The broad spectrum of Christianity VERSUS the narrow-minded view

[Reggie Belafonte]

The devil is very pleased with the broad view... because it's in direct opposition to what Jesus said...

Matthew 7:13,14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

A narrowminded person is an idiot in fact, for they can not see the big picture !

The Path that a Christian is on, is not a wide one in fact ! Get that ? the Path one is on !

A narrowminded person does not understand things in fact ! nor cares ! brainwashed people are Narowminded !

Being Politially Correct is being narrow minded, it's a Slave mentality !

 

[mailmandan]

That's above my pay grade but I believe that Jesus knows his sheep.

Jesus certainly does know His sheep. In John 10:27-28, we read - My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

In CONTRAST with those do not believe and are not His sheep. (John 10:25-26)

 

[mailmandan]

Regardless of what 'christian' denomination one claims, there remains only One Way to Eternal Life.

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things?
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Yes, Jesus is the ONLY way to eternal life. (John 10:9; 14:6; Acts 4:12)



Either we are trusting 100% in Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation or else we are 100% lost. (John 1:12; 3:15,16,18; 6:40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 15:7-9; 16:31; 26:18; Romans 1:16; 3:24-28; 4:5-6; 5:1; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:18-21; 15:1-4; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 John 5:13). It does not get any narrower than that.

 

[Lizbeth]

Did Jesus die only to save "Christians"? (whatever that means) ???

Yes, and encourage you to read and believe the bible to find out what that means. Christians are those who have been reconciled to God. And what does that mean and why do we need to be reconciled and reconnected to God in Christ to be saved...? Because He is the only source of Life. Spiritual life, eternal life. Again, this is in the bible. Christ's spirit within the person who has received Him within is what saves us, ie, He/His Spirit IS eternal life. Jesus is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life....and no man comes to the Father (reconciled/reconnected) but by Him.

Were the vast majority predestined for destruction? (the broad way)

Affirmative. Predestined according to God's foreknowledge of the person, mind, not that He causes people to be sinful and unbelieving. His sovereignty based on knowing the end from the beginning is a hard thing to grasp.

 

[Lizbeth]

I meant no offense. The purpose of this thread is to challenge us to some broader thinking.

[

Interesting, because Jesus says we are to take our thoughts CAPTIVE.

 

[David in NJ]

Embracing Doctrinal Diversity - Unity in diversity​

In the same way we have learned to understand and respect cultural diversity, we should learn to understand and respect doctrinal diversity. Can Catholics and Protestants respect one another despite our doctrinal differences? (yes) What about Baptists and Pentecostals? (yes) You name it. How...

The tyranny of doctrinal unity - "Join or die."​

A follow-up to the two previous topics: https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/would-you-surrender-your-own-beliefs-in-the-cause-of-doctrinal-unity.56191/ https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/unity-of-the-faith-at-what-cost.56095/ - Do you have the right to allow the Holy Spirit to...

Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?​

This is a follow-up to the previous topic: Unity of the faith - at what cost? Link below. Probably the biggest roadblock to Christian doctrinal unity is holding on to the freedom we have to determine our own beliefs. Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of Christian doctrinal...

JOIN or Die = John 14:6

Eternal LIFE or Lake of Fire = Revelation

SALVATION or Condemnation = John 3:16-18

FAITH or fight = Hebrews 11:6

FORGIVENESS or self = Romans 3:10

BORN AGAIN or dead men = John 3:3

LIGHT or darkness = John 18-21

IMMORTALITY or gnashing of teeth = 1 Corinthians ch15

It takes TWO to Tango = Genesis chapter 2 , Ephesians ch5 , Revelation 19:6-9

 

[David in NJ]

Interesting, because Jesus says we are to take our thoughts CAPTIVE.

and to bring our thoughts to the FEET of JESUS where HE can bring LIGHT and expose any darkness that is in us for our GOOD

 

[St. SteVen]

Either we are trusting 100% in Jesus Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation or else we are 100% lost. (John 1:12; 3:15,16,18; 6:40,47; 11:25,26; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 15:7-9; 16:31; 26:18; Romans 1:16; 3:24-28; 4:5-6; 5:1; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:18-21; 15:1-4; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 John 5:13). It does not get any narrower than that.

Thanks for your post.
Would you say that no one raised in and continuing in the Catholic tradition will be saved?
I'm trying to get readers to separate narrow (but valid) views about salvation from the bigger picture.

I have heard many testimonies of Catholics being taken aside and shown Evangelical doctrine that refutes Catholicism.
But there are stories that go in the opposite direction as well. Protestants that are shown the value of Catholicism.
Conversions happen when Protestants feel that the something they are missing is found in Catholicism.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
I meant no offense. The purpose of this thread is to challenge us to some broader thinking.

Interesting, because Jesus says we are to take our thoughts CAPTIVE.

Wouldn't that include denominational indoctrination?

[

 

[David in NJ]

@St. SteVen says: "meant no offense. The purpose of this thread is to challenge us to some broader thinking."

If you speak against Salvation you absolutely mean to "offend" and to do so in a "broader way of thinking"

"Enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way leading to destruction, and many are those entering through it."

Which way are you directing people Today???

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
Did Jesus die only to save "Christians"? (whatever that means) ???

Yes, and encourage you to read and believe the bible to find out what that means. Christians are those who have been reconciled to God. And what does that mean and why do we need to be reconciled and reconnected to God in Christ to be saved...? Because He is the only source of Life. Spiritual life, eternal life. Again, this is in the bible. Christ's spirit within the person who has received Him within is what saves us, ie, He/His Spirit IS eternal life. Jesus is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life....and no man comes to the Father (reconciled/reconnected) but by Him.

Wow. You agree that Jesus died only to save "Christians"? That's not even biblical. (1 John 2:2)

St. SteVen said:
Were the vast majority predestined for destruction? (the broad way)

Affirmative. Predestined according to God's foreknowledge of the person, mind, not that He causes people to be sinful and unbelieving. His sovereignty based on knowing the end from the beginning is a hard thing to grasp.

How would you feel about God if you learned that it was you that he predestined for destruction?
That he had caused you to be sinful and unbelieving. ??? Hard to grasp, indeed. Inconceivable.

--- PARODY ---

God: Welcome to the afterlife.
Person: Who are you?
God: I created you for my own purposes.
Person: Like what?
God: For destruction.
Person: What does that mean?
God: You will be annihilated.
Person: Why?
God: It was my choice for you.
Person: What did I do to deserve this?
God: You were born a sinner.
Person: Not by my choice.
God: Right. By my choice.
Person: Was that fair?
God: It doesn't matter. You can't stop me.
Person: Who did you say you were again?
You sound more like the Devil than God.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

"Enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way leading to destruction, and many are those entering through it."

What happens when we add verse fourteen? "... only a few find it."
Is God playing a high-stakes game of hide and seek with our souls?
If this scripture is in reference to the afterlife, it raises some serious questions.

Matthew 7:13-14 NIV
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

If you speak against Salvation you absolutely mean to "offend" and to do so in a "broader way of thinking"

I'm not speaking AGAINST salvation. I am questioning the narrow view of it.
Do you condemn everyone that was raised in a different religious tradition than your own?

[

 

[St. SteVen]

JOIN or Die = John 14:6

Eternal LIFE or Lake of Fire = Revelation

SALVATION or Condemnation = John 3:16-18

FAITH or fight = Hebrews 11:6

FORGIVENESS or self = Romans 3:10

BORN AGAIN or dead men = John 3:3

LIGHT or darkness = John 18-21

IMMORTALITY or gnashing of teeth = 1 Corinthians ch15

It takes TWO to Tango = Genesis chapter 2 , Ephesians ch5 , Revelation 19:6-9

Do these scriptures elevate your own denomination while condemning all others?

[

 

[St. SteVen]

A narrowminded person does not understand things in fact ! nor cares ! brainwashed people are Narowminded !

"Christians don't know what they believe." - until they are brainwashed

Why do we need the church to TELL us what we believe? Must we surrender our right to our own beliefs to be a part of the church? There is even a famous book titled: Know What You Believe Which is there to inform you of what you haven't a clue about. Brainwashing, obviously. Not to say...

www.christianityboard.com

[

 

[amigo de christo]

Regardless of what 'christian' denomination one claims, there remains only One Way to Eternal Life.

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things?
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Very true my friend . For indeed there be ONLY ONE way to be saved , to have eternal life .
BELIEVE YE IN THE LORD JESUS THE CHRIST .
but now for an equally important reminder
He who believes in and follows another jesus , THAT AINT JESUS THEY BELEIVE OR TRUST IN AT ALL .
You see many preach an image of what they cliam is JESUS , claim is GOD
and yet that there image SURE DENIES HIS WORDS . NOW this THE FATHER DOES NOT DO
NOR THE SON , NOR the SPIRIT .
SO its dire important folks know exactly WHAT JESUS they be beleiving in and a loving .
THE TRUE JESUS said if a man loves ME he KEEPS , HIMS DO my sayings
yet many preach another jesus that sure OMITS and denies HIS own words . That my friend
is known as A DELUSION .

 

[amigo de christo]

You would need to define your terms, which appear to be prejudicial, but by God's grace I hope I may stick with the narrow way that leads to life, not the broad way that leads to destruction. And my experience of mainstream evangelicalism is that it isn't narrow enough, since the 80's at least in North America and maybe earlier and has only gotten worse since then....or maybe it's true that "mainstream" has always missed the mark in every generation. Jesus did say He was sending us out as sheep among wolves.

this broad path view is the view of destruction . You do realize this st steven supports interfaith common ground .
Many are headed right down the path of destruction
cause they bought the line DOCTRINE DONT MATTER and fell for a love that contradicts EVEN THE LOVE OF GOD HIMSELF
as it denies HIS TRUTH and even calls evil good and good evil . MANY are falling in love
with a broad view of a very wide and broad wordly version of love . Those who remain in CHRIST
and stay dug into doctrine being hearers and doers of the word , WILL ONLY BEEN SEEN as NARROW MINDED
bigots by this ever growing and increasing broad view of what it sees as love and even as the solution for world peace .

 

[amigo de christo]

Do these scriptures elevate your own denomination while condemning all others?

[

the better question is , WHY are so many so fast to believe things CONTRARY
to what is written in the bible and left to us by the apostels .
FORGET the denominations . I speak about the simple truth .
Many prefer a love of the world that has come to offer a very broad way of thinking and beleiving .
DESTRUCTION upon all who take that path .
And all denominations are headed right into it and have been headed right into it .
FORGET the preaching and teaching of DENOMINATIONS , JUST GET IN the BIBLE FOR YOU .

 

[Lizbeth]

this broad path view is the view of destruction . You do realize this st steven supports interfaith common ground .
Many are headed right down the path of destruction
cause they bought the line DOCTRINE DONT MATTER and fell for a love that contradicts EVEN THE LOVE OF GOD HIMSELF
as it denies HIS TRUTH and even calls evil good and good evil . MANY are falling in love
with a broad view of a very wide and broad wordly version of love . Those who remain in CHRIST
and stay dug into doctrine being hearers and doers of the word , WILL ONLY BEEN SEEN as NARROW MINDED
bigots by this ever growing and increasing broad view of what it sees as love and even as the solution for world peace .

Amen brother. As you often point out, this common ground and interfaith is the wisdom of the world and flesh...it isn't God's truth and wisdom. People are being deceived.

Yes, false accusations abound against the people of God. Narrow minded, haters, judgmental etc. Numbered with the transgressors.

 

[amigo de christo]

Amen brother. As you often point out, this common ground and interfaith is the wisdom of the world and flesh...it isn't God's truth and wisdom. People are being deceived.

Yes, false accusations abound against the people of God. Narrow minded, haters, judgmental etc. Numbered with the transgressors.

Rejoice when ye are persecuted for His name sake . Sister its about to get much worse .
But no worries the LORD is with the lambs and shall be with us . Our HOPE be in HIM and not in men of this world
not in men , but in GOD . March on in the trenches dear sister . TO the LORD be all glory
and may HE be glorified and magnified in all we do and say . YES on their part HE will be evil spoken of
but on our part HE Be GLORIFIED .