Is there such a thing as a non-evangelical Christian church?

[JoyG]

Yes, we do believe that there is that moment when a person makes a conscience decision, but the Scripture also encourages us to "work out your salvation" (do good works, strive for spiritual maturity), hence, "being saved." We also believe that we "will be saved" from God's Wrath. Where we differ from Catholics (and others) is, we believe the individual must "choose" Jesus.

You're preaching to the choir. (ITA)

 

[jimmiej]

You're preaching to the choir. (ITA)

Joy, I can preach to the choir & then conduct choir practice!

 

[JennyMominRI]

I'm Southern Baptist & this is indeed what we believe. We get that term from this Scripture:

John 3
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 5"no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.




Yes, we do believe that there is that moment when a person makes a conscience decision, but the Scripture also encourages us to "work out your salvation" (do good works, strive for spiritual maturity), hence, "being saved." We also believe that we "will be saved" from God's Wrath. Where we differ from Catholics (and others) is, we believe the individual must "choose" Jesus.

You have to remember though that Catholics have Confirmation where they are asked and proclaim that they believe Jesus died for them and is the savior

http://www.request.org.uk/main/dowhat/confirmation/confirmation04.htm

 

[eclectics]

Well, I was born Jewish and my wife was born Catholic. We've found a home in a Unitarian Universalist church. No two churches are alike, and there are some that really bother me. Someone was right, though, this may be too non-Christian for you. (For the record, if you asked DW, she would say that she was a Christian UU, whereas I would not.)

Have you looked at beliefnet.com? They have a "test" you can take, to determine just where your religious beliefs are. You could take that and then come to some sort of choice.

Or you can follow the suggestion of several posters, and try different churches on different Sundays. Eventually, you'll hit one where both of you feel comfortable.

Thanks for the beliefnet.com tip. I took both quizes and was quite surprised indeed! I scored as being closest to Reform Judaism. Fascinating to me, as I consider myself a Christian. The other quiz pegged me as an "old fashioned seeker". Very interesting website. Thanks again.

 

[punkin]

You have to remember though that Catholics have Confirmation where they are asked and proclaim that they believe Jesus died for them and is the savior

http://www.request.org.uk/main/dowhat/confirmation/confirmation04.htm

Wait, I'm confused again. Didn't people just finish telling me that catholics are not "saved"

 

[arminnie]

Really? Correct me then. I thought all christians believed that. Which denomination does not?

I grew up in the Methodist church and never heard the word "saved" once. They don't do "saved". Can't speak for all Methodists, but I have attended Methodist churches from one end of the country to the other. PA to CA.

As a big generalization most churches that do infant baptismals do not do the "saved" thing.

 

[jimmiej]

You have to remember though that Catholics have Confirmation where they are asked and proclaim that they believe Jesus died for them and is the savior

http://www.request.org.uk/main/dowhat/confirmation/confirmation04.htm

Not quite the same (IMO) as choosing to be born-again. However, my understanding of Catholicism is admittedly elementary.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Wait, I'm confused again. Didn't people just finish telling me that catholics are not "saved"

It really depends on terminology and can start a huge debate..... Catholics would not call themselves *saved* it's just not Catholic terminology and they are not out their trying to *save*....They do however believe that Salvation comes through Jesus..

It's this non-use of the terminology *saved* that causes many Non-Catholics to assume Catholics are not Christians

 

[JoyG]

Wait, I'm confused again. Didn't people just finish telling me that catholics are not "saved"

Did someone say that in this conversation? I must have missed it.

 

[JennyMominRI]

Not quite the same (IMO) as choosing to be born-again. However, my understanding of Catholicism is admittedly elementary.

Let me give you the basics of a Catholic Childhood

A Catholic baby is baptized...It has several meanings, one it cleanses origina lsin and 2, it is a chance for the parents of the baby to declare their intent to bring the child up as a Catholic..It also serves as a welcoming to the community,much like baby dedication I witnessed in Southern Baptist churches..It does not *save* per se.
When the child is 5 or so they start CCD or their religious education...At around 7 they recieve their first Holy Communion .
They continue to attend CCD until around middle school when they start to prepare for their confirmation..It is at this point when the child decided that they believe in what the church teaches...PArt of those teachings, which they have learned since childhood is that Jesus died for the remission of their sins and that it is through him that they achieve Salvation.

Most Catholics grow up spending their childhood believing that Jesus died for them and is the savior....There is usually not an AHA! moment for them,just a gradual awareness of what Catholicism believes about Jesus and Salvation

 

[JennyMominRI]

TO the OP...Sorry to stray so far off the subject

 

[claudia]

Wait, I'm confused again. Didn't people just finish telling me that catholics are not "saved"

"Saved" is a term that people use when a person has made a sincere confession of faith stating that they have accepted the Lord, Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Some people will refer to themselves as "born-again". This term is about a decision, not really about a denomination.

 

[100 acre wood]

This might suprise you, but you should give the Catholic church a chance. I was raised Methodist, and converted to Catholicism for my wedding. Honestly they are the most Non evangelical church I have seen.

 

[arminnie]

It was not until I attended a Reform temple a few years back with a friend, that I truly felt at 'home'.
I am sure that sounds sooo weird to both of those of jewish and christian faiths. So, maybe try out a Friday night service and see how it feels. I have been on the fence over religion for years. I started asking questions and it lead me down a totally different road. Good Luck!!!

I'm Methodist, and I love going to Friday services. I totally feel the presence of God. (since I'm still Methodist I still can type out the word God).

 

[RadioNate]

"Saved" is a term that people use when a person has made a sincere confession of faith stating that they have accepted the Lord, Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Some people will refer to themselves as "born-again". This term is about a decision, not really about a denomination.

And this doesn't happen in Catholicism. Jenny's explination was spot on. While Catholics belive in salvation there is no born again moment. The concept of being 'saved' or 'born again' just doesn't exist in any Catholic church I've been in.

As someone with a 12 year Catholic education, I also believe that Confirmation has become little more than a ritual. It is just something you do in 8th grade. I guess one could opt out if they weren't ready to make the commitment but I don't think anyone does.

Catholics are much like Jewish people in the fact that you are just sorta born into it. There isn't a deciding moment.

 

[punkin]

Thank you all for your explanations. Unfortunately, nothing has been cleared up for me. I am still as confused as ever. Not that it matters since I know exactly where I belong.

 

[goofy's friends]

Let me give you the basics of a Catholic Childhood

A Cathgolic baby is baptized...It has several meanings,one it cleanses originalsin and 2 it is a chance for the parents of the baby to declare there intent to bring the child up as a Catholic..It also serves as a welcoming to the community,much like baby dedication I witnessed in Southern Baptist churches..It does not *save* per se.
When the child is 5 or so they start CCD or their religious education...At around 7 they recieve their first Holy Communion .
They continue to attend CCD until around middle school when they start to prepare for their confirmation..It is at this point when the child decided that they believe in what the church teaches...PArt of those teachings, which they have learned since childhood is that Jesus died for the remission of their sins and that it is through him that they achieve Salvation.

Most Catholics grow up spending their childhood believing that Jesus died for them and is the savior....There is usually not an AHA! moment for them,just a gradual awareness of what Catholicism believes about Jesus and Salvation

I always love hearing your explanations. I was raised Baptist and I too spent my childhood believing that Jesus died for me and is mt savior. But I did have a moment of deciding to live for Him. I think everyone's "salvation" is between them and God and no one can judge anyone else's salvation. That said, I thought that the main difference between Catholism and other Christian denominations was the emphasis on Mary and other Saints being as important as Jesus. Correct or not?

 

[RadioNate]

I always love hearing your explanations. I was raised Baptist and I too spent my childhood believing that Jesus died for me and is mt savior. But I did have a moment of deciding to live for Him. I think everyone's "salvation" is between them and God and no one can judge anyone else's salvation. That said, I thought that the main difference between Catholism and other Christian denominations was the emphasis on Mary and other Saints being as important as Jesus. Correct or not?

Not - While Catholics see Saints and Mary as blessed they aren't as important as Jesus. Well really the Holy Trinity, the focus isn't only Jesus. The 3 members of the Holy Trinity as 1 are equally important.

Catholics love Mary and believe she was VERY important but she isn't close to the same level as the Holy Trinity.

When Catholics invoke Mary or another Saint's name in prayer they are asking that 'special person to God' to pray with/for them.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I always love hearing your explanations. I was raised Baptist and I too spent my childhood believing that Jesus died for me and is mt savior. But I did have a moment of deciding to live for Him. I think everyone's "salvation" is between them and God and no one can judge anyone else's salvation. That said, I thought that the main difference between Catholism and other Christian denominations was the emphasis on Mary and other Saints being as important as Jesus. Correct or not?

The church does NOT teach that Mary and the saints are more important than Jesus...You will find some individual Catholics and even the occasional Catholic Church that focuses on the saints or mary more than they should...That is not official teaching however..Mary and the saints are meant to be intermediaries and in a way roll models for living a good life..A Catholic may ask Mary to intercede with God for them,in the way other Christians ask thier friends to pray for them...As Catholcis believe that the dead are *alive* and in Gods presence it's no different than asking anyone else for prayers...Of course some do take things to far..

 

[Florida_Mom]

Episcopal