Doctrinal Affirmation Statement

MissBrattified · #1 02-25-2009, 05:42 PM

This sort of relates to the "contract" thread, but I want direct feedback, so I'm putting it in a new one....

We have a homeless shelter/mission in downtown Tulsa, and I would like to volunteer, along with Hannah, and possibly Sarah. (Depending on their age requirements.)

However, all volunteers are required to sign a doctrinal statement.

Here is the statement, in full:

*We believe the Bible to be the inspired, infallible, ultimately authoritative Word of God.

*We believe there is one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

*We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is deity; that He was born of a virgin, that we are redeemed by His atoning death through His shed blood, that He bodily resurrected and ascended into Heaven, and that He will come again in power and great glory.

*We believe that men are saved through a direct, personal encounter with the risen Lord, at which time they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit. This event we hold to be an experience, rather than a doctrinal supposition.

*We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whom Christ indwells each believer enabling him to live a godly life of obedience as he reaches for maturity.

*We believe the Holy Spirit unites all true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and that together they form one body, the church.

Okay. So...the lines I have trouble with are "one God, eternally existing as...", and I'm not sure about "...an experience, rather than a doctrinal supposition."

Should I not worry about it, and sign it, chalking it all up to semantics? Or do I recognize that their understanding is not the same as mine, and find another place to volunteer?

P.S. Margie--this is the kind of thing I'm talking about.

scotty · #2 02-25-2009, 05:46 PM

I wouldn't have a problem with this.

MissBrattified · #3 02-25-2009, 05:48 PM

Should I email the director and ask him about those lines? Ask him to make an exception, or explain my understanding and see if he's okay with it?

I really didn't expect a group that is available to help the homeless to be so picky about their volunteers. LOL!!!!!

MissBrattified · #4 02-25-2009, 05:49 PM

I guess I'm not sure whether I should just sign it and let them worry about the semantics, voice my possible disagreements and hope they let me volunteer anyway, or just go elsewhere.

But I don't believe that Jesus eternally existed, at least, not the human flesh, the son of God.

Do they really believe that? That the body of Christ eternally existed?????

scotty · #5 02-25-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I guess I'm not sure whether I should just sign it and let them worry about the semantics, voice my possible disagreements and hope they let me volunteer anyway, or just go elsewhere.

But I don't believe that Jesus eternally existed, at least, not the human flesh, the son of God.

Do they really believe that? That the body of Christ eternally existed?????

I'm like Margie here, Im not seeing this. I do believe it is semantic. Look at the next line..

*We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is deity; that He was born of a virgin,

Jesus in flesh can not be eternal if he was "born" of a virgin. Think you may be reading the "son" part in the first line too literally .

But as Margie said, I would just ask them.

MissBrattified · #6 02-25-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty

I'm like Margie here, Im not seeing this. I do believe it is semantic. Look at the next line..

*We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is deity; that He was born of a virgin,

Jesus in flesh can not be eternal if he was "born" of a virgin. Think you may be reading the "son" part in the first line too literally .

But as Margie said, I would just ask them.

Maybe I am. I'm going to discuss it with my husband after church tonight.

Margies3 · #7 02-25-2009, 06:23 PM

Keep us posted and let us know how it goes if you do talk to these folks.

And please understand that I am not asking you to sign something that you disagree with. I agree with you. If I seriously disagreed with this, I would not sign it either. I appreciate your integrity in this. I am hoping that when you explain what you have issues with and then let them explain better what they are actually saying with these statements, that you will find that in reality you are probably both on the same page saying the same thing. I could be wrong, but I would at least give them the chance to say, "Yes, we want you, even if we disagree with you." or "You know, we really don't disagree at all. Welcome!" or (heaven forbid it, but it could happen) even "Sorry, doctrinally we are polar opposites so we'd rather not have you"

In any case, I want you to know that I appreciate the fact that you are wanting to do volunteer work and teach your children the importance of serving others at the same time. Good for you.

Digging4Truth · #8 02-25-2009, 06:39 PM

These Affirmation Statements/Contracts/Covenants have one basic theme.

This is my sandbox and you will agree with me if you are going to play here.

I am the great potentate of this ministry and if you don't want to line up to my tiny box then go start your own ministry. You can't minister here.

Guilty until proven innocent... division is the order of the day until compliance is proven.

God accepts you? Big deal... you haven't passed the test until you pass MY test.

Margies3 · #9 02-25-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I guess I'm not sure whether I should just sign it and let them worry about the semantics, voice my possible disagreements and hope they let me volunteer anyway, or just go elsewhere.

But I don't believe that Jesus eternally existed, at least, not the human flesh, the son of God.

Do they really believe that? That the body of Christ eternally existed?????

sorry. I posted before I saw this. I think we were posting at the same time

I see what you are saying.

I have a question for you tho. When Jesus rose from the dead, his body was no longer in that grave. And they saw Him walking on the road to Emmaus. Jesus even told Thomas to touch the wounds in his side. And then when He left this world, where did His body go? I don't honestly know whether the body of Jesus eternally exists. But for me, that's not a point worth making a big deal out of. If it is for you, then maybe there is another place you could do similiar volunteer work

jaxfam6 · #10 02-25-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I guess I'm not sure whether I should just sign it and let them worry about the semantics, voice my possible disagreements and hope they let me volunteer anyway, or just go elsewhere.

But I don't believe that Jesus eternally existed, at least, not the human flesh, the son of God.

Do they really believe that? That the body of Christ eternally existed?????

Do you believe that Jesus Christ existed in the mind of God from the start?