PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Can anyone give me a progressive definition for "What are the most essential beliefs of Christianity?" Thanks.

"Do unto others..." :shrug:

*rimshot*

Mojo

but that doesn't mean its not a central tennant?

not all good ideas are original

progressive definition of essential Christian beliefs. The theological progressives seem to change doctrinal beliefs as social and cultural norms change. Just a guess.

there's a difference, a huge one

would you mind giving the rest of us that are clueless some inkling of the huge difference?

In a nutshell there is a gigantic difference between the teachings of Christ (very progressive, almost socialistic in neature) and the teachings of modern christianity, which is a bastardization of Christ's message by Paul. Christianity today would more accurately be called Paulism because of the changes and additions he put forth to expand the audience of Christianity. Christians were first viewd as a sect of Judiasm, only after they began accepting gentiles into the mix did they become their own religion.

Examine the teachings of Jesus, things like the sermon on the mount etc and then look at the bastardization done on them by "christians" throughout the next 200 years. The accepted Gospels (I say accepted because there are literally thousands of them) were written by people who never knew Jesus, up to a century after he died.

Many argue that changes still with us today come from Augustine.

all had negative influeneces yes, but Paul was the first and most rabid. Much of the basis for Christian Anti-Semitism comes from his interpertations. He was alienated from from the Jewish community and embittered by it so began preaching to Gentiles

Show basic respect to everyone and expect it back. And if you can help someone(really help I'm not talking about giving a quarter to some drug addict) don't hesitate

I am sure it is also available online. It is basically socialist doctrine.

ignore Jesus's excellent philosophical points (the eight Beatitudes). That will put you in-line with Christian fundamentalism.

show mercy, forgiveness, and love ALWAYS.



Good luck finding any christian that embraces that...

I'm sure you can find many, you need look no further than some members of this board.

as yourself.

That's how Jesus summed up all the law.

Although truly, the most essential belief of Christianity is that Jesus was God incarnate on earth, fully human and fully divine, who was crucified, died, and raised himself from the dead, to show that we are all saved and redeemed and need no longer live in fear of a judgmental, hell-assigning God.

It also means that God has suffered just as much as, if not more, than we have, and understands our pain, and shares in it. Not that God will make it go away, but that God shared our common, human lot.

And it's the gift of God incarnate on earth, crucificed, died, and risen, that gives us the ability to forget about "rules" and "regulations", and live our lives in love for one another, without worrying about meeting some kind of standard or litmus test to earn life eternal. We have already gained life eternal - not by earning it, but as a gift from God.

That - and I'm a minister - is the crux and the truth of Christianity.

...two of the most radically progressive concepts to this day are "love your enemy" and "judge not".

(admittedly, I've fallen short)

yourself
your neighbor
your enemy
the poor
the silent
the downtrodden

Jesus said:

"YOU do not eat if the poor do not eat. YOU do not have clothing if the poor do not have clothing. YOU do not have habitation if the poor do not have habitation. YOU do not have warmth or fire in your grate if the poor do not have warmth or fire in theirs. YOU are not cured of your illness if the poor are not cured of theirs."

I believe he was telling us we are all responsible for the welfare of eachother, and that sounds like a pretty progressive idea to me, even in our current times.


-chef-

Damn, sorry, I've just really been thnking about foie gras lately, and wishing I could have a pound of it...

But you're totally right.

Mathew 5:1-12
I always thought those were good.