I asked the following to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. I will post their response later. This is a theological poll and not just a denominational poll. Please keep comments within the theological realm and not about the "hostile takeover" by the fundis.
Can a person reject the following and still be saved?
Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Daniel David, Jul 30, 2002.
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Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
There's a major problem with your poll...
You asked what a person must believe to be saved, but the questions ask what Christians *should* believe to be (I assume) "good" Christians.
Personally, I will answer according to what I think "good" Christians should believe because none of these views are essential for salvation. -
Still growing,
Karen -
Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
As far as "virgin birth" goes, I think Christians overemphasize the virginity of Mary to the point of obscuring the greater truth -- the divine paternity of Jesus.
It is certainly remarkable that Jesus was born of a woman who was a virgin, but it is essential to realize that He was the Son of God!
I'm convinced the over-emphasis on the virgin birth comes from Roman Catholic views of original sin and exalted (idolatrous) views of Mary.
As for my views of the doctrine's importance, look at the Bible. I don't think the apostle Paul ever mentions it and two Gospels don't either. Of course it is mentioned in two Gospels and is certainly a Biblical doctrine, but it is of lesser importance than recognizing the divinity of Christ.
NOTE: I do believe in the virgin birth of Christ and believe it is a belief that "good" Christians should hold.
As far as the CBF goes, I do not know of any CBF member or have heard any CBF leader deny the virgin birth, although I heard lots of people accuse a former coordinator, Cecil Sherman, of the charge. It is my understanding that the charge is without merit. -
BB, have you considered John 8:24?
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I'm surprise at some of the answers. Very interesting poll.
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If there are only Baptists on this section, what kind of Baptist is it that believes there is another way of salvation besides thru Christ?
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The deity of Christ and the virgin birth go together. Inerrancy, a Christian can learn after he is saved. The resurrection has to be part of the belief of salvation.
I have to admit, what is Open Theism? I have never heard this terminology before.
Salvation is thru Christ only, so how can a Baptist be on this board and not believe this? -
Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Originally posted by Baptist Believer:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Justified:
Salvation is thru Christ only, so how can a Baptist be on this board and not believe this?Click to expand...
Some are obviously responding to that question...</font>Click to expand...
Karen -
Originally posted by Justified:
I have to admit, what is Open Theism? I have never heard this terminology before.
Click to expand...
Everyone I have seen espousing this view has been liberal. For instance, I have yet to see anyone embrace open theism and inerrancy.
[ July 31, 2002, 05:27 PM: Message edited by: Scott J ] -
I admit I was confused. I thought the question was about whether a person who continued to reject those beliefs could be saved.
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I was appalled by the final question's response - is there salvation is other ways than through Jesus Christ.
But knowing some of the liberal, er moderate, Baptists on the BB, I should not have been so shocked.
Saddened.
Sickened. -
Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite SupporterOriginally posted by Dr. Bob Griffin:
I was appalled by the final question's response - is there salvation is other ways than through Jesus Christ.
But knowing some of the liberal, er moderate, Baptists on the BB, I should not have been so shocked.
Saddened.
Sickened.Click to expand...
1) Are the things asked by the questions requirements for salvation?
2) Are the things asked by the questions things that Christians should believe?
3) Are the things asked by the questions necessary to retain one's salvation?
I think we've had people interpret them in very different ways. You seem to see it as #2. (FWIW, I answered according to #2 and said Christians should believe that there is only salvation in Christ.) If I interpreted according to #1 or #3, I would answer no to all of them, which is what I suspect many people have done. -
Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite SupporterOriginally posted by PreachtheWord:
BB, have you considered John 8:24?Click to expand...
You used the adjective "absolute" to describe Jesus as the "absolute Son of God". I don't know precisely know what you mean by the word "absolute" except perhaps that Jesus is the *only* Son of God (in the divine sense).
While it is a close call, I don't think that believing that Jesus is the *only* Son of God is *necessary* for salvation. The knowledge should come very shortly after we are born again though. -
Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite SupporterOriginally posted by kathy56:
I'm surprise at some of the answers. Very interesting poll.Click to expand... -
The poll is not poorly written in my opinion though "still be" should have been left out of the question. Can one profess to be a Christian (or reject the following and be saved?) and deny the Virgin birth, Deity of Christ, Resurrection? NO! The virgin birth is not a creation of Roman Catholics but the great emphasis comes from the New Testament (Luke, John, Galatians)and the Councils of Nicea and Chalcedon in the 4th afnd 5th century (The Roman Catholic Church, worship of Mary did not exist at that time). If Jesus was not born of a virgin he was not God and was nothing more than a martyred philosopher.
If one believes one can be saved in any other way than Jesus Christ then this shows a major flaw in their understanding of salvation and the idea one can have a McDonald's view (Pick and choose) of salvation and be a believer is inconceivable.
[ August 01, 2002, 11:00 AM: Message edited by: Kiffin ] -
For clarification sake, since some have been confused, I will restate the original question.
Can a person reject the following and be a Christian? In other words, are these beliefs so essential to Christianity that to deny them is to deny Christ and demonstrate that one is not really even saved?
In question 1, I said absolute deity because some deny His eternal equality with the Father. If a person denies it, is he really saved?
In question 2, can one redefine God into a cosmic gambler and really be saved?
In question 3, can one's faith be in something that is in error since Paul said that the Holy Scriptures are what led Timothy to faith in Christ and really be saved?
In question 4, can a person reject the bodily resurrection of Christ and physical return and really be saved?
In question 5, can a person reject the virgin birth, and thus the absolute deity of Christ, and realy be saved?
In question 6, can a person believe that salvation can be accomplished without believing in Christ alone apart from works or another savior? -
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he , ye shall die in your sins.
The word "he" is in italics in the KJV meaning that the word is not there in the manuscript(s) that represent the original text.
The pharisees eventualy rejected the full impact of who Jesus is and according to Him, they would die in their sins.
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily,verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
59 Then took they up stones to cast at him...
One could then say that an individual with a convicted rejection of the deity of Christ (or the essential elements thereof, such as the Virgin Birth) means that the individual was never saved in the first place.
Apart from Jesus saying "with God all things are possible" it is (IMO) not possible for an individual to be saved without a proper faith knowledge of who He is (God come in the flesh) which reflects directly upon His ability to atone for sin.
HankD
[ August 01, 2002, 03:38 PM: Message edited by: HankD ] -
Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite SupporterOriginally posted by PreachtheWord:
For clarification sake, since some have been confused, I will restate the original question.
Can a person reject the following and be a Christian? In other words, are these beliefs so essential to Christianity that to deny them is to deny Christ and demonstrate that one is not really even saved?Click to expand...
In question 1, I said absolute deity because some deny His eternal equality with the Father. If a person denies it, is he really saved?Click to expand...
In question 2, can one redefine God into a cosmic gambler and really be saved?Click to expand...
In answer to your question, yes. Of course if Open Theism is true, then we are not redefining God at all.
In question 3, can one's faith be in something that is in error since Paul said that the Holy Scriptures are what led Timothy to faith in Christ and really be saved?Click to expand...
In my opinion, we need to toss the whole “inerrancy” catchphrase/shibboleth and talk about reliability and the trustworthiness of meaning. I believe the Bible (the one we have now, not just the original manuscripts) is fully reliable for faith and practice, but I don’t affirm the whole inerrancy dogma since (in my opinion) (1) it completely misses the point of scripture – that is, to point us to Jesus, (2) it says something about the Bible that the Bible doesn’t say about itself. The doctrine is also used as a weapon against people who have different (and often stronger) views of Biblical authority.
In question 4, can a person reject the bodily resurrection of Christ and physical return and really be saved?Click to expand...
In question 5, can a person reject the virgin birth, and thus the absolute deity of Christ, and really be saved?Click to expand...
In question 6, can a person believe that salvation can be accomplished without believing in Christ alone apart from works or another savior?Click to expand...
God’s ways are much greater, broader, more loving and attentive than we can comprehend!