What exactly is general mainstream evangelical Christian theology?

[Ana Dragule]

What exactly constitutes general mainstream evangelical Christian theology?

[Cow Poke]

That's actually an interesting question, but not so easy to answer.

For example, what is "mainstream".

I would think that Lutherans and Methodists were "mainstream", but the Pastors of two of the larger local Lutheran Churches, a Methodist Church, and a Presbyterian Church just had a public forum a few weeks ago in my town whereby they made it clear that they are approving of ordination of GLBTXQPJNS ministers (one of them has a homosexual youth minister) and the concept that "God has provided many paths to himself", making Jesus a liar for claiming He is the only way to the Father. Further, they pretty much redefined "the Trinity" as being "faith, hope and love", and declared that all religions "of the Abrahamic Tradition", including Christianity, Judaism and Islam, are legitimate paths to God.

[Bill the Cat]

That's actually an interesting question, but not so easy to answer.

For example, what is "mainstream".

I would think that Lutherans and Methodists were "mainstream", but the Pastors of two of the larger local Lutheran Churches, a Methodist Church, and a Presbyterian Church just had a public forum a few weeks ago in my town whereby they made it clear that they are approving of ordination of GLBTXQPJNS ministers (one of them has a homosexual youth minister) and the concept that "God has provided many paths to himself", making Jesus a liar for claiming He is the only way to the Father. Further, they pretty much redefined "the Trinity" as being "faith, hope and love", and declared that all religions "of the Abrahamic Tradition", including Christianity, Judaism and Islam, are legitimate paths to God.

[Cow Poke]

Yeah, this is part of why we're about to launch a new Ministerial Alliance in our area, because we can no longer be part of this mess.

[Cerebrum123]

That's actually an interesting question, but not so easy to answer.

For example, what is "mainstream".

I would think that Lutherans and Methodists were "mainstream", but the Pastors of two of the larger local Lutheran Churches, a Methodist Church, and a Presbyterian Church just had a public forum a few weeks ago in my town whereby they made it clear that they are approving of ordination of GLBTXQPJNS ministers (one of them has a homosexual youth minister) and the concept that "God has provided many paths to himself", making Jesus a liar for claiming He is the only way to the Father. Further, they pretty much redefined "the Trinity" as being "faith, hope and love", and declared that all religions "of the Abrahamic Tradition", including Christianity, Judaism and Islam, are legitimate paths to God.

Anyone calling themselves a Christian that thinks that Islam is a "legitimate path to God" is completely .

[Cow Poke]

Anyone calling themselves a Christian that thinks that Islam is a "legitimate path to God" is completely .

I think these guys (pastors - and not just "guys"*) are so desperate to be "relevant" to society that they give up their calling from God - if they ever had one. As we have demonstrated before, these Churches that seek to be "relevant" ("inclusive"?) are dying, and those Churches that continue to preach the Word of God with authority are holding their own or growing.

So, it goes back to "what is mainstream"? Are there enough of these watered down Churches that they are considered the "mainstream", just like the "mainstream media" has lost it's way?



*one of them is a lesbian

[rogue06]

I think these guys (pastors - and not just "guys"*) are so desperate to be "relevant" to society that they give up their calling from God - if they ever had one. As we have demonstrated before, these Churches that seek to be "relevant" ("inclusive"?) are dying, and those Churches that continue to preach the Word of God with authority are holding their own or growing.

So, it goes back to "what is mainstream"? Are there enough of these watered down Churches that they are considered the "mainstream", just like the "mainstream media" has lost it's way?



*one of them is a lesbian

They seem to be affected by the societal need to be perceived as being "cool" as being more important than anything else.

[Cow Poke]

They seem to be affected by the societal need to be perceived as being "cool" as being more important than anything else.

Menpleasers.

"Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart"

[NorrinRadd]

Ana asked about mainstream *Evangelical* Xianity. I'm not sure all -- or maybe any -- of the examples cited so far qualify as "Evangelical."

Evangelicalism at Wikipedia.

Evangelicalism at Theopedia.

I have generally viewed belief in the "born again" experience and belief in Biblical inerrancy as the two most consistent defining traits of Evangelicalism.

[Cow Poke]

Ana asked about mainstream *Evangelical* Xianity. I'm not sure all -- or maybe any -- of the examples cited so far qualify as "Evangelical."

Evangelicalism at Wikipedia.

Evangelicalism at Theopedia.

I have generally viewed belief in the "born again" experience and belief in Biblical inerrancy as the two most consistent defining traits of Evangelicalism.

The point is that some of the "mainstream" churches of today were, at one time, evangelical.

[TheWall]

That is some serious heresy.

[mossrose]

It's the same here. The United Church and the Anglican Church, once strong evangelical denominations, have descended into heresy. I fear that many of the other denominations will soon follow as they pursue "feel-good" and social gospels.

[Ana Dragule]

Ana asked about mainstream *Evangelical* Xianity. I'm not sure all -- or maybe any -- of the examples cited so far qualify as "Evangelical."

Evangelicalism at Wikipedia.

Evangelicalism at Theopedia.

I have generally viewed belief in the "born again" experience and belief in Biblical inerrancy as the two most consistent defining traits of Evangelicalism.

How is the born again part different between evangelical and non evangelical churches?

[TheWall]

It seems to me that people are saying that christianity is a means to an end rather than the covenant relationship that is supposed to flow over into all aspects of our lives.

When you make it a means and not the truth then christianity becomes a meaningless ahadow that anybody can twist as they desire.

[rogue06]

Ana asked about mainstream *Evangelical* Xianity. I'm not sure all -- or maybe any -- of the examples cited so far qualify as "Evangelical."

Evangelicalism at Wikipedia.

Evangelicalism at Theopedia.

I have generally viewed belief in the "born again" experience and belief in Biblical inerrancy as the two most consistent defining traits of Evangelicalism.

Evangelical means different things to different people, sort of like fundamentalist does. There are liberal evangelicals and there are conservative evangelicals.