MOST CHRISTIANS DEFINE THEIR OWN THEOLOGY

[John81]

MOST CHRISTIANS DEFINE THEIR OWN THEOLOGY

More than half say other faiths can also lead to salvation. [Excerpts]

American individualism has made its imprint on Christianity.

A sizable majority of the country's faithful no longer hew closely to orthodox teachings, and look more to themselves than to churches or denominations to define their religious convictions, according to two recent surveys. More than half of all Christians also believe that some non-Christians can get into heaven.

"Growing numbers of people now serve as their own theologian-in-residence," said George Barna, president of Barna Group, on releasing findings of one of the polls on Jan. 12.

In the Barna survey, 71 percent of American adults say they are more likely to develop their own set of religious beliefs than to accept a defined set of teachings from a particular church. Even among born-again Christians, 61 percent pick and choose from the beliefs of different denominations. For people under the age of 25, the number rises to 82 percent.

Many "cafeteria Christians" go beyond the teachings of Christian denominations to embrace parts of other world religions.

Half of Americans also believe that Christianity is now just one of many faith options people can choose from (44 percent disagree with that perception). Residents of the Northeast and West were more likely than those in the South and Midwest to say Christianity has lost its status as the favored American religion.

Christians expressed a variety of unorthodox beliefs in the poll. Nearly half of those interviewed do not believe in the existence of Satan, one-third believe Jesus sinned while on earth, and two-fifths say they don't have a responsibility to share their faith with others.

The most striking divergence from orthodoxy, however, was first revealed in the 2007 US Religious Landscape Survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. That comprehensive survey of 35,000 Americans found a majority of Christians saying that people of other religions can find salvation and eternal life.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0114/p02s02-usgn.html

[TBC: To "define one's own theology" is to divorce oneself from an unchanging measurable standard-the Word of God.]

[deafnva77]

And most have been led or convinced by the Holy Spirit (like the issue of christmas tree) . I never knew people expected christians to be like a cookie cutter.

[1Timothy115]

And most have been led or convinced by the Holy Spirit (like the issue of christmas tree) . I never knew people expected christians to be like a cookie cutter.

The cookie cutter is Christ, the recipe is the Word of God.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

[Guest Guest]

How can we be different if Jesus is the only way and there is only one Living Word of God? It's not "cookie cutter" it's just simply the truth! pixiedust

[deafnva77]

I can understand that, but I mean a different kind of cookie cutter.As if we are suppose to think alike. But really God designed us differently.

But on the other hand, Look at the muslims, Number one thing they use is that Christianity is so confusing. They claim that their religion is not confusing at all. No one debate (or discuss) on bible issues they supposedly have the same interpretation. Or you can look at the catholic.

anyway never mind!

[John81]

This is speaking on what should be consistent doctrine as clearly expounded in the Bible. Such as the fact homosexuality is a sin, women are not to be preachers, there is only one way to heaven (through Christ).

This isn't talking about issues not specifically addressed by Scripture, such as what color shirts a pastor should or should not wear.

Born again, Bible believing Christians should all be of one mind in matters where Scripture is clear.

The fact that many professing Christians, including preachers, dismiss Hell as a myth, proclaim that homosexuality is a valid natural choice, that abortion is okay, that woman can be preachers, that all religions lead to heaven and such matters makes it clear that not all are being led by they Holy Ghost.

[Guest Guest]