Statements of Faith

Yesterday, in my post about Christian Translation,  I suggested that you check out their Statement of Faith.  This is an excellent idea for every religious website you visit.  Not every Statement of Faith is equal.  Not everyone who says "Christian" is Christian.  Jesus said so: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23


What could Jesus have been talking about?  True Christians obey Jesus' teachings.  True Christians stay true to the faith "once delivered."  Jesus is not just talking about false prophets who are like hungry wolves disguised as sheep.  He is talking to each believer.


This is not about the eternal salvational security of the Christian.  This is about who is a Christian.  Jesus is warning us about being deceived by "false Christianities."  There are many "Christianities," not all of which are Christian.


If you read a group's Statement of Faith, or their publications, keep your mind and a discerning eye open for these RED FLAGS!!!!!!  ( I did the RED FLAGS!!!!! on purpose.  I know it is "shouting" and is frowned on on the internet, but the Christian's powers of discernment should begin to tingle when they encounter these non-Christian ideas, especially the subtle ones which seem reasonable on their surfaces.)  Paul said that if anyone, even an angel, even Paul himself, comes to you with a different Gospel, they should be rejected.  Paul said it forcefully in Galatians 1:8-9: ἀνάθεμα (anathema), "accursed."


There is room within the Body of Christ for disagreement and discussion over some matters of doctrine.  Remember the hierarchy of doctrines (convictions, persuasions, and opinions) discussed earlier.  The doctrinal beliefs listed below are, at best, highly suspect.  Some are completely non-Christian even if they are declared by "Christians."  All of them should set off your alarm system.


1.  Any denial of the deity of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or the Father.
2.  Any denial of the full humanity of Jesus.
3.  The idea that the Gospel is about making you materially rich.
4.  Certain questions about sexuality.
5.  Denial of any cardinal Christian doctrines.
6.  Mention of "secret teachings."
7.  A focus on the leader of a group rather than on Jesus.
8.  Emphasis on social justice at the expense of, or the elimination of, the Gospel.
9.  Mentions of "self-actualization" and discovery of one's "true inner self."
10. Rejection of portions of the scriptures.
11. Any idea of works salvation or self-salvation.
12. Addition of new doctrines for which no clear biblical support exits.
13. New Age ideas, reincarnation, ascended Masters, occultism, UFOs, fairies, elves
14. Hate-based teachings such as racism, extreme nationalism, etc.
15. Ghosts, spiritism, channeling
16. "Our group is the only true Christian church." A denial of the universal Church, the ekklesia.
17. Mixtures of other religions, such as Hinduism, with Christianity.  Numerous churches have "Christian Yoga" classes, seeing Hatha Yoga as secular.  This completely misunderstands that the underlying basis of all types of yoga is Hinduism.


This list could be greatly expanded.


  

Christian Translation

Christian missions and organizations which have international reach often have need of translation services.  Christian-Translation.com is a Christian-run internet translation service which utilizes only Native Speakers, never a computer translation.  They believe that this helps preserve the meaning of their customer's messages.  They see their service as a ministry which helps others spread the Gospel.

The company will translate "writings, books, teaching materials, bible studies, sermons, messages," and other ministry materials.  The list of languages numbers in the hundreds. and "if at certain point you don't find here the language you're looking for, just contact us and we'll get that language translator for you."

The Dominican Republic based company views itself as a ministry and so, keeps its service costs as low as possible.  Their Statement of Faith on their website shows them to be a traditionally orthodox Trinitarian organization.

Do You Need the Services of a Christian Lawyer?

The Christian Lawyer Connection  is a free service to Christians who are seeking attorneys who are also Christians.  The website does not give legal advice.  Rather, they are a client to attorney matching service, referring seekers to lawyers who specialize in the client's specific area of need.

Each attorney listed in the site must agree to the statement of faith which includes belief in the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, the Virgin Birth, the vicarious atonement of the Cross, Jesus' bodily resurrection from the dead, the power of the Holy Spirit, and that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

Naked and unashamed

     "Naturists" prefer this name rather than the older name, "nudist."  They believe that it is natural to live naked and unashamed as Nature intended.  At least some naturists substitute "our Creator" for "Nature," and at least some specifically claim to be Christian.

     At http://www.naturist-christians.org/modules.php?name=Statement_of_Faith they have published The Naturist-Christians Statement of Faith.  This appears to be a completely orthodox statement of faith, with two controversial additions.  The statement accepts the following doctrines: God is the Creator,  the Trinity, all have sinned, Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, Jesus was sinless, Jesus' death was substitutionary and propitiative, Jesus was dead for three days and rose from death on the third day, Jesus ascended to Heaven and rules with His Father, all who believe on Jesus will be saved, we are called to grow in grace, believers are united as the Church, we are to tell others of Christ, and that the Holy Spirit is our Comforter until Jesus returns.

     The two controversial declarations are these:

"We believe that all people are divinely created in God's own image, and their unclothed forms are covered and blessed in His righteousness."

"We believe that the naked human form is inherently good and wholesome."

     I think that these two statements are unwarranted additions to the gospels.  As reasonable as they seem to be on the surface, they are certainly not included in the "faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3)

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."  Galatians 1:8-9.