Introduction To The “What does the Bible say about…” Category
When I first started to examine my beliefs in 2006 I came to realize something that really shocked me: I didn’t know what Scriptures backed up many of the doctrines that I had been raised to believe and to not question! Oh, I understood the Scriptural backing for the major doctrines, such as Jesus’ Name baptism and Oneness. But when it came to many of the other doctrines (especially ones relating to holiness standards) I honestly did not know which Scriptures supported the views that the UPC took.
I had a general, vague idea that there were a few Scriptures somewhere that said that women shouldn’t wear jewelry, but I couldn’t tell you where they were. I had a general understanding that wicked whores like Jezebel were the only women who wore make-up, but I wasn’t exactly sure which Scriptures backed that idea up.
It also bothered me that I had never studied out many of these doctrines for myself. Even the doctrines that seemed to be clear (such as women wearing dresses) were doctrines that I had never studied for myself. I started to think that maybe, just maybe, it was possible that the rest of the world was right and I was wrong. I started to think that there were a lot of really smart, intelligent Bible scholars out there, and if they were all saying that we (the UPC) were wrong then perhaps I should at least take the time to study these things out for myself instead of just assuming that they didn’t know what they were talking about.
When I started to study these things I was amazed to find out that the majority of the UPC beliefs (especially relating to standards) have very little or no Scriptural backing. (Understand that when I say "very little Scriptural backing" I don’t mean that they were only mentioned a few times in Scripture; I mean that the interpretations of the Scriptures that are used to support the doctrines are highly debatable.)
These articles are a collection of the research that I did. They are by no means exhaustive, but I am always adding to them. It is my prayer that people will read them with an open mind and will be willing to accept the Bible as the final authority — not man’s teachings.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:31 am
I first doubted when I was still in elementary,well I am now a nursing graduate, one of the musicians of our church. I was raised at a UPC church and now is still serving the UPC. I have a friend in elementary, a girl who was very quiet, very meek, she’s beautiful, a very respective girl or I would have to call her a “FLAT 1 or 100% grade in Good Manners and Right Conduct.” She is very nice, she is a Catholic. Then I went up to college of Nursing, I met a fat girl, wearing skinny jeans (the jeans made her skinny because of her fats, but that is not the issue), she had an earring, and a necklace, she is a Trinitarian, not a Catholic. She has a good deeds, then she became the President of our Board because of his very good works. She has no enemy on our schools. In fact, all folks love her even our professors. And I wonder if he would be save. She did not spoke in other tongues as well as my elementary classmate but they are both with good manners, how come? They wore jeans, bracelets etc. contrary to what has been my church was teaching. Then, months after I graduated, I decided to research about PANTS first, then JEWELRIES but I still believe in UPC that time. Then I came up to the Trinitarian and Oneness theology, and I told my mother that I agreed with the Trinitarian Theology rather than Oneness, then my mother told me that I am committing spiritual fornication because I am serving UPC and not believing their doctrines anymore. Is is true Josh that I am committing spiritual fornication?
In Christ,
Truth is FREEDOM
September 19th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Truth is Freedom:
I know some people who no longer believe UPC doctrine, but they stay in the UPC because they believe they can work to reform the organization from the inside.
I thought about doing that, but I felt that it would be deceptive for me to stand behind a UPC pulpit and preach, knowing while I did so that my inner desire was to lead people away from the very things they thought I believed!
I believe that each person has to decide for themselves which path to follow. It is between them and God. The UPC does need reform, and if a person feels that God wants them to work for reform within the organization then I will certainly not question them. All that I will do is encourage them to examine their motives and make sure that they are truly following God’s will, and not staying in the organization just to avoid possible ridicule, condemnation, etc.
In Christ,
Josh S.