tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35583920.post7125771095360657612..comments2024-03-10T01:57:07.008-05:00Comments on what I meant to say: the creeddave workmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13068663095945094946noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35583920.post-81630830763717069582009-04-23T10:15:00.000-04:002009-04-23T10:15:00.000-04:00I wonder if you've thought about this... but then ...I wonder if you've thought about this... but then again, you are a pretty smart guy so probably. Either way, this is part of my field of study and I thought I'd share this.<br /><br />Although creeds are a great barometer of who is 'in' (be it saved and going to heaven or just a member of the church/mosque/synagogue/meeting hall/etc.) they are developed for the express purpose of revealing who is 'out'.<br /><br />This is not to say that creeds are negative, but the only reason they come about is to show how 'we are not like them' or more often how 'they are not like us'.<br /><br />Example: the most famous of all Christian creeds is the Nicene (325ce but tinkered with again in 381 and even later with little but enormously important additions like the filioque). If one looks at each line of the creed in light of the specific theological arguments of the day, it is clear that it was meant to be a refutation of perceived heresy rather than a community building statement of faith. This is true for the tweaks of 381ce as well.<br /><br />Prior to Nicea, there was what was referred to as the 'regula fidei' or 'rule of faith'. Even though, to quote Bart Ehrman, it never achieved an kind of set form, each reference to aspects of it were in direct response to the opposition.<br /><br />I only bring this up because of the danger inherent in creeds and statements of faith. If not discussed and guarded against, these things tend to revert to their original purpose of exclusion and self-identification based upon rejecting others rather than live up to their potential of uniting a community together based upon common passions (of course the scary times are when those common passions are detrimental to society).<br /><br />Anyway, I look forward to listening via podcast.A Modern Ancienthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236166025918312835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35583920.post-34751273281536998742009-04-21T16:42:00.000-04:002009-04-21T16:42:00.000-04:00The toxic church list. Ok. Although a bit of satir...The toxic church list. Ok. Although a bit of satire, it is not fundamentally too far off from what one may experience.<br /><br />The Toxic church may not reveal itself in the beginning but in more subtle ways it may appear toxic as time proceeds such as appearing to be a clicky social club. I have experienced a couple over the years that may have led me to abandon being a regular with in that church. <br /><br />All churches present the "good news" to an extent but some better than others. It is the actions that speak louder than words. That is what I look for when I attend.<br /><br />The casually religious people attending on Easter are there for a reason. They are searching for Jesus and a place to belong. If that congregation fails to welcome them properly, they have lost them.<br /><br /> Is it not the creed of the congregation to welcome the opportunity to bring more home to Christ? <br /><br />To believe and seek Gods grace is a first step and easy. Just pray for it. I have found to belong to be a lengthy process that can be rewarding with each new discovery.<br />Or do I have that backwards?<br /><br />Sorry about the soap boxing.photogrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05149737419546300220noreply@blogger.com