Hello fellow Reformers

[PresbyGal]

Hey, new on board and just trying to figure out how everything works. I'm a Presbyterain, duh, hence the name Presbygal.

Any other Presbies?   :cool:

PresbyGal

[Terri]

:wave: PresbyGal,

Welcome!!  :)

I don't really have a denomination.

I'm afraid I don't even know what a reformer is--could you explain it to me so I will know if I am one? :D

[PresbyGal]

Hi Terri, Presbyterians are from part of the reformed tractition, so are most if not all Protestants..Protestant comes from the word "protest" So if your a Protestant then your probably from the reformed faith..? does that make sense?

[Terri]

Today at 07:54 PM PresbyGal said this in Post #3 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=682640#post682640)

Hi Terri, Presbyterians are from part of the reformed tractition, so are most if not all Protestants..Protestant comes from the word "protest" So if your a Protestant then your probably from the reformed faith..? does that make sense?



Thanks PrebyGal that makes sense to me.  Although I don't believe I am protesting anything I guess I would fit in that category. :D

The title of this forum--Non-Denominational/ Reformed/ Protestant Room (http://www.christianforums.com/forums/11.html) had me confused--I thought they were three different things.  :D

[sklippstein]

hello and welcome Presbygal.

[PresbyGal]

Ok, I've decided I don't like my name...hmm gota think of another one.

Hi skip

Peace,

PresbyGal

[Gabriel]

Welcome:wave: Glad to have you here. Are you PCA or PCUSA? Here are some blessings and a nice rating to get you started. Enjoy your stay and let us know if you change your name. I like PresbyGal. How about Martina Luther? :D

[sklippstein]

i like ur name too, why change it?

[Auntie]

PresbyGal is a good name.:) Now we need to give you a nic name!:D "Pres" sounds good!


Welcome!:wave: :angel:

[PresbyGal]

Today at 07:06 PM Gabriel said this in Post #7 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=682748#post682748)

Welcome:wave: Glad to have you here. Are you PCA or PCUSA? Here are some blessings and a nice rating to get you started. Enjoy your stay and let us know if you change your name. I like PresbyGal. How about Martina Luther? :D



 

Hi Gabriel,

Nice to meet another Presbie, I'm PCUSA. ;) I noticed your a "ruling Elder" what is that? PCUSA doesn't have that. My husband is Elder of our outreach ministry. I'm a Deacon.

I like Martina Luther :holy:

Peace,

Janine

[Gabriel]

Yesterday at 11:53 PM PresbyGal said this in Post #10 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=682927#post682927)

 

Hi Gabriel,

Nice to meet another Presbie, I'm PCUSA. ;) I noticed your a "ruling Elder" what is that? PCUSA doesn't have that. My husband is Elder of our outreach ministry. I'm a Deacon.

I like Martina Luther :holy:

Peace,

Janine



Ruling Elders are the congregation's representatives in our government. Rather than the pastor calling the shots concerning church discipline and business, we have what's called the Session, made up of Ruling Elders. The congregation nominates men they see leadership quality in. We then go through an 8 month class and then we are brought before the congregation for a vote. The pastor is known as a Teaching Elder and he moderates the Session meetings.

[PresbyGal]

Hi Gabriel,

We have the same goverment (PCUSA), you called it a "ruling" Elder. I was asking what "ruling" meant, we just called them Elders and as I said my husband is an Elder. Looks like we have the same form of goverment just call them by different names. However, some things I did note that are different? you do not elect women to be Elders? we do. Also, you have an 8 month training for your Elders? are training is not that long. I'm assuming you use the same Book Of Confessions? But your Book Of Order might be different.

What are you an Elder of? my husband is Elder of Outreach.

I enjoy learning about the differences :)

BTW, Thanks for the blessings! I didn't know what they were last night, I just came in the room and starting talking  :sorry: This board is tricky. I just came from another board that didn't have as much stuff.

Peace,

Pres

[Gabriel]

Today at 09:51 AM PresbyGal said this in Post #12 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=683488#post683488)

Hi Gabriel,

We have the same goverment (PCUSA), you called it a "ruling" Elder. I was asking what "ruling" meant, we just called them Elders and as I said my husband is an Elder. Looks like we have the same form of goverment just call them by different names. However, some things I did note that are different? you do not elect women to be Elders? we do. Also, you have an 8 month training for your Elders? are training is not that long. I'm assuming you use the same Book Of Confessions? But your Book Of Order might be different.

What are you an Elder of? my husband is Elder of Outreach.

I enjoy learning about the differences :)

BTW, Thanks for the blessings! I didn't know what they were last night, I just came in the room and starting talking  :sorry: This board is tricky. I just came from another board that didn't have as much stuff.

Peace,

Pres



This board has all kinds of stuff. You can buy armor with the blessings, or you can give them to others. The armor is at the bottom of your box to the left.

We don't have Elders over specific ministries. A Ruling Elder rules over the whole church. Each Elder is required to spearhead a different ministry though. I teach Sunday School, Youth Group and am Mission Chairman.

We use The Book of Church Order, The Westminster Confession of Faith, and The LArger and Shorter Catechisms.

No, we don't have women Elders or Deacons. I believe women can be deacons, though. Pheobe was a Deacon.

I believe you alos have terms for Elders, right? 4 years? Once you are an Elder in the PCA you are an Elder for life.

[PresbyGal]

Today at 07:03 AM Gabriel said this in Post #13 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=683498#post683498)

This board has all kinds of stuff. You can buy armor with the blessings, or you can give them to others. The armor is at the bottom of your box to the left.

We don't have Elders over specific ministries. A Ruling Elder rules over the whole church. Each Elder is required to spearhead a different ministry though. I teach Sunday School, Youth Group and am Mission Chairman.

We use The Book of Church Order, The Westminster Confession of Faith, and The LArger and Shorter Catechisms.

No, we don't have women Elders or Deacons. I believe women can be deacons, though. Pheobe was a Deacon.

I believe you alos have terms for Elders, right? 4 years? Once you are an Elder in the PCA you are an Elder for life.



Hmmm, Our Elders do rule over the whole church, we currently have 12 Elders, each one spearheads a different ministry as well. They meet once a month and make decisions regarding everything that has to do with the church. It reallys sounds like our Elders are the same thing. Their terms are 3 yrs and they can be elected again but cannot serve more then 6 yrs. And yes, once your an Elder your an Elder for life.

Peace,

Janine

[Gabriel]

Oh, I see. I was misunderstanding your husband's title, taking it to mean that the PCUSA has Elders over specific ministries alone. Seems like we do it the same way as you do.

[PresbyGal]

Today at 07:20 AM Gabriel said this in Post #15 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=683516#post683516)

Oh, I see. I was misunderstanding your husband's title, taking it to mean that the PCUSA has Elders over specific ministries alone. Seems like we do it the same way as you do.



ya, I think we got confused with the titles we were both using
:)

Actually I used to know why we are split but I forgot :rolleyes: oh well, we are still brothers and sisters in Christ :hug:

Thanks for the info on armor. I bought one but not sure if I did it right.

Pres..

[Gabriel]

Today at 10:28 AM PresbyGal said this in Post #16 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=683523#post683523)

ya, I think we got confused with the titles we were both using
:)


Exactly


Actually I used to know why we are split but I forgot :rolleyes: oh well, we are still brothers and sisters in Christ :hug:

I know, but would rather focus on our similarities than our differences.

Thanks for the info on armor. I bought one but not sure if I did it right.

Pres..



You did it right. As you keep posting you will earn more blessings. And if you're nice, people will give you some of theirs. You can continue to upgrade your armor that way. It's just a cutsie thing, really.

[Reformationist]

Yesterday at 05:54 PM PresbyGal said this in Post #3 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=682640#post682640)

Hi Terri, Presbyterians are from part of the reformed tractition, so are most if not all Protestants..Protestant comes from the word "protest" So if your a Protestant then your probably from the reformed faith..? does that make sense?

Hello PresbyGal and welcome to the forums.

I, too, am a reformed Christian.  I am not affiliated with a particular Protestant denomination but my views are probably most closely related to Presbyterianism.  Anyway, I hope to read some of your reformed insight real soon.

Here are some more blessings for you to share with others.

God bless,

Don

[PresbyGal]

Yesterday at 01:27 PM Reformationist said this in Post #18 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=683991#post683991)

Hello PresbyGal and welcome to the forums.

I, too, am a reformed Christian.  I am not affiliated with a particular Protestant denomination but my views are probably most closely related to Presbyterianism.  Anyway, I hope to read some of your reformed insight real soon.

Here are some more blessings for you to share with others.

God bless,

Don



Hi Don, :wave: I would love to chat about the reformed faith. Were you ever affiliated with any of the mainline denominations? I ask because their usally the ones that follow the reformed faith. Or perhaps a better question is, what do you think reformed faith is? or what does this site think it is? :confused:

Thank you for the blessings..... :clap: one of the things I'm trying to get used to on here.

look forward to talking more on this subject.

Peace,

Janine

[Reformationist]

Today at 07:13 AM PresbyGal said this in Post #19 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=685043#post685043)

Were you ever affiliated with any of the mainline denominations?

No.

Or perhaps a better question is, what do you think reformed faith is?

Hmmm...well, that's a big subject.  Basically it is the belief that man fell from grace, there was a radical change in his nature, God unconditionally set aside a people for His Son, brings them back to life and conforms them to the image of His Son.

or what does this site think it is? :confused:

I don't think "this site" has the first clue as to what the reformed faith is. 

Thank you for the blessings..... :clap: one of the things I'm trying to get used to on here.

Your welcome.  They don't really mean anything.  I think they're just a good way of letting people know you appreciate them. :)

God bless,

Don

[PresbyGal]

Yesterday at 08:05 AM Reformationist said this in Post #20 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=685096#post685096)





Hmmm...well, that's a big subject.  Basically it is the belief that man fell from grace, there was a radical change in his nature, God unconditionally set aside a people for His Son, brings them back to life and conforms them to the image of His Son.



Don



Don, I'm confused, how is that different from any other Christian  belief?

Reformed faith refers to those churches that came about during and after the Reformantion (i.e. Lutheran, Epischopal, Presbyterian, Methodist) The term comes from the concept of reforming the Catholic Church because of abuses and corruption.  When you say you are a "reformist" that implys you're affliated with a church who follows the reformed tradition. Actually, I would say most Protestants could call themselves reformist because they are a split off from the reformation. The word Protestant comes from the word "protest" which is what we did and in turned "reformed" the church.

Peace,

Janine

[Gabriel]

If I may...... The Protestant branches that still adhere to the COMPLETE doctrine of the original reformers believe in Calvin's view of predestination/election rather than the Arminian view. Many, if not most, protestant churches today believe that Christ died for ALL (every single one) people, while we, as you know, believe that Christ died to redeem His elect alone (Limited Atonement).

This board is mostly Arminian in theology. Just a handful of us around.

[PresbyGal]

Today at 05:50 PM Gabriel said this in Post #22 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=688415#post688415)

If I may...... The Protestant branches that still adhere to the COMPLETE doctrine of the original reformers believe in Calvin's view of predestination/election rather than the Arminian view. Many, if not most, protestant churches today believe that Christ died for ALL (every single one) people, while we, as you know, believe that Christ died to redeem His elect alone (Limited Atonement).

This board is mostly Arminian in theology. Just a handful of us around.




Hi Gab,

 He is using the wrong term for what he is trying to say. Reformed refers to reforming the Catholic church, period. As far as predestination, I will look it up in our Book Of confessions but I remember being told the church no longer holds that view. It's outdated at best. That could be one of our differences Gab. :)

So, he should be calling himself a calvinist not reformer in my opinion. As far as I've know, the Presbyterian church is the only one that followed the belief of predestination.

I find that these boards are so full of misconceptions of current doctrines of the mainline churhes. That would be great if we had them posted on this site so we could refer to them. It would end alot of misunderstandings.

your fellow frozen choosen presbie ;)

Janine

[chelcb]

Today at 07:43 PM PresbyGal said this in Post #21 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=688401#post688401)

Don, I'm confused, how is that different from any other Christian  belief?

Reformed faith refers to those churches that came about during and after the Reformantion (i.e. Lutheran, Epischopal, Presbyterian, Methodist) The term comes from the concept of reforming the Catholic Church because of abuses and corruption.  When you say you are a "reformist" that implys you're affliated with a church who follows the reformed tradition. Actually, I would say most Protestants could call themselves reformist because they are a split off from the reformation. The word Protestant comes from the word "protest" which is what we did and in turned "reformed" the church.

Peace,

Janine


Preach it sister!

[Reformationist]

Yesterday at 05:43 PM PresbyGal said this in Post #21 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=688401#post688401)

Don, I'm confused, how is that different from any other Christian  belief?

Hang around this MB for awhile, you'll see. 

Reformed faith refers to those churches that came about during and after the Reformantion (i.e. Lutheran, Epischopal, Presbyterian, Methodist) The term comes from the concept of reforming the Catholic Church because of abuses and corruption.  When you say you are a "reformist" that implys you're affliated with a church who follows the reformed tradition. Actually, I would say most Protestants could call themselves reformist because they are a split off from the reformation. The word Protestant comes from the word "protest" which is what we did and in turned "reformed" the church.

Be that as it may, most mainstream Protestant churches do not adhere to the doctrines espoused by the original reformers.  "Protestant" covers a very wide variety of beliefs and many Protestant faiths aren't that far removed from Catholic teaching.  "Reformed" doctrines, while initally referring to the doctrines espoused by Luther and his clerical progeny, cannot truly refer to many of the doctrines touted by much of Christiandom today. 

God bless

[PresbyGal]

Today at 08:19 AM Reformationist said this in Post #25 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=689718#post689718)

Hang around this MB for awhile, you'll see. 



Be that as it may, most mainstream Protestant churches do not adhere to the doctrines espoused by the original reformers.  "Protestant" covers a very wide variety of beliefs and many Protestant faiths aren't that far removed from Catholic teaching.  "Reformed" doctrines, while initally referring to the doctrines espoused by Luther and his clerical progeny, cannot truly refer to many of the doctrines touted by much of Christiandom today. 

God bless



Hey Reformationist thanks for getting back over this way :) I'm in one of those mainstream churches and I'm gald we don't follow the old reformers anymore..so I guess that makes us very different. I do find it very interesting that you would follow Calvin so closely. Please don't take offense but wouldn't that be like calling yourself republican because you follow Teddy Roosevelt. TR's trust busting and creation of national parks system would run contrary with today's republican party.

The reformation needed to happen yes! but we are becoming aware of what we lost in the process..I like some of the rituals of our Catholic friends.

Peace,

Janine

[Reformationist]

Today at 02:18 PM PresbyGal said this in Post #26 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=690376#post690376)

I do find it very interesting that you would follow Calvin so closely. Please don't take offense but wouldn't that be like calling yourself republican because you follow Teddy Roosevelt. TR's trust busting and creation of national parks system would run contrary with today's republican party.

I don't really see the parallel but just for the record, I don't normally go by the label "Calvinist," nor do I call myself that.  I am a Christian who believes in the doctrines espoused by Calvin.  As for the rituals, they're fine.  If one feels moved to do something like that I encourage them.  What I don't encourage is the common place tendency of the majority of Christian churches to elevate tradition to a level equal to Scripture.  I know that Catholics believe it is and, as I've said, that's certainly their right to believe such a thing.  I just don't.  I have nothing against ritualistic behavior as long as it is viewed as a method of focusing on God rather than it being a means by which to obtain the grace of God.  I think it's an incorrect view of grace to look at our works as a biblically endorsed method for God accomplishing His Will.  I just lean a bit more towards God's sovereign ability to bring about His Will, and more often than not I think He does so, in spite of us, rather than the commonly (at least on this MB) held view that God does this "with our cooperation."  I just don't think most people acknowledge their sinfulness and I think it causes them to give themselves and the rest of mankind credit for what they should be giving God credit for.

God bless,

Don

[Gabriel]

I do find it very interesting that you would follow Calvin so closely.

We don't follow Calvin. We follow biblical truth. We are commanded to conform our lives to God's word. There is no such thing as an out dated concept when it comes to truth. Either you follow God's word or you don't.

I don't listen to anyone or any document that cannot take me to the bible to confirm their statements, doctrine, feelings, whatever.

The problem, as I see it, with so many minstream churches these days is that they conform to the world and to worldly views and concerns. They claim to be bible based, but gladly skirt around issues that are very plain in the bible. Such as, homosexual and female pastors and elders, a women's right to choose, the bible was written by men and does contain God's word but is not infallible, or my favorite....truth is subjective to your circumstance and/or personal convictions.

2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
2Ti 3:17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2Ti 4:1 I solemnly charge {you} in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2Ti 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but {wanting} to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
2Ti 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

[Reformationist]

Thank you my brother. I agree completely.

God bless,
Don

[Terri]

I agree with Gabriel and Don!!  :)

[chelcb]

Terri,

You believe in salvation unto the election?

[Gabriel]

Today at 06:31 PM chelcb said this in Post #31 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=690532#post690532)

Terri,

You believe in salvation unto the election?




????:scratch:

[Terri]

Today at 05:31 PM chelcb said this in Post #31 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=690532#post690532)

Terri,

You believe in salvation unto the election?



I don't understand the question either. :)

[chelcb]

Today at 06:53 PM Terri said this in Post #33 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=690739#post690739)

I don't understand the question either. :)



Well let me explain it to you. :) Do you believe... 

"God unconditionally set aside a people for His Son, brings them back to life and conforms them to the image of His Son."

[Terri]

Yesterday at 09:08 PM chelcb said this in Post #34 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=691060#post691060)

Well let me explain it to you. :) Do you believe... 

"God unconditionally set aside a people for His Son, brings them back to life and conforms them to the image of His Son."



I do believe that I think--although I'm not perfectly clear on your definition of "set aside" or "brings them back to life."  :)

I hope this wasn't a trick question. :D

[SoccerAaron]

I would be Presby, but I'm a Credobaptist.
I hold to all other reformed Theology though.

[Gabriel]

Today at 02:43 PM SoccerAaron said this in Post #36 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=692726#post692726)

I would be Presby, but I'm a Credobaptist.
I hold to all other reformed Theology though.



What is a Credobaptist? I've never heard of that. You're reformed, that's all you need to be to join the club!

[Gabriel]

I just had to post to break 1,000. WOOOHOOOO:clap:

[SoccerAaron]

Credobaptist are people who don't believe in Infant Baptism

[Terri]

Today at 03:14 PM Gabriel said this in Post #38 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=692900#post692900)

I just had to post to break 1,000. WOOOHOOOO:clap:



 :clap:

[MizDoulos]

Congratulations on your 1,000th post, Gabriel!!!:clap:

[Quixote]

4th March 2003 at 02:36 PM Gabriel said this in Post #28 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=690424#post690424)

We don't follow Calvin. We follow biblical truth. We are commanded to conform our lives to God's word.

Well, sir, is that not the issue:  "Biblical Truth"?  For ultimately, it always comes down to the individual's subjective interpretation.  In our piety, we like to believe that the Holy Spirit speaks directly to us and we unerringly interpret His divine will.  But are we not mere mortals after all? 

So, while you'd like to claim your ideas are your own, inspired by the Holy Spirit, you seem to fall in line with the ideas of John Calvin and so, no insult intended, you are therefore a Calvinist.  Through no fault of yours, since he got there first, his is the name we attribute to your theology of predestination and the like.

later, in that same post (#28 (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?postid=690424#post690424)), Gabriel said...
There is no such thing as an out dated concept when it comes to truth.

You are probably too young to remember when we used to believe the world was flat.  This was our truth.  We knew this as assuredly as we knew our own name.  In time, this became outdated.  So to the idea that the earth was at the center of the solar system.  This truth served our idea of ourselves as well as our world quite well so when science made this idea outdated, it caused us much consternation but still our truth was altered.

Now you may say that these beliefs were in error from their inception for we did not have all of "the facts".  But we are not talking about facts nor anything that can be truly objectively measured.  We are traversing the realm of theology: a mysterious world where we use objective language to explain the most subjective of experiences.  Our truths evolve as our connection with the Divine matures.

then Gabriel spouted off with...
Either you follow God's word or you don't.

I don't listen to anyone or any document that cannot take me to the bible to confirm their statements, doctrine, feelings, whatever.

You must find it difficult to program your VCR for very few instruction manuals refer to Scripture. :)

then, to close, he said...

The problem, as I see it, with so many minstream churches these days is that they conform to the world and to worldly views and concerns. They claim to be bible based, but gladly skirt around issues that are very plain in the bible. Such as, homosexual and female pastors and elders, a women's right to choose, the bible was written by men and does contain God's word but is not infallible, or my favorite....truth is subjective to your circumstance and/or personal convictions.

I would be very interested to examine any evidence or proof you might be able to offer that could show how one particular interpretation of Scripture is the only possible "truth".  You could do the entire world a favor by pointing out just which religions were ultimately and objectively wrong. ;)

Vaya con Dios,

Q

[Gabriel]

So, while you'd like to claim your ideas are your own, inspired by the Holy Spirit, you seem to fall in line with the ideas of John Calvin and so, no insult intended, you are therefore a Calvinist. Through no fault of yours, since he got there first, his is the name we attribute to your theology of predestination and the like.


I follow the truth of the bible because it is written, in the bible. Not because John Calvin said it was so. I thought that was pretty obvious.

You are probably too young to remember when we used to believe the world was flat. This was our truth. We knew this as assuredly as we knew our own name. In time, this became outdated. So to the idea that the earth was at the center of the solar system. This truth served our idea of ourselves as well as our world quite well so when science made this idea outdated, it caused us much consternation but still our truth was altered.


Uh, yea. The truth was not altered. What you thought, in error, to be true was altered. Your misconception of the shape of the world, what you thought was truth, changed when you learned the truth. The truth, which in this case was the shape of the world, remained the same through-out.

You must find it difficult to program your VCR for very few instruction manuals refer to Scripture.

Again, I thought my intent was quite obvious here. But I'll explain a little more thoroughly. "I don't listen to anyone or any document concerning biblical matters or theology that cannot take me to the bible to confirm their statements, doctrine, feelings, whatever. Instruction manual? Why would I use one of those? I am a man. :)

I would be very interested to examine any evidence or proof you might be able to offer that could show how one particular interpretation of Scripture is the only possible "truth".

Scripture best interprets scripture. Every scripture contained in the bible, when taken in proper context, upholds and confirms each and every other part contained therein. Study it for yourself. If you come to different conclusions than I do, that is your perogative. I would say the Holy Spirit works on us differently and that He has a purpose for each of us. Who are we to reply against God's will in our lives?

Anyway, welcome to CF.:wave:

[chelcb]

Why would I use one of those? I am a man.

As a female person, I have to say that I take issue with this. I do not use a manual to program my VCR either, does this make me a man?

I am making light of this, it's a joke. Please no one go flying off the handle on me.