Quote:
Originally Posted by MacDuff
Personally, I’m a doctrinal realist. In that I acknowledge that not all Christians understand the Bible alike. A part of the denomination blues that has been a part of Christianity for centuries. And I’m a doctrinal relativist. In that I am tolerant of all Christian points of view without relinquishing my own view that is not necessarily Christian to them. This is in stark contrast with the common practice by Christian denominations of closed communion. For it reveals that the authorities of those Christian denominations are neither realistic nor relativistic in relation to doctrinal ideas that differ from their own. But then, that’s just another reason I’m not a Christian and another way I differ from most Christians of that sort.
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MacDuff, I have never heard of these descriptions "
doctrinal realist" and
"doctrinal relativist," but if they accommodate the fact that "
not all Christians understand the Bible alike," and that you have become "
tolerant of all Christian points of view without relinquishing my own view," then it sounds like we all should aspire to these. They almost sound like Paul's admonition to the Philippians, "
Let your forbearance be known to all. The Lord is near." This is sometimes contrasted by my own impressions as a "practical realist" looking at Christianity, "
Let your intolerance be made known to all, The Lord has left."
But, then, I don't understand your conclusion saying, "
I'm not a Christian." If intolerant Christians were sufficient reason to quit, then the Lord Jesus would have done so right away. His "select" apostles were constantly fighting with each other over who was the greatest and who should be President and VP of their new enterprise. (Mt 20.20) John and James even got mommy involved, surreptitiously "worshiping" Him. Many believe that their mom was Jesus' auntie, so you can imagine what a nightmare that was when the morning news hit the streets: "
Jesus accused of nepotism, Succumbs to family pressures."
It has been said that the church is the battleground between God and His enemy. I'd like to think that I have seen some of the best and some of the worst in church history. I have been betrayed by loved ones much the same as Jesus was betrayed by Judas (
except for the dieing part.) Perhaps you have some "burns" and "scars" also from your journeys. You are not alone. The worst of them usually come from your "brothers and sisters" in Christ.
King David, while composing a Psalm, (#116.11) apparently after he was burnt again for the umpteenth time, cried out in haste, "
All men are liars!" The amazing thing is what followed. He began to take stock in all the good things the Lord had done for him. David had a change in heart. His appreciation for the "lone honest man" in the universe was to consider what he could do for Him. His response was to
take the cup of salvation. Then he began to call on the name of His God and Savior.