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Preterist, you are right in what you are stating here. We could all do with more learning regarding the Word. Whether or not it would result in a blanket alignment of agreement amongst ourselves is debatable but at least we could discuss our positions more clearly. I myself am guilty of this and it's the reason why I am taking Bible study classes so that I can learn more.
Regarding differences between christianity and mormon doctrine, there are a lot of them and they have been discussed here already in other posts. Being a former mormon, I know a few things about that. However, contrary to what a few of the mormon folks here might believe, I am not at all angry with the people themselves. As a matter of fact, I still have a number of friends in the SLC area with whom I correspond and we do debate issues from time to time. However, we agree to disagree, as you pointed out. I simply do not believe the church doctrine is correct and I am well within my rights to discuss/defend the reasons why, just as the mormon people are within theirs to do likewise. That is why I left the church years ago. Chances are we are not going to change one anothers opinion of what we believe and why but at least we can debate in relative peace and calm rather than having to endure angry diatribes of which I have been an unfortunate recipient of in the past. You know what though? That's in the past and I hold no animosity toward any of those people. Like you said in your post, come, let us reason together.
Last edited by urbanlemur; 12-08-2007 at 07:13 AM..
..."The only thing that separates the denominations is manmade--it does not come from God. ..."
this is very true. These postings are a good example of how the man-made opinions separate the denominations. And who comes up with those manmade separations? The people that "study" the bible just for justification in what they want to believe.
I am just as certain that God does not restrict his love just to the Christian that holds just a certain viewpoint.
It is as if there is a little box that is crammed full of people that see only what they want to see that is written in the bible.
Next to the little box is a huge box that contains the other people, the Jews, the Mormons, the Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses, And all the Asian religions that I can't even begin to name. They also study. Are the people in the big box also part of God's kingdom? Of course they are. Does he restrict his blessings only on those in the little box? Of course He does not. It would seem that He loves and sends his blessings to the others too.
Even the Atheist, who does not believe in any god, can recognise that others may be just as sincere in their beliefs. The one thing I think we can be very sure of, is that God reads the inner being. There won't be a test on what anyone read in the bible.
There won't be a test on what anyone read in the bible.
No, but it certainly helps us to understand how and why we should live the life we are supposed to. That being said, we can't change what is written in His Word to conform to what we want it to be; we need to follow what is there so we can live according to the way He wants us to live.
No, but it certainly helps us to understand how and why we should live the life we are supposed to. That being said, we can't change what is written in His Word to conform to what we want it to be; we need to follow what is there so we can live according to the way He wants us to live.
No, we cannot change what is written. But the interpretations of those words will vary. No one, no matter how much they study, can say that what they may personally believe, is the one and only interpretation.
The bible is a wonderful guide to how we should live our daily lives and how we should care for those around us.
The problems arise when we try to arrange doctrine around the various interpretations of issues other than our daily lives.
..."The only thing that separates the denominations is manmade--it does not come from God. ..."
this is very true. These postings are a good example of how the man-made opinions separate the denominations. And who comes up with those manmade separations? The people that "study" the bible just for justification in what they want to believe.
I am just as certain that God does not restrict his love just to the Christian that holds just a certain viewpoint.
It is as if there is a little box that is crammed full of people that see only what they want to see that is written in the bible.
Next to the little box is a huge box that contains the other people, the Jews, the Mormons, the Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses, And all the Asian religions that I can't even begin to name. They also study. Are the people in the big box also part of God's kingdom? Of course they are. Does he restrict his blessings only on those in the little box? Of course He does not. It would seem that He loves and sends his blessings to the others too.
Even the Atheist, who does not believe in any god, can recognise that others may be just as sincere in their beliefs. The one thing I think we can be very sure of, is that God reads the inner being. There won't be a test on what anyone read in the bible.
I was going to answer, but saw Padgettes post and saved the trouble..She said exactly what I feel too...
No, we cannot change what is written. But the interpretations of those words will vary. No one, no matter how much they study, can say that what they may personally believe, is the one and only interpretation.
The bible is a wonderful guide to how we should live our daily lives and how we should care for those around us.
The problems arise when we try to arrange doctrine around the various interpretations of issues other than our daily lives.
I agree with what you're saying here. The question is: how big is the margin of error regarding variations in doctrine/Scripture supposed to be? Is a little variation such as being a pre-, mid, or post-millenialist; the use tongues; or whether one should worship on Saturday or Sunday acceptable? Or are the debates regarding the larger issues between christianity and mormonism justified? Is universalism acceptable? Where do we draw the line?
Last edited by urbanlemur; 12-08-2007 at 08:06 AM..
Reason: added quotes for clarification
"Where do we draw the line?" that's just the problem. Maybe we shouldn't. Perhaps there needs to be room for all. Many have the need of a priest/confessor. It's a comfort and it funishes them with a feeling of earthly security. How would they be without this security? It's not for anyone else to say. Personal beliefs are just that. Personal. What is right for one, is seldom right for anyone else.
If someone wants to think that we are living in the Last Days, that's OK by me. Right or wrong, it will not affect a single thing that I do. I certainly am not going to insist that his viewpoint is incorrect. If another believes that the Second Coming is a bunch of hoohaw, that's OK by me too. No one has to think as I do. I don't have to think (or agree) with them.
Now, this next statement is one that I believe in strongly. That is, we cannot set up rules and regulations about what God is, what He will do, what he thinks or how he will decide. We only THINK we know. And the way YOU think is fine with you. It gives you what you need. The way I think, is fine with me. It gives me what I need.
Who is right? Maybe neither. Maybe both. Maybe it really doesn't matter.
I thought I had stated clearly but if I did not, then I stand corrected Sergeant. Forgive me.
I read a number of books years ago that were authorized by the church but no one ever said that I might need to pray about its content or be concerned about it possibly leading me a little astray. Many of the books appeared to line up with doctrine so no thought was ever given that it might be out of line. So what is a person to do under those circumstances?
Urban, Brigham Young and Joseph Smith made one point very clear. Nothing should be accepted unless one has prayed and gained a testimony of the truthfulness of its content, and that includes the Church's standard works, such as the Book of Mormon. We all must form our own personal testimonies; we must—not—depend on the testimony of others.
I don’t know how old you were when you were associated with the Church, but I will assume you held the Priesthood office of Elder. I will also assume you recall discussions during Elder’s Quorum meetings. I have heard statements from those giving the weekly lessons that I know are not correct or at least I disagree with their perspective. This leads to discussion and debate. Frequently there is no resolution. As an example, we do not allow woman to hold the Priesthood. Some members of my former Group believed this practice was wrong and were vocal about their feelings.
Next, I would also like to address the book Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie, which is so often cited as the authoritative source regarding the beliefs and practices of the LDS faith. President McConkie was a member of the Twelve Apostles. This is the same position any of the Apostles in the time of Christ would have held. One does not get much higher in the Church than the Twelve Apostles other than the First Presidency or President. When he wrote Mormon Doctrine in 1958, the resulting uproar was fairly significant. The First Presidency disagreed with its content and so stated. It also recommended that it not be republished, because it contained so many errors. Now, I don’t expect anyone to believe me, so I have included two websites that prove I am writing the truth, and neither site is LDS to the best of my knowledge.
Yes, one can still find the book. I—think—some publisher(s) do continue to print copies of the book to this day, but as you can see, it is—not—an accurate reflection of LDS doctrine. It does, however, contain a significant amount of valuable and accurate information, and I have used those portions as a starting point when conducting scripture research.
In closing, I can’t answer your question directly, Urban, other than to say that each member must be diligent in his or her homework to find the truth.
I draw the line when someone claims they have the truth The truth is within us if we seek it. It is a personal truth that you have received through prayer and by acknowledging and following the Holy Spirit within you that was a goft from God to be my comforter, guide and teacher.. Other than that there is no line as far as I am concerned..We are going to differ in our beliefs as to the different doctrines and such that man made up due to differences of interpertations..because we put to much trust in men telling us that each and every word in the bible is from the mouth of God, yet they only follow the rules they like, and change the rules because they claim to know what the words God spoke really meant...
I draw the line when someone claims they have the truth The truth is within us if we seek it. It is a personal truth that you have received through prayer and by acknowledging and following the Holy Spirit within you that was a goft from God to be my comforter, guide and teacher.. Other than that there is no line as far as I am concerned..We are going to differ in our beliefs as to the different doctrines and such that man made up due to differences of interpertations..because we put to much trust in men telling us that each and every word in the bible is from the mouth of God, yet they only follow the rules they like, and change the rules because they claim to know what the words God spoke really meant...
Blue, wise words. And wonders of wonders!!! You didn't have to quote a single line of scripture to tell us what you thought.
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The truth is within us if we seek it. It is a personal truth that you have received through prayer and by acknowledging and following the Holy Spirit within you that was a goft from God to be my comforter, guide and teacher.. Other than that there is no line as far as I am concerned..We are going to differ in our beliefs as to the different doctrines and such that man made up due to differences of interpertations..because we put to much trust in men telling us that each and every word in the bible is from the mouth of God, yet they only follow the rules they like, and change the rules because they claim to know what the words God spoke really meant...
