No, Mrs. Don-o I didn’t mean that. I consider the Trinity to be hokum. What we do know from the Bible is that Jesus Christ is Jehovah and the Creator. We also know that there were many faithful believers prior to Moses and thus the 10 Commandments. What faith tradition did they follow and how was Salvation garnered unto them? Clearly, Christianity as defined by God and not man had to exist prior to Adam and Eve. If Christianity is the doctrine of Salvation and reconciliation to God then the foregoing must be true.
As an aside, I don’t mind that you believe what you want to and respect your right to conscience. I just don’t want to mislead you into thinking that I am a Trinitarian Christian.
As to Peter and “this rock” you’re confusing and conflating two Greek words that don’t mean the same thing. In doing so you confuse the very purpose of Jesus’ words. If by the Church you mean the Catholic Church then we’re not talking about the same Church. I mean the Church of Jesus Christ which predates the Catholic Church by millenia.
Regarding polygyny (not polygamy - God’s always defined marriage as between a man and a woman/women and never as anything else) it has been at times acceptable to God. We shouldn’t assume that the natural fallen state of men precludes good plygynist marriages. The counter factual is the amount of strife in monogamous marriages along with the amount of strife in all human relationships. We have to compare our worst with their worst and our best with their best. Many polygynist marriages work very well and the women in them praise it as a benefit.
Furthermore, that “hardness of heart” has always been among us humans and it continues today. How many hate homosexuals as opposed to homosexuality? They are, if they are Christians, under greater condemnation than the homosexual who sins in ignorance. Christ’s message is clearly to the sinner and that the sinner may be reconciled, though the sin never be.
This issue will be won by defining marriage as a sacrament between a man and a woman, while at the same time showing the greatest compassion for those disposed to lifestyles not in keeping with God’s definition of marriage.
hm? ....You make some very interesting points.
What is the name of you denomination. I would be interested in learning more about their beliefs.
Honestly. Go for a nap and the thread explodes!
As you know, I respectfully disagree with you on the trinity. Not exactly smart, but my CO says it is, so it is.
You nailed it.
I truly hate the phrase “hate the sin but love the sinner” as it has, in my experience, been used badly. You hit what it should mean - not what it often means.