Comments on: What is ‘Open’ Christianity http://archshrk.com/2008/03/what-is-open-christianity World's Bestest SEO Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:10:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: archshrk http://archshrk.com/2008/03/what-is-open-christianity#comment-62649 archshrk Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:47:01 +0000 http://archshrk.com/2008/03/what-is-open-christianity#comment-62649 Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas, Greek δόγμα, plural δόγματα) is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization, thought to be authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted or diverged from. While in the context of religion the term is largely descriptive, outside of religion its current usage tends to carry a pejorative connotation — referring to concepts as being "established" only according to a particular point of view, and thus one of doubtful foundation. This pejorative connotation is even stronger with the term dogmatic, used to describe a person of rigid beliefs who is not open to rational argument. Religious dogmata, when properly conceived, reach back to proofs other than themselves, and ultimately to faith. Perhaps the pinnacle of organized exposition of theological dogma is the Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas, who proposed this relationship between faith and objection: "If our opponent believes nothing of divine revelation, there is no longer any means of proving the articles of faith by reasoning, but only of answering his objections — if he has any — against faith" Dogma (the plural is either dogmata or dogmas, Greek δόγμα, plural δόγματα) is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization, thought to be authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted or diverged from. While in the context of religion the term is largely descriptive, outside of religion its current usage tends to carry a pejorative connotation — referring to concepts as being “established” only according to a particular point of view, and thus one of doubtful foundation. This pejorative connotation is even stronger with the term dogmatic, used to describe a person of rigid beliefs who is not open to rational argument.

Religious dogmata, when properly conceived, reach back to proofs other than themselves, and ultimately to faith. Perhaps the pinnacle of organized exposition of theological dogma is the Summa Theologica by Thomas Aquinas, who proposed this relationship between faith and objection: “If our opponent believes nothing of divine revelation, there is no longer any means of proving the articles of faith by reasoning, but only of answering his objections — if he has any — against faith”

]]> By: Paul http://archshrk.com/2008/03/what-is-open-christianity#comment-62648 Paul Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:21:07 +0000 http://archshrk.com/2008/03/what-is-open-christianity#comment-62648 The problem with dogmatic Christianity is whose dogma are you to believe? The problem with open Christianity is where is the truth? Wholeness takes in both Scripture and experience not placing man's dogma above Scripture nor placing moral experience above scripture, but treating each as feet upon the path of Righteousness. While I can agree with Jim Burklo in part he is still wrong as much, or even more, than right. Dogmas created vast errors and spilt churches, each proclaiming to be there only right teaching. Jesus fought the dogmas of the Pharisees and the scribes to bring Truth to the people. Yet without the discipline of sound doctrine we can be led astray. The problem is to balance dogma and experience so to be in the Discipline of Jesus and learn to avoid self serving ideals of zealots. The problem with dogmatic Christianity is whose dogma are you to believe? The problem with open Christianity is where is the truth? Wholeness takes in both Scripture and experience not placing man’s dogma above Scripture nor placing moral experience above scripture, but treating each as feet upon the path of Righteousness.

While I can agree with Jim Burklo in part he is still wrong as much, or even more, than right. Dogmas created vast errors and spilt churches, each proclaiming to be there only right teaching. Jesus fought the dogmas of the Pharisees and the scribes to bring Truth to the people. Yet without the discipline of sound doctrine we can be led astray. The problem is to balance dogma and experience so to be in the Discipline of Jesus and learn to avoid self serving ideals of zealots.

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