Question for Christians and ex-JW: How is salvation attained?

by Check_Your_Premises 37 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Check_Your_Premises

  I am a rather newly minted Christian. I have been exposed to many different beliefs besides the jw, but I tend to take more of a "Mere Christianity" view of salvation.

  Here is a summary of that view.

  I believe there is a God, evidenced by an innate natural law that most understand, aspire to, and expect from others. Laws require a Lawgiver. Despite our understanding of this law, we are unable to meet it. I don't want to get bogged down in what is allegory and what literally took place. But there was a rebellion of sorts, and now we are living in "occupied" territory. God will restore order, but He has provided a way, through his Son for us to cease our participation in this rebellion. I see salvation therefore as fundamentally a rejection of this order and an acceptance of God's sovergnty.

  Now I took a very heavy subject and distilled it to a few sentences. It will be very difficult to keep this thread on track if I don't really spell out my question here. I don't want to get bogged down in a faith vs. works discussion, despite it's importance, although I don't know if it is avoidable. I understand the state of "being a Christian" is a journey, not a destination. I am not so much intersted then in this discussion with how faith is maintained, but rather how it is first attained.

  But what I am really trying to get at is what is required for a person to cross that threshold from not worthy of salvation to being worthy of salvation? Are there certain actions required, or is it simply a change in the state of the mind?

  What is an Orthodox Christian view? What is a jw view?
• 

  stevenyc

  CYP

  Good question. I'm not a Christian, however my understanding is something like this:

  If by orthodox you mean RC then its Faith in Jesus' resurrection, repentance for daily sins and following what the pope says.

  If you're a main line protestant then its faith in Jesus' resurrection and following the direction of whichever leaders that church has.

  If you a sole Christian, that is, you don't follow any particular flavor of Christianity, then its faith in Jesus' resurrection. And in order to become a ‘good' Christian, you choose which ever NT rules you feel apply.

  steve
• 

  LittleToe

  Steve:Not even close, but I appreciate your viewpoint

  It's a Celtic pilgrimage, which is a journey from cradle to grave ("the way"), not a destination. At some point on that journey you meet with "Christ", by either gradually drawing close to him or a chance encounter. From that point on it's a personal relationship which we likely neglect often.
  After the end of the journey it's "Christ"'s face you see in the mirror.
• 

  scotsman

  Via a large gin & tonic.
• 

  willy_think

  Garce

  all or unworthy, none can become worthy by action, thought, faith, law, all fail to obtaine perfettion.

  we are sinners we all fail to truly love eachother from time to time frend or enemy.

  thank God for grace
• 

  Check_Your_Premises

  all or unworthy, none can become worthy by action, thought, faith, law, all fail to obtaine perfettion

  So how do we claim that gift? What event seperates the distinction between claiming the gift and not claiming the gift?
• 

  LittleToe

  CYP:It's not a coupon - you just accept it.
• 

  stevenyc

  LT

  Not even close, but I appreciate your viewpoint

  Thanks, and I likewise, always appreciate yours. I was just trying to work out for an orthodox point of view thats all.

  steve
• 

  LittleToe

  Steve:The part that's off the mark is that most people don't even think about religous leaders, day to day.
  Whichever flavour of "orthodox" Christianity you approach, it's "Christ" centered. Some may have plenty of additives, but they can be reduced to that common denominator.

  That would be one key reason that I believe the JWs are not a "Christian" religion, though there may be Christians in their midst.
• 

  Satanus

  I spent about 2 yrs in christianty, after exiting the wt. I think we already have salvation within us. In most of us, we cover it over w crap. If christianity helps you do that, fine. Believing that you have it is ok. Seeing/knowing that you have it is better.

  S