I’ve received questions asking, “What is a ‘moderate Christian?’” First, let me separate the two words because it is not moderately being a Christian, but being a Christian who has a moderate or middle of the road or sitting on fences world view.
We hear so much from the “Christian Right” (which by the way is neither in my opinion) and how they are judging, excluding and overlooking the very people Christians are to serve as evidenced in Jesus’ life on earth. We hear so much from them because they are trying to take over the political system to further their power and beliefs. I’m all for sharing my beliefs, but not forcing them. “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words,” St Francis of Assisi.
Now, what it means – according to me. I grew up Baptist and still hold Baptist beliefs (while attending a Methodist church because that is where my wife and I feel God wants us to be). Many of the following thoughts are traditional, unchanged Baptist doctrine – not the creeds some want to sign and enforce.
Jesus Christ – born of a virgin, died, rose and lives.
Priesthood of the Believer – I believe that every person has a connection with God through prayer. Jesus and the Holy Spirit enable this link.
The Bible – God’s revelation of Himself to us. God used divinely inspired men to write it.
Meeting human needs – we are called to minister to those who need help.
Sanctity of human life – I am for life. I also think the government shouldn’t tell people what to do on a personal level.
Creationism – How God did it be it through big bang, evolution, whatever doesn’t matter. Interesting discussion and learning about science but that initial spark, the action that set it all in motion came from God.
Environmentalism – God created the world. We are earth’s stewards and must take care of what God has given us responsibly.
Life – there are so many applications here that it could fill pages. Wine and alcoholic beverages – drink them if you want to, just don’t get drunk or lose control of yourself.
Freedom of religion – the government shall make no law prohibiting or enforcing a religion.
Worship – worshipping God can happen anywhere at anytime. You don’t have to be in a specific location, just a specific state of mind.
Love – God loves all his creations more than we can imagine.
Grace – God’s grace is freely available to all who ask through Jesus.
The above post also now appears under the “defined” link above.
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February 28, 2007 at 1:43 pm
totaltransformation
I am with you on most of your post except for the following:
“I am for life. I also think the government shouldn’t tell people what to do on a personal level.”
I wrestled with this issue for MANY years. For a long time I considered myself a pro-choice Christian. I held a similar view point that who are we to tell people about this kind of thing. I even went on to assuage any guilt I might have by concluding that these children get a go to heaven free pass (so aren’t they luckier than us in a way?).
The more I thought about it though the more I couldn’t justify my position. After all, who will stand up for those without a voice, if we as Christians won’t? But it is hard to stand up for them, what do you say to the “my body, my choice” slogan? After all it is easy to go along with the slogan, “If you don’t like abortions, don’t have one.”
But it wasn’t even two centuries ago that southerners held millions of black slaves. These men and women cost their owners $36,000 or more (if currency is set at today’s value) and ending slavery would cost the slaveowners BILLIONS of dollars even then. Yet men and women of faith were strong enough to speak up for the weak and powerless human chattels that labored in pain and poverty.
Even then, far too often, throughout the ante-bellum south pastors justified slavery on the belief that as long as a master was humane the institution could be worked to religious advantage- and was often considered a positive good. So this kind of rationalization is nothing new under the sun.
We must be careful not to share the same rationalization. It is easy, and socially much safer, to say “well to each their own choice.” But we should never forget that when innocent life is involved, we have an obligation as Christians to stand up for that life. Especially when the child can’t speak for themselves.
My apologies as I’ve gone on for quite a while. I like your blog, I will keep checking in.
J. Kaiser
February 28, 2007 at 2:19 pm
kirksquips
Great brief summary of a Christian view. I, too, grew up Baptist; however, there are things that I feel they get hung up on. For example, the whole wine issue: Jesus turned water into a special grape juice. The idea is that wine is evil, so how could Jesus create evil from water? I had to search Scripture and found that wine is not evil. What you do with it can be…
You said, “Worship – worshipping God can happen anywhere at anytime. You don’t have to be in a specific location, just a specific state of mind.” I don’t think true worship can be done alone. Perhaps inspiration, or revelation, but not worship. I believe the Bible shows true worship in the company of other believers or witnesses, never alone. I hope I made sense!
March 6, 2007 at 6:54 am
totaltransformation
Don’t worry, wine isn’t evil. The issue is drinking in moderation. I personally don’t like ANY kind of alcohol so it isn’t a problem for me either way.
March 6, 2007 at 6:32 pm
ashli
you should tag this Baptist, too. might start more discussion.
March 7, 2007 at 8:41 pm
bubear0103
I, too, am a fellow moderate Baptist. However, I hold fast to the belief that the government has the right to tell people not to take another human being’s life–no matter how small or fragile that human being might be.
March 8, 2007 at 8:43 pm
dadinaught6
Bubear, I struggle with the abortion issue. Too often it is a divisive issue. To me it’s one of those that doesn’t mean we can’t agree that fewer abortions need to take place and we could work together toward that goal.
March 10, 2007 at 6:29 am
dadinaught6
As this discussion goes, I want to make it clear that MY definition of being moderate and Christian is just that, mine. It does not have to fit anyone else’s, who may also be a moderate and a Christian. I’m not in the business of prescribing my beliefs as the only way to think.
I like discussion, it challenges my thoughts and has changed my mind.
I look at the abortion issue this way; I’m against abortion. But also, neither my wife nor I would want a daughter forced to have a vaccine (for those unfamiliar with the situation in Texas, the governor, Rick Perry, signed a mandate that all 6th grade girls get this vaccine to prevent the spread of the sexually transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer; by the way, the salesman who helped push the vaccine is a former chief of staff for the Perry administration). So, my view is I don’t want the government telling me either way. Morally, I guess I’d be happy if abortions were illegal and permitted only in certain/extreme circumstances. I’d support legislation making abortion an illegal form of birth control.
Yes, government laws do help the general population (seatbelts, speed limits, consumer safety laws) so I guess I’m kinda hypocritical at times…hey, it’s called riding fences.