Is Christianity of Just One Faith or Multiple Faiths?

[ChristineES]

One of the reasons I call myself a "Follower of Yeshua(Jesus)" rather than "Christian" is because of how ambiguous the term "Christianity" is. For example, within the faith, there are those who believe in the Trinity, which is the belief that God is one essence of three individuals, and there are those who deny the Trinity. (Before I came on the RF, years ago, I used to debate the Trinity endlessly and tirelessly for a short while. I got tired of that very quickly.)
This is just one example of very many of the divisiveness within my faith. And unfortunately, this divisiveness is causing my faith to not be of one faith, but of many faiths. Are all of these beliefs within the faith causing to be many faiths rather than one? Is this divisiveness causing more harm than it needs to? Are Christians becoming enemies when they all should be allies with one another? And many more questions have been going through my head for many years.
I am posting this here because I wish it to remain a discussion and not a debate.
I guess what I am really asking is Christianity becoming it's own enemy?

 

[savagewind]

One of the reasons I call myself a "Follower of Yeshua(Jesus)" rather than "Christian" is because of how ambiguous the term "Christianity" is. For example, within the faith, there are those who believe in the Trinity, which is the belief that God is one essence of three individuals, and there are those who deny the Trinity. (Before I came on the RF, years ago, I used to debate the Trinity endlessly and tirelessly for a short while. I got tired of that very quickly.)

I do not debate the Trinity except to say that either way it is believed by me that it is making a mind picture of God which might be breaking a commandment.

This is just one example of very many of the divisiveness within my faith. And unfortunately, this divisiveness is causing my faith to not be of one faith, but of many faiths. Are all of these beliefs within the faith causing to be many faiths rather than one?

I like to have to think as I read. What you wrote here is interesting.

Is this divisiveness causing more harm than it needs to?

Probably

Are Christians becoming enemies when they all should be allies with one another?

If anyone really feels like an enemy of another Christian I think that person should examine himself. Sure we get on each other's nerves. And maybe we would deny them entrance into the ark, but then they say something which changes the opinion of that. It is a wonderful ride!

And many more questions have been going through my head for many years.
I am posting this here because I wish it to remain a discussion and not a debate.
I guess what I am really asking is Christianity becoming it's own enemy?

I am sure that it is as an institution. But I think we all still love one another.

 

[ChristineES]

I do not debate the Trinity except to say that either way it is believed by me that it is making a mind picture of God which might be breaking a commandment.
I like to have to think as I read. What you wrote here is interesting. Probably If anyone really feels like an enemy of another Christian I think that person should examine himself. Sure we get on each other's nerves. And maybe we would deny them entrance into the ark, but then they say something which changes the opinion of that. It is a wonderful ride! I am sure that it is as an institution. But I think we all still love one another.

I know what you mean. I have seen more intense debates (and fights) between various denominations than I have ever seen between Christians and non-Christians and I find that sad.

 

[savagewind]

I know what you mean. I have seen more intense debates (and fights) between various denominations than I have ever seen between Christians and non-Christians and I find that sad.

I try not to get sad or mad. I picture it all as though it is a drama unfolding.

 

[Glaurung]

My position has away been that if you cannot affirm both the Apostles' and Nicene creeds then we do not share the same faith.

My view is that doctrine is important. Because it's doctrine that informs our view of what our faith even entails. My faith isn't a sentimentality that involves some vague notion of Jesus. It's a very specific truth claim which one either accepts or one does not. And that truth claim is far more important than unity (whatever that's meant to mean) with those who hold utterly contrary beliefs.

 

[Shiranui117]

I know what you mean. I have seen more intense debates (and fights) between various denominations than I have ever seen between Christians and non-Christians and I find that sad.

I think this is more a function of the fact that, as Christians, we all expect to have more or less the same beliefs, when in reality, many of our beliefs work on completely different axioms, assumptions and worldviews, which confuses us. With other religions, though, all this is expected, and so there is no need to discuss or debate it; we just accept that different religions are going to be different. We can attempt to win them over to our point of view, but that tends to be the extent of Christian dialogue with other faiths, at least until recently.

 

[allison21]

I agree with Shiranui117, in that people are going to have differing beliefs within religions. This isn't in and of itself a bad thing, because discussing different opinions and viewpoints is what leads to a better understanding of the truth. However, it can become poisonous when we start labelling these divides, and I know that in the modern world each denomination is attached to certain stereotypes.
I think that having many faiths within one religion is to be expected and even desired, but assuming another person's or group's character without having any discussion with them is what creates large divisions between (and within) denominations.

As a side note, I also prefer to be more specific when telling others what my beliefs are - the word Mennonite gives a lot more information than the general "Christian"

 

[Desert Snake]

It's a broad label. Technically, it's probably more than on faith

 

[JesusFreaKMyHero1]

One of the reasons I call myself a "Follower of Yeshua(Jesus)" rather than "Christian" is because of how ambiguous the term "Christianity" is. For example, within the faith, there are those who believe in the Trinity, which is the belief that God is one essence of three individuals, and there are those who deny the Trinity. (Before I came on the RF, years ago, I used to debate the Trinity endlessly and tirelessly for a short while. I got tired of that very quickly.)
This is just one example of very many of the divisiveness within my faith. And unfortunately, this divisiveness is causing my faith to not be of one faith, but of many faiths. Are all of these beliefs within the faith causing to be many faiths rather than one? Is this divisiveness causing more harm than it needs to? Are Christians becoming enemies when they all should be allies with one another? And many more questions have been going through my head for many years.
I am posting this here because I wish it to remain a discussion and not a debate.
I guess what I am really asking is Christianity becoming it's own enemy?

I believe in historical Biblical Christianity. The Word of God is The Truth. Essentially the Apostles Creed:
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord:
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;*
the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy christian church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

So for me, the Trinity is simple for me to understand. What I think is happening is that human's interpretations of Bible text is causing division and disagreement. We are fighting over silly things like,"what does forgiveness really mean"? or "why would God let you go to hell even when He says He loves you" They distract us from the simple truth of it all. Humans make it more complicated than it needs to be. I believe some people want it to mean what suits them instead of just accepting it.

But I still wonder why Catholics and Protestants are still fighting, we all worship the same God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Get back to the basics people!

 

[JesusFreaKMyHero1]

I know what you mean. I have seen more intense debates (and fights) between various denominations than I have ever seen between Christians and non-Christians and I find that sad.

Me too. It is very sad, because we need to unify and quit letting Satan confuse us with details that God wouldn't even want us to worry about. What's everybody so angry about?

 

[rusra02]

I believe there is but one true Christian faith. Both Jesus and his apostles warned "there will also be false teachers among you. These will quietly bring in destructive sects, and they will even disown the owner who bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves." (2 Peter 2:1) Jesus said that many who professed him as lord would be "workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:21-23) Jesus Christ is the authority as to who is a true Christian and who is not. I believe the Christian Scriptures define the true Christian faith, not any council or creed developed by men.

 

[savagewind]

I believe there is but one true Christian faith. Both Jesus and his apostles warned "there will also be false teachers among you. These will quietly bring in destructive sects, and they will even disown the owner who bought them, bringing speedy destruction upon themselves." (2 Peter 2:1) Jesus said that many who professed him as lord would be "workers of lawlessness." (Matthew 7:21-23) Jesus Christ is the authority as to who is a true Christian and who is not. I believe the Christian Scriptures define the true Christian faith, not any council or creed developed by men.

I thought you are a Jehovah's Witness. I guess I am wrong about that.

 

[whirlingmerc]

One faith where Christians glorify God leaning on the work of Christ on the cross believing for eternal life

Sometimes people trust in other things or get distracted by traditions or the imaginations of men but those would not be essential and sometimes
not even helpful

 

[RedDragon94]

One of the reasons I call myself a "Follower of Yeshua(Jesus)" rather than "Christian" is because of how ambiguous the term "Christianity" is.

What is your definition of the term "evangelical"?

 

[ChristineES]

An evangelist is someone who actively tries to convert others to the faith using a public venue. Billy Graham is called an evangelist.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

One of the reasons I call myself a "Follower of Yeshua(Jesus)" rather than "Christian" is because of how ambiguous the term "Christianity" is. For example, within the faith, there are those who believe in the Trinity, which is the belief that God is one essence of three individuals, and there are those who deny the Trinity. (Before I came on the RF, years ago, I used to debate the Trinity endlessly and tirelessly for a short while. I got tired of that very quickly.)
This is just one example of very many of the divisiveness within my faith. And unfortunately, this divisiveness is causing my faith to not be of one faith, but of many faiths. Are all of these beliefs within the faith causing to be many faiths rather than one? Is this divisiveness causing more harm than it needs to? Are Christians becoming enemies when they all should be allies with one another? And many more questions have been going through my head for many years.
I am posting this here because I wish it to remain a discussion and not a debate.
I guess what I am really asking is Christianity becoming it's own enemy?

First of all, gospel writer Luke wrote that there would be false shepherds - Acts of the Apostles 20:28-29
So, when 1st-century Christianity ended apostate teachings crept into the 1st-century teachings of Christ and became ' Christendom ' (so-called Christian mostly in name only )
That is why Jesus could say MANY would come 'in his name' but prove false - Matthew 7:21-23
We are nearing the soon coming ' time of separation ' on Earth - Matthew 25:31-33 - when the genuine ' wheat ' Christians will be separated from the fake ' weed/tares ' Christians.
Jesus said his true or genuine followers would be identified by keeping and obeying his New commandment of John 13:34-35 having self-sacrificing love for others.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

An evangelist is someone who actively tries to convert others to the faith using a public venue. Billy Graham is called an evangelist.

Some try to publicly convert others for selfish gain ($$$) - Acts of the Apostles 20:28-29
In other words, make disciples for themselves by using Christ's name.

 

[savagewind]

Okay, so the term evangelical and evangelistic are synonymous?

No.

 

[savagewind]

Maybe according to her it is.

No, I think she misread it. I did too! So, good for post #18. Set us straight! It is what the forum is for. Isn't it?

 

[ChristineES]

Forgive my mistake, I have gotten about 5 hours of sleep per night since Friday.