Christian BoyLove Forum #60083
I attend a pentecostal church.
Traditionally pentecostal theology is weak at best and much more experiential... this IS changing slowly... so it's difficult to put pentecostals in a theological grouping these days. Having studied, I have a lot more systematic theology than MOST of my peers at church. For myself... I'm quite thorougly Reformist and Calvinist. I believe in the Nicean Creed. I tend to be somewhat neo-orthodox in regards to Scripture... I see it as a work of God AND a work of man. In that sense I'm happy to accept it has human flaws whilst still seeing it as effective as God's authoritative word. Ultimately I see Scripture as a witness to the true Word of God, Jesus.... and I see that the witness is only effective as God speaks to us through it by His Holy Spirit. Traditonally, Pentecostals are fundamentalists, legalists and dispensationalist... I am non of these. Though I do belive that God's grace and mercy is given to us in a word (ie: scriputre) which is commanding in style. Thus I am considered conservative... though not by my conservative peers, to whom I seem quite liberal. I am a creationist and take all historical/narrative sections of Scripture as describing events that really took place. I look forward to an iminent appearing of Jesus and a final judgement of all men.... followed by a new heavens and earth where we will enjoy eternity. I am moderate preterest... meaning that I see many of the propheised events of the NT and OT (including Revelation) as already having been fulfilled. I do believe in a signs and wonders manifestation of the Holy Spirit and have witnessed and experieced healings, gifts of tongues, words of knowledge, prophesy etc... I don't believe in guareenteed healing or in the Word of Faith movement. I believe in a universal, invisible church (that means we humans can't pick the genuine members from the false ones - cf: wheat and tares parable), that is non-denominational. I believe in the authority of the ministers of that church to preach the gospel and lead God's people to stability and maturity in Christ. Blessings Cat. |