EVANGELICALISM

[dio9]

What is it that distinguishes evangelicalism as a unique member of the Christian body?
What is the difference between progressives and evangelicals? Is there something theological like Luther's thesis, or practice or behavior , political , issues or what ?
Help me understand what makes evangelicals a unique part of the Christian body?

[dio9]

[Replying to amortalman]

Indeed actively evangelizing is what Evangs do . I am wondering about specific beliefs, such as the Rapture, and second coming , My impression is thats what is unique , with the world non evangs non believers are going to hell in a hand basket and there is nothing we can do about it These are the last days the end is near so rejoice Christ is coming to save us .

[PinSeeker]

[Replying to post 1 by dio9]

Evanegelicals take it upon themselves to preach to others, assuming "the Lost" will go to hell if they don't come around to their way of thinking. They call it "witnessing". They take the "Great Commision" as non-negotiable. A binding imperative on all believers.

Mainline Christians, by contrast, tend to preach by example, not words. And they leave the fate of non-believers to the love and mercy of God.

I almost agree with this, actually. Almost. The last part, that evangelical Christians "they leave the fate of non-believers to the love and mercy of God," is total hooey. The real difference is the following-- and this is really what makes Christianity different than every other religion on earth (even the "non-religious" religion). And this is going to need a little clarification after I state the basic difference, so bear with me...

Evangelical Christianity is all about God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit and nothing else. It doesn't stop there, however; as I said, bear with me. First, progressive Christianity:

Progressive Christianity is all about God's creation and not really about God Himself. Again, I'll explain.

With evangelical Christianity, a wise man I know likes to say it this way: "The main thing is to keep the Main Thing the main Thing." For the evangelical Christian, his/her love and compassion for his/her neighbor (everyone) flows out of and is a natural result of his/her total reverence and devotion to and trust in and worship of the Main Thing (God). This is how the Holy Spirit bears His fruit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control -- in his her life and (hopefully) everything he/she does. In this way, evangelical Christians offer themselves as the "living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God" that Paul talks about in Romans 12.

In progressive Christianity, the devotee is far to strident in what we call social justice, and is thus what we call legalistic in his/her advocacy of society's ills. Now, being passionate about social justice is surely not a bad thing; it is indeed a good thing. But the problem is being too strident in it and thus thinking -- maybe inadvertently -- that it is humanity's responsibility to redeem man rather than Jesus's. And this results in looking down at, chastising, and even hating other people -- including other Christians -- because, in their minds, they don't do nearly enough to help others. And it makes them hypocritical, too, but that's beside the point... Again, it focuses too much on humanity and humanity's ability to cure its own ills -- "right now" --rather than God and God's promise to eventually cure humanity's ills through Jesus and the work of the Spirit in the fullness of time -- God's time.

[dio9]

[Replying to PinSeeker]

but it was Man and Woman who left God and paradise and went their own way , should it not be Man and Woman's responsibility to turn around and return to God ? Seems to me Evangs want God to do the heavy lifting. The flip side of free will is responsibility. Evang theology is otherworldly where as it seems to be all about the afterlife.

[PinSeeker]

Seems to me Evangs want God to do the heavy lifting.

If that's your takeaway, I think you should re-read what I said.

The flip side of free will is responsibility.

Meh... We certainly have responsibility, sure. God's grace is initially free, but demands responsibility. So, heavy lifting required.

Evang theology is otherworldly where as it seems to be all about the afterlife.

Well, in some circles, maybe, but that kind of thinking is not good. The Christian is assured of the "afterlife," or eternal life. But his/her responsibility now is to live in light of that and, as Jesus said, to love God with all his/her heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors -- everyone -- as we do himself/herself.

[Elijah John]

[Replying to post 1 by dio9]

Evanegelicals take it upon themselves to preach to others, assuming "the Lost" will go to hell if they don't come around to their way of thinking. They call it "witnessing". They take the "Great Commision" as non-negotiable. A binding imperative on all believers.

Mainline Christians, by contrast, tend to preach by example, not words. And they leave the fate of non-believers to the love and mercy of God.

I almost agree with this, actually. Almost. The last part, that evangelical Christians "they leave the fate of non-believers to the love and mercy of God," is total hooey.

Except that is not what I said. Please re-read. I said that "mainline Christians, by contrast tend to preach by example, not words. And they leave the fate of non-believers to the love and mercy of God".

That in contrast to Evangelicals.

Maybe you consider Evangelicals "mainline" I don't. By "mainline" I was referring to Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, and "progressive" as you say, Protestant denominations..

[dio9]

evangelical theology seems to be heavily influenced by the book of revelations. Fear of the Antichrist stopping social restoration for fear that the antichrist might be behind it. Also the book of Revelations is so full of symbolism it's not clear. But we expect a terrible judgement before any good can come. That seems to be the root of the theology. The end is coming and hopefully we will avoid it via Christ's grace. bottom line the world is going to hell and there's nothing we can do about it. It's God's will that tribulation will come. . I disagree with this theology, for even Niniva was spared.

[JehovahsWitness]

I disagree with this theology, for even Niniva was spared.

Didn't God send someone, a human person to literally preach to the Ninivites? Hand didn't the Ninivites change their behaviour to be spared being destroyed (killed) ?

Are you suggesting there is a parallel with our present times?


Are Jehovah's Witnesses are modern day "Jonahs"?
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 795#937795


Further reading
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1102013260

[RightReason]

[Replying to post 3 by dio9]

Like Catholics don't seem to care if anyone joins them

Ridiculous. Every single day ever single mass the Church prays for the conversion of souls and our separated brethren.

I was raised catholic

Are you sure?

and it was all rituals and practice.

Then you were incorrectly taught the faith.

Are there unique evangelical rituals and practices?

We’re all called to evangelize. There are as many different ways to go about this are there are people. Some take a more quiet witness approach. Some proclaim the gospel from the pulpit.

[RightReason]

[Replying to post 6 by dio9]

look for the rapture for example don't get left behind

The popular rapture movement is actually bad theology. It is actually unscriptural at least as it is betrayed by those popular “Left Behind� series books.

[PinSeeker]

I said that "mainline Christians, by contrast tend to preach by example, not words. And they leave the fate of non-believers to the love and mercy of God".

That in contrast to Evangelicals.

Maybe you consider Evangelicals "mainline" I don't. By "mainline" I was referring to Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, and "progressive" as you say, Protestant denominations..

I know exactly what you said. No need to waste bandwidth by re-stating it.

So now it's double-hooey.

Ohhhh... I guess I'll get dinged by a mod or two for that...