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Search results

  1. H

    Trying to find the right church

    I agree. The Puritans were pretty much classical Reformed. I see two major results of the Enlightenment. The more radical results moved in the direction of deism and "free thinking." You can see this in England at the time of early America. There was some influence in Boston, but not very...
  2. H

    How often does Christianity make people worse?

    Wrong tense. I haven't heard about it for years. Wikipedia says it's effectively dead.
  3. H

    Under investigation

    There are two real problems: * There's evidence of Russian interference. Investigation of it will presumably involve looking at both campaigns. Since Trump benefited from it, and he and his stuff have more contact with Russians that is typical, it's reasonable that they would be looked at...
  4. H

    Trying to find the right church

    Yes.
  5. H

    Trying to find the right church

    Right. In the end we need to make some attempt to assess truth claims. You have to start with asking how you decide. You've got four major options: * traditional interpretations going back to the early church * interpretations guided by various Protestant traditions, starting with 16th Cent...
  6. H

    How often does Christianity make people worse?

    I'm sorry that this was your experience. I think tolerance needs to go in both directions. My own church (PCUSA) has congregations and whole presbyteries that disagree with accepting gays. During the last great debate (on the role of women) we refused to ordain a pastor who said he wouldn't...
  7. H

    How often does Christianity make people worse?

    Yes. We can't judge what's going on in someone else's life. Does he simply reject God? Does he repeatedly give into temptation, while confessing his weakness? We don't know. I think honest self-examination will show that we are all guilty of ongoing sin. That's not to say that we should ignore...
  8. H

    How often does Christianity make people worse?

    Don't give in and do the same thing. The only way to deal with the problem is with real Christianity.
  9. H

    How often does Christianity make people worse?

    It explains why people are harsher in judging Christians for failing to love each other than in judging others.
  10. H

    How often does Christianity make people worse?

    There are people who have besetting sins that will probably be with them for their whole lives. There are people who don't recognize something as sin. Generally we don't turn sinners away from communion because we're aware that that wouldn't leave anyone there. We certainly don't refuse to hold...
  11. H

    How often does Christianity make people worse?

    We're a Christian culture, even our atheists. They don't expect members of other religions to follow Jesus' standards. They do expect it from Christians. The point isn't our theological opinions. The NT shows evidence of vigorous disagreements. The point is how we treat each other.
  12. H

    How often does Christianity make people worse?

    Let me be clear that this is not an attack on Catholics. Indeed I think what I'm talking about is less common among them than others. I just happened to run across that particular example today. And yes, I'm aware that it is contrary to the Pope's teaching.
  13. H

    How often does Christianity make people worse?

    Christianity should make people more loving, more forgiving, more humble. But all too often it seems to make people worse, more like Pharisees that Christ. Illinois Bishop Decrees No Communion, Funeral Rites For Same-Sex Spouses Whatever kind of sinners gays may be (and personally I don't...
  14. H

    Issues in the Reformation: Part one - SALVATION

    In fairness, Protestant soteriology is a mess too. Maybe not Luther and Calvin personally. But take a look at posts on the subject on CF. (I use it because it's a much larger sample of ordinary Christians.) Look at how many Protestants argue for "salvation by faith." This confuses justification...
  15. H

    Your Feelings about Facebook

    My experience is pretty good. I'm friends with members of my Church and some professional colleagues. I subscribe to a PCUSA group. Generally the people I interact with are friendly. I see signs of political interactions that are a bit more controversial, but not that bad. I like the PCUSA...
  16. H

    The Filioque Clause

    It's worth noting that the passages from John speak of the Son's role in sending the Holy Spirit to us. The Filioque is speaking of the Son's origin in eternity. Not the same thing. That's why "and through the Son" is acceptable in the West. It's referring to sending the Holy Spirit through the...
  17. H

    Issues in the Reformation: Part one - SALVATION

    History is complex. The OP is right that Luther saw justification as the major issue of the Reformation. But it’s not so clear that other participants did. Luther’s complaint that lots of German funds were going to Rome likely concerned the prince whose defense was critical. General corruption...
  18. H

    "The Bible Answer Man" converts to Orthodoxy

    Of course there are conversions in all directions. Our congregation has lots of former Catholics in it. However I've always thought conversions of evangelicals to Catholic or Orthodox makes sense. Many evangelicals believe in inerrancy because they think it will give them certainty. But it...
  19. H

    [Split] Very Liberal Christianity Abortion/Pro-Life posts

    That's not what I meant. I meant that it is common in today's world to see anti-abortion positions combined with positions that aren't supportive of children after they're born. I differ from the OP in that I don't think this is universal. It's just particularly visible in today's American...
  20. H

    500 years ago ...

    Remember that Luther was far from the first to disagree. The main thing that changed in the 16th Cent was that secular authorities were no longer prepared to kills dissidents. That's why you have JW's. You would have them without Luther, as soon as nations were no longer willing to mandate...
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