If your life is not in jeopardy for what you believe, you’re probably on the wrong side!
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Please Note: Nothing on this website should be taken as anti-Church. I am not anti-anything or anyone. I am only pro-Torah and pro-Truth. Sometimes the Truth upsets our long-held beliefs. Why isn’t my theology consistent throughout this website?
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Developing a
Systematic
Messianic Theology
“The purpose of careful theological formulations is not to put barriers in the way of people who are seeking salvation, but to define clearly the truths upon which genuine [Biblical] faith rests, so that people will not be misled by false doctrines.” [Robert M. Bowman, Jr. Why You Should Believe in the Trinity: An Answer to Jehovah's Witnesses. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989, p. 18.]
Doctrinal Statements
Doctrinal Statements, or Statements of Faith, are supposed to be summary statements of what an organization or individual believes the Scriptures teach about specific subjects. In order to be effective, a doctrinal statement should address each area of theology that an organization holds specific beliefs about, and should summarize everything that the Scriptures have to say about that subject, particularly if the organization requires its members or adherents to subscribe to that doctrinal statement as a condition of fellowship. It should be noted as a practical matter, however, that very few organizations write Doctrinal Statements that accurately reflect what they actually teach. Therefore, when reading an organization’s doctrinal statement one should be careful not to accept it as actually authoritative for the organization that produced it.
I hold that there are three principles that each Believer should follow concerning their belief system:
1. Know what you believe.
2. Know why you believe it (be able to accurately cite Scripture to back up your stated beliefs).
3. Know how to teach your beliefs to others.
Writing your own personal doctrinal statement will prepare you do follow those three principles. Sample statements are provided here for comparison (you decide which of these you feel adequately tells you what the organization believes):
- A “Typical” Messianic Statement of Faith
- Center for Messianic Learning
- First Fruits of Zion
- Coalition of Torah Observant Messianic Congregations
- Messianic Bureau International
- Metroplex Messianic Fellowship
- United Messianic Jewish Alliance
- Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations
- Messianic Jewish Alliance of America
- Rambam’s Thirteen Principles
- Thirteen Principles - Messianic Version