The "Are you a ...-ist ?" question

[will]

Are you a Calvinist? Arminian?
Dispensational? Reformed?
Free-Grace? Lordship?

Why some Christians I talk to always ask me this question?

Why isn't "I'm a disciple of Jesus the Christ, I study the Scriptures" good enough of an answer?

If you are one of those who pose that questions to others, I'd love to hear your reasonings.

 

[s.i.e.]

Is there a problem with someone asking such a question? Is it faux pas or something?

It may be a way for someone to get to know you, and start a conversation.

 

[dannibear]

I used to get that question a lot. People would ask me, what kind
of Christian are you? I didn't even know a lot about denominations
so I responded 'Um...a christian christian?' lol.
But after a while when I learned about denominations, and they
would ask that question and then go on a debate about why
my views are not correct and so on, I decided to use an answer
similar to yours as well. I would respond 'follower of Christ' and
they didn't really give me much bother about it. Sometimes
people honestly ask to see if they have something in common,
but if they are really trying to get to know you, follower of Christ,
etc. is good enough for them.

 

[Brother Mike]

What type are you??

Came looking for a bible study..... Is this a poll or something, what is this???

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[rizen1]

Why was it that the first word to come to mind was racist ...lol
I don't know maybe because it's an area I'm waiting to here more christians discuss.

Anyways I call myself a disciple of Jesus. Such foolish questions are only to start debates. It's better the person tell me their beliefs and if I choose to be entertained or curious I will start a discussion.

All these labels causes division and it's only when we remove these labels and stereotypes we can fellowship. Come together as individuals denominationless ( if that's a word hehehe ) without bias so we can have fruitful bible study seeking the truth.

John 4
19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Next time you're in that situation, after you answer them, you must ask..

Do you worship in spirit and in truth ?

for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 

[s.i.e.]

Such foolish questions are only to start debates.

perhaps, but more often than not, Jesus walked right into debates. At a minimum, the Bible doesn't portray a Jesus that shyed away from them.

It's just that He had the kind of answers that left both sides out or sorts, or speechless. And He didn't do that to try to be cool either.

 

[rizen1]

perhaps, but more often than not, Jesus walked right into debates. At a minimum, the Bible doesn't portray a Jesus that shyed away from them.

It's just that He had the kind of answers that left both sides out or sorts, or speechless. And He didn't do that to try to be cool either.

You are right Jesus walked into debates, they challenged him knowing and hoping he'd say the opposite to expose him as a false prophet. They weren't asking to gain knowledge.

Matthew 15

1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,

2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;

6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

As for such foolish questions are meant to start debates..that might sound harsh but put 10 christians in a room and ask that question. Some will leave that room enemies.

 

[RJ]

Are you a Calvinist? Arminian?
Dispensational? Reformed?
Free-Grace? Lordship?

Why some Christians I talk to always ask me this question?

Why isn't "I'm a disciple of Jesus the Christ, I study the Scriptures" good enough of an answer?

If you are one of those who pose that questions to others, I'd love to hear your reasonings.

I am not one of those that pose this question.

I currently go to a Presbyterian church and we are always taught that we are a reformed church. I think it upsets my Pastor when I say I don't care about that and also that I am a Christian first then a Presbyterian second....maybe even third, lol! There are some important aspects associated with Calvinism, Arminians, Dispensationalist, etc., etc., etc..
but this is also the kind of stuff that has lead to so many different Christian Churches.

I agree with your question and that's basically how I feel too!

 

[will]

Came looking for a bible study..... Is this a poll or something, what is this???

Jesus Is Lord.

Brother Mike,

That question on what kind of Christian you are often stop people from having a *real* bible study. Instead they launch into debates.

The less people are concerned with defending certain doctrines or denomination, the more they can concentrate on putting their heads together to gain *personal* understanding of the Scriptures.

I write this post because it is about Bible Study, it's about getting to the heart of the matter. A lot of Christians (especially new ones) are sucked right into the vortex of "denomination banner"-ism that benefits them none at all.

If you never witness this kind of distraction in your circle of influence, then you are truly blessed. I have and I long for a discussion on how to curb it.

I hope I've made my intention clearer now.

 

[will]

As for such foolish questions are meant to start debates..that might sound harsh but put 10 christians in a room and ask that question. Some will leave that room enemies.

Yet some Christians will not talk to you unless you answer those kind of questions. I was so surprised when I was asked the first time. The immediate answer that came to mind was "what does that have to do with anything?" but the brother kept insisting to know what my positions are on certain doctrines.

Needless to say I wasn't going anywhere with that conversation.

And you are absolutely right, it only takes one person making that a main question to disrupt a Bible study class. I've seen that also.

So how do we handle that situation? I'm not looking for a counter argument, because that will only make the matter worse.

 

[will]

Why was it that the first word to come to mind was racist ...lol
I don't know maybe because it's an area I'm waiting to here more christians discuss.

My bad, I don't know how to make the question less confusing
But it is a discussion that is very pertinent to Christians discussing the Bible, is it not?

Next time you're in that situation, after you answer them, you must ask..

Do you worship in spirit and in truth ?

for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Okay, but what does that mean in real life? Of course the asker would say that he/she is also worship in spirit and truth. How can that change the course of the discussion if the other would come right back to the denominational doctrinal?

 

[will]

Is there a problem with someone asking such a question? Is it faux pas or something?

It may be a way for someone to get to know you, and start a conversation.

S.i.e,

How have you been, bro?

The problem with that question is that it frames the whole discussions.

Once you answer with your position regarding those divisions, the whole conversation will become either a debate, or a short one because the asker usually is not interested in learning about the Scriptures because his/her position already supplied the answers.

Contrast this with what is commanded to us as believers to do:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2.

There are a *lot* of things that we can discuss about how to accomplish the above without invoking any of the denominational mantras. We live in a fallen and dark world, we need to look out for each other and put our heads together, not debate each other.

Furthermore, we are commissioned to make disciples, not pull people into man-established doctrine silos.

Yes, I understand that none of us are going to agree on everything 100%, but that's where personal relationship with the Lord comes into the picture.

The only thing that matters is that we grow in our understanding of Him through the study of His Words. The changing of perspectives and mindset can only happen through God the Holy Spirit's illumination, and it happens to us at the personal level, not collectively (which is what religions are about).

 

[s.i.e.]

S.i.e,

How have you been, bro?

thanks for your thoughts will. Appreciate it, man.

 

[rizen1]

There can never be a rule book on how to handle these situations, because you're not only dealing with a denomination difference but a human. Who may have trust issues associated with other denominations, abuse etc. Human emotions are always connected to discussions. There's always a motivational factor to anything we do or say..good or bad.

Originally Posted by rizen1
Next time you're in that situation, after you answer them, you must ask..

Do you worship in spirit and in truth ?

for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Okay, but what does that mean in real life? Of course the asker would say that he/she is also worship in spirit and truth. How can that change the course of the discussion if the other would come right back to the denominational doctrinal?

If the person says yes that would be the point of the question, because if they're trying to convince you to go to this mountain, that valley and go over the monkey bars to worship God then they have to admit the whole conversation as irrelevant. Jesus made it very clear about people's special places of worship.

John 4
19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Never let anyone ambush you, study the bible and learn why you believe what you believe. Nothing is wrong with fruitful bible study among different believers but the end must lead to correction if error is found.

When faced in this situation don't answer instead ask the person if they'd like to have bible study. This separates the person who is seeking and who wants confusion. If the person is being persistent you tell them you rather speak from the scripture than it be your own words. A sincere person would wait on you. I would wait , I personally hate when people say " Well my pastor said this, or from my understanding " Bring your bible lets talk so I can learn.



I have no patience for he say she say..just tell me what the bible says

 

[RJ]

Brother Mike,

That question on what kind of Christian you are often stop people from having a *real* bible study. Instead they launch into debates.

The less people are concerned with defending certain doctrines or denomination, the more they can concentrate on putting their heads together to gain *personal* understanding of the Scriptures.

I write this post because it is about Bible Study, it's about getting to the heart of the matter. A lot of Christians (especially new ones) are sucked right into the vortex of "denomination banner"-ism that benefits them none at all.

If you never witness this kind of distraction in your circle of influence, then you are truly blessed. I have and I long for a discussion on how to curb it.

I hope I've made my intention clearer now.

I share you opinion.
There may be parts of me that are Calvanist or Reformed but to the extreme , as a Doctrinism, is not for me; I agree with you, why not just be a Christian, read the Scripture and let Christ talk to you.

I too have got traped into defending myself with a doctrinal exteremist; my main goal is to have others reading ( perhaps a young Christian) not get caught in a trap or be swayed by untruth.

Here is an example and how I look at it.

I think first, that most that I have had some heated discussions with and, I apologize if this upsets anyone, but most have been Academics. I have seen too many with Dr. behind their name be way off base. Let me add that their are many Phd's out there that have it completely right.

I will say this as a solid second when it comes to Doctrinism, if it can have or result in a negative outcome, I would seriously suspect it as not being of God. Here is just two examples:
1. Baptism by water required for salvation.
2. Election: you are elected by God for salvation and you have no say in it.



I am full aware of scriptures that could lead someone to think or teach others that these two are required for salvation. Here is my response:

• Right off the bat, if there is anything that we are required to do in order to be save is legalism, living under the Old Covenant of the "Law" and not living under the New Covenant of God's full grace.
• Either one can lead to a negative and bondage to the untruth, which satan absolutely loves! Here is the bondage problem:

You can take either one but, let's take salvation by Water Baptism.

Let me clarify that Water Baptism can be a very wonderful experience, in fact I was Water Baptised when I was 7 yrs. old. Also, it is very possible for one to be filled with the Holy Spirit and saved during the process of being immersed, I was not.
Do it because Christ did it, do it as an outward expression of internal commitment but, make no mistake, water has nothing to do with it! If it did, then man would have to do it and that would be legalism or the law of doing all over again.
The bondage and untruth comes in when you haven't done it yet or have done it and don't think that you are saved for any number of reasons. If satan can convince you that you are not saved because you did not perform a requirement or did not do it correct, then that is not saved by God's free gift of Grace and the devil wins!

The same goes for election. For many of the same reasons, the feeling of not being elected or worse being told you haven't been elected is another lie from satan!

Pray and read the Bible. If you come to the conclusion that a certain precept or doctrine can lead to a negative, much worse bondage, you can rest in the knowledge that it is not of God and should be avoided.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.