Christianity in EnglishコミュのBranches of Christianity

Hello, looks like it's time for me to step into this community! A recent topic that hasn't been thoroughly replied to yet, perfect.

1) I regularly attend a "Church of God" church which, really, I don't know the specific views of. I guess I would be some form of Presbyterian.

2) Nothing. For the most part I don't see other denominations any different from myself. Most just differ in relatively minor things anyway. Some, I don't see how they think their particular views are correct from what the Bible says (for example, dancing and/or contemporary music is sinful) Others have strict rules for clothing or something that isn't really biblically based, but then again I guess it's not bad either...
However! I do think that much of the Catholic doctrine is very messed up. For example, Catholics believe that Mary (the mother of Jesus) was holy and that you can pray to her, which is not backed up by the Bible in any way and puts Mary near the same level as God, which, while she was an admirable woman, that's a bit too far. Also, the biggest problem I have with any other denomination is when they say that doing "good works" will help or is necessary to get into Heaven. While, of course, good works are good, they don't have any affect on one's salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith―and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God― not by works, so that no one can boast.

I don't know how you can argue with that really. The fact is, no amount of good works, nothing in your power will be able to save you from the penalty of sin. You need Jesus' sacrifice and that's the only way, it's impossible to do it by your own good works.

3) No, salvation only requires that one acknowledges they are a sinner for which the penalty is eternal death, accepts that Jesus died after living a perfect life to pay the penalty for everyone's sins, and that he rose again and still lives. Any other details are fun to discuss but don't really matter compared to Jesus' death and resurrection.

4) Once again, salvation just depends on what I said in number 3, if that's what you call Christianity, that's it. But... I've also heard of missionaries who will adapt the story of Jesus and the Bible to make sense for a particular culture while still keeping the meaning. Whatever analogy helps people to understand works, but still if there's no accepting Jesus' sacrifice for your sins then it's a no go. So while Islam, for instance, claims to worship the same God, it does not teach that Jesus was the Savior so unfortunately, that's not going to work, no amount of spiritual rituals will be able to save them from sin; only God.

5) Yes. Was that an "or" question? Jesus was fully man and fully God at the same time so... yeah basically. C.S. Lewis is often quoted as saying that determining Jesus' authenticity is a "trilema". Either he was Lord, Lunatic, or Liar. Of course, that's a very simplified argument, but it works for the most part. Both lunatic and liar can be quite assuredly eliminated because of what we know of Jesus; he was extremely trustworthy and a model of good morals; It's highly unlikely for someone with these qualities to be a lunatic or a liar and thereby is very likely to be Lord. Anyway, I'll settle on that option to base my life upon, the Bible's and Jesus' authenticity so far have no evidence against and tons of evidence for which is more than can be said for any other attempt at religion.

Glad to answer, I'm no theologian, but if you have any questions I can't answer I'll do some research or ask someone else. And I'm a reasonable guy, I won't stick to views that have no scientific or logical support; while Christianity does require faith, I believe much can be proved with science as well.

>リンカマス
Thanks for your answers. I too agree that Mary is a remarkable woman, but we should not put her on the same level as God.

1) I am a Christ-follower. I don't belong to any "branch".

2) I think some are legalistic... some are extreme... I don't like "branches" or "denominations"

3) We are all parts of one body- the body of Christ. If you are in the body of Christ, then will be with God when you die because you will want to with your whole heart.

4) I know that Christ is the one and only way to God.

5) Jesus was/is GOD and man.

Thanks for the questions, Chris... the topic has been a little dormant, but I hope you don't mind that I revive it by commenting...

1) What branch of Christianity are you?

Catholic

2) What do you think of the other branches of christianity?

I think they are all trying to find the truth. Whether I agree with their ideas or not is a totally different question, and depends on what they say on each individual topic, of course.

3) Do you think salvation depends on what church you belong to?

No, of course not, because it can ultimately only depend on God, and we cannot know his mind or will.

However, (there are always howevers in the complexity of thought on such issues, hehehe), the reality is that I have chosen my church, and I know that I have free will and, as a Catholic, I know that I have the responsibility to cooperate with God in my personal salvation, and therefore I believe that the Church I belong to can assist me enormously in that.

4) Do you think Christianity is the only path to find God?

This is a complex question (not that the others are not, hehehe).

There is a Christian principle that the way to God is through Jesus, and therefore by definition through Christianity.

However, does this mean that people who have never heard of Jesus cannot be saved? Well, the Catholic Church does not think that, and I do not think that.

There are other more complex issues here, but too complex for this questionnaire, so I will answer this way:

Without reflecting on other people or their religion, I would say that for me, personally, Christianity is the only reliable path to find God.

5) Do you believe that Jesus was the son of God or God incarnated into flesh?

Yes.

But "son of God" and "incarnated" are words of Christian jargon, with very specific and emotionally and intellectually charged meanings, and can mean different things to different so-called Christians.

For non-Christians, I would avoid these words and say that my beliefs are that Jesus saw God as his father, and that Jesus saw himself, and others saw him, as a manifestation of God on earth.

What these concepts mean exactly, and what implications they have for us, is a massive and never-ending quest.

+++++
To リンカマス さん and Chrisさん,

Whoa! About Mary... you guys are obviously referring to the Catholic (and Orthodox of course) traditions in relation to Mary, the "Mother of God" as "my lot" so often call her...

Please... as Catholics we NEVER put Mary anywhere near the same level as God... absolutely against Catholic doctrine... such a notion is sacrilegious in Catholicism.

Mary was fully human, we cannot begin to put her on the same level as God. I really don't' know why you would think the Catholic Church, with its massive degree of reflection and development of theology over the centuries would entertain such a notion.

People use language loosely sometimes, including many in the Catholic faith... Strictly speaking we do not "pray to Mary", though many say that colloquially... However, Catholics, unless they are very stupid or very ill-informed on their own religion, would understand that they are asking Mary (now in Heaven) to intercede for them, that is – to pray to God on their behalf.

You can argue with the notion of whether we can communicate with Mary now that she has "passed on" as they say these days, but please don't perpetuate common misunderstandings and untruths about Catholic beliefs about Mary.

Hi All,

Well in truth, I think the Catholics pray to Mary and the Saints to intercede for them to God. Now, to me the bible clearly says that Jesus is the only way to God. It does not say, through Mary or St Augustine, we can have access to God.

I do not see what is the point of praying to Mary, to all the Saints or every Angels to intercede on our behalf if we could pray directly to Jesus/God directly? Unless you dont believe that Jesus is God born in human flesh to die for our sins?