Is it possible to be a Baptist...

[Rebel]

and believe as I do? Mainly in the early church views of the atonement only. I've been Baptist most of my life, but after reading this forum, it makes me wonder if I am or can be Baptist. Only thing is, if I wasn't Baptist, I don't know what else I would be, what else my beliefs would fit. Mennonite or Quaker maybe, but then I'm not a complete pacifist. I know I couldn't be part of any infant baptizing denomination.

If our little church goes under, maybe I'll just stay home.

 

[Greektim]

and believe as I do? Mainly in the early church views of the atonement only. I've been Baptist most of my life, but after reading this forum, it makes me wonder if I am or can be Baptist. Only thing is, if I wasn't Baptist, I don't know what else I would be, what else my beliefs would fit. Mennonite or Quaker maybe, but then I'm not a complete pacifist. I know I couldn't be part of any infant baptizing denomination.

If our little church goes under, maybe I'll just stay home.

That last sentence is awful. God's people need to be among God AND the people. To "just stay home" is not healthy.

As to what you are... have you looked for various confessions that you may agree with? There are some good baptist confessions that you may end up liking it.

I like TGC's confessional statement and the Southern Seminary's (and also Southeastern's) Abstracts and Principles.

 

[Rebel]

That last sentence is awful. God's people need to be among God AND the people. To "just stay home" is not healthy.

As to what you are... have you looked for various confessions that you may agree with? There are some good baptist confessions that you may end up liking it.

I like TGC's confessional statement and the Southern Seminary's (and also Southeastern's) Abstracts and Principles.

What is TGC?

I don't think I can be Southern Baptist, not the way they are now. I admire their ethical stands but not their theology, for a long time. Plus, I don't believe OSAS.

 

[annsni]

What is TGC?

The Gospel Coalition

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

and believe as I do? Mainly in the early church views of the atonement only. I've been Baptist most of my life, but after reading this forum, it makes me wonder if I am or can be Baptist. Only thing is, if I wasn't Baptist, I don't know what else I would be, what else my beliefs would fit. Mennonite or Quaker maybe, but then I'm not a complete pacifist. I know I couldn't be part of any infant baptizing denomination.


If our little church goes under, maybe I'll just stay home.

Or start your own....it only takes two or three.

 

[Salty]

What is TGC?

I don't think I can be Southern Baptist, not the way they are now. I admire their ethical stands but not their theology, for a long time. Plus, I don't believe OSAS.

Then start your own local Baptist church - a Free-Will Baptist - as they do not believe in OSAS
Very easy - you write the Articles of Faith, a quick constitution - get a couple of members - and they can ordain you....

 

[McCree79]

What is TGC?

I don't think I can be Southern Baptist, not the way they are now. I admire their ethical stands but not their theology, for a long time. Plus, I don't believe OSAS.

Other than once saved always saved, what theological issues do you have? I am just curious. I will not debate you on it. Just a question.

 

[InTheLight]

Other than once saved always saved, what theological issues do you have? I am just curious. I will not debate you on it. Just a question.

I was wondering this as well.

 

[Rebel]

The Gospel Coalition

I never heard of that.

 

[Rebel]

Then start your own local Baptist church - a Free-Will Baptist - as they do not believe in OSAS
Very easy - you write the Articles of Faith, a quick constitution - get a couple of members - and they can ordain you....

Oh, my God.

 

[JonC]

and believe as I do? Mainly in the early church views of the atonement only. I've been Baptist most of my life, but after reading this forum, it makes me wonder if I am or can be Baptist. Only thing is, if I wasn't Baptist, I don't know what else I would be, what else my beliefs would fit. Mennonite or Quaker maybe, but then I'm not a complete pacifist. I know I couldn't be part of any infant baptizing denomination.

If our little church goes under, maybe I'll just stay home.

We've spoken before about the "early church views" of atonement, and acknowledging that we disagree on the reasons that they focused on certain aspects, I have to say that you would have no problem being a Baptist. Baptistic doctrine is not necessarily specific to the Atonement, although I think that most churches you find will probably favor the Penal Substitution view.

But I will say (of course I would, believing as I do :smilewinkgrin that your adherence to a Christus Victor position will not be the problem in most churches. Your denial of the substitution view may raise some eyebrows - but maybe that is a good thing. We all need our doctrine challenged (and I'll say again, if you can sum up the Atonement in its entirety with only one of the theories, then you are missing something). I think that you'd be bringing much to a Baptist church, and perhaps you'll benefit as well.

 

[Rebel]

Other than once saved always saved, what theological issues do you have? I am just curious. I will not debate you on it. Just a question.

Mainly the atonement. Every time I visit a Baptist church, I hear penal substitution one way or another, either in the sermon or the hymns. I can't listen to that anymore.

I also have some different views on hell, but that is not as likely to be brought up, I suppose.

I affirm the equality of women when it comes to ministry.

I don't believe in total depravity or the Protestant view (or RC view) of original sin.

I have a problem with calling scripture inerrant, although I have no problem saying scripture is true and trustworthy. I don't want to make the mistake that the RCC does and ascribe infallibility to anything or anyone other than God.

Maybe I could have fit into the SBC the way it was before but not now. I don't know what Baptist body I could fit into. I'm too conservative for the liberals and too liberal for the conservatives.

 

[Rebel]

We've spoken before about the "early church views" of atonement, and acknowledging that we disagree on the reasons that they focused on certain aspects, I have to say that you would have no problem being a Baptist. Baptistic doctrine is not necessarily specific to the Atonement, although I think that most churches you find will probably favor the Penal Substitution view.

But I will say (of course I would, believing as I do :smilewinkgrin that your adherence to a Christus Victor position will not be the problem in most churches. Your denial of the substitution view may raise some eyebrows - but maybe that is a good thing. We all need our doctrine challenged (and I'll say again, if you can sum up the Atonement in its entirety with only one of the theories, then you are missing something). I think that you'd be bringing much to a Baptist church, and perhaps you'll benefit as well.

I greatly appreciate your kind, encouraging, and affirming words.

 

[McCree79]

Maybe I could have fit into the SBC the way it was before but not now. I don't know what Baptist body I could fit into. I'm too conservative for the liberals and too liberal for the conservatives.

I have ran across pretty liberal SBC churches and some conservative SBC churches. A lot of different style preachers with their own beliefs. You may find one you like. But if your hang up is with the SBC its self, and not necessarily the individual church, that I can understand. I really hope you find something though.

 

[Rebel]

I have ran across pretty liberal SBC churches and some conservative SBC churches. A lot of different style preachers with their own beliefs. You may find one you like. But if your hang up is with the SBC its self, and not necessarily the individual church, that I can understand. I really hope you find something though.

Well, I do have problems with the SBC, but locally also all the SBC-affiliated churches seem to be all alike.

 

[Rebel]

Then start your own local Baptist church - a Free-Will Baptist - as they do not believe in OSAS
Very easy - you write the Articles of Faith, a quick constitution - get a couple of members - and they can ordain you....

Actually, on second thought, maybe that's not a bad idea. It's pretty much Thomas Helwys-like.

 

[Rippon]

It looks like the thread contributors want to accommodate one who is heterodox.

 

[Rebel]

It looks like the thread contributors want to accommodate one who is heterodox.

You just have to butt in with your usual insults and attacks. If you hadn't, though, I would have been surprised. You are the nastiest person on here. You need to shut up and mind your own business since you have nothing worthwhile to contribute. All you want to do is get something started. You are about as Christlike as your idol was.

You have a nerve calling me heterodox. Your views were unknown in the first 1500 years of the church.

Go crawl back into the hole you crawled out of.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

So what is heterodox?

dictionary.reference.com/browse/heterodox not in accordance with established or accepted doctrines or opinions, especially in theology; unorthodox.

 

[Bro. James]

We all have our own "Book of Ortho-Doxy" which surely must be infallible.

Arbitrarily excluding some one's opinion is a serious infraction of the rules of debate decorum.

"Let God be found True--------------and every man a liar"

"Pray for them who despitefully use you".

"Bless them who curse you."

"Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Bro. James