Any Presbyterian here? (page 2)

Finally-Free

I have been summoned from the dead!

"You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave..."

W

That’s what I have noticed. Although I have some reservations regarding some doctrinal issues, my impression thus far is that they are a fairly balanced denomination with a rich historical background.

I just want to get an idea of what is life like as a Presbyterian…I’m still a bit hesitant about visiting a church building (I’m fading) where I could get the answer to some of my questions, but I want to get all the information I can get about this denomination.

reneeisorym

Presbyterians are the least legalistic bunch EVER. As an x-jw it fits me well. There aren't any weird little standards that characterize them (ex: long hair, no playing cards, hair bonnets, etc.) You are saved because of something HE did, not anything you have done to earn your way into heaven. Therefore, it's more about behaving like you are a member of God's family. You do that because you want God to be proud of you, even though you are sure you will make mistakes.

So that said:

Dancing: Just don't act like whore - Kick off your heels and have a great time, but still keep modesty in mind. (About the same as JWs)

Alcohol: The first time I went to Wednesday night bible study, we went out after. We each had one drink. Getting drunk isn't such a great idea for obvious reasons. (Same as JWs)

Lord's Day: It's encouraged that you view the day as holy. You should be thinking of God and going to church. A lot of times we get together after church and picnic at the park. Sometimes we go home and eat. Some memebers are doctors and nurses and they have to work because you can't exactly close down the hospitals. The general idea is that you reguard the day as holy but don't turn into a Pharasee over it. They aren't going to start making rules about what's ok and what's not ok.

leavingwt

I'm going off-topic, so please forgive me.

Disclosure: Reneeisorym lives in the same town as I do. She and her family welcomed my family into her home for a wonderful Christmas dinner in 2009. She is a wonderful host and a very warm person. If you could see her Facebook photos, you'd realize that she's been very busy.

reneeisorym

leaving wt: I wish I wasn't so busy so I could spend more time with your equally warm and sweet family!

reneeisorym

And I'm ready for more questions!

my impression thus far is that they are a fairly balanced denomination with a rich historical background.

Yes, this!

i know a couple of presbyterians and they LOVE THEIR FAITH. quite impressive and i'm wanting to check out myself. i'm assuming they're mainstream and decent to adherents.

This too! It was like finding "home"!

onemore

Thanks Renee!

Presbyterians are the least legalistic bunch EVER. As an x-jw it fits me well.
The general idea is that you reguard the day as holy but don't turn into a Pharasee over it.

That’s all I needed to hear!

onemore

I may add that my first non WT books all happened to be written by reformed theologians. The funny thing is that I had no clue as to what reformed theology was all about. So I was not looking for a specific theological point of view when buying Christian literature. I just had some questions, and so it happened that the majority of the answers that satisfied my pragmatic mind were provided by reformed theologians, such as RC Sproul, Tim Keller, John Piper and others. So I have a feeling that if I decide to join a Christian church it might be a reformed one .

leavingwt

I may add that my first non WT books all happened to be written by reformed theologians. The funny thing is that I had no clue as to what reformed theology was all about. So I was not looking for a specific theological point of view when buying Christian literature. I just had some questions, and so it happened that the majority of the answers that satisfied my pragmatic mind were provided by reformed theologians, such as RC Sproul, Tim Keller, John Piper and others. So I have a feeling that if I decide to join a Christian church it might be a reformed one.

Embracing Calvinism will likely be one of your most significant challenges.

Put simply, before billions are ever born, God knows that these people will live for a few years on Earth, and then they will go to Hell and burn for all eternity. Nothing that these people do during their lives can change this fact. People cannot decide to choose God. God must choose them.

reneeisorym

One other really different thing about Presbyterians is that church isn't a social club. They are really there to learn about the Bible and are big into theology. Social stuff is like an added bonus.

Any Presbyterian here?

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