Citing References at CF - a reference source

[MariaRegina]

It seems to me that the new CF rule which states we must cite references whenever discussing Protestant beliefs is really burdensome.

Would it be possible just to cite a url to one of the many Protestant fora that are present here at CF?

It is my impression, that no matter who we cite for a Protestant authority, there is bound to be a protestant user or mod who will disagree, so what is the point when there are 25000 or more different denominations or Protestant opinions, which is only proven by the large number of different fora here at CF?

I remember the often used quote:

You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.

Is it possible that we can work together here in this thread to establish a reference source - one thread with all the references, so that all we have to do is cite this thread and post number to be "legal" at CF?

[MariaRegina]

Saved for a future reference index if this thread passes muster.

[Oblio]

I'm not sure Erwins server is big enough to hold all the links :eek:

Perhaps we could post the home page of the World Wide Web as a top level reference source :idea:

[gzt]

I think forcing us all to cite some source for the Protestant beliefs we criticize is a good idea. Quite frankly, I'm frequently disappointed by the statements made on this forum about Protestantism in general or even specific Protestant groups. What good does it do us to battle straw men? A Calvinist who knows his stuff will be put off by us if we provide a mischaracterization of John Calvin, ditto Methodists and Wesley. Now, of course, this will be very difficult if we're discussing something like nondenominational anticredal evangelicalism, since it is by its very nature averse to being characterized by definitive resources. C'est la vie, but one can try the best one can.

Those discussing Calvinists [Presbyterians in particular] should look at the Westminster Catechisms [shorter or larger]: http://www.reformed.org/documents/larger1.html
Those discussing Lutherans should look at the Book of Concord: http://www.bookofconcord.org
Those discussing Catholic beliefs should refer to the Catechism [either the current one or the Baltimore] or Aquinas or the Catholic Encyclopedia, failing those, any work with an Imprimatur.
I'm not sure what one should look at when discussing Baptists, the Church of Christ, Methodists, Pentecostals, Seventh-Day Adventists, Mennonites, Congregationalists, or others of the varied and sundry Protestantisms, but I could look for some helpful resources later.

[eoe]

The big denoms are not going to be a problem at all. Most of them (I think...) have beleif statements on their websites. The problem will arise when you have to deal with the non-denoms or micro-denoms. There is also a book "The complete guide to Christian Denominations" that you could buy if you were really interested. When I was seeking I went throught the denominations with a fine comb - it was agonizing.

[Epiphanygirl]

Hi Aria!
I found a Catholic apologist page that has most, if not all the links you might need.
There is a link showing what different faiths have in common (Common Ground link) and there is a link for Denominations and creeds and professions of faith....might be helpful for you.
http://www.catholic-view.com/mywork.html
If you want a good laugh, you can llok at all the anti-cathoic sites out on the net...he's got the links for them.....amazing how much there is floating around out there!
Anyway, hope this helps you out.

[elizabethevangeline]

How far does this rule apply? What if I make a statement based on my 30+ years life experience growing up in certain churches, being a college Navigator, etc. Do personal observations count?

[EvangeliGirl]

Right, some of us may sound like were making generalizations, but the truth is we arent familiar with certain terms and doctrines and do the best we can to describe what weve observed. Should those of us who are not schooled or well-studied keep quiet?

[Dust and Ashes]

How far does this rule apply? What if I make a statement based on my 30+ years life experience growing up in certain churches, being a college Navigator, etc. Do personal observations count?

Your experience is not at the mercy of someone else's argument. If you qualify your statements to indicate they are based on personal experience, that should certainly count. Unless, of course, you are making statements like, "Oh, I've attended every Protestant church there is and they all teach <insert heresy of choice>." Stating something from your personal experience isn't generalizing, it is, well, stating something from your personal experience.

[gzt]

Although one should, in such cases, make it perfectly clear what the extent of one's experience is. Some people have truly nutty experiences that do not reflect the way the world typically works. I think, for instance, somebody who had been involved in the administration of the Southern Baptist Convention would be a far greater authority on what Baptists believe than somebody with Baptist in-laws who think the Orthodox are damned crypto-papists and refuse to be in contact with them accordingly.

[Theophorus]

I assume this rule goes both ways.

[HandmaidenOfGod]

One would hope.

[Stavroula]

Please could someone tell me what you are talking about? I am so confused by what I am reading in this thread.

[Happy Orthodox]

Please could someone tell me what you are talking about? I am so confused by what I am reading in this thread.


When we talk with Protestants in General Theology (GT, also secretely called GH, General Heresy) and other forums on CF (Christian Forums), we cannot make statements against their beliefs without supporting them with quotes from the Bible, or other authorities and places. Common sense is no longer common :sigh: