The Bible NETWork ~ Impacting the World for Christ one post at a time!

A bit about me first and then I'll ask the big question. Its weighing me down heavily and I would appreciate any help that those who have gone before me can offer.

I'm an active member of my local church and have been for the past 6 years. I love the people, they are my family in every sense of the word.

Our church presents its own bible school from its own unique distinctive pentecostal point of view, and I was privileged to grow tremendously through these sessions and from active involvement in the church.

About 2 years ago I started developing a real desire to progress deeper in my walk with God, so I started listening to lectures on theology [www.biblicaltraining.org] and reading books [Grudem's ST etc.]. I soon realised that our church had only taught one view on many of the topics where there is diversity within Christianity, without exposing us to alternative views (whether this is a good thing or not can probably be spun off in another thread!)

As I worked (and am still working) my way through these great truths, I find myself coming to convictions different to what my local church holds (dichotomy, tongues, complementarity, sovereignty, continuation of apostles etc). Now, I'm not saying that I'm right, or that they are - all of the views held (my views and theirs) fall within orthodoxy.

The challenge that I have is one of the heart - how do I function within this environment, holding views that are different to the rest of the church? Has anyone else experienced this? How did you handle it? What did you do differently?

I think a lot depends on how they handle these things.

If they make a really important thing about these areas of difference that's a problem. And understand that way too often such things do become very important because differences tend to be emphasized.

So it's quite a different thing from here's our view and here's why to here's the one view any true Christian would have.

The Bible teaches what is fundamental, this should be the area of emphasis.

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Marv
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I don't think I've ever been in 100% agreement with any church body I've ever belonged to. The question I ask myself is how important is this doctrine? Is it a central tenet of faith? Does it effect salvation in anyway? what are the essentials of the faith?and can I live with the disagreement?

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MikeC1956
Asst Admin

know that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23b NET

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fides quarens intellectum, credo ut intelligam
faith seeking knowledge, believe to understand

all quotations are by bible translation indicated.

That is typical of many or most churches. And that can be ok to a degree. If a church has a certain stance on a topic, it is probably not going to entertain alternative views that it believes are in error. However, it should not go so far as to exclude fellowship with believers of other persuasions. There needs to be unity between all true believers. This is what Jesus prayed for in John 17, and we are not to act against His desire.

The Corinthian church had some diversity in terms of who they followed ("I am of Paul, I am of Apollos", etc.) But Paul strove for their unity (http://dtjsoft.com/disp/devo0033)

As far just presenting alternative viewpoints in non-essential areas, I'm for that, as long as each of us studies our Bibles for ourselves to gain first-hand knowledge, rather than just have the pastor make one-sided dogmatic statements.

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Andrew Bernhardt
"Salvation costs me nothing. Discipleship costs me everything."
my homepage / my blog

I have to admit there are quite a few things that I do not agree with in our church, however if I went to the church next door I would find the same. It is good that you have found a church that feels like a family I am sure if you are subtle and use a humble approach some of your ideas may even be able to be shared.

As long as the Gospel of Christ dieing for our sins and rising again and the need for repentance is followed that is the main point that I need to find agreeance on.

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http://christianfindings.wordpress.com/
http://www.housechurchbrisbane.com/
Favourite verse John 7:37-39

did I mention that whatever I hear in the pulpit, when the text is given, I read the passage, then go back and read it in context (literary), and if it still seems like something is left out I read the chapter. Coupled with prayer and a couple of good commentaries (I've always said "It depends on who you trust for your scholarship (brain trust, interpreter)). For authors, I check them on the web to see their theological bent...

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MikeC1956
Asst Admin

know that your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23b NET

Statement of beliefs
Code of Conduct
The Bible NETwork Blogs
The NeXt Bible Learning Environment
BeneSHOP: Help support Bible.org at no additional cost to you when you shop!

fides quarens intellectum, credo ut intelligam
faith seeking knowledge, believe to understand

all quotations are by bible translation indicated.

Ditto, Mike.

The words are sacred, not the numbering! If you see a "therefore," go
back and see what it's there for. Paul often concludes the point in the following
"chapter." The verses were not put there by the author...

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Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,"
behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION" --
The apostle Paul, NASB