ricky

Let me first say that I am a convinced Trinitarian and believe that most non Trinitarian forms of "Christianity" is not Christian as they tend to take away the divinity of Christ, however, one non Trinitarian form of Christianity is the Oneness movement. While I disagree with them on many issues; I don't see them taking away the divinity of Christ. We have oneness neighbors and friends and the local United Pentecostal Church is quite large here. I find it hard to see how Oneness theology in its self can cause someone not to be a Christian. Of course that is not my only disagreement with them; Most in that movement I think they do not believe in grace, but works (a bigger hindrance to me in considering them Christian) also the church leadership is quite controlling of the members. Anyway my question is: Is believe in the Trinity essential for salvation, even if non belief in the Trinity doesn't take away the divinity of Christ? (Mods feel free to move to the appropriate forum is necessary)

Self sacrificing may have been a better term.

I was reading the last chapter of John's Gospel and the famous conversation Christ had with Peter where Christ asked "do you love me?" three times, the Greek word for love there is "agape" which is a unconditional love, Peter's first answer in English reads "I love you" but the Greek word used there is different, it is "Phileo" a brotherly love, the love of a good friend, a buddy. That is all well and good but Peter's Phileo love failed him in the Courtyard where he denied Christ three times a few short days earlier. Today, in my opinion, it seems many Christians love God, but it's not agape love, it is not awe for God's holiness, it is not a committed self sacrificing love. I submit that for many Christians the love they have for God is "Phileo". Yes we can have that kind of love for Jesus, however the "agape" must come first. Many Christians just see God as their buddy, a friend they turn to in times of need, with no really though of sacrifice or obedience. I struggle with this myself, as I don't want my relationship with God to be causal and self centered. I have treated God as my buddy for too long without acknowledging His holiness and even his presence except when it is convenient to me. For this I am thankful for His Grace. Any thoughts?

Was the Greek Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) commonly available to people, as that is the version that is quoted in Hebrews quite often. If I am not mistaken there s a place where Jesus quotes it too in one of the Gospels.

I'd be OK with the totally computer operated plane, but with a Pilot and co pilot on the flight deck just in case. Though I think in some ways that would defeat the purpose and not bring savings to the customer.

An oldie but a goody lol

Interesting development, major cracks have started to appear in one of the stands in the stadium, which means it is unusable for games. Some of the protesters are saying it's because of the Sunday game.

I have been thinking about this since I posted it, I personal objection to the game on a Sunday is not the day, but rather the time, the game kicked off at 5pm, most churches in proximity to the stadium have evening church services at 6:30pm, the area the stadium is in a residential and there are number of churches near the ground, but there is really only on street parking for the stadium (when Windsor Park was built 100 years ago parking wasn't a big concern) so you could imagine the disruption this would cause to to people attending the local churches.

Agreed

What is your views of Sporting events taking place on a Sunday? Today Northern Ireland played their first ever home game on a Sunday after many years of trying to avoid scheduling home fixtures on a Sunday. However UEFA used a computer system to schedule the fixtures. Anyhow there was protests from Christians outside the ground as the game was played (Northern Ireland 2 Finland 1 for anyone interested in the result). I personally am slightly disappointed that the tradition of not playing on a Sunday as it was in honor of Christians.That said, I also follow English and Scottish leagues, both have games on Sunday every week. I also follow American sports which is often played in a Sunday. I tend to think of Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. when this argument is raised. The interesting thing is the one of the main protester is on my facebook friends list and is a keen Liverpool supporter and sometimes comments on Liverpool games on a Sunday.

I think as Christians we see gifts every day, think of the person who get's on with their work quietly in service of God and others, all they ever do is serve. In my former church there is someone who has the gift of administration, she organised everything in a very ordered way. This was a great help to the church. I have heard what I believe to be true tongues with interpretation, an older lady sometimes gives a message in tongues and her husband interprets, while of course the interpretation is in English the flow of the original message and the interpretation are very similar. This is just a few examples I can think off.

Are you counting things like the gift of service or administration for example, or just tongues and prophesy or something of that nature?

Fernando Ortaga does a good job at that.

I think In Christ Alone is so popular because it is a modern hymn, that can sit well in either a contemporary service, or a more traditional service. It is from a Protestant point of view very theologically sound. Very few of the modern worship will last in another 100 years, but I think In Christ Alone will.

You own a well known family run bakery, your bakery is well known for it's excellent quality product and is well respected. One day a customer comes in and asks you to bake a cake with a political statement on it. You profoundly disagree with the statement, as it promotes somthing that is against your belief system, should you be forced to bake the cake?

Various reasons, my wife I think it's just time to move on

I thik a lot of Stuart Townend/Kieth Getty (In Christ Alone is a personal favorite of mine).

At the about to be former congregation I attend they sing that one frequently.

Shiloh, in you earlier post you expressed a lot of what I was/am feeling about my soon to be former congregation, we sing a lot of Jesus Culture and Hill Song, while I personally am in favor of a mixture of modern worship songs and hymns, I find myself thinking "is this exalting God or is this just making me feel good". Often some songs we would repeat choruses literally for 15-20 minutes, while in a in a sense worship should be an emotional event some modern worship is designed to put you in emotional overdrive, I'm not really sure that is worship at all, but if gives us the feeling of worship, it also seems very feminine to me for some reason. Also I think there is a time for solemnity and even silent contemplation in a worship service (there's my Presbyterian roots showing lol) to reflect that we are not deserving of Grace and to mull over what we have been saved from. There should also be a time fore joyfully proclaiming our salvation. I also think that we are too quick to disregard traditional hymns as in my mind they connect us with the faith that has been passed down though the ages while in my eyes modern worship songs (there are some biblical ones) connect us to the church today. It just seems what passes for worship in church today is a mile wide and an inch deep.

Foe me the Christian assembly I consider myself part off is a place where I am strengthened and serve Christ, by serving the brothers and sisters in Christ. It is the place where we encourage each other and lift each other up, and it is a place where we exult our Savior with worship and the Word in a corporate setting.

I think most people here will say the musicians, when you say "Worship team". My personal belief is that it is unacceptable to have people who are unregenerate worship. It is very difficult to worship freely if those who are leading the worship are not worshiping themselves.

I grew up in Northern Ireland, most people will nod politly some say "Bout Ya?" but yet it's a very friendly place.

Hi all, today is March 17, St Patrick's Day, for many it's a day about Irishness, making things green, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and having fun. However do we really think about who Patrick was, and what he stood for? Patrick was a missionary from somewhere in the West of Great Britain, who was brought to Ireland as a slave to tend sheep on Slemish Mountain. While tending sheep on the mountain he had a dream about bringing the Gospel to Ireland. He returned to Britain to study, then came back to Ireland to spread the Gospel, he set up his first church in Saul County Down and spread the Gospel through out Ireland. While I'm not against having fun I have had it on my heart for some time for Christians to refocus on St Patrick's Day, to rededicate ourselves to support mission work, not only in Ireland but through out the World. I think this is a more fitting way to commemorate the life of Patrick.

I would have issues with Georgetown being on the list. Georgetown, as correctly stated on the list are a private Catholic university, as such they have a right (if not a responsibility) to prohibit a group promoting something that goes against Catholic beliefs, such as "pro choice" political activism. The others on the list are OK

While I wouldn't want to fly on a domestic flight in somewhere like Angola (for instance) I think a private jet for a preacher is an extravagance. Someone mentioned the cost of maintenance, there would also be the need to hire a flight crew (pilot and co pilot at the very least) and fuel.