Re: [asa] some questions on doctrinal differences

I don't know of any listing, although you have one that definitely has an
ax to grind. I would suggest that you do an inductive study of the
various denominations. Begin with the confessions that were formulated at
the time of the Reformation, although you'll have to extrapolate some.
The Reformed, Anglican and Anabaptist confessions explicitly refer to
scripture, while the Lutheran one is like the ecumenical confessions in
assuming biblical authority. Catechisms will also clue you in. Moving
forward, the various denominations have statements of faith, books of
discipline, manifestos, or whatever they call it. You will find that
there is a core of beliefs in the orthodox churches, whether
Fundamentalist or Pentecostal, main line or charismatic. Even Baptists,
who declare that they have no creed, have commitments. I noted that the
most recent statement from Southern Baptists is more fundamentalist
(inerrantist) than earlier documents. So you may need to dig into some
history. Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Episcopalians and
Nazarenes are discussing modifications, and there are probably others I
haven't noted. Then there is the difference between statement and
practice in many instances, sometimes challenged, often sloughed off.

I know, you wanted a simple answer and I dump on lots of work. Happy
googling.
Dave

On Fri, 20 Jul 2007 10:58:06 -0500 "WENDEE HOLTCAMP"
<wholtcamp@houston.rr.com> writes:
This is an interesting and true reply – thanks. I need the answer to make
this exact point, but it’s a literary tool and I still nee dto know how
many main issues divide the church. J
 
Wendee
 
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From: Janice Matchett [mailto:janmatch@earthlink.net]
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 10:41 AM
To: WENDEE HOLTCAMP; asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] some questions on doctrinal differences
 
At 12:18 AM 7/20/2007, WENDEE HOLTCAMP wrote:

I am working on a book proposal and wanted to ask if any of you knew if
there is a standard number of the primary doctrinal schisms within
Christianity. Obviously there are probably umpteen, but I'm talking
about the main issues that divorce the various church denominations.

@ George made some good points that you can use in his post.

I will add that you can make your research and book writing easy if you
follow this principle:

There are only two bottom-line world-views from which all of ones
religious and political views are derived and from which decisions are
then made:

In one (the God-centered biblical world-view), Man is not basically good
and God alone is sovereign in everything

In the other (man-centered religion), Man is basically good, and God is
not totally sovereign in everything.

What is called "the one true church" (the wheat) will not be found in any
one "denomination" or any other temporal organization of men -- (in spite
of the fact that two of those organizations claim to have direct
apostolic succession as they carry over many of the OT Jewish Synagog
traditions / legalistic teachings :)). The true Church (the Bride of
Christ) is invisible, CANNOT EVER BE DIVIDED, nor fail, and is
comprised of regenerate _individuals_ (some of whom have died), who
are/were scattered inside and outside of all sorts of organizations of
men (orthodox and unorthodox) all over the face of the earth. Each
regenerate individual's level of emotional / spiritual maturity
(on-going sanctification) will have a lot to do with which organization
he/she chooses to affiliate - including the choice: "none of the above".

The false church (the tares) is visible and is comprised of currently
living _UNregenerate individuals_ who are also scattered inside and
outside of all sorts of organizations of men. Many of these actually
outwardly appear to be better "Christians" than the regenerate because
they also know "the rules" and are really good actors.

Only God knows the difference.

As a regenerate individual grows in spiritual maturity - the freedom he
has in Christ will become more and more clear to him. This individual
will no longer need his "training wheels" -- (dos and don'ts church
organizations which have their place for baby Christians of all ages) --
in order "to feel safe". (The emotionally immature are "fearful of many
things" and can never be free - they prefer "security" to freedom).

When one half of a population is comprised of fearful children - (like
those suffering from BDS) - who have an emotional need to believe man is
basically good and the other half of adults who know that man is not
basically good -- division is the quite _natural_ result.

~ Janice ... "...the trinitarian curse on the left --[fearful lovers of
security over freedom] -- is found on any coin: Liberty, In God We Trust,
and E Pluribus Unum. For if the ACLU had their way, you can bet that our
coins would say Equality, In Matter and Collectivism We Trust, and E Unum
Pluribus. " ~ Gagdad Bob
http://onecosmos.blogspot.com/2006_12_10_archive.html

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Received on Fri Jul 20 15:40:35 2007