Glossary

Post-Modern [mindset]: "Postmodernism" is the sociological / philosophical label for the belief system that rejects absolute truth, and believes in moral and spiritual relativism. Many un-churched people in our society come from this perspective, and have therefore rejected Biblical Christianity. Our ministry is aimed at providing a culturally relevant presentation of Biblical truth to people who do not believe. Our goal is to help people understand the truths of the Bible, and to experience an authentic and Biblical expression of Christianity, while honoring their process of decision making, and allowing them the space and time to sort through what they believe and why.

Five Core Values of Postmodernism *
1. Postmodernism is skeptical of certainty.
2. Postmodernism is sensitive to context.
3. Postmodernism leans toward the humorous.
4. Postmodernism highly values subjective experience.
5. For postmoderns, togetherness is a rare, precious, and elusive experience.

* (McLaren, Brian. The Church on the Other Side: Doing Ministry in the Postmodern Matrix. Zondervan, 2000. "The author sees in this new postmodern world wonderful opportunities for the church to be a voice.")

Truth: "The real state of things; fact; reality; an accepted statement or proposition." Some suggest that there is no true reality, only perceptions and opinions, while others argue that there must be some absolute basis. This being said, we can say that there are two diametrically-opposed beliefs related to absolute truth:

Either...

1. There are no absolutes that define reality. Everything is relative, and thus there is no actual reality. There is ultimately no authority for deciding if an action is positive or negative; right or wrong.

Or, as we believe in CrossCurrent...

2. There are absolute realities, or standards, that define what is real and what is not. Thus, actions can be deemed right or wrong based upon how they measure up against absolute standards.

Biblical Christianity: Below is an explanation of Biblical Christianity's eight fundamental beliefs from "MyCrossDaily.com"


Biblical Christianity

Key Person or Founder, Date, Location

Jesus Christ. Founded about A.D. 30-33, in the Judean province of Palestine (Israel Today), under the Roman Empire.
Key Writings
The Bible, written originally in Hebrew and Aramaic (Old Testament), and Greek (New Testament)
Who is God?
The one God is Triune (one God in three Persons, not three gods): Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Often the title "God" designates the first Person, God the Father. God is a spiritual being without a physical body. He is personal and involved with people. He created the universe out of nothing. He is eternal, changeless, holy, loving, and perfect.
Who is Jesus?
Jesus is God, the second Person of the Trinity. As God the Son, He has always existed and was never created. He is fully God and fully man (the two natures joined, not mixed). As the second Person of the Trinity, He is coequal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. In becoming man, He was begotten through the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a perfect, sinless life. Jesus is the only way to the Father, salvation, and eternal life. He died on a cross according to God's plan, as full sacrifice and payment for our sins. He rose from the dead three days later, spiritually and physically immortal. For the next 40 days He was seen by more than 500 eyewitnesses. His wounds remained and He ate meals. He physically ascended to Heaven. Jesus will come again visibly and physically at the end of the world to establish God's kingdom and judge the world.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is God, the third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is a person, not a force or energy field. He comforts, grieves, reproves, convicts, guides, teaches, and fills Christians. He is not the Father, nor the Son, Jesus Christ.
How to Be Saved
Salvation is by God's grace, not by an individual's good works. Salvation must be received by faith. People must believe in their heart that Jesus died for their sins and physically rose again, which is the assurance of forgiveness and resurrection of the body. This is God's loving plan to forgive sinful people.
What Happens After Death
Believers go to be with Jesus. After death, all people await the final Judgement. Both saved and lost people will be resurrected. Those who are saved live with Jesus in Heaven. Those who are lost suffer the torment of eternal separation from God (Hell). Jesus' bodily resurrection guarantees believers that they, too, will be resurrected and receive new immortal bodies.
Other Beliefs or Practices
Group worship, usually in churches. No secret rites. Baptism and Lord's Supper (Communion). Active voluntary missionary efforts. Aid to those in need: the poor, widows, orphans, and downtrodden. Christians believe that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah promised to Israel in the Old Testament (Tanakh). Jesus said His followers would be known by their love for one another.

© Copyright, MyCrossDaily.com, 2003