Our Statement of Belief is short, sweet and to the point. This
is deeply intentional. Our essential point with it is
this: If you are a Christian, you can be one of us. There
really is no need for greater complexity. We could drone
on with a long and exacting list of beliefs, yet what would
be the point but to exclude people who's opinions on more periphery
issues of doctrine disagree with ours.
This statement of belief is based on a fairly simple, old,
theological idea (developed by the Catholics long ago) that
suggests all theological thought falls into three categories.
1. Dogma: These are the things for which we will
die. An example might be: "There is a God; you're
not Him." These are the issues on which we will
not, can not compromise. These are the issues that for
better or worse, define us as Christians. They are trans-
denominational, transhistorical and transcultural. They
are the core of what every Christian MUST agree to.
2. Doctrine: This is the area that may be held
dear. It may be that we are convinced our doctrine is
solid and good. But these issues are not things we will
die for. An example might be, "baptism ought to
mean dunking, not sprinkling." There is nothing
wrong with such a statement, but it does not make or break
our Christianity. These things can be important, even
foundational in some sense. If you wanted to, you could
even ask that each member of a church agree to them, but once
you claim someone must adhere to them to claim Christianity,
you have gone too far. You have then crossed the line
and made the issue dogma. We must never confuse these
two categories. The results are dangerous.
3. Opinion: This is just as it sounds. You may
believe all sorts of things that posses varying degrees of
backing; that does not make them sound, only interesting. All
of these things are discussable, and to be held with a certain
humility that never allows you to claim them too strongly. They
are, after all, only opinion.
Our following statement of belief is based on what we hold
to be dogma, which isn't much. There are a couple small
side excursions into doctrine, but they are brief.
Statement of Belief
The Bible is the inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) and infallible
word of God (Rom 3:2) in the autographs. The Bible is our main
guide for understanding our Trinitarian God and his purposes
for us.
God is a trinitarian deity (Matthew 28:19), the only deity
(Deuteronomy 6:4), three in one, consisting of God the Father,
God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19) eternal and
uncreated (Isaiah 40:28).
Jesus the Christ is fully God and Fully man (Philippinas 2:5-11),
born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:30,31). His sacrifice as the
perfect, sinless, offering, (Mark 10:45) provides the only
means of salvation for all people (Acts16:31).
