Posted on 09/04/2022 2:02:47 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Hard to believe, but not impossible.
It probably depends on what the question or arugument is being discussed and in what context.
IOW, polls and statistics can express what the poll taker wishes to say, based on leading questions.
Totally believable. Denominational pastors are behold to their denominations beliefs and practices, which in many cases can be, and many times are, non-biblical. Non-denominational are freer to hold to more biblical views.
Nondenomiational is a denomination. If you have core beliefs, then it is a denomination. No such thing as nondenominational. Just like saying you are non-partisan. BS! If you have core beliefs, then you come from a certain point of view which has biases. Other than that, it is a very interesting and not surprising article.
As it says in Revelation:
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.'
1. "Non-denomination" is a denomination. I once heard a Lutheran pastor say that "non-denominational" pastors are mostly Baptists who don't want to say so.
He could be right. Every "non-denominational" Christian I have met or heard speak sounded like some sort of Protestant evangelical dispensationalist.
2. A Catholic, a Lutheran, a Greek Orthodox, a Pentecostal might all compile a different list of "Biblical Christian" ideas. Each will perform 100% Biblical on their own list, and all the others will fall short of 100%.
Yes, I'm sure Catholics are "less Biblical" by the standards of "non-denominational" pastors. But the latter are "less Biblical" by Catholic standards.
So what does that prove? Anything?
I get what you’re saying, but generally “non-denom” means you aren’t part of some broader church structure. The individual congregation is independent, the pastor answers only to his congregation and elders.
The specific questions quoted here are about the source for moral truth, abortion, and whether or not belief in Christ is necessary for salvation.
They didn’t go into issues that typically divide Christians.
From the linked survey results in the linked article:
One-third or more of senior pastors believe:
• Sexual relations between two unmarried people who believe they love each other is morally acceptable.
• Determining moral truth is up to each individual; there are no moral absolutes that apply to everyone, all the time.
• The Holy Spirit is not a living entity but is a symbol of God’s power, presence, or purity.
• Having faith matters more than which faith you have.
• Reincarnation is a real possibility.
• It is possible to reach complete spiritual maturity during our time on earth.
• A person who is generally good, or does enough good things for others, can earn a place in Heaven.
• They are willing to try just about anything once.
• Socialism is preferable to capitalism.
• Allowing property ownership facilitates economic injustice.
• The Bible is ambiguous in its teaching about abortion, enabling you to make a strong argument either for or against abortion based on biblical principles.
One-third or more of senior pastors do not believe:
• Human life is sacred.
• Wealth is entrusted to individuals to be managed for God’s purposes.
• Success is consistent obedience to God.
• People are born into sin and can only be saved from its consequences by Jesus Christ
. • They, personally, will experience eternal salvation only because they have personally confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their savior.
I did not see a complete list of 17 questions!
Thanks for posting this.
I suggest this goes beyond mere correlation to causation: It is a reasonable inference that those pastors chose nondenominational churches in order to avoid affiliating with groups maintaining views with which they disagree. I certainly would.
Most likely they’re told what to say.
I'm not a socialist, but that's not an unChristian belief.
I don't think God cares whether you're a socialist or a capitalist. Both can enter Heaven if they accept Christ and show it with their fruits.
Christ did say, pay your taxes. Paul said to obey Earthly authorities. There are limits, but for the most part, God is not concerned with partisan politics.
Interesting but weak. Interviewing pastors is fun but interviewing only 1000 is weak. Strong statistics need a minimum of 3000 interviews. Proof: 43% of Catholics interviewed believe in reincarnation. Empty stat. The good news is that America has numerous and strong pastors.
That goes right along with my experience. Non-denominational needs to seek out knowledge, not just read someone else’s
What is a biblical world view? And who decides if someone’s POV fits it?
It also depends on the Biblical interpretation applied by those judges. Perhaps they are somehow biased.
Except, of course, that Biblical interpretations will be varied among those “nondenominational”. That means they really cannot be lumped into a denomination having a specific dogma.
You usually see a church on every corner in those towns, each independent of the other.
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