Is it good to become Dogmatic in thinking

[Universalist Catholic]

When it comes to biblical matters.  I do know that the bible is very consistent with the theme of how man fell into sin, which brought them into misery, and Gods plan to restore everyone that became lost.  Through declarations foretold by the law and the prophets foretelling Jesus sacrifice on the cross to redeem all mankind and through judgment restore everyone who was tainted by sin. 

I personally think that the biggest reasons over the splitting between churches is because they all believe in Eternal Punishment, they are fighting over how they can achieve salvation.  The Catholic Church believes that taking advantage of the sacraments, you have a better chance of recieving salvations against those who have not partaken in the sacraments.  The Protestants believe that you must have faith in the right doctrines which brings good works.  The Evangelical Fundamentalists believe that you must have that "Born Again" experience in order to be saved.  Jehovahs Witnesses believe you must behave and believe according to their church standards.  Same with Mormons. 

On estachological matters we have some denominations teaching that either you
a) go to heaven or hell and remain in that spirit rhealm for all eternity immediately following death
b) go to heaven or hell, and at the end of the world, you are reunited with your body and live on a restored earth forever. 
c) are unconscious between death and the resurrection, and then go to heaven or hell.
d) are unconscious after death and live in a restored earth(Heaven or hell state, or annihilation). 

Plus we also get into issues over matters of whether or not pieces of Christian art is idolatry, or not.  Some think the elaborate liturgical ceremonies are absolutely necessary, while others think they are evil.  Many see them as just a thing of preference, and not the most important thing to be worrying about.  There are probably other such examples I cannot think of off hand. 

[Molly]

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11for it is written,

    "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
   and every tongue shall confess to God."

12So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

--Rom 14

[shawn]

I think that was the perfect scripture for this discussion Molly.

I see us as many different instruments in God's orchestra.  We worship and find relationship differently.  I don't find that to be a problem as long as our faith is in our Savior Jesus Christ.  The problem comes when we start pointing fingers and sentencing each other to eternal damnation due to the differences. 

[LS]

Excellent responses, Molly & Shawn   :thumbsup: