Someone in your denomination who believes differently?

tango

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Well, the point there was that saying "to each his own" is saying there's nothing wrong with the members of a church that has a particular view concerning divine revelation holding all sorts of different beliefs about it.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. We're talking about generic situations where people believe differently rather than specifically about divine revelation. That said, if someone has a different view about divine revelation than the denomination of the church they attend that doesn't necessarily have to be an issue.

Naturally, not everyone can be correct when contrasting and mutually exclusive views are being voiced, but this is beside the point.

Beside the point? It's entirely the point. If I disagree with my denomination about something it may be that I am wrong and the denomination is right, it might be that I am right and the denomination is wrong. Doesn't it make more sense to seek the truth, than to simply shrug and act as if nothing matters.

Some kinds of organizations are open to members holding a range of views about something the association stands for. But traditional Christianity isn't like that--at least not when it comes to the churches most people here belong to, myself included.

I'm not sure where "here" is in this context, or on what basis you draw conclusions about churches that "most people" belong to. I can't say I've encountered a brand of Christianity that isn't open to all sorts of different viewpoints regarding things that aren't crucial to salvation. If you don't believe Jesus Christ died and rose again that's a bit of a show-stopper as far as the Christian faith is concerned. Views about timing of the rapture (and indeed whether there will be a rapture at all), forms of baptism, continuation or otherwise of spiritual gifts etc are pretty varied from what I've seen. At my church my disagreement with a couple of denominational stances wasn't a barrier to being nominated as an elder (and to be clear, I actively checked with the pastor before even considering the nomination).

I said in my reply that I would be cautious about speaking up if somebody disagreed with an official doctrine held by the church that both of us belonged to.

I suppose there's also a question of whether "speaking up" involves shutting someone down or inviting them to explain why they believe what they do.
 

Albion

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I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. We're talking about generic situations where people believe differently rather than specifically about divine revelation.
The Original Post spoke of them disagreeing with the church's understanding of a Biblical teaching. And I added my own caution to my replies by saying it matters whether the disagreement concerned an essential doctrine or just something that's in the Bible but isn't a must-believe doctrine, such as the number of nights between the crucifixion of Christ and the resurrection.
That said, if someone has a different view about divine revelation than the denomination of the church they attend that doesn't necessarily have to be an issue.
Depends on which denomination each of us belongs to, doesn't it?

The question here was put to all readers. My church, like that of some of the other posters who are the most active here on CH, expects that the members will believe the Bible and its authority as that denomination teaches it. Under those circumstances, while it's not the case that we should call a member who dissents an unbeliever or etc., it's still fair to advise them about what the truth of the matter actually is.
Beside the point? It's entirely the point. If I disagree with my denomination about something it may be that I am wrong and the denomination is right, it might be that I am right and the denomination is wrong.
I agreed that this (as you worded it) is so.

But if it is, that it doesn't mean the person is in the right denomination and is safe from being challenged there when he chooses to voice his disagreement with the doctrines of the church in which he holds membership.
Doesn't it make more sense to seek the truth, than to simply shrug and act as if nothing matters.
Absolutely. That's what I've said repeatedly, only to have you find fault with it.

I'm not sure where "here" is in this context, or on what basis you draw conclusions about churches that "most people" belong to. I can't say I've encountered a brand of Christianity that isn't open to all sorts of different viewpoints regarding things that aren't crucial to salvation.
Haven't I made the distinction between essential doctrines and lesser matters--a number of times already!? :rolleyes:
 
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prism

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So what if that person was teaching against what your denomination believes in a church meeting? Then what?
'Back in the day', it meant ex-communication or burning at the stake. But I wouldn't be part of a denomination that would 'do God's work' in the way of burning 'heretics'.
 

Lamb

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'Back in the day', it meant ex-communication or burning at the stake. But I wouldn't be part of a denomination that would 'do God's work' in the way of burning 'heretics'.

Excommunication wasn't just handed out immediately, people were given time to change their way of thinking. Excommunication still happens in churches for those who don't repent but it's rare because today's modern society is too worldly and we can't call out sin as being sin anymore.
 

Albion

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Excommunication wasn't just handed out immediately, people were given time to change their way of thinking. Excommunication still happens in churches for those who don't repent but it's rare because today's modern society is too worldly and we can't call out sin as being sin anymore.
...and there's a big difference between being excommunicated and being declared a heretic.
 
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