Key to my take on the OP was IF could not be a baptist church...
I would want to be in a church that teaches those things as they do, and would deal with them being not calvinistic in doctrines...
I know:thumbsup:
Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Key to my take on the OP was IF could not be a baptist church...
I would want to be in a church that teaches those things as they do, and would deal with them being not calvinistic in doctrines...
If I could start life over knowing what I know now I would get a PhD in economics and then become a Catholic Priest.
If I were forced to move somewhere that did not have a conservative Lutheran church (preferably LCMS), I would probably attend churches in this order of preference:
1. a liberal Lutheran church, but I would work to bring it back to conservative, confessional Lutheranism. If I failed, I would leave and go on to number 2.
2. Greek Orthodox
3. Anglo-Catholic Episcopalian
4. Presbyterian
5. Baptist
6. Roman Catholic
.
How does this response harmonize with your previous statement that you believe that only Lutheran's and Baptists hold to the truth?
When I look at the Bible I see two plausible interpretations:
1. the catholic/orthodox interpretation of the earliest Church Fathers
2. the Anabaptist/Baptist/Reformed/evangelical interpretation
If I were to be convinced that interpretation #2 is correct, I would be a Baptist.
Since I still believe that the catholic (small "c")/orthodox interpretation is the correct one, I believe that Lutherans are the closest denomination to the beliefs of the earliest Church Fathers, then the Greek Orthodox and so on.
I have not completely ruled out that the Baptists are right. That is why I am on this site. I am testing my catholic/orthodox beliefs against the beliefs of the Baptists, who have the most plausible alternative interpretation.
>Why a PhD in economics, and why a Catholic priest?
Economics fascinates me. A professorship in a college town would be a satisfying life. I'm not the greatest parent in the world.
Luther and Calvin never left the Catholic Church. They were ex-communicated. I have concluded that the Reformation did more harm than good.
A man's first loyalty should to his wife and children, not the Church or secular employment. I think the protestant churches are mislead by discouraging single adults from serving the church.
As Popeye often said, I yam what I yam."
I know I am biased but having house kept for our catholic priests I am awed at their intelligence and their learning. A book on the desk maybe somehing in Greek or some other language (I am a definite monoglot). Their years of formation in so many aspects of theology is staggering. And then when the awesome day of their ordination....they can be sent all over the globe and be among simple folk in Africa...and teaching the word of God in the particular dialect. I am amazed that there are young men who turn their backs to the delights of an ordinary life to spend their days across the globe, dependent (mostly) on the congregation to support them, I think these guys are incredible, but of course they have been called by God. It is sad when the occasional one falls from grace and falls mightily that the news has a field day, rather than writing a story in the day of the life of so many good men.:flower:
I have many young mormons come to my door every year. They dedicate two years of their life as missionaries. I try to give a gospel witness to them before they leave my door. However, when they leave, the always want to wish me "God bless you." I either never respond or I say I hope God does not bless your efforts because you are leading people to hell. The same is true of these good young men you speak about. They are ministering for Satan and simply do not realize it.
I spoke to a pastor from EV who was not very supportive of Doctrines of Grace....very mamby pamby regarding doctrine. I got the impression they were very bland & milk toasty. Church of the group hug, contemporary music, contemporary mindset, not a great sermon environment & a bunch of yuppies in a yuppy town. Thats why I didnt pursue them.
How very sad to hear you say such a slandrous thing, anyhow what it is worth "God bless you'.
There was not one word of slander. Roman Catholicism is the greatest Christian cult in the world and they slander the cross of Christ by their sacramental gospel and Romans 4:11 is absolute undeniable Biblical evidence to prove it. I have not yet had one Roman Catholic, or one sacramentarium provide a contextual based response to this text - not one! I welcome you to provide it!
Dear Catholic sister in Christ,
To many Fundamentalists every "Christian" is part of a cult and going to hell except for them. It's sad, but this idea is taught to them from the cradle to the grave. I know, I grew up in it.
However, we must return anger and harsh words with kindness and love. They are our bothers and sisters in Christ.
Dear Catholic sister in Christ,
To many Fundamentalists every "Christian" is part of a cult and going to hell except for them. It's sad, but this idea is taught to them from the cradle to the grave. I know, I grew up in it.
However, we must return anger and harsh words with kindness and love. They are our bothers and sisters in Christ.