Welcome to the forums! It's nice to have you here.

Yes, the people who put the main Christian Way site together believe that, as originally written, the Bible is God's Word and is completely correct. With that said, some translations are more accurate than others. Not everyone who posts on these forums is a member of Christian Way or even a Christian, so we see a range of beliefs systems represented here. For example, we have had postings by agnostics, born again Christians, Christian Scientists, and others. Our Christian participants come from a variety of denominations including Presbyterian, Baptist, and Lutheran, to name a few.

Personally, I do believe that heaven and hell are real places although I don't believe that "your actions choose where you go in your afterlife." If you'd like to discuss this further, I'd be happy to discuss it with you in the forum entitled Doctrinal and Bible Related Issues. We can also talk about things like communion and baptism there -- you might be surprised to hear that even Christians have some different opinions about what these sacraments mean.

I'd love to continue discussing your questions. Even if you choose not to register with the forums (and you are welcome to do so), it would be helpful if you make up a name so we can keep track of which anonymous poster you are.

Whether you choose to stay in CS or not, your questioning process is a great thing to do. Learning about the differences in denominations is something I wish I had done much sooner.

Linda's right that these responses belong in a different thread, but I started answering before that occurred to me. If this goes further, we should as she suggested.

The contributors to this forum represent several denominations and in some cases no denomination at all. I am a member of the Presbyterian Church in America. Most people think of the larger, more liberal Presbyterian Church (USA) when they think of Presbyterians.

We've recently had some intense postings with disagreements on these topics. I can only speak to what I believe and what I believe God has revealed in His word. I may be right or wrong.

The PCA is a traditional Presbyterian church that believes the Bible, in its original texts, to be God's in errant word. We are a Reform church following the Westminster Confession of Faith and generaly thought of as Calvinists. We do not accept the authority of human traditions. Those beliefs, however, are sometimes divisive with other Christian denominations that interpret the Bible otherwise. We are also often considered somewhat severe and radical in our Reform practices. I, of course, disagree with the severe image we have in some circles.

This is another doctrinal point that differentiates denominations. I believe that Heaven and Hell are real places as described in the Scriptures. Others believe them to only be allegories.

I do not believe that my actions determine my Eternal life. I believe that the Holy Spirit called me or others from our spiritual deaths to be the Elect. I am not capable of doing anything sufficient to warrant God choosing me for Heaven. For reasons known only to Him, He chooses those whom He forgives through the sacrifice He made in the death of Jesus Christ.

Not an easy question to answer because I'd like to know that myself. We have Presbyterians (at least I think I'm not the only one), Lutherans, Catholics, Jews, agnostics, and maybe even an atheist or two. These forums and the Christian Way web site are hosted as an outreach ministry of Calvary Community Chapel of Phoenix.

Denominations in this context, however, make little difference to me so long as we practice mutual respect and not make narrow claims of exclusivity. I only mention my denomination as a starting point. I truly encourage you to explore as many as interest you though also caution you there are some out there which follow the Bible even looser than CS.

Depending on the method of counting, there are something like 20,000 to 30,000 Christian denominations with each professing their understanding of God as something more aligned with God than the others. We can't all be right. I'm convinced I am wrong on many things, I just don't know what they are. I'm most comfortable where I am as its the most consistent with God's word that I've experienced, but would not try to convince you the PCA is the only church that has the official franchise on Heaven or that another is disenfranchised.

About half of Christian denominations do not acknowledge the Pope as the leader of the universal church. Most of us do, however, believe in taking Communion as The Lord's Supper. As a CSist, I too resisted that though that was due to my ignorance of its true meaning. Most of us also practice Baptism in some form though the mode, timing, and significance are topics of differentiation.

According to my beliefs, not a one of us can lead you in the right direction though we are certainly willing to come along side you and provide whatever assistance God would have us provide. That probably sounds like some deep theological copout, but I pray that you are led in the right direction. I commend to you reading the Bible beyond that suggested by the CS Lesson-Sermon and without relying on MBE's interpretations.

Do Go Be Man
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Welcome.

Your post raises many questions; to which Linda, Do Go & John have responded well. I was raised in CS as well & am now attending a non-denominational Christian fellowship.

All I would add is to ask you to consider the source. MBE states that the Bible is her only source. If that be true, then she would have no qualm about your studying beyond the "cherry-picked" verses found in the weekly lessons. Read the whole chapter of a given verse to find the true context.

For example, when I was in Sunday School as a youth, I remember the statement "God is Love" in bold letters upon the wall. In CS, much is built upon these three words. I found these words in 1John 4:8, but upon reading a little further, I found the context & definition of this "love" in verse 10: "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us & sent His Son to be the offering for our sins."

Verse 10 defines for us what God's love is, & it is different than the definition MBE assigns to it.

Thousands of years ago, God gave us His Book as a gift; I don't believe we need a man, a woman, or another book (or "key") to define it for us. Only His Holy Spirit.

Looking forward to further discussions.

zoarean