tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post7835115977076422901..comments2024-03-28T10:26:20.408-04:00Comments on Ponderings on a Faith Journey: Living Under the Big Tent --Christianity that is!Robert Cornwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-2803493959464655602010-08-13T08:38:06.912-04:002010-08-13T08:38:06.912-04:00Bob - I won't side-track too much, but I recal...Bob - I won't side-track too much, but I recall reading in a source that seemed credible at the time (not remembering what it was) that Thomas Campbell went to his grave a 5 point Calvinist. Where he differed, was that he didn't think it mattered if others were Calvinist. (Ironically, being faithful to Calvinism!) <br /><br />Of course, I could be wrong. You're the historian, but I do recall reading this from a source that seemed reliable at the time. <br /><br />Anyhoo -- I know this isn't the point so I'll stop talking about it now. :-)Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18396901667077846319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-84556722064023281282010-08-12T20:24:18.091-04:002010-08-12T20:24:18.091-04:00We should never forget we are all one. I like to t...We should never forget we are all one. I like to think including everyone is not thinking outside the box. Especially in our "ponderings". I ponder less on narrow sectarian stuff.David Mcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-6182698901833357072010-08-12T18:57:12.939-04:002010-08-12T18:57:12.939-04:00Glenn, you raise a good question. It would seem t...Glenn, you raise a good question. It would seem that for the pole to stand upright, it will have to find balance on the ropes to the side.<br /><br />David, although there are a variety of ways of approaching it, for a big tent Christianity to work there must be at some point a confession of Christ to be the unique principle of the faith. We share the God of Abraham at the very least with Judaism and I would add Islam.<br /><br />Brian, I'm not sure how Calvinist Campbell was, but he did affirm it as a given -- as did Paul. The question is, will we live it out?Robert Cornwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-44414993026336257422010-08-12T17:41:12.581-04:002010-08-12T17:41:12.581-04:00I noticed you added, -"Christianity that is!&...I noticed you added, -"Christianity that is!".<br /><br />Shouldn't the center pole be the God of Abraham (even God the father if you prefer) Himself? Such a move might prove very interesting. I've seen tents with 3 central poles by the way. Blasphemy or love of neighbor? It's getting to the point where some Christian churches and their standard rhetoric look alien and wrong to each other anyway. How about a God of Love church to distinguish it from the hateful, vengeful version?David Mcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-8009289959991132362010-08-12T15:46:58.302-04:002010-08-12T15:46:58.302-04:00I find helpful Thomas Campbell's idea that Chr...I find helpful Thomas Campbell's idea that Christianity is already unified, we just don't get it yet. Of course, he comes from a Calvinist point of view. <br /><br />The reason I find this helpful is because without this thought, working for unity would be exhausting....and bordering on pointless. But if God is the one who determines such matters, then I'm simply choosing to live into what God has already done.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18396901667077846319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-40586061642315366432010-08-12T11:46:31.498-04:002010-08-12T11:46:31.498-04:00I think Peter's confession is an excellent cen...I think Peter's confession is an excellent center pole for Big Tent Christianity. It allows for both liberal and conservative interpretations of the terms Christ and Son of God. I think the bigger question is whether or not that pole will be able to withstand the stress put on it by the varying understandings, both conservative and progressive, of the meaning of salvation and the tolerance that we show towards other viewpoints. (He said having adjusted his helmet and strapped on a flak jacket)Glennnoreply@blogger.com