The broad spectrum of Christianity VERSUS the narrow-minded view

[St. SteVen]

Having been raised Protestant Evangelical Christian, there was always this perspective
that we had it right and those outside our mindset had it wrong.

As an adult I discovered things that led me to re-evaluate that mindset.

Catholics had a completely different way of approaching Christianity.
But I couldn't deny that they had a relationship with God. Even though it dismissed
some of the core tenets of Protestantism. Things that previously led me to
the conclusion that they weren't "saved". (whatever that means)

Similarly, liberal and progressive Christianity were viewed with skepticism.
As were those with the Protestant liturgical tradition. Barely distinguishable from Catholicism.
And I had yet to encounter anyone in the Orthodox tradition. Those in groups
considered to be religious cults were another issue.

All this has led me to a rather open position about what constitutes Christianity.
How have you dealt with this issue? A broad view, or a narrow view?

[

 

[Jay Ross]

A broad view, or a narrow view?

With people, a broad view or a narrow view has the same band width, and is labelled, ignorance.

 

[Bob]

Thank you for your post.

It is clear from the various post on this forum that for many there is a right or correct view of one’s faith, and all others are wrong.

Is it too much of a simplification to say that, for them, only those with the correct view are going to be saved?

(Alternatively, for some, God does NOT grade on a curve; only those with the right faith will be saved.)

Blessings.

 

[MA2444]

Having been raised Protestant Evangelical Christian, there was always this perspective
that we had it right and those outside our mindset had it wrong.

As an adult I discovered things that led me to re-evaluate that mindset.

Catholics had a completely different way of approaching Christianity.
But I couldn't deny that they had a relationship with God. Even though it dismissed
some of the core tenets of Protestantism. Things that previously led me to
the conclusion that they weren't "saved". (whatever that meant)

Similarly, liberal and progressive Christianity were viewed with skepticism.
As were those with the Protestant liturgical tradition. Barely distinguishable from Catholicism.
And I had yet to encounter anyone in the Orthodox tradition. Those in groups
considered to be religious cults were another issue.

All this has led me to a rather open position about what constitutes Christianity.
How have you dealt with this issue? A broad view, or a narrow view?

[

Do you know how they teach bank tellers to be able to spot counterfeit money?
They take them in the back room and give them many different denominations of dollar bills to handle and study. What does this have to do with your question? I'm glad you asked. Because any Godly man can tell you that it aint about denominations or differences between peoples doctrine. We must keep it in proper focus. The focus Jesus and His agenda. You don't think any Catholics will make it to heaven? I bet some do!

I talked to one Catholic girl one time about God and Jesus and the first thing she said was, Jesus is in our bible too...Besides, the Lord doesn't look at our doctrine and how pure it was (He knows we're all a bunch of Idiots!), no the Lord looks past all that into a man's heart and his Intentions toward God and mankind.. (The two greatest commandments ring a bell?!) So I bet there will be some hard core Catholics in Heaven! For such is the Lord's heart! He loves them too.

So do you have any salvation stories with someone of a different denomination that were memorable and give glory to God? I guess what I'm really saying is why talk about things that are wrong with certain denominations? (And I do agree that there are denominations we should stay away from!), but that wouldn't it be better to speak on the goodness of God, the real thing and not a counterfeit. Then, when we see a counterfeit we automatically know it right away! Focus.

Not what's wrong. What's right and good! Praise the Lord! Jesus is much nicer than most people give him credit for.

 

[RLT63]

Having been raised Protestant Evangelical Christian, there was always this perspective
that we had it right and those outside our mindset had it wrong.

As an adult I discovered things that led me to re-evaluate that mindset.

Catholics had a completely different way of approaching Christianity.
But I couldn't deny that they had a relationship with God. Even though it dismissed
some of the core tenets of Protestantism. Things that previously led me to
the conclusion that they weren't "saved". (whatever that meant)

Similarly, liberal and progressive Christianity were viewed with skepticism.
As were those with the Protestant liturgical tradition. Barely distinguishable from Catholicism.
And I had yet to encounter anyone in the Orthodox tradition. Those in groups
considered to be religious cults were another issue.

All this has led me to a rather open position about what constitutes Christianity.
How have you dealt with this issue? A broad view, or a narrow view?

[

If God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son to die for our sins and save us, why would he turn around and make it so hard to find the truth that only those of a certain denomination would be saved?

 

[NotTheRock]

Having been raised Protestant Evangelical Christian, there was always this perspective
that we had it right and those outside our mindset had it wrong.

As an adult I discovered things that led me to re-evaluate that mindset.

Catholics had a completely different way of approaching Christianity.
But I couldn't deny that they had a relationship with God. Even though it dismissed
some of the core tenets of Protestantism. Things that previously led me to
the conclusion that they weren't "saved". (whatever that meant)

Similarly, liberal and progressive Christianity were viewed with skepticism.
As were those with the Protestant liturgical tradition. Barely distinguishable from Catholicism.
And I had yet to encounter anyone in the Orthodox tradition. Those in groups
considered to be religious cults were another issue.

All this has led me to a rather open position about what constitutes Christianity.
How have you dealt with this issue? A broad view, or a narrow view?

[

Ezekiel 18:21
But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.

 

[NotTheRock]

Is it too much of a simplification to say that, for them, only those with the correct view are going to be saved?

Saved from what?

 

[Dan Clarkston]

Catholics had a completely different way of approaching Christianity.

Yeah, from the view point of satan

But I couldn't deny that they had a relationship with God

Not following what God teaches in His Word... and rejecting it.... is having a relationship with the Lord?

That teaching comes from the Book of Speculations... in other words that's false doctrine!

All this has led me to a rather open position about what constitutes Christianity.

That's the braod way that Jesus said leadds to death... NOT the narrow way that leads to life.

The catholics practice false doctrine not taught by Jesus or His Apostles... so they are not saved and they are not even born again Christians which you admit you don't know what they is when you said "Things that previously led me to the conclusion that they weren't "saved". (whatever that meant)"

If God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son to die for our sins and save us, why would he turn around and make it so hard to find the truth that only those of a certain denomination would be saved?

One cannot be saved thru ANY denomination.... there is only ONE mediator between God and man and that is Jesus Christ

Saved from what?

Saved from spending eternity being separated from the Lord due to being a child of the devil getting the devil's reward which is eternity being tormented in the eternal fires of hell.... that's what.

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

Having been raised Protestant Evangelical Christian, there was always this perspective
that we had it right and those outside our mindset had it wrong.

As an adult I discovered things that led me to re-evaluate that mindset.

Catholics had a completely different way of approaching Christianity.
But I couldn't deny that they had a relationship with God. Even though it dismissed
some of the core tenets of Protestantism. Things that previously led me to
the conclusion that they weren't "saved". (whatever that meant)

Similarly, liberal and progressive Christianity were viewed with skepticism.
As were those with the Protestant liturgical tradition. Barely distinguishable from Catholicism.
And I had yet to encounter anyone in the Orthodox tradition. Those in groups
considered to be religious cults were another issue.

All this has led me to a rather open position about what constitutes Christianity.
How have you dealt with this issue? A broad view, or a narrow view?

[

I came across a dude who claimed that Christians should hold a narrow view ?
I see myself as coming from a broad view.
I thought him and his lot were narrow minded people and narrow minded people are stupid in fact ! because they can not see things openly, for such have no grace ! for they only dictate and follow a Mob mentality, of we are right and all others are wrong ! for they are a fundamentalist only religious Mob, much like Islam is ! nothing to do with Grace, but religious dictating of their own claimes. So when they work to bring one to their Mob ? The use worldly tactics !
I use Grace and do not force anything on one, but let them seek and find, I find this is the best way for one to truly learn ! but most just want to be told what is what and that's ok but to get into the depth of things God will give such blessings to you direct, if you truly seek !
It's Not Religion that I seek at all ! but most only want religion.
Religion only gives the ground work say, but one has to become a Master ? Master the art of Grace ? this is God given to you as you progress and are able to eat solid food ?

Liberal is hair brained and not regard of the narrow gate ?
So their is a narrow gate ! for wide is of distruction.
Such is nothing to do with being a narrow minded person that i pointed to at the start.

Roman Catholics ? well i find the majority of any religion as being shallow in regards their denomination !
I was brought up a Prot but then I was so angery at the RCC that I bothered too study RC doctrine and found out that the Prots were barking up the wrong tree ! and not to mention that the majority of RC People are total fools ! and that the Prots are correct about RC People in the main.
But the RCC Leadership is rotten to the core within the top ranks, especialy Pope Frances ! so is all of the Prot denominations as well, for they do not have Christ Jesus as their Head in fact, but are nowadays just on about this world and a socialist foundation religion of what ever floats your boat.

My Prot up bring was of an indoctrination and not in regard of an education. That is why the majority in Church back in my younger days did not pick up in regards Christ Jesus in fact ! so 95% say now have no regards bothering with the Church let alone Christ Jesus being in their so called life ! The Priest Failed God in fact !

Now if the Priest were of God they would have a great following in fact ! but they were robbed of the Holy Spirit by this world ! so they are just a husk ? Lost on a fools path ! sure they may have that spark of faith hidden within but it has been strangleds by the weeds of this world ! but they need the Holy Spirit to bring that flame back to life ! For one who is of God is on Fire for Christ Jesus in fact ! no one can put such a fire out ! for it comes from God in fact !

 

[Dan Clarkston]

I see myself as coming from a broad view.

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.

 

[St. SteVen]

... few there be that find it.

Would God play a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek with our souls?

[

 

[face2face]

Would God play a high-stakes game of hide-and-seek with our souls?

[

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

“Narrow” means “to crowd”, “afflict”.. Rendered “afflicted” in 2 Cor 1:6; “troubled” in 2 Cor 4:8, 7:5; and “tribulation” 1 Thess 3:4.

I wonder who then will enter?

Acts 14:22, is where Paul and Barnabas speak to the same by strengthening the believers and encouraging them: "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.

Suffering then Glory...!

F2F

 

[Bob]

Saved from what?

Thank you for the question, but surely it is obvious.

”Have you been saved?” ”Are you saved?”

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation to all who believe, namely to the Jew and also to the Gentile.

Peace.

 

[NotTheRock]

Thank you for the question, but surely it is obvious.

”Have you been saved?” ”Are you saved?”

My brother, I'm trying to understand. What does it mean to be "saved"? Saved from what, exactly?

 

[Bob]

Thank you for your question.

When you die, you will be judged by God. All of your terrible sins will be naked before Him. If you have professed faith in Jesus, and tried to live according to the Commandments, Jesus will be your advocate. If you have any chance of being saved from eternal separation from God (and your soul tormented by hellish fire), it will be because of your faith.

Amen.

 

[St. SteVen]

My brother, I'm trying to understand. What does it mean to be "saved"? Saved from what, exactly?

Good question.
As I added parenthetically in the OP "(whatever that means)"

Thank you for your question.

When you die, you will be judged by God. All of your terrible sins will be naked before Him. If you have professed faith in Jesus, and tried to live according to the Commandments, Jesus will be your advocate. If you have any chance of being saved from eternal separation from God (and your soul tormented by hellish fire), it will be because of your faith.

Amen.

This is the problem Bob.
When asked about salvation, we give the knee-jerk response that we were raised on.

How would a Catholic answer the question? Or a liturgical Lutheran? Orthodox?

Is our narrow view of salvation all there is? How did all these fine folks establish a relationship with God?
I doubt that they went forward at a tent meeting to kneel in the sawdust.

What is the one-size-fits-all answer? Even beyond Christianity.

[

 

[NotTheRock]

Thank you for your question.

When you die, you will be judged by God. All of your terrible sins will be naked before Him. If you have professed faith in Jesus, and tried to live according to the Commandments, Jesus will be your advocate. If you have any chance of being saved from eternal separation from God (and your soul tormented by hellish fire), it will be because of your faith.

Amen.

I have a different understanding. Jesus's sacrifice saved ALL from forever death. Faith in and genuinely following Jesus saves them from a trip to the LOF in their journey to God's Kingdom.

 

[NotTheRock]

When you die, you will be judged by God.

Won't those in Christ be spared judgment? Isn't judgment reserved for the unsaved?

 

[St. SteVen]

I have a different understanding. Jesus's sacrifice saved ALL from forever death.

Agree. The period at the end of the sentence is where it belongs. IMHO
But, then you added this...

Faith in and genuinely following Jesus saves them from a trip to the LOF in their journey to God's Kingdom.

How are such things measured?
Was my faith genuine? (who can say?) Could it have been MORE genuine? (of course)
Was it genuine enough? (who can say?)

Bob said:
When you die, you will be judged by God.

Won't those in Christ be spared judgment? Isn't judgment reserved for the unsaved?

Judgement seems to be the wrong word, or at least one we don't understand.
We assume that judgment equals punishment.

We will be evaluated.
The wood, hay, and stubble will burn. (not us) Same for the "wicked".
There will be an age of restoration for everyone.

[

 

[NotTheRock]

How are such things measured?

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