Now, For Something Completely Different

Confessional Lutheran · Nov 18, 2017

We are brothers and sisters in Christ and to that end, I'd like to spark a conversation dealing with our common Faith and what unites us as Christians rather than what divides us:
#1: The Holy Trinity
#2: The use of the Holy Bible ( 66 or 73)
#3: Assembling with like- minded brethren on Sunday
#4: An emphasis on living a God- pleasing life
#5: Compassion and love for neighbors
#6: Christmas and Easter
#7: Brotherly and sisterly correction for an erring believer
#8: Faith= Love and good works
#9: A reverence and regard for Truth
#10: An eager hope for Christ's return
#11: Use of at least two Sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
Can anybody think of anything else?

MoreCoffee · Nov 18, 2017

Confessional Lutheran said:
We are brothers and sisters in Christ and to that end, I'd like to spark a conversation dealing with our common Faith and what unites us as Christians rather than what divides us:
#1: The Holy Trinity
#2: The use of the Holy Bible ( 66 or 73)
#3: Assembling with like- minded brethren on Sunday
#4: An emphasis on living a God- pleasing life
#5: Compassion and love for neighbors
#6: Christmas and Easter
#7: Brotherly and sisterly correction for an erring believer
#8: Faith= Love and good works
#9: A reverence and regard for Truth
#10: An eager hope for Christ's return

Can anybody think of anything else?

I'd be willing to wager that #2, #3, #6, and #8 may produce some debate because they are not exactly held in common by all who have been in CH and may not be held in common by all present in CH now.

I'd add

#11 reverence for and joy in receiving the Lord's supper
#12 a high regard for goodness in others and in God and in ourselves
#13 Love of the brethren (that includes sisters too)

Confessional Lutheran · Nov 18, 2017

MoreCoffee said:
I'd be willing to wager that #2, #3, #6, and #8 may produce some debate because they are not exactly held in common by all who have been in CH and may not be held in common by all present in CH now.

I'd add

#11 reverence for and joy in receiving the Lord's supper
#12 a high regard for goodness in others and in God and in ourselves
#13 Love of the brethren (that includes sisters too)

Yes, definitely regard for the Sacraments ( Baptism, Holy Absolution and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper) and mutual love. Isn't that what Jesus said: " they'll know you for My disciples, if you have love for one another?" Faith is the root from which love grows and good works are the fruit of that love.

Lamb · Nov 18, 2017

Even though I think it coincides with #5, blessed to be a blessing.

MoreCoffee · Nov 18, 2017

Confessional Lutheran said:
Yes, definitely regard for the Sacraments ( Baptism, Holy Absolution and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper) and mutual love. Isn't that what Jesus said: " they'll know you for My disciples, if you have love for one another?" Faith is the root from which love grows and good works are the fruit of that love.

A good way to put it is, Love is the soil in which faith may be planted and faith when it grows matures to produce the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Josiah · Nov 18, 2017

Theists, in fact Trinitarians

Josiah · Nov 18, 2017

And I realize some articulate and understand this a bit differently, ultimately all Christians trust in Christ as the Savior. That's HUGE!!!!

Imalive · Nov 18, 2017

Confessional Lutheran said:
We are brothers and sisters in Christ and to that end, I'd like to spark a conversation dealing with our common Faith and what unites us as Christians rather than what divides us:
#1: The Holy Trinity
#2: The use of the Holy Bible ( 66 or 73)
#3: Assembling with like- minded brethren on Sunday
#4: An emphasis on living a God- pleasing life
#5: Compassion and love for neighbors
#6: Christmas and Easter
#7: Brotherly and sisterly correction for an erring believer
#8: Faith= Love and good works
#9: A reverence and regard for Truth
#10: An eager hope for Christ's return

Can anybody think of anything else?

Baptism?

MoreCoffee · Nov 18, 2017

Imalive said:
Baptism?

:smirk:

we all have baptism, except for Salvation Army people, but it's obvious that we can't agree on what baptism is.

faramir.pete · Nov 18, 2017

Interesting list, however whilst the author seems to believe these are things that we Christians hold in common and indeed which unify all Christians, I do not share his opinion and I can cite a number of church splits over almost every single item on that list.

So it seems that which is supposed to unite us can also divide!

Pete from Peterborough UK

MoreCoffee · Nov 18, 2017

faramir.pete said:
Interesting list, however whilst the author seems to believe these are things that we Christians hold in common and indeed which unify all Christians, I do not share his opinion and I can cite a number of church splits over almost every single item on that list.

So it seems that which is supposed to unite us can also divide!

Pete from Peterborough UK

Give people an opportunity to split and they almost always will.

faramir.pete · Nov 18, 2017

MoreCoffee said:
Give people an opportunity to split and they almost always will.

Mmmm I guess that is true, but I find it fascinating that this sort of thread is often started in good faith, but so often leads to heated discussion about the meaning of the listed items.

I mean one of the first splits in church history was over the date on which Easter and Christmas are celebrated.

Another thing I find revealing in the list, is the absence of the one person who does unite us - Christ!

Pete from Peterborough UK

MoreCoffee · Nov 18, 2017

faramir.pete said:
Mmmm I guess that is true, but I find it fascinating that this sort of thread is often started in good faith, but so often leads to heated discussion about the meaning of the listed items.

I mean one of the first splits in church history was over the date on which Easter and Christmas are celebrated.

Another thing I find revealing in the list, is the absence of the one person who does unite us - Christ!

Pete from Peterborough UK

Perhaps it is implied in the name Christian?

Pedrito · Nov 18, 2017

Post #11:

Give people an opportunity to split and they almost always will.

Just like Pedrito’s personality.

faramir.pete · Nov 18, 2017

MoreCoffee said:
Perhaps it is implied in the name Christian?

And why would you want to imply something which nobody would deny as being the one thing which unifies all Christians?

Pete from Peterborough UK

Lamb · Nov 18, 2017

faramir.pete said:
And why would you want to imply something which nobody would deny as being the one thing which unifies all Christians?

Pete from Peterborough UK

The Holy Trinity is listed as #1. Surely you see the Christ there?

Confessional Lutheran · Nov 18, 2017

Imalive said:
Baptism?

That has its own threads.

Confessional Lutheran · Nov 18, 2017

faramir.pete said:
Interesting list, however whilst the author seems to believe these are things that we Christians hold in common and indeed which unify all Christians, I do not share his opinion and I can cite a number of church splits over almost every single item on that list.

So it seems that which is supposed to unite us can also divide!

Pete from Peterborough UK

Quite right. I am thinking of the general, " canonical" Christians who accept the authority of Holy Scriptures, the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed. Many accept the contents of these even if they don't recite them every Sunday ( as my own tradition does).

faramir.pete · Nov 19, 2017

Confessional Lutheran said:
Quite right. I am thinking of the general, " canonical" Christians who accept the authority of Holy Scriptures, the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed. Many accept the contents of these even if they don't recite them every Sunday ( as my own tradition does).

So now we are watering down 'unity' to just those who agree with the things we agree with, I wonder what Christ would say about that?

Christ spent his time on earth going against the established mores of religion and society and accepted fellowship with some of his world's least accepted folk, but it seems his followers today can only have fellowship with those who agree with their theology. All this does not seem very Christ like to me, but then I have given up the need for established religion so do not need a list of must haves other than that a person believes in Christ. I will leave the judgement of whether that belief is sufficient to Christ.

Pete from Peterborough UK

MoreCoffee · Nov 19, 2017

faramir.pete said:
So now we are watering down 'unity' to just those who agree with the things we agree with, I wonder what Christ would say about that?

Christ spent his time on earth going against the established mores of religion and society and accepted fellowship with some of his world's least accepted folk, but it seems his followers today can only have fellowship with those who agree with their theology. All this does not seem very Christ like to me, but then I have given up the need for established religion so do not need a list of must haves other than that a person believes in Christ. I will leave the judgement of whether that belief is sufficient to Christ.

Pete from Peterborough UK

Jesus seemed fairly accurate about doctrine he got angry at the Pharisees for distorting doctrine and he completely refuted the errors of the Sadducees so it looks like Jesus would be pleased to see Christians caring about accuracy in teaching. The truth really does matter.

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