180 Degrees

[OnTheFritz]

I'm curious how many of you made an abrupt or drastic change to arrive at your current belief system.

For instance, I'm not talking about transitioning from non-believer to believer, but rather going from liberal to conservative or vica versa. If you did make a change from one extreme to the other, what was the reason? Was there some revelation or key event that led you in that new direction, or did it happen gradually?

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by DerrickS

I'm curious how many of you made an abrupt or drastic change to arrive at your current belief system.

For instance, I'm not talking about transitioning from non-believer to believer, but rather going from liberal to conservative or vica versa. If you did make a change from one extreme to the other, what was the reason? Was there some revelation or key event that led you in that new direction, or did it happen gradually?

I was raised very liberally in southern Illinois. After going away for six years to Jackson, MS, I became a diehard conservative, believing everything that was preached at me. I just wanted so badly to be right. It took many years of "reconditioning" to realize that I was really trying to please man, but I was going about it in an unbiblical way. When I started really studying scripture for myself, I realized that the way I was raised was much more biblical. So I kind of did a return to my roots. I'm much happier now just trying to please the Lord and not men!

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by DerrickS

I'm curious how many of you made an abrupt or drastic change to arrive at your current belief system.

For instance, I'm not talking about transitioning from non-believer to believer, but rather going from liberal to conservative or vica versa. If you did make a change from one extreme to the other, what was the reason? Was there some revelation or key event that led you in that new direction, or did it happen gradually?

For a short period of time after being born again, I "mimicked" what others were saying... so the greatest change in me (since becoming a Christian) is in my willingness to be transparent about my beliefs.

This is of course not saying I have not changed some - I have, but perhaps 30 degrees.

[OnTheFritz]

Thanks for the responses. It is interesting to hear people's stories and experiences.

I believe there was a lot of mimicking going on when my parents first got into the church ( I was 7). That's not to say that what they were mimicking was bad, but they were very new to church - and they were young - so they pretty much accepted the stance of the church without much question or objection. It served us well for many years.

I'm actually not sure now, looking back, whether Calvary Tabernacle in Indianapolis was considered extremely conservative or not at that time. This was in the days when Bro. Jim Larson was the pastor in the early 80s, and if my memory serves me correctly, it was pretty conservative. I was a bible quizzer for 10 years as well, and I seem to remember just about every church in our district abiding by much of the same standards we did.

After Indianapolis, we spent time in New Jersey at a home missions church, then ended up in Texas. As I think about it, I started to question some of the more conservation stances on standards as a teenager, but didn't really have a strong opinion on them either way until sometime within the last 5-10 years or so. Then within the last 5 years or so, I have changed my views on doctrine to some extent as well.

I am definitely a moderate leaning liberal, and I lean way liberal on certain issues. But, I have to save that it was a pretty gradual process -- or a slowwww "backslide" is what I am sure someone will call it here in a minute.

[RandyWayne]

Me?
I just want to appeal to my fellow church members and the leadership. If my appearance falls in the 'average' then I know I am safe. Likewise I want to be liked and not spoken ill of by anyone in the body nor stand out as a sore thumb. To the question of becoming liberal or conservative, the main lesson I have learned is not to rock the boat. Do what the pastor says. Pay my tithes. Report anyone else who is not doing likewise.
Then behind closed doors, watch a good episode of Mythbusters while while enjoying a Samuel Adams brew.

[AbundantGrace]

Originally Posted by DerrickS

I'm curious how many of you made an abrupt or drastic change to arrive at your current belief system.

For instance, I'm not talking about transitioning from non-believer to believer, but rather going from liberal to conservative or vica versa. If you did make a change from one extreme to the other, what was the reason? Was there some revelation or key event that led you in that new direction, or did it happen gradually?

Well, my background has some very abrupt and complete reversals. I was raised UPC and my father is a UPC Pastor, even still today. It was all that I ever knew and I believed it with all of my heart. I never imagined being anything other than UPC.

As a teenager, I walked away from the Lord and remained away for many years and it cost me dearly. Finally after a major overdose of Meth and Ecstasy, I more than willingly surrendered my life to the Lord and began serving Him wholeheartedly. It was wonderful to be delivered after so many years. Of course, I was back in the UPC church and soon I was on the evangelistic field and even going into many schools in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas & Arkansas sharing the testimony of my deliverance through the power of the Holy Ghost. It was an awesome time.

I can't say what it was, but something about 5 or 6 years ago made me begin wondering about (not completely doubting), but wondering about the validity of some of the standards. However, no light bulbs really came on at that time, but there was a slight question mark there. Then about 3 1/2 years ago, I was lying in bed late one night reading my Bible. My wife was asleep next to me and I was reading things that I've read all my life and preached from as well. I read Jesus' words where He said that He didn't come to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it. A few minutes later His words, "It Is Finished" flashed through my mind and instantly - The Lights Came On! I suddenly realized that He truly did for us what we could never do ourselves. He did the "Work" in our behalf! He became our substitute through His life, death, burial and resurrection. I began yelling and crying all at the same time and I jumped out of the bed running around the bedroom. My wife, being startled from her sleep, was like, "What in the world do you see?" I told her, "Honey, we're trying to be saved through the Cross, plus our works, when it's not our works at all. It's our faith in the work that Christ did FOR us that saves us!"

Anyway, from that point on we both did a 180 and it was a quick work. We left the UPC 3 weeks later and it was literally one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do in my life. A short time later, we started a new non-denominational church and today, it is blessed and doing tremendous!

To God Be All The Glory!

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by AbundantGrace

Well, my background has some very abrupt and complete reversals. I was raised UPC and my father is a UPC Pastor, even still today. It was all that I ever knew and I believed it with all of my heart. I never imagined being anything other than UPC.

As a teenager, I walked away from the Lord and remained away for many years and it cost me dearly. Finally after a major overdose of Meth and Ecstasy, I more than willingly surrendered my life to the Lord and began serving Him wholeheartedly. It was wonderful to be delivered after so many years. Of course, I was back in the UPC church and soon I was on the evangelistic field and even going into many schools in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas & Arkansas sharing the testimony of my deliverance through the power of the Holy Ghost. It was an awesome time.

I can't say what it was, but something about 5 or 6 years ago made me begin wondering about (not completely doubting), but wondering about the validity of some of the standards. However, no light bulbs really came on at that time, but there was a slight question mark there. Then about 3 1/2 years ago, I was lying in bed late one night reading my Bible. My wife was asleep next to me and I was reading things that I've read all my life and preached from as well. I read Jesus' words where He said that He didn't come to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it. A few minutes later His words, "It Is Finished" flashed through my mind and instantly - The Lights Came On! I suddenly realized that He truly did for us what we could never do ourselves. He did the "Work" in our behalf! He became our substitute through His life, death, burial and resurrection. I began yelling and crying all at the same time and I jumped out of the bed running around the bedroom. My wife, being startled from her sleep, was like, "What in the world do you see?" I told her, "Honey, we're trying to be saved through the Cross, plus our works, when it's not our works at all. It's our faith in the work that Christ did FOR us that saves us!"

Anyway, from that point on we both did a 180 and it was a quick work. We left the UPC 3 weeks later and it was literally one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do in my life. A short time later, we started a new non-denominational church and today, it is blessed and doing tremendous!

To God Be All The Glory!

This is exactly how I live my life and totally how I see my salvation.

I did NOT leave the UPC nor my conservative lifestyle. I rather enjoy it.

I rejoice with you in any discovery of dependence on Jesus, and do acknowledge there is room to grow in Christ for United Pentecostals, but without doubt the same is true for many non-denominational folks.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

This is exactly how I live my life and totally how I see my salvation.

I did NOT leave the UPC nor my conservative lifestyle. I rather enjoy it.I rejoice with you in any discovery of dependence on Jesus and do acknowledge there is room to grow in Christ for United Pentecostals, but the same is true for many non-denominational folks.

Coming from your background, it probably doesn't feel conservative though, right?

[Ron]

180 Degrees, isn't that the temperature at which a Turkey is fully cooked?

[OnTheFritz]

Originally Posted by Ron

180 Degrees, isn't that the temperature at which a Turkey is fully cooked?

Hmm. I think that might be a little overdone.

Just make sure your pork is above 140.