At one point a few months ago, a reader complained (in comments in another blog) that I didn’t include my theology in my blog.\u00a0 At the time I decided not to because it was likely to generate more heat than light.<\/p>\n
When searching for and joining my church, I wrote the document below.\u00a0 It was both a tool for me to personally discern my beliefs and a document that I wrote to answer a potential question by the church about my beliefs.<\/p>\n
I present it to you now because it’s relatively quiet.\u00a0 I hope that any discussion will be civil. (And yes, the title is a play on the title of a Presbyterian document.)<\/p>\n
(You need to click the link below to see the whole thing if you’re reading directly on the blog.)<\/p>\n
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Unless such approvals come with the courses, their reliability factor makes a downturn, buy tadalafil australia<\/a> lacking genuineness in the content. Include foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids generic viagra<\/a> in combination with such drug products. Some may not be able to deal with medication side effects, or suffer from health conditions, hindering use of potent Kamagra tablets viagra tablets 20mg<\/a> in curing impotence. It is far less levitra prescription<\/a> extreme and has worked for most men globally. <\/span>Mark’s Reasonably Short Statement of Faith<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n I believe in God.\u00a0There is a central power that created the universe and continues to be involved in it to some degree of its own choosing.\u00a0This power is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.\u00a0God is generally benevolent, but He can really pack a punch when we\u2019ve gone off the tracks and need correction.<\/p>\n I believe in Jesus Christ.\u00a0I believe that Jesus was immaculately conceived and born as man by Mary under fantastic and humble circumstances.\u00a0I believe that Jesus is both a creation of God and a part of God.\u00a0I believe that Jesus was sent to earth to teach a two-part message \u2013 Love God and Love Each Other.\u00a0The path that this process took involved teaching, the gathering of followers (including the 12 Disciples), the performing of miracles, and finally the death on the cross and resurrection.<\/p>\n I believe in the Holy Spirit.\u00a0The Holy Spirit completes the triune nature of God.\u00a0The Spirit is responsible for breathing and continuing life in the continued worship and teachings of God.<\/p>\n I believe that man was created in God\u2019s image.\u00a0I also believe that in each of us there is good and sin in varying balance.\u00a0There is no human born who is completely sinful or completely free of sin \u2013 indeed, it is impossible to be without sin.\u00a0I believe that the purpose of Jesus\u2019 sacrifice is to redeem our sins for all eternity.\u00a0God does not give up on us, though from time to time we may give up on Him \u2013 wholly or in part.<\/p>\n I believe that Holy Scripture (defined as the books of the Holy Bible) is inspired by God.\u00a0I also believe that Holy Scripture has been filtered by man.\u00a0It is only through study of Scripture and the circumstances of those who wrote it that we can discern God\u2019s will for us today.<\/p>\n I believe that God calls us to commune together.\u00a0This is done for the purpose of worshipping God and to serve those in need.\u00a0I believe that God does not discriminate against any of his followers or those who may someday choose to follow him.\u00a0Indeed, I believe that the most humble among us have the most to give to the glory of God.\u00a0The highest forms of this communion are the Baptism into the life of Christ and community of believers, and the regular celebration of Eucharist as commanded by Christ.<\/p>\n God calls us to live a moral life.\u00a0The teachings of Jesus serve as the basis of that morality.\u00a0However, it is a sin for one person to believe that they know the One True Morality that Christ provides us.\u00a0It is impossible for us, in our sinful condition, to understand fully the life that God wants us to live.\u00a0We get close to the truth but from time to time, as a group, with more divine inspiration, we are able to discern a new understanding of God\u2019s will for us.\u00a0Indeed, it is only through a study of different beliefs that each of us can help to discern (as well as we can) what God wishes.<\/p>\n I believe that each of us has a calling to be a part of God\u2019s plan for the world.\u00a0For some that calling is to serve the Church, completely or part of the time.\u00a0For others that calling may be to serve a different function in human society \u2013 in part to be an example of Christ\u2019s love to all.\u00a0All calls are equally important to God.<\/p>\n