Truth or Dare
There is considerable discussion today as to what “core beliefs” are necessary for being a Christian, a sort of “what makes you in/out” sort of discussion.
Two problems with this discussion are found in our assumptions. First, that our lists actually matter, as if God comes to me wondering, “What does AJ think the list should be today for everyone to be a good little Christian.”. Secondly, every-one’s list is different. I rarely to never find two lists the same, which from my perspective, appears to create somewhat of a theological “pickle” if you will.
At the same time, I think it is a cop-out to simply say “Jesus” like a 5 year old in Sunday School as an answer to that question.
I love the discussion, but it can only be done in the context of the understanding that this discussion will never end. At any point our little “list” is set, I am checking out of the talk. And at the same time, when the “list” never ends, I can never be in with God.
So, keep the discussion rolling.
Dan Kimball has an excellent discussion going on right now and I would highly encourage you to check it out. I love his style. So will you hopefully!
Dom wrote:
f we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.
I preached a sermon on this a little over a year ago to the FC junior high group based off of 1 John 1:5-2:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=69&chapter=1&version=31)
By the time he writes this, John is an old dude who cares little about offending anybody and he pulls no punches in saying, “if you’re this, you’re out; if you’re this, you’re in” (WAY over-simplified, sorry. My points basically was that the bare essentials, the non-negotiables in “being a Chistian/follower of Jesus” were an admission of our own imperfection/insufficiency (vv. 1:8-10… and belief in the sufficiency of Christ- vv. 2:1-2), obedience/conformity to Jesus (vv. 2:3-6), and a life of love (vv. 2:9-11; drawing heavily also on 1 John 4)
That’s basically what my core beliefs are… although those themselves are very broad… and I feel that part of the discussion also has to include what things a person CAN’T believe and still be/believe in Jesus.
Posted on 02-May-07 at 12:59 pm | Permalink