Dr. Paul's weak theological statement

[adpierce]

I'm a Christian and when I think of a statement of faith I don't think of what Dr. Paul has laid out as his statement of faith. I think of something theologically substantive. I rarely criticize Dr. Paul, however as a Christian I like to think that I ought to have a theological basis laid out for myself which I can explain if called upon to explain. I understand the importance for a politician to avoid being "distasteful" by pandering and using the word Jesus every other word (ahem... Brownback) however I think it would be impressive to Christian voters (even if some might disagree with him on certain points) if he laid out his beliefs better.

For Example I believe:

There is one God with three persons ... the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Sin is disobedience to God's Law, available through natural and specific revelation.
That Jesus Christ died as a propitiation for sins so that sinful man might receive freely by grace salvation and eternal life.
That the Bible is the inspired word of God, inerrant in original form, and the sets out a model for the way human beings ought to live their lives.
That the punishment of sin is to spend eternity in Hell.


....
This is just a little bit of what I believe. I think something that is this simplistic in form would be sufficient for many (especially evangelical) believers to find impressive. Most who call on the name of Christ haven't even thought this deeply about their theology, even if these statements are relatively simple theological statements. Dr. Paul isn't afraid to be criticized for what he believes, nor lose his voting base, or compromise in any way so I'm wondering why he has been so vague on what he means when he says he's a Christian. It is self-evident that he lives a life consistent with Christian values and votes accordingly. In a world where a Mormon can run for President under "Christian Values" this clearly shows that too many people don't really understand what it means when you claim the name of Christ. Dr. Paul attends a southern Baptist church in Texas, and the SBC has in one way or another affirmed the short statement of faith I have listed above so I'm guessing he does believe these things. I just wish he would publically affirm them.

 

[Korey Kaczynski]

Great topic, would read again, rated 10/10

 

[Daveforliberty]

As a Christian, I think Dr. Paul's statement of faith is just fine.

 

[jd603]

I agree, some mentioning of faith is fine, but no need to go crazy, I believe in the separation of church and state. I don't believe they need to go hand in hand.

 

[adpierce]

I agree, some mentioning of faith is fine, but no need to go crazy, I believe in the separation of church and state. I don't believe they need to go hand in hand.

I'm not calling for a merging of State and Church. I'm just asking him to explain with a little more detail what he means by what he believes being a Christian is and what he believes. It's an important to many people that if a candidate says they're a Christian that he's not a person who is a Sunday-only Christian without any real depth to his faith. It's not a political question, but more so a question which gives a clearer picture of that individuals personal life and to a degree their personal integrity. To state with some specificity what you actually believe goes a long way to allievate the fear that you're just trying to win votes by saying you're a Christian (which certainly I know Dr. Paul isn't trying to do).

 

[MsDoodahs]

You said yourself that it's evident that he lives a life consistent with Christian values and votes accordingly.

 

[theblatanttruth]

I don't have any faith in any theology, but I felt his statement of faith thing was alright.
As said previously... no need to take it to the extreme.

 

[zumajoe]

I'm not calling for a merging of State and Church. I'm just asking him to explain with a little more detail what he means by what he believes being a Christian is and what he believes. It's an important to many people that if a candidate says they're a Christian that he's not a person who is a Sunday-only Christian without any real depth to his faith. It's not a political question, but more so a question which gives a clearer picture of that individuals personal life and to a degree their personal integrity. To state with some specificity what you actually believe goes a long way to allievate the fear that you're just trying to win votes by saying you're a Christian (which certainly I know Dr. Paul isn't trying to do).

If you are a true Christian, wouldn't you be able to read his faith upon his good-doings? He doesn't need to go around explaining how many days a week he goes to church. His personal integrity is pretty obvious......

 

[hard@work]

I'm not calling for a merging of State and Church. I'm just asking him to explain with a little more detail what he means by what he believes being a Christian is and what he believes. It's an important to many people that if a candidate says they're a Christian that he's not a person who is a Sunday-only Christian without any real depth to his faith. It's not a political question, but more so a question which gives a clearer picture of that individuals personal life and to a degree their personal integrity. To state with some specificity what you actually believe goes a long way to allievate the fear that you're just trying to win votes by saying you're a Christian (which certainly I know Dr. Paul isn't trying to do).

We already had a lot of Christian's vote for Bush based on his "faith". They've continued to support him to this day based on the same. Dr. Paul practices what is preached, that should be the definition of a man's faith shouldn't it? While I respect your position I would argue against it based on the ability of those to deceive in their actions. The measure of a man is in his merits, no statement of faith can show this. This is why I believe that Ron Paul's faith is strong. He has shown his commitment to his faith in the faith he has placed in his actions.

 

[adpierce]

If you are a true Christian, wouldn't you be able to read his faith upon his good-doings? He doesn't need to go around explaining how many days a week he goes to church. His personal integrity is pretty obvious......

He's already won me as a loyal follower, but I'm concerned that he might have a better chance at winning those "values" voters who are unfamiliar with his record and stances if he is a bit more specific with what he believes.

 

[zumajoe]

actions speak louder than words.

 

[MsDoodahs]

It is our job to get the word to those values voters.

 

[adpierce]

actions speak louder than words.

Again I agree actions do speak louder than words, however being a Christian is more than being a good person, it entails by necessity a certain doctrine and belief system.

 

[zumajoe]

I think God would be (is) pretty happy with his theological statement.

 

[mconder]

The specific doctrines of many people who consider themselves Christians differs. I don't think it's necessary for Dr. Paul to go into detail about his specific brand of Christianity. From his statement of faith, I can gather that he is a man of great personal faith, and that is good enough for me. Did you ever consider that Dr. Paul's relationship with his maker may be deeply personal and sacred to him? Personally, I think it would be great not having another Bill Clinton or George Bush fake in the White House. It was disgusting to see that when Clinton was finally cornered for the Monica thing, the very next day he is attending Church with a Bible in hand. Then there is Bush, always pandering to the Christians by quoting Old Testament versus. I find the behavior disgusting and I am quite happy with Ron's statement.

 

[constituent]

He's already won me as a loyal follower, but I'm concerned that he might have a better chance at winning those "values" voters who are unfamiliar with his record and stances if he is a bit more specific with what he believes.

or alienate them. different branches of christianity believe different things, individuals believe differently than one another.

one's statement of faith shouldn't be walking the plank and anyone
that would expect that is sorely misguided. his faith is his business.
if rep. paul was not genuine enough in the statement that exists,
what makes you think that one anymore elaborate would be any
better?

this whole thread reminds me of the kids who wrote a threatening
letter and circulated a petition against a teacher b/c the school
newspaper made up and printed (fake) horoscopes...

and for those who would need the whole bit read out loud to
them before making their decision (w/out the candidate first
receiving the offical LaHaye/Robertson seal of approval),
i recommend reading my signature line.

 

[nexalacer]

He's already won me as a loyal follower, but I'm concerned that he might have a better chance at winning those "values" voters who are unfamiliar with his record and stances if he is a bit more specific with what he believes.

If we take the time to educate those "values" voters on Dr. Paul's actions, I'm sure they will find him to be a worthy enough Christian to support. However, I think most so-called Christians in this country have not a clue what Christ taught, therefore won't give two flying shits about what Ron Paul says. They're the ones that are indoctrinated by the hate-filled speech of the TV evangelicals, such as Pat Robertson. I am not a Christian because I don't and WILL NEVER believe that a man is a god, BUT I think Christ's teachings are among the most important to ever be spoken in this world, and most Americans, I believe, don't follow these teachings at all. If more people who called themselves Christians ACTUALLY FOLLOWED Christ's teachings, like Ron Paul, we'd be living in a much better world.

 

[adpierce]

The specific doctrines of many people who consider themselves Christians differs. I don't think it's necessary for Dr. Paul to go into detail about his specific brand of Christianity. From his statement of faith, I can gather that he is a man of great personal faith, and that is good enough for me. Did you ever consider that Dr. Paul's relationship with his maker may be deeply personal and sacred to him? Personally, I think it would be great not having another Bill Clinton or George Bush fake in the White House. It was disgusting to see that when Clinton was finally cornered for the Monica thing, the very next day he is attending Church with a Bible in hand. Then there is Bush, always pandering to the Christians by quoting Old Testament versus. I find the behavior disgusting and I am quite happy with Ron's statement.

It was absolutely disgusting how Clinton did that, and I do like that Dr. Paul has the integrity not to pander politically to evangelicals by not letting his views and politics speak for themselves as to why a person ought to vote for him. With that being said, for those people on the fence about whether they should vote for Dr. Paul or not this one thing alone, that he knows what he believes and isn't afraid to be specific about what he believes may be an important deciding factor in voting for him.

 

[lucius]

My $0.02, I am actively requiting this demographic for Dr. Paul and in my experience his 'SOF' absolutely Rocks!, almost instant conversion! With all due respect and just my opinion, please give a modicum of reflection to how you word your threads, something like, "Dr. Paul's Statement of Faith, Could be stronger?", much of what we are overcoming is an image conflict within deeply ingrained prejudges. Good argument...

 

[ButchHowdy]

For Example I believe:

There is one God with three persons ... the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. '

1.) The Trinity is a divisive doctrine. It is alluded to once in Matthew 28:19 and it is under great dispute as possibly being added by the Papacy to create a baptismal formula that is antithetical to Acts 2:38, 8:16, 19:5

Sin is disobedience to God's Law, available through natural and specific revelation. That Jesus Christ died as a propitiation for sins so that sinful man might receive freely by grace salvation and eternal life.

Sin is translated from the word 'Hamartia' which was an archery term that simply implied 'missing the mark'

That the Bible is the inspired word of God, inerrant in original form, and the sets out a model for the way human beings ought to live their lives.

I know of NO bible that has been properly translated from its original form. There are 4 different Greek words for 'coming' and the worst offense is the HELL word where you imply:

That the punishment of sin is to spend eternity in Hell.

That is the most vile, religious, gobbledegook ever spewed from the pulpits. Hear me out:

The lazy King James translators took the words Sheol, Gehenna, Tartaros, Hades, The Grave, The Unseen, and The Imperceptible and translated EACH ONE of these to the word "HELL"

The Catholics turned it into this fiery place to scare the Protestants back to the fold. HELL is simply the place where people go when they die period

Ron Paul is best served by keeping his Statement Of Faith as (I hate to say it) lukewarm as possible

(end rant!)