How would you define AFF?

[Hoovie]

I disagree that most are connected to the UPC or the characterization that the UPC is legalistic.

[Pro31:28]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I disagree that most are connected to the UPC or the characterization that the UPC is legalistic.

I said the UPC because that was my affiliation, and all of the people who I know personally (meaning in person, not those I have met through AFF) were through the UPC. I should have said Oneness.

I did not say that the UPC IS legalistic (although that could be argued depending on the church), I said it leaned that way, which I think it does, at least in my experience.

[SOUNWORTHY]

Originally Posted by Pro31:28

I said the UPC because that was my affiliation, and all of the people who I know personally (meaning in person, not those I have met through AFF) were through the UPC. I should have said Oneness.

I did not say that the UPC IS legalistic (although that could be argued depending on the church), I said it leaned that way, which I think it does, at least in my experience.

What is your experience? This sounds like another, let's blast UPCI post.

[Pro31:28]

Originally Posted by SOUNWORTHY

What is your experience? This sounds like another, let's blast UPCI post.

Just because i do not currently attend a UPC church, does not mean that I still do not retain close ties. I have many friends and family that are current members of both UPCI and WPF. I do not feel it is necessary to share my experience again, as I have before.

I retain no ill will toward the UPC church, that is in fact, where I met my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But I know that in my time there, especially toward the end, (in the area that I was in) there was a great focus on hemlines and lipgloss, when there should have been a greater focus on Christ.

Dictionary.com defines legalism as:
le⋅gal⋅ism  [lee-guh-liz-uhm]
–noun
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.


I guess you could say that I was part of the collateral damage created by the '92 issues.

If you preach Christ and Him crucified, there is no need to tell people how to dress.

I was not intending to blast the UPC, and because I knew that some would perceive it that way, I almost didn't post it. I meant no offense.

[Irreligious]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I disagree that most are connected to the UPC or the characterization that the UPC is legalistic.

I've demoted myself to "Lurker" status, but I had to laugh my fanny off at this one.

The first step in any recovery program is for one to admit that one has a problem.

[MarcBee]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I disagree that most are connected to the UPC or the characterization that the UPC is legalistic.

Originally Posted by Irreligious

I've demoted myself to "Lurker" status, but I had to laugh my fanny off at this one.

The first step in any recovery program is for one to admit that one has a problem.

Enjoy your laugh, but legalism is somewhat in the eye of the beholder. As long as James 2, esp. 2:24 exists and has to be reconciled with Romans 4, there will always be suspicion cast around among Christian belief (and custom) systems as to who is REALLY trying to "work" their way to heaven.

For example, Martin Luther believed the book of James did not belong in the Bible due to its take on works. Nor has the thicket of relations between faith and works been settled today, for example, among AFF brethren. Of course, everyone here can probably explain what makes personal sense, using lotsa, lotsa Bible.