"We do not major on the minors." Is it cliche?

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We are still in our search for a church (location not to be given) :D

My wife and I attended a membership class and were really close to joining a church.

During the membership class, the pastor said, a few times, "We do not major on the minors." It was said in the context of dispensationalism/covenant theology.

At lunch my wife and I had an opportunity to sit down with the pastor and I asked, "We know that you do not major on the minors. We totally agree. However, we have a question, 'What are the majors?'"

My question for the forum is, "What are your majors?" No need to give a paragraph for each belief. Just give us what you think are the top 3-5 majors for you.
 
Wow! What a great post Mr. Admin [groaning overheard] hehehe....

Here is my list of what are majors in what I seek in a church:

1) Commitment to the Doctrines of Grace
2) Clear, expositional preaching
3) Strong discipleship ministry
 
admin said:
We are still in our search for a church (location not to be given) :D

My wife and I attended a membership class and were really close to joining a church.

During the membership class, the pastor said, a few times, "We do not major on the minors." It was said in the context of dispensationalism/covenant theology.

At lunch my wife and I had an opportunity to sit down with the pastor and I asked, "We know that you do not major on the minors. We totally agree. However, we have a question, 'What are the majors?'"

My question for the forum is, "What are your majors?" No need to give a paragraph for each belief. Just give us what you think are the top 3-5 majors for you.
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The creeds. :)
 
1. Salvation by grace through faith alone
2. Bibically sound doctrine
3. Love for the saint and sinner alike
 
FSSL said:
rsc2a said:
The creeds. :)
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Ha! We cannot let you slide! What creeds? Everything in those creeds are majors?
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Apostle's Creed.
Nicene Creed.
Athanasian Creed.
Chalcedonian Creed.

And, yes, I consider everything in them to be majors.



For those that are unfamiliar with the Creeds:

Apostle's Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Athanasian Creed. - Basically denies Arianism.
Chalcedonian Creed. - Basically affirms the hypostatic union.

 
Those are certainly majors, but do you hold any distinctions that would separate you from the Roman Catholic, Episcopalian or Lutherans who also affirm the entirety of those?
 
Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 
FSSL said:
Those are certainly majors, but do you hold any distinctions that would separate you from the Roman Catholic, Episcopalian or Lutherans who also affirm the entirety of those?
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Not really. He believes just about everything there is to believe in one shape or another. Unless.....you happen to the one that believes it. Then, you don't quite understand it as good as he does.
 
FSSL said:
Those are certainly majors, but do you hold any distinctions that would separate you from the Roman Catholic, Episcopalian or Lutherans who also affirm the entirety of those?
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If there were no other churches around, I would attend a RCC church although I have significant issues with their doctrine. I wouldn't have much of a problem with a Lutheran church or an Orthodox church. None of these would be my first choice (well, a Lutheran one might be), but I wouldn't refuse to attend if those were my only options.

Doctrinally, I'm a bit of a mutt (denominationally-speaking) but probably closest to a non-cessationist Baptyterian with a healthy respect for Anglicanism and Orthodox beliefs.
 
christundivided said:
FSSL said:
Those are certainly majors, but do you hold any distinctions that would separate you from the Roman Catholic, Episcopalian or Lutherans who also affirm the entirety of those?
Click to expand...

Not really. He believes just about everything there is to believe in one shape or another. Unless.....you happen to the one that believes it. Then, you don't quite understand it as good as he does.
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Actually, I believe with the exception of the first couple chapters in Genesis, FSSL and I probably have a lot in common doctrinally. ;)
 
Oh, I thought the OP title was another thread about Jack Schaap...

:o
 
rsc2a said:
christundivided said:
FSSL said:
Those are certainly majors, but do you hold any distinctions that would separate you from the Roman Catholic, Episcopalian or Lutherans who also affirm the entirety of those?
Click to expand...

Not really. He believes just about everything there is to believe in one shape or another. Unless.....you happen to the one that believes it. Then, you don't quite understand it as good as he does.
Click to expand...

Actually, I believe with the exception of the first couple chapters in Genesis, FSSL and I probably have a lot in common doctrinally. ;)
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Yeah... right. How about starting with infant baptism.... since you feel right at home in a Lutheran or Greek Orthodox church.
 
Smellin Coffee said:
Oh, I thought the OP title was another thread about Jack Schaap...

:o
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Please warn us to not take a sip of coffee when you post such stuff!!!
 
rsc2a said:
Actually, I believe with the exception of the first couple chapters in Genesis, FSSL and I probably have a lot in common doctrinally. ;)
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You have piqued my interest. Do want to discuss the first two chapters of Genesis, on a thread, with no one intervening?
 
christundivided said:
rsc2a said:
christundivided said:
FSSL said:
Those are certainly majors, but do you hold any distinctions that would separate you from the Roman Catholic, Episcopalian or Lutherans who also affirm the entirety of those?
Click to expand...

Not really. He believes just about everything there is to believe in one shape or another. Unless.....you happen to the one that believes it. Then, you don't quite understand it as good as he does.
Click to expand...

Actually, I believe with the exception of the first couple chapters in Genesis, FSSL and I probably have a lot in common doctrinally. ;)
Click to expand...

Yeah... right. How about starting with infant baptism.... since you feel right at home in a Lutheran or Greek Orthodox church.
Click to expand...

What about infant baptism?
 
FSSL said:
rsc2a said:
Actually, I believe with the exception of the first couple chapters in Genesis, FSSL and I probably have a lot in common doctrinally. ;)
Click to expand...

You have piqued my interest. Do want to discuss the first two chapters of Genesis, on a thread, with no one intervening?
Click to expand...

Sure. :)

How do you want to start the conversation?
 
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