What is Your Baseline?
 

Whatever happened to the idea of scripture being our baseline (A line serving as a basis, as for measurement, calculation, or location.)?

I've been in discussions about jewelry with a group of men who claim to be conservative. They base that claim on the fact that they hold to the "old paths."

They got mad at me when I asked for scriptures that support the "no jewelry" standard. They said I was a legalist, and that doctrine is not based on scripture alone.

That just floored me.

If we can't discuss issues from the standpoint of scripture, what's the use? Everything else is just somebody's opinion, and you know what they say about those.

Is our new baseline the manual? Tradition? Preference?

What is your baseline?

Re: What is Your Baseline?
 

That is what the cons usually carp when backed into a corner for scriptural support. "Old paths" really mean nothing more than TRADITION!!!!! :D

Re: What is Your Baseline?
 

I think you are asking what authority guides our faith and practice. This is an old argument fought out by the reformers of the 15-1600's with the RCC (who held to two types of authority...tradition and scripture.)

Reclaiming the Mind has some good videos on this topic. I've tried to get Timmy to watch them. ;)

http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/?page_id=41 start with #46

http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/con...sion1/BH1b.wmv

Re: What is Your Baseline?
 

:thumbsup

Re: What is Your Baseline?
 

Not all tradition is bad, but when it is elevated to the level of scriptural doctrine, it become heresy! (IMHO) :D

Re: What is Your Baseline?
 

Agreed!

This is one that that ALWAYS bothered me about the UPC - very few people were willing to discuss anything concerning standards! You even breathe that you may be questioning something, and all of the sudden you were wearing the Scarlet Letter!

It also bothers me that a preacher can get in the pulpit at a youth rally, camp meeting, general conference, etc. and preach as far right as he wanted to, and no one would banish him.

But, you let a preacher preach a bit left of center, and he was run out of town on a rail, tarred and feathered.

Inconsisten, in my opinion.

Re: What is Your Baseline?
 

Legalism
1.strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, esp. to the letter rather than the spirit.
2.Theology. a.the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.

b.the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.

Re: What is Your Baseline?
 

I suppose I am confused as to how doctrine is formed.

I've always believed that my life is to be patterned after the Word. Growing up in Pentecostalism, that idea was pounded into me.

Isn't our doctrine formed by finding the real meaning of a passage and applying it to our lives?

Re: What is Your Baseline?
 

Doh! Watched 4 or 5 of them, then, well, kinda got, um, sidetracked. *cough cough lost interest cough*. :lol

I'll get back into watching them, I promise.

Re: What is Your Baseline?
 

A. Jesus is a legalist ("rather than spirit" is a bit objective and a very poor point the "spirit of the law" is the consummation of the whole understanding of the law. Letter is a rather weak point as the law is based on principle and it can be used perfectly when understood as a whole functioning body. Jesus clearly taught law and it from the letter as a whole not a itemized list)
2a. Define works and if works are defined how many view works in christianity and on this board..... Jesus is a legalist.
b. JEsus is a legalist


my point the definition is poor and needs refinement.