What Is A Predenominational Christian?

[adisciplinedlearner]

A predenominational Christian is a Christian or disciple of Christ who seeks to base all of his religious beliefs and practices upon the New Testament itself, starting with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He desires to recover original New Testament Christianity, or the faith once delivered unto the saints. He is neither Catholic nor Protestant and rejects any and all Catholic and Protestant traditions that are inconsistent with or contrary to the New Testament, no matter how deeply-entrenced these traditions may have become. His overriding goal is to be true to Christ and true to the New Testament.

 

[Dr. Walter]

A predenominational Christian is a Christian or disciple of Christ who seeks to base all of his religious beliefs and practices upon the New Testament itself, starting with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He desires to recover original New Testament Christianity, or the faith once delivered unto the saints. He is neither Catholic nor Protestant and rejects any and all Catholic and Protestant traditions that are inconsistent with or contrary to the New Testament, no matter how deeply-entrenced these traditions may have become. His overriding goal is to be true to Christ and true to the New Testament.

Your definition is basically the definition that every cult and a every new movement (which eventually becomes a denomination) that has every arisen within Christendom has used has espoused and used to defend its separation from the rest of Christendom in the history of Christianity.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

A predenominational Christian is a Christian or disciple of Christ who seeks to base all of his religious beliefs and practices upon the New Testament itself, starting with the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He desires to recover original New Testament Christianity, or the faith once delivered unto the saints. He is neither Catholic nor Protestant and rejects any and all Catholic and Protestant traditions that are inconsistent with or contrary to the New Testament, no matter how deeply-entrenced these traditions may have become. His overriding goal is to be true to Christ and true to the New Testament.

So does that mean you have to recreate, based on current cultural Mores and Norms and understandings, of english translated texts an understanding of what you believe the NT church was like?

Do you involve textual criticism to scriptures and put them in the context and cultural values of the age in which they were writen? And how do you determine the validity of such "original New Testiment Christianity, or faith once delivered to the saints"?

 

[adisciplinedlearner]

Predenominationalism includes a determination to take the New Testament at face value with simple faith in the text of Scripture. It seeks to avoid the all-too-common practices of reading between the lines of Scripture and reading man's ideas into Scripture. The heart of the predenominational hermeneutic is the two great commandments taught by the Lord Jesus Christ, which serve as sort of an interpretive prism for understanding the rest of the New Testament. Predenominationalism is Christ-centered, not Paul-centered or Peter-centered.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Predenominationalism includes a determination to take the New Testament at face value with simple faith in the text of Scripture. It seeks to avoid the all-too-common practices of reading between the lines of Scripture and reading man's ideas into Scripture. The heart of the predenominational hermeneutic is the two great commandments taught by the Lord Jesus Christ, which serve as sort of an interpretive prism for understanding the rest of the New Testament. Predenominationalism is Christ-centered, not Paul-centered or Peter-centered.

It seems you exclude the world at the time the material was written. And since this is the case there is no real "true return" to the deposit given by the apostles. Neither are understandings entirely grasped which was written in scripture and misapplication for modern context becomes a real issue. For instance women covering their head? or Wearing Jewelry. Etc....

 

[adisciplinedlearner]

I never said that predenominationalism is easy <grin>. I agree that it is very difficult in many respects.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

I never said that predenominationalism is easy <grin>. I agree that it is very difficult in many respects.

Quite impossible the world and culture has transformed much since then. Humanity in a sense has evolved. As has the Church.

 

[billwald]

>Predenominationalism includes a determination to take the New Testament at face value with simple faith in the text of Scripture.

Then you have no retirement funds and give away your surplus at the end of every week?

 

[Dr. Walter]

Predenominationalism is Christ-centered, not Paul-centered or Peter-centered.

Are you saying that Paul or Peter are not Christ centered, or better yet, are you saying that Paul and Peter do not better represent Christ as those ordained to be witnesses of Christ??

Your approach to the doctrine of justification based upon a "Christ-centered" philosophical point of origin in contrast to "Paul-centered or Peter-centered" is the very same philosophical approach for those who deny the doctrine of eternal punishment. They mount their attack on the basis of the "love of Christ."

This is the same philosophical approach for those who deny the inspiration of the scriptures as they claim that the only real value of the Scriptures is the love of God as expressed in the Sermon on the mount.

This is the same philosophical approach for those who hate "doctrine" but want to emphasize the "love" of God as the only real substance of New Testament Christiantiy.

However, this is not the philosphical approach of Paul as he ALWAYS precedes practical application and exhoration to love one aother with doctrine. He lays a doctrinal foundation first as he does in Romans 1-11 before he makes practical application and exhortations to love. Why? Because "love" must be defined within the context of obedience and obedience must be defined within the context of doctrine.

 

[adisciplinedlearner]

All Scripture is profitable for letting us know what to believe, what not to believe, how to behave, and how not to behave. As we interpret the New Testament, however, we should do so with a Christocentric hermeneutic.

 

[Dr. Walter]

All Scripture is profitable for letting us know what to believe, what not to believe, how to behave, and how not to behave. As we interpret the New Testament, however, we should do so with a Christocentric hermeneutic.

Paul is set forth by Christ to be the ensample for us and the cheif representative of Christ in presenting the truth of the gospel (Gal. 1:6-15). I will take Paul's interpretation of Christ over yours.

 

[billwald]

I can believe that Jesus died to resolve the sin question between me and God and also believe that Galatians is a terrible essay and anyone who tries to extract the intent of Jesus from it is spinning his wheels.

 

[Dr. Walter]

I can believe that Jesus died to resolve the sin question between me and God and also believe that Galatians is a terrible essay and anyone who tries to extract the intent of Jesus from it is spinning his wheels.

Gal. 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Predenominationalism includes a determination to take the New Testament at face value with simple faith in the text of Scripture. It seeks to avoid the all-too-common practices of reading between the lines of Scripture and reading man's ideas into Scripture. The heart of the predenominational hermeneutic is the two great commandments taught by the Lord Jesus Christ, which serve as sort of an interpretive prism for understanding the rest of the New Testament. Predenominationalism is Christ-centered, not Paul-centered or Peter-centered.

What do you do when it appears that text conflicts....for example Matthew has Jesus saying Blessed are the poor in Spirit while Luke states Blessed are you poor with the caviet But woe to you who are Rich....

 

[adisciplinedlearner]

Dear EWF, I wrestle to harmonize the New Testament just like everyone else. This does not mean we have the right to read between the lines of Scripture or read man's ideas into Scripture. The best solution to the problem you cited is to add the teachings of these Scriptures together.

 

[DHK]

All Scripture is profitable for letting us know what to believe, what not to believe, how to behave, and how not to behave. As we interpret the New Testament, however, we should do so with a Christocentric hermeneutic.

The principles of:
sola sciptura, and priesthood of the believer,
have nothing to do with denominations.

Your view makes no sense. Break down the words. What is a denomination? Look it up in the dictionary. Denominations have existed for eons--ever since the RCC (4th century) or the Montanists (2nd century). "pre" means before. Thus pre-denominational means before denominations existed. To claim that you existed before denominations is ludicrous, and you know it.

As for your beliefs, every Baptist on this board believes that their beliefs come straight from the Bible, and that the Bible is their final authority in all matters of faith and doctrine. So your belief is no different than any other Baptist. Thus you have no claim to this ridiculous made up word of yours "pre-denominational." If not changed soon, you may be changed--gone. Out of almost all moderators I put up with more people's heresy and garbage. But there is a limit until it is put before the Administration.

 

[adisciplinedlearner]

Brother DHK, I moderated a discussion group for about 10 years, and I allowed all viewpoints to be presented except when people's posts were profane or blasphemous. You have no just reason to boot me from this discussion group, but if you choose to unjustly remove me there is nothing I can do about it. I will love you just the same.

 

[DHK]

Brother DHK, I moderated a discussion group for about 10 years, and I allowed all viewpoints to be presented except when people's posts were profane or blasphemous. You have no just reason to boot me from this discussion group, but if you choose to unjustly remove me there is nothing I can do about it. I will love you just the same.

I don't care what the rules of YOUR BOARD was. They were no doubt different than this board. When you joined this board you AGREED to abide by these rules, and you have not. You did not fill out your profile in agreement to the stated rules and still haven't. The way that you have filled it out is deceptive and unclear. Those are the facts and contrary to the rules set out by the administration. Whether or not you agree with the rules is totally irrelevant.

 

[adisciplinedlearner]

Brother DHK, Were God's people divided into denominations in the New Testament?

 

[DHK]

Brother DHK, Were God's people divided into denominations in the New Testament?

That has nothing to do with your profile or the rules of this board.