I don't understand the black-and-white thinking of either fundamentalist/cults that think theirs is the only true religion and non-believers that think every slight doctrinal difference represents an completely different religion (the cliche about 30,000 denominations). I think most reasonable people are able to see the difference between central issues, like the Resurrection, and peripheral ones, like believer baptism.
I really don't know the exact positions of various Christian members. It doesn't seem like the Reformed tradition is well represented. I think most of the more prominent members fall within the mainstream although I'm sure we represent the most common doctrinal differences or haven't taken firm positions. For example, I'm indifferent about annihilationism/universalism/eternal conscious torment (I lean towards ECT but think there is a very good Scriptural case for annihilation). Otherwise, I feel I have the least orthodox leanings. Perhaps because my path to the Christian faith has been more from the personal mystic direction, informed by philosophy, and less from that of any catechism or participation in a religious community.
The biggest difference is most likely how literal to take the biblical narrative with respect to topical issues like evolution/intelligent design/creationism. However, I'm pretty sure just about all of us, myself included are pro-Life, traditional marriage advocates. I haven't seen any liberal theology proponents. Just speculating, but I get the sense that people with liberal theologies are more attached to their political leanings than their religious convictions
I guess its not much different from politics with the extreme ends of the major parties demanding various litmus tests for ideological purity.
I really don't know the exact positions of various Christian members. It doesn't seem like the Reformed tradition is well represented. I think most of the more prominent members fall within the mainstream although I'm sure we represent the most common doctrinal differences or haven't taken firm positions. For example, I'm indifferent about annihilationism/universalism/eternal conscious torment (I lean towards ECT but think there is a very good Scriptural case for annihilation). Otherwise, I feel I have the least orthodox leanings. Perhaps because my path to the Christian faith has been more from the personal mystic direction, informed by philosophy, and less from that of any catechism or participation in a religious community.
The biggest difference is most likely how literal to take the biblical narrative with respect to topical issues like evolution/intelligent design/creationism. However, I'm pretty sure just about all of us, myself included are pro-Life, traditional marriage advocates. I haven't seen any liberal theology proponents. Just speculating, but I get the sense that people with liberal theologies are more attached to their political leanings than their religious convictions
I guess its not much different from politics with the extreme ends of the major parties demanding various litmus tests for ideological purity.
