markedward
New member
Greetings all.
I'm not sure how often I will be posting. I may read more than I post. But I will introduce myself, at least in terms of how it is important to a relatively anonymous message board, in case I do stop by to give my thoughts on a topic.
I graduated university with a degree in studio art. Other than a few religion classes I took in college, I have no formal theological training. I have been married for almost two years, and am soon to be a father.
I am a Christian, a follower of the one true God and the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that he was born of the virgin Mary, that he lived a sinless life, that he was crucified by the corrupt religious and political establishment, that he died on the cross as a Covenant sacrifice, once-for-all-time, for the sins of mankind, that he was buried, that he rose to life on the third day, and that he ascended to the right hand of the Throne, where he presently reigns in power.
I absolutely believe in the Scriptures as the true word of God. I think certain non-canonical books (e.g. 1 Maccabees; the Didache) are very relevant for us to read to follow ancient Jewish and Christian thought, but I don't expect anyone to consider them as canonical.
Although I was raised in Protestant churches, and I still attend a Pentecostal-oriented church, I think that Protestantism is as guilty of tradition as Catholicism is, even though Protestants do a better job of sticking to what the Scripture say on certain issues where Catholics fail.
I was a trinitarian for most of my life, but in the last several years I've had increasing dissatisfaction with the way trinitarianism handles many passages of the Bible in order to defend the trinity doctrine. I am still struggling with understanding what the Bible teaches regarding whether or not Jesus is God; at present I favor a "unitarian" position, but I do admit to the strengths of some arguments for the deity of Jesus, which would lead me to a "binitarian" view. This is something I simply am not settled on, and greatly prefer honest dialogue about, rather than hitting someone over the head with proof-texts. (Also, I am not a Jehovah's Witness, I am not a Christadelphian, I am not a Seventh Day Adventist, etc. I am not from any Millerite tradition.)
To summarize my beliefs briefly using broad labels: I believe Scripture must be read according to the original audiences that received each of the books. I believe in conditionalism and annihilationism. I follow a preterist reading of much of the New Testament. I am agnostic when it comes to the age of the earth, and I don't believe the Bible addresses the issue since it wasn't relevant. I favor a allegorical reading of Genesis 2-3, and I am open to the possibility that Adam and Eve may not have been historical individuals.
I try not to be disruptive or argumentative, but I do have a bit of trouble with being overbearing, so please have patience. I do try to provoke thought and challenging discussion on things I consider important, and not, like I said, beating people up with proof-texts. But all in all, I would for us, despite disagreements, even on "essentials", to try to remain one voice in glorifying the Father and his Son.
I'm not sure how often I will be posting. I may read more than I post. But I will introduce myself, at least in terms of how it is important to a relatively anonymous message board, in case I do stop by to give my thoughts on a topic.
I graduated university with a degree in studio art. Other than a few religion classes I took in college, I have no formal theological training. I have been married for almost two years, and am soon to be a father.
I am a Christian, a follower of the one true God and the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that he was born of the virgin Mary, that he lived a sinless life, that he was crucified by the corrupt religious and political establishment, that he died on the cross as a Covenant sacrifice, once-for-all-time, for the sins of mankind, that he was buried, that he rose to life on the third day, and that he ascended to the right hand of the Throne, where he presently reigns in power.
I absolutely believe in the Scriptures as the true word of God. I think certain non-canonical books (e.g. 1 Maccabees; the Didache) are very relevant for us to read to follow ancient Jewish and Christian thought, but I don't expect anyone to consider them as canonical.
Although I was raised in Protestant churches, and I still attend a Pentecostal-oriented church, I think that Protestantism is as guilty of tradition as Catholicism is, even though Protestants do a better job of sticking to what the Scripture say on certain issues where Catholics fail.
I was a trinitarian for most of my life, but in the last several years I've had increasing dissatisfaction with the way trinitarianism handles many passages of the Bible in order to defend the trinity doctrine. I am still struggling with understanding what the Bible teaches regarding whether or not Jesus is God; at present I favor a "unitarian" position, but I do admit to the strengths of some arguments for the deity of Jesus, which would lead me to a "binitarian" view. This is something I simply am not settled on, and greatly prefer honest dialogue about, rather than hitting someone over the head with proof-texts. (Also, I am not a Jehovah's Witness, I am not a Christadelphian, I am not a Seventh Day Adventist, etc. I am not from any Millerite tradition.)
To summarize my beliefs briefly using broad labels: I believe Scripture must be read according to the original audiences that received each of the books. I believe in conditionalism and annihilationism. I follow a preterist reading of much of the New Testament. I am agnostic when it comes to the age of the earth, and I don't believe the Bible addresses the issue since it wasn't relevant. I favor a allegorical reading of Genesis 2-3, and I am open to the possibility that Adam and Eve may not have been historical individuals.
I try not to be disruptive or argumentative, but I do have a bit of trouble with being overbearing, so please have patience. I do try to provoke thought and challenging discussion on things I consider important, and not, like I said, beating people up with proof-texts. But all in all, I would for us, despite disagreements, even on "essentials", to try to remain one voice in glorifying the Father and his Son.
