Peculiar Christian Doctrines
In my almost three years of studying Christian theology a few doctrines have stood out as particularly odd. The following list is not in any order, but I am interested if any of my readers have had encounters with Christians who believe any of these doctrines. It should be noted that these doctrines are inside of orthodoxy; it wouldn’t include doctrines such as Process Theology, Arianism, Catholicism, etc.
- Sabbatarianism - the belief that Christians should celebrate the Sabbath.
- Baptismal Regeneration — the belief that baptism is necessary for salvation.
- Arminianism - the belief that election is conditional, man is only hypothetically totally depraved, among others.
- Molinism - the belief that God has three logical instances of knowledge, and He chooses the world most in line with His desires while not annuling libertarian freedom.
- Landmarkism - the belief that a particular strain of Baptists go back to John the Baptist.
- Baptist Briders — the belief that only those who a part of certain Baptists churches are part of the Bride of Christ.
- Dispensationalism - the belief that Israel and the Church are distinct entities in redemptive history.
- Young Earth Theory — the belief that the earth is younger than current scientific estimates ranging from 6–10,000 years.
- Premillenialism - the belief that the millennium in Revelation 20 is literal which includes two resurrections.
- Preterism - the belief that all apocalyptic literature was fulfilled by 70 A.D.
- Subsequent Experience of the Spirit — a traditional Pentecostal belief that all Christians are not indwelt with the Spirit, but it is only for a select few.
- Christian Zionism — the belief that the Jews still have a divine right to the land of Palestine.
- Egalitarianism — the belief that men and women should mutually submit.
- KJV Onlyism — the belief that only the King James Version is the Word of God in English.
- Theonomy - the belief that the “civil” laws still stand from the Mosaic Economy and should guide secular governments.
Did I miss any?
Am I the only one who finds Molinism somewhat weird–Why three? Is that just the magic number or what? Where are they getting that number?
But yah, I’ve run into these others, particularly Arminianism, Zionism, and Egalitarianism, probably in that order of occurence.
And btw, I still read your blog from time to time.
Beth
Chris,
I would be interested to know which of these doctrines are most damaging to the church. BTW, I got to go visit Southern this this week; makes me wish I could go there while it is in its headay.
@Beth: The three states of knowledge is their attempt to reconcile divine sovereignty with human freedom. Here’s an article if you’re interested. I know you still read my blog, and I appreciate it. You’re actually one of my top contributors!
@Perry: They are all equally damaging, but baptismal regeneration would be at the top of my list (if pressed). I wish I was @ Southern!
What’s wrong with Premillenialism or Christian Zionism?
@Jeremy: Well, I’m an amillennial covenant theologian. In that, I think the NT teaches only one resurrection of the just and unjust, final judgment, and then the eternal state.
I’m also opposed to Christians supporting Israel as a political entity, because they believe it is in accordance with Biblical prophecy.
I thought Christian Zionists used the promises God gave to Abraham in Genesis as support for the state of Israel.
They do, but the question is whether that interpretation is correct. While it is true that Abraham was promised a land inheritance for his posterity, that promise was fulfilled during the reign of Solomon (2 Chr 9:26).
The author to the Hebrews tells us that Abraham’s interpretation of that was: “he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Heb 11:10)
I’ve ran into a few of them since I’ve moved. The one I’ve ran into the most is Arminianism. I’ve also ran into Dispensationalism, Premillenialism, KJV Onlyism, and Zionism. Egalitarianism is a big one here. It seems like almost a third of the pastors here are women. I’ve also ran into Mysticism in dealing with some Quakers.
Chris, I am just curious about the extent that you see the “celebration” of the Sabbath. I do think that believers should recognize and observe the sabbath. What that really means may look different to each person. I believe God was very wise (when isn’t he?) in setting aside one day in seven. We need that day of rest. We need that day to dedicate to His worship. A couple of examples. I generally try not to do any shopping on the Lord’s Day but, if my car needs gas to get to church, then I should fill it up or “my ox will be in the ditch”. If I have to fill up the car with gas every Sunday, then I need to plan better.
I heard a sermon on sabbath observance on time and the pastor said that a member in the church had told him one Sunday that he felt guilty since he took a two hour nap Sunday afternoon. The pastor told him that he (the pastor) had only gotten a one hour nap. All of this rambling is to say that although I don’t think we are to be Pharisaical (sp?) we should use the day as special to the worship and service of God, and use it as God has intended for us. I have worked on Sunday before, I didn’t like it, but there was no getting around it. Others have to work on Sunday (health care, police, fire etc.) and I am not going to say it is wrong.
@Andy: thanks for your comment! While I won’t give a full-blown exposition of my view of Sabbath observance, I can give a short synopsis.
The Sabbath was a sign of the Old, Mosaic Covenant that has passed (2 Cor 3; Gal 3:24–26). While many reformed scholars say that the “moral” law, which includes the Sabbath, is still binding I don’t think it’s biblical to separate the Mosaic Law into moral, civil, and ceremonial distinctions.
I also believe that passages such as Col 2:16–17, and especially Hebrews 4 teaches that we have receive the rest that the Sabbath typified in its antitype of Messianic rest.
I’d be happy to discuss this more in person.
Thanks Chris for the response, I thought I saw (recently) a weblog supporting historical premillenialism a few weeks ago here at Imperishable Inheritance.
http://www.imperishableinheritance.com/2006/are-you-ready/
Are most people here amillenialists, premillenialists, or postmillenialists?
“Young Earth Theory — the belief that the earth is younger than current scientific estimates ranging from 6–10,000 years.”
Wait, the earth is between 6 and 10 thousand years old, right? So does Young Earth Theory teacher that the Earth is less than 6000 years old?
I personally believe that the earth is 6–10 thousand years old, so what does that make me?
“Did I miss any?“
Yes, the Word-Faith movement, initiated by E.W. Kenyon.
@Jeremy: I actually didn’t write that article. My friend wrote it, and I found it worthy to note even if I wouldn’t subscribe to every doctrine mentioned. I really am the only author, and I am amillennial.
If you’re a young earther then more power to ya! I just think that that theory is highly suspect.
Chris, what is your current stance on the age of the Earth/Universe, and how do you synchronize that with Genesis? Do you believe that there is a gap between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2?
@Jeremy: I don’t subscribe to the Gap Theory, and I am not a Theistic Evolutionist or a Progressive Creationist. I just see things like the continental drift theory and parts of physics (such as the distance relayed between light and stars as we see them) as giving to an older earth.
I don’t think it casts doubt on the Biblical record whether the earth is 6,000 or 4.5 billion years. Although, I am leery of both those extremes.
Basically, I don’t make it an issue of contention between myself and other believers (hence not writing on it). Feel free to try and persuade me!
I went to a church for several years that claimed that only baptists (I am guessing Southern) knew the truth because they came from John the Baptist. Apparently I was told they could trace thier beliefs all the way back to dear old John. Unfortunately, I never asked for proof. Anyhow, I suppose that puts them under “Landmarkism”? I also have family that believe that if you are not baptist then you aren’t really saved. Again, would that be under Baptist Briders? I found this list to be very thought provoking, though some of it is confusing. Arminianism? That one in particular.
@Amanda: You’re right on the Landmarkism. As for only Baptists being saved, I haven’t heard anything that extreme. The Baptist Briders just have a different view on who is and is not in the Bride of Christ (see my article).
As for the Arminianism, here is a chart explaining it and comparing it to Calvinism (it’s opposite).
Do you consider all doctrines you don’t agree with “peculiar” and “odd?”
Many, many evangelical Christians disagree on complex and nuanced issues such as young earth, dispensationalism, and egalitarianism, just to pick a few from your list.
“Do you consider all doctrines you donâ??t agree with â??peculiarâ? and â??odd?â?
Yep. Pretty much.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/405.asp
“How can we see distant stars in a young Universe?”