and lovingly discussing them with people who disagree. I must also add that I do not object at all to being challenged in my WALK as a Christian. What I object to is being challenged about whether I AM a Christian. Please be honest with me. If you think I am "unsaved", then I will leave you and continue my search. If you can accept me as a sister in Christ, I will be delighted to fellowship with you.
 
Caris said:
Hi everybody,

I have been searching for a Christian forum that will accept me as a sister in Christ, and I have been burned a number of times. Please be honest with me as to whether I will be accepted here as someone who is a faithful Christian, redeemed by Christ Jesus. There are a number of issues that have caused other Christian forums to pretty much consign me to hell and treat me as an enemy of Christ. I'm not just talking about members of the forums, but the administrators as well. I have no problem with disagreement on these topics, but I do not want to fellowship with people who believe that because of them I am not a Christian. Here are my issues:

I am a Prebyterian -- a MAINLINE Presbyterian
I was baptised as an infant and I do not believe that believer baptism is necessary for salvation
I am divorced. My former husband was a believer, and also verbally abusive. I initiated the divorce. I do not belive my divorce was a sin, and I do not believe that it would be a sin if I remarried.
I am not an evolutionist, but neither am I a creationist. I don't believe the Bible ever intended to give us the answer to HOW the universe was created, but WHO did it and WHY. I believe that science has given us a glimpse into the HOW, but I believe that when we stand before the Lord, the HOW will be utterly unimportant.
I DO NOT believe that the Catholic church is the "whore of Babylon" and that all Catholics are going to hell unless they leave the Catholic church.
I DO NOT believe that one must classify themselves as "born again" in order to BE born again. I do believe being born again is one of several biblical metaphors Jesus used to describe what happens when someone comes to Christ, but is not a label we must put on ourselves in order to be saved.
I belive that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, a free gift of God based on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But I also belive (along with Christians like C.S. Lewis) that people can be saved by the grace and action of Jesus Christ without ever having heard His name, but by responding in faith to the light they have received.
I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is God's own self-revelation in written form, but I DO NOT BELIVE that every word in it is scientifically or historically 100% accurate. I am NOT a biblical literalist.

I have no desire to convince anyone of these things because, in my opinion, they are not essentials of the faith. I also don't have a problem respectfully and lovingly discussing them with people who disagree. I must also add that I do not object at all to being challenged in my WALK as a Christian. What I object to is being challenged about whether I AM a Christian. Please be honest with me. If you think I am "unsaved", then I will leave you and continue my search. If you can accept me as a sister in Christ, I will be delighted to fellowship with you.
Click to expand...

Hi Caris,

Welcome to the forum. People have different understandings about what makes a person Christian - I know that there are forums that are more intolerant - this one appears to be middle of the road. It takes time to get to know who is who. 'Friendly fire' can be painful but it also has some benefits - what if someone doesn't think you are a Christian - sunrise and sunset still continue.
 
:lol: My definition of a Christian, first of all I believe the bible is 100% correct, infallible if you will. If I have say a washing machine, that washer is going to have an owners Manuel, agreed?
The same could be said of anything in your possession, agreed? We come with an owners Manuel,
agreed? That Manuel is your bible, so if you have a failure with the way you work you go to your Manuel, agreed? Can you understand what it all means? probably not, that's the time to take yourself to the repair shop and let somebody that knows that Manuel from cover to cover. That would be Jesus, his hours are flexible 24/7 and the work is guaranteed. If your having a problem with these forums then go to God, he has all of the answers... :D

Love in Christ,
turnorburn
 
Thanks for your response, stranger. And you're right, sunrise and sunset will not cease depending on whether someone thinks I'm a Christian or not. And their opinion doesn't determine my status before the Lord. But by the same token, I will not be able to glean from nor contribute to a community if the vast majority of that community cannot accept me as one of them. The other sites I tried were continually trying to get me "saved." I was run through the Four Laws, the Roman Road and the Bridge to Life more times by more people than I can count. And when I insisted that I had already received Christ as my Lord and Savior many, many years ago, I was told that I needed to "sit down and read your Bible and ask Jesus to show you that you need to be saved." It's impossible to find companions on the journey with the Lord when people don't believe you have even begun the journey and spend all their interactions with you trying to get you "saved." I don't need that kind of community.

Turnorburn, thanks for your response as well. You point out one of the issues I had with these other sites. As I said, I am not a biblical literalist, and quite frankly, I don't think ANYONE is. Even those who claim to be literalists find ways to get out of some of the most "unacceptable" passages without applying them literally. The point of contention comes when the passages one person chooses to "get around" aren't the same as those of the other person. One then becomes labeled "saved", and the other "unsaved." I love the Scriptures, and I believe that the purpose of the Scriptures is far greater than being an owner's manual. I believe they are the written word of God whose intent is to introduce us to the Living Word of God. If they lead us to legalism, they have become their own end and have failed in their job. Or, more accurately, we have failed to perceive what they are trying to show us.
 
I may be a lot of things but being legalistic isn't one of them with one exception, that you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved. I see no need to
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the bible into anybody.
Jesus taught us how to share his gospel if we only would see, and hear. you'll notice he didn't follow the crowd, the crowds followed him. I used the word owners Manuel as it is a tool I find quite handy in my testimony, my choice, nobody forced it on me and I didn't attend a college to
get the idea. And last, glad to make your acquaintance. :-D

In His Service,
turnorburn
 
That helps! Thanks brother. As long as we can disagree and you can still call me sister based on the work of Jesus Christ in both of us, then I'm cool! Jesus is my Savior, He's my life, He's my first love and my passion --- AND He's constantly showing me ways that what I just said isn't completely true, ways I put other things, people, ideas -- whatever -- ahead of Him. That's what I hope to gain from joining this forum -- sisters and brothers who want Christ to be their all in all but daily fall short, and need the each other's help along the way. Bless you!
 
Hello, Caris:

Well, I'm new here, also. I have read your post and replies and have no real objections to anything you have written. As far as how literally to take the Bible goes, I believe that anyone sincere about searching the scriptures needs to do so with earnest prayer. In so doing, the Holy Spirit will enlighten and explain what you are reading as you read it. THis makes even very familiar passages always new.

Welcome. I like your spunk and self-assurance!
 
Welcome Caris! :-D This is a pretty large forum site with many members and a very wide variety of beliefs, both Christian and non-Christian. The more I've learned about Christian history and the many streams within Christianity, the more I've realized I don't know nearly as much as I thought I initially did. I continually wrestle with all the doctrines and theology I've come across in my studies and in my times here in these forums.

I think the most important thing I've learned in the last few years is to be careful how tightly I hold on to certain beliefs. Having said that, I do have a few core convictions, which I will strongly defend, but I am constantly evaluating both old and new ideas which challenge what I believe.

To be honest, even though I disagree with a couple of things you stated (I wouldn't be a true Christian if I didn't think you were wrong about at least couple of things ;) )there is nothing within your post which would suggest you are not a Christian. I am a seeker of God and you are a seeker of God, and those who honestly and earnestly seek truth will find God. This is a journey, no one has arrived yet despite what they may think.
 
There are lots of different Christians with differing ideas, but the one thing that we all have in common is that we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior; I'm sure you'll be just fine here.

God bless
 
Hi everybody. Thanks for the warm welcome. I look forward to sharing the journey with you.

Turnorburn -- I didn't go anywhere. I just didn't have access to the internet for a few days and then I had a hassle logging in. But it was nice to know I was missed!

Caris
 
Caris said:
Hi everybody. Thanks for the warm welcome. I look forward to sharing the journey with you.

Turnorburn -- I didn't go anywhere. I just didn't have access to the internet for a few days and then I had a hassle logging in. But it was nice to know I was missed!

Caris
Click to expand...

Don't mind me, I'm like an old mother hen waiting for her chicks to get home before the sun goes down.. a friend one time vanished, later found them in
ththdotInJail.gif
 
Welcome Caris. :)

Well, Free just about said all I would have said. We both have been here quite awhile and have acclimated ourselves to the various beliefs that have been expressed in these Forums. My window for essential doctrine is very narrow. No need to add more than is needed for salvation. Besides, how do you add anything to a gift without insulting The One who gave it? ;-)

I'm pretty much in line with the site's basic Statement of Faith. I do not read the Bible in a purely literalistic way. I do tend to look at scripture in the "light" of historical and cultural context before I adopt any literal interpretation.

Anyway, don't be so hard on yourself; others will do that for you. :-D
 
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