Which other denominations do you admire?

Hey Ben,

If you don't mind, may I ask why you admire the SDA and the AOG? Just curious.

If I had to name one it would have to be the Disciples of Christ because they, like a few other denominations, traditionally take communion every Sunday. I do not agree with their theology. Please don't mistakenly think I agree with all of their beliefs, but I have always received a blessing participating in communion.

 

Not sure I'd be able to answer - it's "the grass is always greener" complex!

There are times I admire churches with elder-led polity. They seem to get things done a lot quicker. There are times that I admire the "non-denominational" down the road, because they're not doggedly tied to the tradition of Landmarkism. (I say "tradition" because most folks are like that around here, but have no idea why. It's not a theological stand, it's just "what we've always done.")

Then I come back to myself and realize the protection of being in a church with congregational polity. So I'm actually glad I'm SBC!

 

MBBC'ers from the late 60's - early 80's have heard Dr. Cedarholm tell many times about the time he was asked a similar question.

"Dr. Cedarholm, if you weren't Baptist, what would you be?"

"I'd be ashamed."

 

Zola Levit comes to mind. I've always had a special place in my heart for Reformed-Jews, unless they are anti-Israel. And that means they must be against their own heritage.

Is "Reformed-Jews" the correct terminology??? Might they also be called Messianic Jews???

 

I have known many members of the Church of the Nazarene that I thought were pretty solid and devoted people. This is, however, no endorsement of them. They have numerous problems theologically, not the least of which is a rejection of OSAS, and the belief in entire sanctification this side of glory as a second work of Grace. But I like their motto, "Holiness unto the LORD". I wish some of my IFB bretheren whould practice it.

I am Baptist though because I believe it most closely follows the NT pattern.

Chad

 

Though I attended MBBC and love the school and loved the Drs' Cedarholm, I didn't agree with Dr. C on this. I believe there are other denominations that are just as sound. I made this a point that he was aware of and he never confirmed or denied that I was right...he was silent. So, I take it he either had no real opinion on this particular denomination or that he agree with what I put before him.

I brought up the Evangelical Free Church. I have always been interested in them, and even our illustrious Dr. Bob has been involved with them. The only other ones I have considered in the past are Free Methodists, Presbyterians and the Church of God. I am currently SBC, and am happy within that sect of Baptist.

 

Most IFCA churches are solid. You'll find there pretty close to Baptist after all they're Independent and fundamental churches!

ifca.org

 

If I were not Baptist, I would seriously consider these:

Indepdent "Bible" churches with their Elder-led polity.

Presbyterian Church In America (PCA) - conservative presbyterian denomination with Elder-led churches.

 

I don't want to sound mean, but frankly I think if anybody knew anything about mennonites they wouldn't admire them.

 

Probably PCA but the paedo thing is too much.

 

Amen.

I would add the Evangelical Free Church to those.

I also ran across some Congregational Methodists in GA that sounded OK.

The one guy I talked to didn't disagree with me on any fundamental point. They immerse and believe in salvation by grace as an event and not a process- at least according to this one guy.

 

I know quite a bit about Mennonites. I went to school with several and have a few in my family.

 

I'm raising support as a missionary. I have mostly IFB churches that support us . We also have alot of Bible Churches who support us. They are usually baptistic. I enjoy their fellowship because they are always sound doctrinally without all the additives of some IFB's such as Bible versions, pants on women etc....

Also I like some Reformed Baptist. The IFB are always talking about taking a stand yet all they do is ignore some mainstream issues in the church while alot of reformed brothers are out there taking up the debate on issues instead of just hiding out.

I attended a dispensational school for most of my undergrad degree then attended Southeastern for sometime. I was introduced to alot of reformed church history and teaching there. I didn't like all of it but alot I did. IFB are just sometimes to narrow on that sort of thing.

There is a church in our little town called "Methodist Bible Church" I've never heard of that little group. The pastor is a pretty solid fellow. Anybody know anything about Bible Methodist?

Call me crazy but there will be others besides baptist in heaven . I'm baptist by conviction I believe baptist doctrine to be the most balanced.

 

Ben, I'm surprised you list the SDA as a "denomination" you admire! Their teachings are radically different in many ways from most Christian teachings. While they affirm essentials like the Trinity, they teach that Ellen White was a prophetess and her words are on a par with the Bible; they teach that Jesus went into the heavenly sanctuary (I think in 1844, that was when a prophecy about Jesus coming back failed, so they said, never mind, we meant he went into the heavenly sanctuary); they teach that Jesus is conducting an "investigative judgment" of everyone, including believers; they teach that if you don't worship on Saturday you will get the mark of the beast when Jesus comes back (this used to be on their site but last time I checked, they had taken off -- however, they still believe it but will not say that to you); they do not teach salvation by grace -- works are added in, though they will deny that, too.

Do you admire this kind of stuff?

 

Ben, here are some good links on SDA to look at.
http://www.watchman.org/profile/sdapro.htm

http://www.letusreason.org/7thAd23.htm

http://www.sdaoutreach.org/index.cfm

You will probably disagree with the Sabbath arguments, but look at the other SDA teachings.

I almost forgot -- they also teach Soul Sleep.


http://www.ex-sda.com/

 

I don't admire any denomination, even my own.

I believe denominations are riddled with traditions of men, and Pharasee like rules that have little to do with God or God's word.

I look at individual congregations and what they teach and how hard they try to follow scripture in context. It just happens that the last few churches I have found that really do that have been SBC. I have left SBC churches that have ceased to do that, and I'll leave behind the Baptist denomination in general if it ceases to try to follow God more than follow "tradition."

 

Ben, no matter what the SDA people you know believe, the SDA still officially teaches those doctrines I mentioned. They have not stepped back from that.

I could not belong to or admire any church that officially teaches those things. Maybe some Baptists believe in soul sleep as you say, but the Baptists churches do not teach it. Big difference! The SDA does teach those things.

They don't get the investigative judgment from Daniel, they got it from a failed prophecy when Jesus didn't come back in 1844. They just use Daniel to prop it up (very poorly). It's not biblical at all.