Seriously...

[NightSwimmer]

Could someone explain to me the difference between a Christian and a Fundamentalist Christian.

I sometimes get the impression that Christians don't like to be associated with Fundamentalist Christians. Why is that?

Is anyone on this forum a Fundamentalist Christian?

Does anyone here practice Biblical Literalism?

What does it mean to be a Christian if you believe in neither the fundamentals nor the scriptures?

 

[Jen]

Could someone explain to me the difference between a Christian and a Fundamentalist Christian.

I sometimes get the impression that Christians don't like to be associated with Fundamentalist Christians. Why is that?

Is anyone on this forum a Fundamentalist Christian?

Does anyone here practice Biblical Literalism?

What does it mean to be a Christian if you believe in neither the fundamentals nor the scriptures?

My thought is that a fundamentalist is a person who believes in the literal translation of the Bible.

Most Christians believe that there is symbolism used in the Bible and that some stories are metaphorical or allegorical in nature.

I do not practice Biblical Literalism (is that a real title of something?). Some things in the Bible can be taken literally, and have been proven by science, but even those things were written by people of the time writing from their own perspective.

I'm not sure what you mean by that last question so I can't answer it.

 

[NightSwimmer]

I'm not sure what you mean by that last question so I can't answer it.

I suppose it means; how does one decide what it is that they actually do believe if all is left up to one's own, personal selection and interpretation?

If one concedes that portions of the Biblical text cannot be taken literally, then how can one justify arguing that any portions of the text can be?

What defines Christians as a group if Christians don't even agree upon what it is that they believe regarding Christianity?

 

[NightSwimmer]

My thought is that a fundamentalist is a person who believes in the literal translation of the Bible.

My understanding is that they adhere to certain fundamental beliefs regarding the supernatural nature of the Christian religion. I also understand that they do typically consider the Bible an inerrant text, inspired by God himself.

I've always gotten the impression that the original Christians were fundamentalists. I wonder why fundamentalism seems to have fallen out of favor over time?

 

[Renee]

My thought is that a fundamentalist is a person who believes in the literal translation of the Bible.

Most Christians believe that there is symbolism used in the Bible and that some stories are metaphorical or allegorical in nature.

I do not practice Biblical Literalism (is that a real title of something?). Some things in the Bible can be taken literally, and have been proven by science, but even those things were written by people of the time writing from their own perspective.

I'm not sure what you mean by that last question so I can't answer it.

Who decides what stories are allegorical?

 

[Jen]

My understanding is that they adhere to certain fundamental beliefs regarding the supernatural nature of the Christian religion. I also understand that they do typically consider the Bible an inerrant text, inspired by God himself.

I've always gotten the impression that the original Christians were fundamentalists. I wonder why fundamentalism seems to have fallen out of favor over time?

Just as, in the game where people whisper into each others' ears and the original message whispered is completely different from the message that is heard at the end of the line, Christianity fundamentalism changed over 2000 years that would probably be unrecognizable to those who were the first fundamentals.

 

[Jen]

Who decides what stories are allegorical?

Usually there is obvious context that makes that known.

 

[Renee]

Usually there is obvious context that makes that known.

Like what?

 

[Jen]

Like what?

When Jesus was telling stories ...........they were just stories, parables, fables to teach a lesson, not real stuff.
And when Moses was writing the first 5 books of the Bible - about the creation - he was telling a story. He wasn't there when it happened.
Do you really need more examples? It is not that hard to figure out, Renee. Read the Bible. You'll know which is which. I am sure of it.

 

[Renee]

When Jesus was telling stories ...........they were just stories, parables, fables to teach a lesson, not real stuff.
And when Moses was writing the first 5 books of the Bible - about the creation - he was telling a story. He wasn't there when it happened.
Do you really need more examples? It is not that hard to figure out, Renee. Read the Bible. You'll know which is which. I am sure of it.

What about the ark? What about walking on water.? What about a woman turning into a pillar of salt? What about having sex with daughters? I have no intention of reading the bible.....it is a book created to control the masses. I rather read a science fiction book, to me they're similar.

 

[Jen]

What about the ark? What about walking on water.? What about a woman turning into a pillar of salt? What about having sex with daughters? I have no intention of reading the bible.....it is a book created to control the masses. I rather read a science fiction book, to me they're similar.

I didn't think you seriously wanted me to answer those questions. And I don't really feel like being mocked if I do, so we will leave it at that. I respect your belief in non-belief. I wish you offered me the same respect, but I don't expect you to offer that.

 

[Renee]

I didn't think you seriously wanted me to answer those questions. And I don't really feel like being mocked if I do, so we will leave it at that. I respect your belief in non-belief. I wish you offered me the same respect, but I don't expect you to offer that.

I am dead serious.....people believe these things happened and others say they re just allegories. Who picks and chooses?

 

[gigi]

I suppose it means; how does one decide what it is that they actually do believe if all is left up to one's own, personal selection and interpretation?

If one concedes that portions of the Biblical text cannot be taken literally, then how can one justify arguing that any portions of the text can be?

What defines Christians as a group if Christians don't even agree upon what it is that they believe regarding Christianity?

What defines Christians as a group is our belief in Christ and in His divinity.

 

[NightSwimmer]

What defines Christians as a group is our belief in Christ and in His divinity.

That's not much agreement.

 

[gigi]

That's not much agreement.

So you say.

But I've seen it many times and had the experience myself many times. Fundamentalists and non-fundamentalists who can disagree all day long on a bunch of things coming together in their agreement on who Jesus is, celebrating the fact of who He is with the same joy, and then going away from each other knowing that we're together in Him and always will be.

 

[NightSwimmer]

So you say.

But I've seen it many times and had the experience myself many times. Fundamentalists and non-fundamentalists who can disagree all day long on a bunch of things coming together in their agreement on who Jesus is, celebrating the fact of who He is with the same joy, and then going away from each other knowing that we're together in Him and always will be.

That's pretty easy, when everyone is free to create their own, personal Jesus as they see fit.

 

[gigi]

That's pretty easy, when everyone is free to create their own, personal Jesus as they see fit.

Tell yourself whatever you have to. You asked a question. I gave you one perspective, but you've just shown that you already have formulated the only answer you'll accept. So enjoy.

 

[NightSwimmer]

Tell yourself whatever you have to. You asked a question. I gave you one perspective, but you've just shown that you already have formulated the only answer you'll accept. So enjoy.

I'm interested in your opinion, even if I disagree with it. If you think you'll say something on this forum that will inspire me to renew my Christian faith, then you'll be disappointed. If you simply want to express your opinions, then I welcome your participation.

 

[Craig]

Tell yourself whatever you have to. You asked a question. I gave you one perspective, but you've just shown that you already have formulated the only answer you'll accept. So enjoy.

gigi wrote:


What church are you talking about, Craig? There are over 30,000 different religions, sects, and denominations in this country.

You can't make any one argument that covers all of Christianity as you attempted above, because there are too many belief systems within it.


How can there be such disagreement?

 

[gigi]

gigi wrote:


What church are you talking about, Craig? There are over 30,000 different religions, sects, and denominations in this country.
You can't make any one argument that covers all of Christianity as you attempted above, because there are too many belief systems within it.

How can there be such disagreement?

It's a long story that starts about six hundred years ago. I'm sure you know it!
But you would have to ask all those people why they disagree so much.