Faith

Faith Creeds (click the link to read the basic historic Christian creeds)

There are many varying theological views and doctrines within Christianity. Some are more “orthodox” or historical or biblical than others. I was raised a “plain vanilla” Christian, reading the Bible for what it simply said. I went down a path of being charismatic in order to try to get closer to God. I came out of that by embracing Calvinism and Reformed theology. Recently, I have gone through a “deconstruction” of Calvinism and Reformed theology. However, I am not fully embracing all of Arminianism (stands as opposite of Calvinism). What I would consider myself now is a Provisionist, (i.e. Provisionism or Biblical Extensivism). There are two acronyms that can stand for what Provisionists believe: NULIF (pronounced “new life”) or PROVIDE.

Naturally sinful; Unconditional grace; Limitless atonement; Invitation; Forever

People sin; Responsible; Open door; Vicarious atonement; Illuminating grace; Destroyed; Eternal security

Below are some ways to read the Bible and to pray, which are the foundations of the Christian faith.

Reading the Scriptures

Friends, we need to read our Bibles. The richest study can be done with an open Bible, a pen, and a 99-cent spiral notebook. That’s beauty. That’s God’s Word speaking to us.

There’s a reading/study method called SOAP that is helpful for starting out with your Bible and notebook. It stands for:

S – Scripture – write out the passage or verses you are studying;
O – Observation – what do you see in the verses that you’re reading? Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you?;
A – Application – What is God’s Word saying? Are there any changes I need to make or actions I need to take?;
P – Prayer – Confess any sins you realize you are dealing with. Use the Lord’s Prayer as a model. Or the ACTS model: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

Two books that are worth reading to help you study the Bible {affiliate links}:

Prayer

7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.[a]
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,[b]
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,[c]
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.[d]

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

I pray that this space on the web will bring us to the feet of Jesus as we learn the Truth; that His grace will soften and transform our hearts; that we will repent and be saved; to love God and to love others; to spread the gospel and make disciples.