Becoming An Ex-Pentecostal - Page 3

freeatlast · #1 07-19-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

but... are you not currently UPC?

The only thing UPC about me is that my pastor holds a upc license.

We are not affiliated with the UPc as a church.

RandyWayne · #2 07-19-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

For most people I think it boils down to personal taste and an honest attempt to interprete scripture the best they are able. Really, isn't that why there are so many different flavors and brands of Christianity. Christianity has become a niche market with every spin-off denomination and group that has it's own distinctives. Kind of like 7-UP. You can buy regular, diet, cherry, dark cherry, and today I even saw pomegranate 7-UP. Pomegranate? Huh? Who would like pomegranate 7-UP? Not me, but I'm sure somebody will like it. Churches are like that too aren't they? All churches cater to their base in terms of style/liturgy/ecclessiology. Birds of a feather like to flock together.

Plus, the Bible is more open to interpreation than most OP's want to admit. Not to mention lack of education and knowledge illogical logic, bad hermeneutic that result in faulty conclusions that go into formulating doctrinal positions. I believe there is absolute truth, but I doubt that any of us have it all figured out exactly right. So, sincere people attempt to be intellectually honest and due to their humanity come to different conclusions about biblical interpretation and over time they move away from each other in terms of regular fellowship and association. Once they do they find other people who agree with their theology and whose worship style/liturgy/ecclessiology they prefer and they become ex-whatever they were before.

I don't think that's a bad thing necessarily.

I've always thought of a scenario where 50 people who had no bible knowledge were each given one and told to read it. A month or two later, you would no doubt see 50 different doctrines adopted (granted, with the bulk falling into a couple of general groups).

BrotherEastman · #3 07-21-2008, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

For most people I think it boils down to personal taste and an honest attempt to interprete scripture the best they are able. Really, isn't that why there are so many different flavors and brands of Christianity. Christianity has become a niche market with every spin-off denomination and group that has it's own distinctives. Kind of like 7-UP. You can buy regular, diet, cherry, dark cherry, and today I even saw pomegranate 7-UP. Pomegranate? Huh? Who would like pomegranate 7-UP? Not me, but I'm sure somebody will like it. Churches are like that too aren't they? All churches cater to their base in terms of style/liturgy/ecclessiology. Birds of a feather like to flock together.

Plus, the Bible is more open to interpreation than most OP's want to admit. Not to mention lack of education and knowledge illogical logic, bad hermeneutic that result in faulty conclusions that go into formulating doctrinal positions. I believe there is absolute truth, but I doubt that any of us have it all figured out exactly right. So, sincere people attempt to be intellectually honest and due to their humanity come to different conclusions about biblical interpretation and over time they move away from each other in terms of regular fellowship and association. Once they do they find other people who agree with their theology and whose worship style/liturgy/ecclessiology they prefer and they become ex-whatever they were before.

I don't think that's a bad thing necessarily.

You need to try the pomegranite 7-up, we tried it during the Christmas Holiday and we were impressed.
Sorry Rico for mentioning Christmas in this thread of yours. LOL!

Steve Epley · #4 07-19-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

What do you think are the stages one goes through in becoming an ex-pentecostal? We've all heard about the slippery, and I think we can agree it all starts with questioning things one has been taught. What do you think is the path one takes to becoming an ex-pentecostal. For clarity, by ex-pentecostal I mean someone who gets to the point of not believing in the infilling of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues, baptism, and other apostolic doctrine. I am not referring to those who let dress standards go, but I will say that for some folks letting go of traditional OP dress standards is one of the first steps they take in becoming ex-pentecostal.

One step at a time.

ReformedDave · #5 07-19-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

One step at a time.

Agreed. And there are a lot more than 3.

TRFrance · #6 07-19-2008, 05:47 PM

Some believers get into deep study of the essentials of the faith, and end up having a much stronger faith.

...while some others do the same thing, and end up walking away from the faith.

Interesting how that happens.
But I thank God that I ended up stronger, to the glory of God. Amen.

Hoovie · #7 07-19-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

What do you think are the stages one goes through in becoming an ex-pentecostal? We've all heard about the slippery, and I think we can agree it all starts with questioning things one has been taught. What do you think is the path one takes to becoming an ex-pentecostal. For clarity, by ex-pentecostal I mean someone who gets to the point of not believing in the infilling of the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues, baptism, and other apostolic doctrine. I am not referring to those who let dress standards go, but I will say that for some folks letting go of traditional OP dress standards is one of the first steps they take in becoming ex-pentecostal.

For many I think they withdraw from the Pentecostal influence... and resist assembling together...

... How did it happen for you Rico?