Different Christian Denominations May Have Different Beliefs

[ChristineES]

Most people more than likely know this already, but there seems to be a few who don't realize that Christians have really very different sets of belief.
1. Not all Christians believe in the Trinity. Some don't believe that Jesus is God. Some believe that Jesus was an angel, others believe that Jesus was the son of God, other Christians believe that Jesus was just a normal human being chosen by God to give a message.
2. Not all Christians believe in free will. I have had many discussions with Christians about whether there is free will or not.

I am one of those who believes that they are all Christians, even if they disagree with some of my own beliefs about Jesus. There are other people who only believe that their own denomination are true Christians. Those above are some major disagreements, there are also a lot of minor ones, such as in baptism and such.

 

[Thesavorofpan]

Most people more than likely know this already, but there seems to be a few who don't realize that Christians have really very different sets of belief.
1. Not all Christians believe in the Trinity. Some don't believe that Jesus is God. Some believe that Jesus was an angel, others believe that Jesus was the son of God, other Christians believe that Jesus was just a normal human being chosen by God to give a message.
2. Not all Christians believe in free will. I have had many discussions with Christians about whether there is free will or not.

I am one of those who believes that they are all Christians, even if they disagree with some of my own beliefs about Jesus. There are other people who only believe that their own denomination are true Christians. Those above are some major disagreements, there are also a lot of minor ones, such as in baptism and such.

Don't forget the Christians who think that there is one God who likes to use many forms.

 

[Renji]

I would like to share this quote from a user's signature here on RF: "Having different opinions does not mean having different principle." In this issue, having different beliefs does not indicate of having a totally different Christianity. The problem in the whole Christendom is the attitude of indifference. If we can only settle these "doctrinal differences", only then that we will have a one and genuine Christianity that Christ wants us to have as His followers.

 

[Wombat]

Most people more than likely know this already, but there seems to be a few who don't realize that Christians have really very different sets of belief.
1. Not all Christians believe in the Trinity. Some don't believe that Jesus is God. Some believe that Jesus was an angel, others believe that Jesus was the son of God, other Christians believe that Jesus was just a normal human being chosen by God to give a message. .

Great theme.
If I may add that- "Some don't believe that" the Resurrection was a physical event or not exclusively/centrally a physical event. ie That the biggest miracle was that this crushed, crucified and thrice denied religious movement ‘resurrected’ after three days. And they (disciples) carried on despite everything. ( Omnipotent God has command over matter life&death but has relinquished command over such free will (?;-) choices)

I am one of those who believes that they are all Christians, even if they disagree with some of my own beliefs about Jesus.

I share your pov.
Though I do have a bit of a theological struggle accepting those who drink diluted arsenic and dance with venemous snakes as 'Christian'.

I'm sure they are nice hospitable folks though ;-)

 

[Looncall]

The problem is that there is no way to test religious beliefs for accuracy. Given that, a wild diversity of belief is inevitable.

 

[Penumbra]

Most people more than likely know this already, but there seems to be a few who don't realize that Christians have really very different sets of belief.
1. Not all Christians believe in the Trinity. Some don't believe that Jesus is God. Some believe that Jesus was an angel, others believe that Jesus was the son of God, other Christians believe that Jesus was just a normal human being chosen by God to give a message.
2. Not all Christians believe in free will. I have had many discussions with Christians about whether there is free will or not.

I am one of those who believes that they are all Christians, even if they disagree with some of my own beliefs about Jesus. There are other people who only believe that their own denomination are true Christians. Those above are some major disagreements, there are also a lot of minor ones, such as in baptism and such.

How do you define a Christian?

Is everyone a Christian? Or all those that identify as Christian regardless of what they believe? Or everybody who attends church and prays? Or some other definition?

 

[thedope]

I regard christianity as one version of a universal curriculum.

 

[Kathryn]

I believe that the term "Christian" means one who embraces and tries to follow the teachings of Jesus.

Personally, I believe in the tenets of faith as expressed in the Apostle's Creed. When I choose a church or body of believers to worship with on a regular basis, I choose a body of believers which also shares these tenets of the faith.

However, that does NOT mean that I am certain that my beliefs are 100 percent correct, or that I believe that others who don't share all those beliefs are more "wrong" than I am.

I prefer to focus on what unifies us rather than what divides us. That is why I am very comfortable sharing the joys of the Christian faith with Catholics, UUs, Bahais, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Mormons - even Baptists!

I believe that on judgment day, all of us are probably in for some big surprises.

Excellent OP, Christine.

 

[Gloone]

Most people more than likely know this already, but there seems to be a few who don't realize that Christians have really very different sets of belief.
1. Not all Christians believe in the Trinity. Some don't believe that Jesus is God. Some believe that Jesus was an angel, others believe that Jesus was the son of God, other Christians believe that Jesus was just a normal human being chosen by God to give a message.
2. Not all Christians believe in free will. I have had many discussions with Christians about whether there is free will or not.

I am one of those who believes that they are all Christians, even if they disagree with some of my own beliefs about Jesus. There are other people who only believe that their own denomination are true Christians. Those above are some major disagreements, there are also a lot of minor ones, such as in baptism and such.

I have herd a lot of people laugh at the simple gesture of someone saying they are a christian, because there is no real way to define what being a christian is all about.

 

[gnomon]

Most people more than likely know this already, but there seems to be a few who don't realize that Christians have really very different sets of belief.
1. Not all Christians believe in the Trinity. Some don't believe that Jesus is God. Some believe that Jesus was an angel, others believe that Jesus was the son of God, other Christians believe that Jesus was just a normal human being chosen by God to give a message.
2. Not all Christians believe in free will. I have had many discussions with Christians about whether there is free will or not.

I am one of those who believes that they are all Christians, even if they disagree with some of my own beliefs about Jesus. There are other people who only believe that their own denomination are true Christians. Those above are some major disagreements, there are also a lot of minor ones, such as in baptism and such.

That's true.

For me, a person who accepts the divinity of Jesus Christ is what I call a Christian. People who think Jesus are really cool or just another prophet with good teachings are not.

Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, etc. None of these terms in themselves are religions. They are merely qualifiers linking similar religions together. Jehovah's Witnesses and Episcopalians have many differences. But both are Christian religions. Their members are Christians.

In other words, if someones tells me they are a Christian I can only assume one thing about them. That they have faith in Jesus Christ. That's it. I can't tell their politics, exactly how their relationship with their belief works (personal v. heirarchical, for example) and so on.

 

[jmvizanko]

Well what else can you expect when the basis of the whole system, all sects included, is a wildly cryptic and incoherent book that is unimaginably open to interpretation, even given the best historical context knowledge?

 

[Engyo]

This same sentiment can be applied to all of the major religious traditions, although generally people only realize this about their own.

 

[Katzpur]

I believe that the term "Christian" means one who embraces and tries to follow the teachings of Jesus.

I totally agree with this definition.

For me, a person who accepts the divinity of Jesus Christ is what I call a Christian. People who think Jesus are really cool or just another prophet with good teachings are not.

And I agree, in essence, with this one. The only problem I see with it is that there may very well be some people who consider themselves to be Christians who do not believe that Jesus Christ is divine. That's really hard for me to understand, since it's such an integral part of my belief system. On the other hand, I am so used to hearing people tell me that I, as a Mormon, am not a Christian because one or more of my beliefs differs from theirs, that I really do try to give people the benefit of the doubt. If someone who believes that Jesus Christ is "just another prophet with good teachings" but also describes himself as being a Christian, I am uncomfortable saying, "No, you're not."

To me, a Christian is someone who (1) believes that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, (2) that He is the Savior of mankind and the only means by which we can be reconciled to God, and (3) who tries to emulate Jesus Christ in his daily interaction with others. That said, if someone does not believe all of these things but sincerely considers himself to be a Christian, I am happy to accept him as one and let God sort it all out in the end.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

To me, a Christian is someone who (1) believes that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God, (2) that He is the Savior of mankind and the only means by which we can be reconciled to God, and (3) who tries to emulate Jesus Christ in his daily interaction with others. That said, if someone does not believe all of these things but sincerely considers himself to be a Christian, I am happy to accept him as one and let God sort it all out in the end.

I think that is an excellent attitude.
Many Christians exclude others, because of a single belief, such as How God, Jesus and the Holy spirit relate to each other. There have also been many "Christians" and "Sects" that have denied that Jesus is Divine at all.
Perhaps as time goes on and with less and less people believing in God, there will be a new group of people who might be considered (or consider themselves) to be Christian Atheists. Who believe in the ethics and teachings of Jesus but are in no other way religious.

Religious belief is not about to vanish over night and perhaps will never disappear completely, But belief in God is certainly diminishing rapidly in all advanced societies. Even countries like Israel and Spain who once were prime examples of their own particular religions, are now mostly secular.

 

[smokydot]

How do you define a Christian?

Is everyone a Christian? Or all those that identify as Christian regardless of what they believe? Or everybody who attends church and prays? Or some other definition?

Well, if you believe what the NT reports that Jesus said, only those who are born again and believe in Jesus Christ are Christians. (Jn 3:3-19)

 

[smokydot]

Well what else can you expect when the basis of the whole system, all sects included, is a wildly cryptic and incoherent book that is unimaginably open to interpretation, even given the best historical context knowledge?

The sheep understand it.

 

[Penumbra]

Well, if you believe what the NT reports that Jesus said, only those who are born again and believe in Jesus Christ are Christians. (Jn 3:3-19)

No, I don't believe what the NT reports about what Jesus said. It's not a reliable source.

And scripture can be used to support whichever view one holds. Some people can point out places where Jesus said things like only the born again will see the kingdom of god. Other people can point out that he said the merciful will be shown mercy (and people of all walks of life have shown mercy).

The aspects of scripture that people fixate on tells a lot about them. As in, whether they are inclusive or exclusive, compassionate or without empathy, etc.

 

[smokydot]

No, I don't believe what the NT reports about what Jesus said. It's not a reliable source.

What do you consider a reliable source of what Jesus said?

And scripture can be used to support whichever view one holds. Some people can point out places where Jesus said things like only the born again will see the kingdom of god. Other people can point out that he said the merciful will be shown mercy (and people of all walks of life have shown mercy).
The aspects of scripture that people fixate on tells a lot about them. As in, whether they are inclusive or exclusive, compassionate or without empathy, etc.

Good post. . .except for the last judgmental sentence.

Yes, the Scriptures are not understood from a surface reading of them.
And the only way to get past the surface is by study of them with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

But regarding your comment based on one of the beatitudes, the beatitudes do not conflict with the requirement of rebirth and faith in Jesus Christ of Jn 3:3-19,
because the beatitudes are the "new law,". . .for the life Jesus puts in us by our faith in him. They are not for those who do not believe in him.
Just as the Levites had spoken the curses of the Law from Mount Ebal (Dt 27:14-26) on God's OT people, so Jesus speaks the blessings of grace from this mountain on God's NT people, which are those who believe in his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

 

[Penumbra]

What do you consider a reliable source of what Jesus said?

There are none.

The sources have unverified authors and were written decades after his death.

Good post. . .except for the last judgmental sentence.

Yes, the Scriptures are not understood from a surface reading of them.
And the only way to get past the surface is by study of them with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

But regarding your comment based on one of the beatitudes, the beatitudes do not conflict with the requirement of rebirth and faith in Jesus Christ of Jn 3:3-19,
because the beatitudes are the "new law,". . .for the life Jesus puts in us by our faith in him. They are not for those who do not believe in him.
Just as the Levites had spoken the curses of the Law from Mount Ebal (Dt 27:14-26) on God's OT people, so Jesus speaks the blessings of grace from this mountain on God's NT people, which are those who believe in his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Seems like you're filtering the rest of the scripture through your conclusion. I see no reason to suggest that Jesus asserts certain requirements into the Beatitudes.

 

[smokydot]

There are none.

The sources have unverified authors and were written decades after his death.


Seems like you're filtering the rest of the scripture through your conclusion. I see no reason to suggest that Jesus asserts certain requirements into the Beatitudes.

Scriptures must be considered in the light of all Scripture, and not in isolation.