A New Testament Christian's Crisis of Faith

[Washad]

Ntchristian.
Perhaps you have stated your understanding of the atonement before but how does it differ from penal substitution? What is it about this that causes you distress?
Praying for you. Spiritual struggles are always the most troubling.

 

[Yeshua1]

"This reliance on extra-biblical sources to establish doctrine has led to grievous errors in the church."
Yes the #1 being that tradition that teaches the only source for christian stuff is found in scripture alone.


"You want to take the Fathers and try to read what they say back into the NT"

What do you mean BACK into the NT? These guys existed BEFORE the NT is done. You are talking to people who have the apostles ALIVE and in front their face.


You've studied history "extensively"

Find one legit Christian in those first 500 years.

I named a FEMALE DEACON in Scripture.

Romans 16:1

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.


I want you to tell us she is a Female BISHOP, and that is now what you will be looking for in your next church.


Even if we don't agree........
Here's the good news, God is Good. God is Love. the highest priority is Love. Love God and Love neighbor.

1 Thessalonians 5

21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.

If God the Father torturing Jesus, a la penal sub turns you off. Go to that church anyways and pick up what it good.

Or try to find how to reconcile penal sub. how could it be accomplished at the same time keeping God's good character.

Everyone on this board, this thread, we love each other......I hope. Give God a chance to be the hero, as in .....expect him so to be. Don't put this guard up in your heart that says God doesn't care about you. Pray on all this.

There is ONE true church, but it is neither Baptist nor Rome, but made up of all of the redeemed in history! TRUE Church of Christ!

 

[ntchristian]

Ntchristian.
Perhaps you have stated your understanding of the atonement before but how does it differ from penal substitution? What is it about this that causes you distress?
Praying for you. Spiritual struggles are always the most troubling.

Sorry to just be getting back to this thread. My atonement views are basically those held by the Eastern Orthodox Church. That is, the Ransom view, which would encompass what is called the Classic view, or Christus Victor. Also, Recapitulation was held in the early church, and I find that attractive, as well. All these can be found in the NT and early church, unlike Penal Substitution.

What causes me distress about the PSA is that I feel it distorts God's true nature.

I appreciate your prayers. I must admit I am having trouble with various aspects of Western soteriology since having left the Orthodox Church in which I was raised. I also must say that soteriologically speaking I still agree with Orthodoxy. But I do disagree with Orthodox ecclesiology and their view of sacraments now. I need a church with Eastern soterioloogy and free church/believer's baptism ecclesiology and sacraments! Haven't found such yet but still looking. I think maybe some form of free will Baptist or Mennonite is as close as I'll get. I am trying to not to let this spiritual pilgrimage in the desert take away my faith, trying to maintain optimism and even a sense of humor, but this journey has become difficult. I think everyone wants to find the place where they belong. Although I am grateful for any Christian fellowship with any group of true Christian believers.

 

[ntchristian]

There is ONE true church, but it is neither Baptist nor Rome, but made up of all of the redeemed in history! TRUE Church of Christ!

I can certainly agree with that!