You are creating a false dichotemy. We are given the doctrines of the Bible for a reason. So that we may know Christ and grow in truth. The Bible is clear that a Christian is identified by his actions and his beliefs (doctrines). How can we say that someone "knows" Christ if they deny biblical truths? </font>[/QUOTE]I agree to a point. The problem is that you’ve made adherence to a theory of inerrancy as a requirement for salvation. That is in direct opposition to the central message of Galatians. Believers in Christ follow Abraham’s example of believing in God and His provision (Jesus). Abraham did not have the Law (God’s written word), circumcision, rituals or temple sacrifices to follow to come to Christ. Paul makes it explicitly clear that these additional things are not necessary for salvation! Now there are many good doctrines that I think Christians should hold to, but they have nothing to do with salvation. To try to separate the wheat from the tares goes directly against the teaching of Christ.Originally posted by Scott J:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Baptist Believer:
Salvation is not about holding to certain doctrines -- it is about knowing Christ!
At it’s core though, our individual faith is based on a personal experience with Christ. Most of the time, the Bible plays a strong role in *introducing* us to Christ, but sometimes people meet Christ without having the advantage of the Bible (i.e. Abraham). Our faith in Christ is not mediated through the Bible.This is not intended to be shot a Joshua at all. I am just responding to your dangerously false post. Being Christian is more than some nondescript spiritual enlightenment. Our faith is based on what the Bible teaches.
Just because someone doesn’t accept a theory of inerrancy doesn’t mean that they think the Bible is false… The authority and reliability of scripture *is* important, but that does make it *essential* to salvation.If the Bible is false then your foundation of "knowing Christ" lacks any real meaning. Therefore the authority and reliability of scripture is critical.
Since you have chosen to speak for God, how do you know that this judgment is offensive to God? The Bible teaches us ways to identify true believers and gives examples of judging others as non-believers- there are distinctive traits of both. Discerning who is or is not a Christian is not a light matter but it is also not forbidden like many think. [/QB][/QUOTE]Your habit of labeling those who disagree with you as not belonging to Christ is offensive to God.
If someone denies the divinity of Christ (NOTE: not accepting the virgin birth does not necessarily mean that that person does not believe in the divinity of Christ), or denies that Christ has come in the flesh, or denies the resurrection of Christ, or rejects the call to follow Jesus, then they are not true believers.
But you have condemned not only Joshua but all CBF members (in another thread) as being outside the Christian faith. How can you possibly justify such a blanket condemnation?
It’s not about judging, it’s about judging with false standards.How can we avoid fellowship with false Christians if we are not to judge?
This is a different question than the question of salvation…What is the minimum doctrinal agreement for fellowship? The Bible establishes a fairly high threshold.
People organize themselves into churches to follow Christ according to the dictates of the conscience that has been enlightened by the word of God. Each church needs to determine for themselves what the minimal doctrinal standard needs to be. In the same way, denominations *can* establish minimal doctrinal standards for fellowship, whether they be legalistic, wide-open liberal, razor-thin fundamentalist or anything in between.
But that’s not what you were discussing earlier.