Help! I'm A Weird Christian

[CLM9999]

I don't really seem to fit in anywhere. I'm a semi-progressive Christian with many unorthodox beliefs. Here's just a few: 1) I don't believe much of the Old Testament was inspired, 2) I do believe almost all of the New Testament was inspired, 3) I do believe God works personally in our lives.

Even though I could say the Apostle's Creed with a straight face, most Christians would shun me: I believe in evolution and don't believe in a Dante-like hell for crying out loud!

Anyway, have you ever heard of anyone like me? Please, I feel very alone and would like to meet someone with similar beliefs, but I'm not sure there is anyone out there!

Thanks in advance...

 

[Quagmire]

Hi CLM9999, welcome to RF.

I think you'll find other Christians in here who can identify with what you believe.

 

[Valjean]

The Church of the Brethren uses only the New testament, I believe.
I don't know their position on evolution or Hell.

 

[Revoltingest]

Greetings.
I know nuthin about Xianity, but many here do.

 

[Renji]

I don't really seem to fit in anywhere. I'm a semi-progressive Christian with many unorthodox beliefs. Here's just a few: 1) I don't believe much of the Old Testament was inspired, 2) I do believe almost all of the New Testament was inspired, 3) I do believe God works personally in our lives.

Even though I could say the Apostle's Creed with a straight face, most Christians would shun me: I believe in evolution and don't believe in a Dante-like hell for crying out loud!

Anyway, have you ever heard of anyone like me? Please, I feel very alone and would like to meet someone with similar beliefs, but I'm not sure there is anyone out there!

Thanks in advance...

I don't know if there's a Christian denomination who doesn't believe in the OT as inspired, because many of our beliefs was based first on the OT and extends in the NT. For example, in Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with a child and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel (God with us)", then, books in NT narrated the same story, hence make us believe that Jesus is the messiah, which also makes us a "Christian". As of those, who doesn't believe in hell, I think there are many denominations out there who doesn't believe in it and there are quite many here on RF.. If you feel alone, you can always talk to me and tell me more about what you believe, I'd be happy to hear it.No one should feel alone here in RF.

 

[kepha31]

[FONT=&quot]What you have done is over-simplified the full nature of the Christian faith. Christianity is NOT believing in Christ alone. You must believe in the revelation to the Jews in the OT. You must believe in the God who revealed these things to the Jews. Christ himself must be believed to be the promised Messiah from the OT so you have to believe in those prophecies.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]While Jesus is the focus of our faith, we cannot believe in Him alone without having to believe a number of things about him which derive from the OT. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Jesus and his disciples taught a number of things that we also must believe including the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation (John 3:5), the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist (1Cor 10:14ff), and the authority of his disciples to govern the Church (Matt 16:16-20, 18:18).[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] If you do not believe what Jesus taught, you do not believe in Jesus. Otherwise, Jesus becomes a mere religious talisman or idol and not our teacher (Matthew 23:8f). When we ignore what Jesus taught, we make him into a religious object subservient to our own opinions and interpretations. This is the worst form of idolatry. [/FONT]

 

[CLM9999]

If someone can help me find what I am, I would appreciate it. I've been reading about Progressive Christians and Open Theists and Process Theologians, so that's helping a little.

Any other ideas would be much appreciated.

 

[CLM9999]

The Church of the Brethren uses only the New testament, I believe.
I don't know their position on evolution or Hell.

Thanks - I'll look into it.

 

[CLM9999]

Hi CLM9999, welcome to RF.

I think you'll find other Christians in here who can identify with what you believe.

Got any names?

 

[Jethro]

The Brethren denomination of Christians definately believe in the inspiration of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, hell and 6 day Creation, as do all true Bible-believing Christians. Jesus believed in the inspiration of the OT Scriptures, this should be enough to convince any professing Christian, see below.
Matt. 4:4 (Deut. 8:3), Matt. 4:7 (Deut. 6:16), Mt. 4:10 (Dt. 6:13), Mt. 11:10 (Mal. 3:1), Mt. 19:4 (Gen. 1:27 & 2:24), Mt. 21:13 (Is. 56:7 & Jer. 7:11), Mt. 26:31 (Zech. 13:7), Mark 7:6 (Is. 29:13), Luke 4:17-20 (Is. 61:1-2), Jn. 2:17 (Ps. 69:9), Jn. 6:31 (Ex. 16:4),

 

[Straw Dog]

I don't really seem to fit in anywhere. I'm a semi-progressive Christian with many unorthodox beliefs. Here's just a few: 1) I don't believe much of the Old Testament was inspired, 2) I do believe almost all of the New Testament was inspired, 3) I do believe God works personally in our lives.

Even though I could say the Apostle's Creed with a straight face, most Christians would shun me: I believe in evolution and don't believe in a Dante-like hell for crying out loud!

Anyway, have you ever heard of anyone like me? Please, I feel very alone and would like to meet someone with similar beliefs, but I'm not sure there is anyone out there!

Thanks in advance...

Whoa! You are weird! I mean like a total freak!

Just kidding. You're okay. You should be able to find many different Christian view points here to help you on your search. Have fun!

 

[JacobEzra.]

I don't really seem to fit in anywhere. I'm a semi-progressive Christian with many unorthodox beliefs. Here's just a few: 1) I don't believe much of the Old Testament was inspired, 2) I do believe almost all of the New Testament was inspired, 3) I do believe God works personally in our lives.

Even though I could say the Apostle's Creed with a straight face, most Christians would shun me: I believe in evolution and don't believe in a Dante-like hell for crying out loud!

Anyway, have you ever heard of anyone like me? Please, I feel very alone and would like to meet someone with similar beliefs, but I'm not sure there is anyone out there!

Thanks in advance...

Many Catholics believe in evolution, though acknowledge Gods hand in it all.

And there has been plenty of christians who don't believe in hell. Though I wouldn't support such an idea, It is not my job to force you to believe in anything. I am sure there are like minded people in more, liberal churches.

HAve you reached out to any churches yet? Talked to any pastors or priest?

 

[Bob Dixon]

The Brethren denomination of Christians definately believe in the inspiration of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, hell and 6 day Creation, as do all true Bible-believing Christians. Jesus believed in the inspiration of the OT Scriptures, this should be enough to convince any professing Christian, see below.
Matt. 4:4 (Deut. 8:3), Matt. 4:7 (Deut. 6:16), Mt. 4:10 (Dt. 6:13), Mt. 11:10 (Mal. 3:1), Mt. 19:4 (Gen. 1:27 & 2:24), Mt. 21:13 (Is. 56:7 & Jer. 7:11), Mt. 26:31 (Zech. 13:7), Mark 7:6 (Is. 29:13), Luke 4:17-20 (Is. 61:1-2), Jn. 2:17 (Ps. 69:9), Jn. 6:31 (Ex. 16:4),

Whoah, whoah, whoah. Hold on.
I object!

 

[Valjean]

Google "Peace Churches."

 

[CLM9999]

The Brethren denomination of Christians definately believe in the inspiration of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, hell and 6 day Creation, as do all true Bible-believing Christians. Jesus believed in the inspiration of the OT Scriptures, this should be enough to convince any professing Christian, see below.
Matt. 4:4 (Deut. 8:3), Matt. 4:7 (Deut. 6:16), Mt. 4:10 (Dt. 6:13), Mt. 11:10 (Mal. 3:1), Mt. 19:4 (Gen. 1:27 & 2:24), Mt. 21:13 (Is. 56:7 & Jer. 7:11), Mt. 26:31 (Zech. 13:7), Mark 7:6 (Is. 29:13), Luke 4:17-20 (Is. 61:1-2), Jn. 2:17 (Ps. 69:9), Jn. 6:31 (Ex. 16:4),

Yeah, the Brethren have some other beliefs historically that are a bit "out there". Some of it appeals to me, but I don't think that's quite what I had in mind...

Anybody else have any other ideas?

 

[CLM9999]

Many Catholics believe in evolution, though acknowledge Gods hand in it all.

And there has been plenty of christians who don't believe in hell. Though I wouldn't support such an idea, It is not my job to force you to believe in anything. I am sure there are like minded people in more, liberal churches.

HAve you reached out to any churches yet? Talked to any pastors or priest?

Great St. Francis quote - I'm a huge fan of his.

Btw, I believe in the SDA version of hell. How on God's Green Earth anyone could come up with the Jonathan Edward's/Dante version of hell after reading the New Testament is beyond me.

So far I haven't found a church or pastor, etc. that I would feel comfortable talking to. The problem I have is that liberal churches, from what I have seen at least, do not believe that God still works in any kind of supernatural way. They believe in social justice, which is VERY admirable of course, but they tend to be non-evangelistic and do not believe in any kind of a born again experience. I am kind of unusual, because I am both charismatic and believe that one must be born again. I have never met a liberal Christian who believes in either. But tell me if my impression is wrong...

And I just can't hang around the typical American fundamentalist. Their mind-numbing beliefs in a young earth and aspects of the Old Testament that Jesus and Paul/Peter clearly threw out along with all the pre-trib rapture stuff just makes me want to toss my lunch...

 

[Erebus]

It might be worth looking for a UU church in your area. UU accept anybody and discuss a wide range of theosophical concepts. I'm sure you'll find people who share similar views. If nothing else I know there are a few Christians here who don't believe in Hell and/or believe that elements of the Bible are metaphorical, not literal.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I don't really seem to fit in anywhere. I'm a semi-progressive Christian with many unorthodox beliefs. Here's just a few: 1) I don't believe much of the Old Testament was inspired, 2) I do believe almost all of the New Testament was inspired, 3) I do believe God works personally in our lives.

Even though I could say the Apostle's Creed with a straight face, most Christians would shun me: I believe in evolution and don't believe in a Dante-like hell for crying out loud!

Anyway, have you ever heard of anyone like me? Please, I feel very alone and would like to meet someone with similar beliefs, but I'm not sure there is anyone out there!

Thanks in advance...

It seems to me that set of views is quite popular in Christianity. You'd fit in nicely in a church with a liberal tradition -- not evangelicalism.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I believe Christianity can stand on its own feet it does not need to "prove" anything through the OT.
However there is much to learn from the OT writers. the Jews were deep thinkers and have left us with many useful insights.
I disagree with people who say to be a Christian you "must" believe particular things.
You can believe what ever you do believe. Jesus requires no "proof" especially from spurious links to passages in the OT. which in reality foretold nothing about him at all.
Most of the "Belief" requirements of Particular Christian churches are there to bolster their own existence and strength, and not for the purpose of the love of God or to further the teachings of Jesus.
I find it helpful to think of the basics of our existence....
If we look out to the Universe, it is vast and beautiful... there are more suns than we have grains of sand. Our world sits conveniently near the edge of a spiral arm of our insignificant Galaxy. From this vantage point we see the Majesty of the whole of God's creation.
Nothing stands between God and us individualy except our own faith. This is true of evey individual on every planet in every star system, Galaxy or universe.
No Ruler, King, Priest, Law, Book or Religion, can come between us and God.



Every Christian believes that Jesus was born in Israel to Jewish parents. What he taught us was “New”.... Most of us believe what he taught, and that he was the “Son of God”. What that actually means to us as individuals may differ, Just as it did to the earliest Christians.



Some of the story of Jesus life, and what those early Christians believed, is recorded in the new testament. The quality of the writing and the truth of that record is variable, and certainly unprovable.



It is certain that not all “Christians” believe the same things.
No Religions believe the same things.



What we believe is between us and God alone.

 

[CLM9999]

I believe Christianity can stand on its own feet it does not need to "prove" anything through the OT.
However there is much to learn from the OT writers. the Jews were deep thinkers and have left us with many useful insights.
I disagree with people who say to be a Christian you "must" believer particular things.
You can believe what ever you do believe. Jesus requires no "proof" especially from spurious links to passages in the OT. which in reality foretold nothing about him at all.
Most of the "Belief" requirements of Particular Christian churches are there to bolster their own existence and strength, and not for the purpose of the love of God or to further the teachings of Jesus.
I find it helpful to think of the basics of our existence....
If we look out to the Universe, it is vast and beautiful... there are more suns than we have grains of sand. Our would sits conveniently near the edge of a spiral arm of our insignificant Galaxy. From this vantage point we see the Majesty of the whole of God's creation.
Nothing stands between God and us individual except our own faith. This is true of ever individual on every planet in ever star system, Galaxy or universe.
No Ruler, King, Priest, Law, Book or Religion, can come between us and God.



Every Christian believes that Jesus was born in Israel to Jewish parents. What he taught us was “New”.... Most of us believe what he taught, and that he was the “Son of God”. What that actually means to us as individuals may differ, Just as it did to the earliest Christians.



Some of the story of Jesus life, and what those early Christians believed, is recorded in the new testament. The quality of the writing and the truth of that record is variable, and certainly unprovable.



It is certain that not all “Christians” believe the same things.
Not all Religions believe the same things.



What we believe is between us and God alone.

I'm not sure I'd agree with you across the board, but great writing. I also find the wide variability in Christian churches fascinating and think Christians could learn something about God if they stopped to think about that for just a second...