Choice of doctrine is driven by religious preconception - Spirituality is an individualized journey

[Johann]

Well, I'm a member of a large church where they stay close to the very words of God in the Bible in their teaching and preaching. My previous church did too, but they ignored the parts in the Bible that tell us to reach out to unbelievers around us. That's why I changed churches.

Which outreach ministry do you attend or participate in?

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

I recommend it to everyone to avoid the dangers that you point out. Get rid of preconceptions by going to the Bible itself. But as Jesus said, love God above all and also other people. Discuss, don't argue, God's Word.

That's good advice, thanks.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

It can be driven by religious preconception, but it should be driven by studying to show ourselves approved. We all enter a saved life with all sorts of preconceptions and usually a jaded worldview. As we study and hide Gods Word in our hearts, we change our preconceptions and take on gods mind on a matter.

Agree.
As I said in the OP, "Spirituality is an individualized journey."

[

 

[Johann]

"Spirituality is an individualized journey."

Incorrect.

Personal Aspect of Faith
The Bible affirms that each individual has a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. This personal dimension of faith is crucial, as believers are called to individually repent, believe, and grow in their walk with God:

John 3:16 (NKJV): “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The call to believe is directed toward each individual.

Philippians 2:12 (NKJV): “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Here, Paul encourages believers to take personal responsibility for their spiritual growth.

Galatians 2:20 (NKJV): “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” This emphasizes the personal nature of faith.

Communal Aspect of Faith
At the same time, the Bible teaches that faith is lived out in community. Christianity is not merely an individualized journey, but one that is meant to be shared with others within the body of Christ:

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NKJV): “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” Fellowship and community are essential for spiritual growth.

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NKJV): “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ... For in fact the body is not one member but many.” The church is a body of believers, emphasizing the interdependence of Christians.

Acts 2:42 (NKJV): “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Early Christians gathered together to grow in their faith through fellowship.

While there is a personal, individualized aspect to one's spiritual journey, the Bible does not support the idea that spirituality is purely individualistic. The biblical model emphasizes both personal faith and the importance of being part of the larger body of Christ, where believers encourage and support one another. True biblical spirituality is both personal and communal.

Correct?

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
"Spirituality is an individualized journey."

While there is a personal, individualized aspect to one's spiritual journey...

That's all that I am saying.

"Choice of doctrine is driven by religious preconception - Spirituality is an individualized journey"

I said "individualized", not "independent".

[

 

[Johann]

St. SteVen said:
"Spirituality is an individualized journey."

That's all that I am saying.

"Choice of doctrine is driven by religious preconception - Spirituality is an individualized journey"

I said "individualized", not "independent".

[

I guess we are in disagreement.

J.

 

[Johann]

Choice of doctrine is driven by religious preconception - Spirituality is an individualized journey"

Doctrines stand like pillars tall,
Shaped by faith, by man's own call,
A choice made through a tinted lens,
Where belief and tradition blend.

Preconceptions form the base,
Of every creed, of every grace,
A pathway forged by hearts and mind,
Seeking truths they hope to find.

Yet deep within the soul's vast sea,
Spirituality flows wild and free,
An individualized, sacred quest,
Where each one journeys to be blessed.

But doctrines call, their voices loud,
Binding thoughts within the crowd,
Still, the Spirit whispers near,
To lead each soul through faith, not fear.

For faith is both a path and choice,
Beyond mere rules, a still, small voice,
So blend the two, where hearts are set,
On God’s own truth-not doctrines yet.

J.

 

[St. SteVen]

I guess we are in disagreement.

No worries. I still love you when you are wrong. - LOL

[

 

[Johann]

No worries. I still love you when you are wrong. - LOL

[

Don't mind me, love you too when you are wrong.

J.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

Which outreach ministry do you attend or participate in?

J.

I participate in all of them by praying for them, since at 82 years old, I'm very limited physically.

 

[Johann]

I participate in all of them by praying for them, since at 82 years old, I'm very limited physically.

I spent nearly 30 years as a pastor in an outreach ministry called The Ark in Durban, South Africa. It was much like David Wilkerson's ministry in New York-those were the good old years.

J.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

I spent nearly 30 years as a pastor in an outreach ministry called The Ark in Durban, South Africa. It was much like David Wilkerson's ministry in New York-those were the good old years.

J.

God divided up my 27 years as a pastor among 7 churches. He moved me around a lot. He called me to be a little like Jeremiah to dying churches for scattering the seeds of spiritual renewal. Two of those churches have now closed. I was sent to them to give them the need to reach out to the lost, which they weren't doing. Once I shared God's messages, he sent me with the same ministry to the others. Ezekiel 33 is comforting to me, since I was like the watchman on the city's wall. Once I shared the truth, it was no longer my responsibility before God how they received it.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

Agree.
As I said in the OP, "Spirituality is an individualized journey."

[

It is, but what God wants is that we do it together. That's why I feel the need for being part of a small group in which we share one another's burdens, especially in prayer.

 

[St. SteVen]

Two of those churches have now closed.

Ouch!
How does that feel?

[

 

[St. SteVen]

It is, but what God wants is that we do it together. That's why I feel the need for being part of a small group in which we share one another's burdens, especially in prayer.

I agree.

I said "individual" not "independent".

[

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

Ouch!
How does that feel?

[

I fulfilled the mission that God sent me there to do. I'm satisfied that I shared with the whole truth, and how they received it is theirs before God (Ezekiel 33).

 

[St. SteVen]

I fulfilled the mission that God sent me there to do. I'm satisfied that I shared with the whole truth, and how they received it is theirs before God (Ezekiel 33).

You never know what might come of that. Billy Graham was one person.

[

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

You never know what might come of that. Billy Graham was one person.

[

I leave it in God's hands. He will do what he wants with it. I fulfilled his mission, and that's the best I can do.

 

[Marvelloustime]

Would you like to hear a story my friend .
Once there lived a man who had heard the gospel at the age of four , and again at the age of eight .
Now through his years he could cliam to believe . yet he walked a walk in darkness . it was lip only and his heart was far
from GOD . Later he joined the marines
and during that time spent he was a weekend drunk warrior , chased wild women
and yet , and yet one day he and another wild warrior was talking to an athiest
and telling that athiest if he did not believe on JESUS the CHRIST HE would perish at his end .
Lets just say its a good thing that all three of those did not die that night
cause the two claiming to believe would have been in for a serious and very deadly surprise
as would the athiest who continued not to beleive .
Now many years passed and that man lived the life of an adulterer .
But on the few times the converation of GOD was brought up , HE could still lip the he beleived .
years later by the true grace of GOD that man was actaully drawn to CHRIST , a new heart given
which no longer loved its sin but had a new desire and a great love of GOD shed upon his heart for TRUTH .
RIGHT Into the bible GOD put that dear man , having saved one of the very worst of men
having CHANGED the very worst of men .
Lip only is not good . and if the jesus we follow accepts and honors our own sins , IT AINT JESUS
any more than the jesus i once followed was JESUS . its known as a deceptoin of our own heart .
Into the bible GOD placed that man and that man has been reading that lovely bible everyday for over eighteen years .
That too is by the grace of GOD who shed such a love for HIM above all upon the heart of that man .
A LOVE that PUTS GOD , CHRIST FIRST , WHO LOVETH GOD above all and THEN our nieighbor as ourself .
But many follow a god that puts humanity FIRST and thus its love your neighbor aint really loving its neighbor
as it allows UNBELIEF upon folks and even honors sins .
The love of the world has come to teach many that LOVE means NOT correcting cause that is being mean , and judgy
But the love of GOD says this .
HATE NOT your neighbor in your heart , you shall in ANY way rebuke him and not allow sin upon him ,

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Agree.
As I said in the OP, "Spirituality is an individualized journey."

[

I am still cautious about that phraseology. Though we stand before God as individuals, Doctrine is not an individual choice or perception. It is binding upon all who call on the name of Christ. There are few exceptions where personal liberty is allowed, but those are few.