- January 7th, 2020, 2:41 pm
#593366
stokesjokes wrote: ↑January 7th, 2020, 1:36 pmDifferent lists of what qualifies as sin? The Bible pretty clearly lists them. 10 commandments much? And no God's grace isn't big enough if you don't repent of sin, if you don't believe what you are doing is sin then you won't ask forgiveness and won't receive forgiveness. Can you stand before God and say you didn't believe murder was a sin? That's why this issue is a salvation issue, the church is telling people they don't need to repent of their sinTnobes wrote: ↑January 7th, 2020, 1:08 pmThe most basic view of essentials is to just use the early creeds.stokesjokes wrote: ↑January 7th, 2020, 12:16 pm After trying to honestly engage in the textual arguments made by people like Jen Hatmaker and Matthew Vines (I mean honestly as in following the argument instead of trying to pick it apart), I can see how someone can take a high view of scripture and believe it doesn’t condemn same-sex marriage relationships. I’m not entirely convinced, but I’m not in a position where I have to be certain (since I’m not gay).Calling sin not sin IS a salvation issue, and an honest question who decides what are "essentials" and what are "non essentials"? My denomination the ECC basically has the same mantra and I believe it is what has lead the churches into this problem, people can claim anything isn't essential, it comes down to man's opinion is authority over God's written word. I'm not attacking you, just raising the question
I share this regarding the UMC because I think there’s enough gray to say that this is a non-essential issue and I’m comfortable with people who land on different sides of it, so I’m not sure why that can’t be the position of the UMC.
In fact, one of my favorite quotes is “in essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity,” which is in the UMC Book of Discipline, so it’s strange that this would be something they split over.
But the thing you’re still evading is our interpretive responsibility. I’m pretty sure everyone in this conversation believes the Bible is God’s inspired word. Yet, I’m sure no two people here agree on every point of doctrine. I’m sure we would all have different lists of what qualifies as sin. It’s not because some take the Bible more seriously than others, it’s because the Bible requires us to do interpretive work that may land us in different places, and that’s ok. God is big enough and His grace is big enough.