We offer the following list as a definition of what Traditional Christians share in common:
- Adhere to the Nicene Creed.
- An active member of a Christian community that models itself upon the Early Church (male leadership, scripture readings, regular communion, and trinitarian baptism).
- A supporter of private property and the rule of law.
- Complementarian and patriarchal.
- A promoter of the common good and believer in natural law.
- Sola gratia and a rejection of antinomianism and legalism.
- Biblical inerrancy and belief that scripture is the revealed word of God
laursaurus
February 4, 2012
Hi! I’m new to this blog. I convert to Catholicism as an adult and completely love my renewed Christian faith (I was raised going to Methodist or Presbyterian churches on a semi-regular basis). The 2 years spent learning about and embracing the traditions and doctrine were the beginning of my spiritual rebirth.
Any who, I have a question about Biblical inerrancy. According to my handy-dandy browser extension dictionary tool, it is defined as “exempt from error” and “not prone to error.” Do you mean a literal interpretation of the Bible? For instance, the book of Genesis can be revealed truth about human nature and the wedge sin creates between ourselves and God. But understand the message was not intended to be a scientific or historically factual text book.
“To begin with, we should always be disposed to follow the teaching authority of the Church. We should also consult renowned Bible scholars who are experts in Hebrew literature. Sometimes, it is secular science which gives Christians the lead to reconsider their Bible understanding. The discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo made Christians aware that Genesis 1 is not a sacred lesson in science but a poem on creation (no. 7). Most scientists hold that the human species has developed somehow from lower kinds of life. This knowledge helped Christians to understand that Genesis 2 and 3 is not a lesson in Anthropology, but an allegory, teaching us the lesson that sin is the root of all evil.”
This is from the New American Bible, Saint Joseph Edition, in the introductory text (a very helpful resource I’ve found invaluable to appreciating Scripture. I only discovered this through becoming a Catholic and opening the Bible I was given).
Would this approach be acceptable to the position of Biblical inerrancy?
Thanks! I’d love to find a community of women who share my value of both Scripture and the pursuit of studying the beauty of His magnificent creation (which includes us!).
Alte
February 4, 2012
Do you mean a literal interpretation of the Bible?
We’re not all in agreement about that, actually. I don’t believe in a completely literal interpretation, and neither do some others, but some of the other people here do. This has long been a disagreement within Traditional Christianity, so we don’t consider it an exclusionary topic.
For reference: http://traditionalchristianity.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/the-immaterial-sciences/
laursaurus
February 5, 2012
OMG!
Thank you for linking that thread, Alte!
So wonderful to read individuals who are basically writing my thoughts
I accidentally stumbled into an atheist community online over the past few years. (Long story. Maybe another time). Actually, it is a “skeptic” group. But whatever theoretical difference between skepticism and atheism there is, the “community” no longer cares about the distinction. Occasionally one of the celebrity skeptics will bring up the topic, but it’s met with a lot of hostility. It’s sad though. Critical thinking is a valuable tool for evaluating many things. But it doesn’t prove that there’s no God.
I need a reality check. Most people perceive and can conceive God. They refuse to or can’t.There is nothing “wrong” with my thinking.
I’m going back to finish reading that thread. Thanks again!
This blog is pleasure to find.
Alte
February 5, 2012
You’re welcome.
SH
October 30, 2012
Trusting this message will reach Elspeth…your post on Traditionally Conservative Feminism was WONDERFUL. I have tried to explain the inroads feminism is making into churches to family members (conservative!) but they don’t get it…from now on I will just give them a copy of your post and say, “Read this!” God bless you and your work.