Jonathan wrote: > I am continually astounded that those who have > been termed 'liberals' on this forum are the only > ones who hold to orthodox Christianity, that which > the church catholic has decreed for millennia. > The more we discuss the more we see how the > 'non-liberals' spurn the faith of apostles.
Faith of the apostles? Reconsider your history a little, please. Your doctrine of the Godhead is not the doctrine of the apostles. You are arguing from fourth century wrangles of men. Even when the Nicean creed was first adopted, the churches did not follow it. Athanasius was exiled again and again and again because of his extreme view of the Godhead. Following the council of Nicea, the church was primarily Arian for the rest of Athanasius's life with only a few years of reprieve for him here and there. The part of the creed that you want to emphasize did not even exist in it until a decade after Athanasius had died. The doctrine I hold is the doctrine of the apostles of Christ. I challenge you to find any apostle anywhere that contradicts my teaching on anything. The doctrine of the apostles does not focus upon the nature of the Godhead. That is like arguing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. The doctrine of the apostles is that which declares who Jesus is, the Messiah, and its emphasis is on men turning away from sin to believe upon Christ and keep his commandments. No apostle ever uttered: "believe in the eternal Father and eternal Sonship doctrine or be damned." Let me reiterate again. I have not taken a position on the eternal sonship doctrine one way or the other. I'm exploring the viewpoint. I believe that there is liberty to ask questions about the nature of the Godhead and to seek to understand it through discussion. You seem to want to resort to declarations of dogma and hit anyone who does not conform with cries of "foul... unorthodox... departing from the faith of the apostles... etc." Would you consider allowing us to think and discuss instead of insisting that we conform to questionable fourth century dogma? Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
