Curious about odd 'Christian' sect

[SonOfOdin]

But shellfish are delicious....

[rtparso]

Originally Posted by Groo

For me, it was growing up without faith, then trying (but not quite succeeding) to find it.

Well I know this will come across harsh but it is not meant to be. I grew up in a home that placed Jesus, Buddha etc at the same level. After looking in many places I did find it (or more properly he found me).
Sorry but how can someone who has not found what they are looking for advise someone how to find it?

[Groo]

Originally Posted by rtparso

Well I know this will come across harsh but it is not meant to be. I grew up in a home that placed Jesus, Buddha etc at the same level. After looking in many places I did find it (or more properly he found me).
Sorry but how can someone who has not found what they are looking for advise someone how to find it?

I wasn't advising anyone on how to find God. I was discussing the possible roots of the beliefs of certain 3rd parties. That is a whole different animal.

I could care less what anyone believes as long as they don't use their beliefs to justify evil acts.

[Captain Jack]

They are confused people apparantly. They are more Jewish now than Christian, and should just call themselves that instead of Christian. The reason why is because they do not recognize Jesus or the New Testament, and neither do the Jews. Christians, they are not then. Not that this is good or bad, it just is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabbat

[Bucc5207]

Originally Posted by Groo

A person can be interested in Theology and History without having taken JC as a personal savior. If nothing else, it would make that person an unbiased observer, something like an Anthropologist.

Thanks, Groo. That's an excellent statement of my attitude. In particular, this couple tweaked my interest regarding how you can take Christ out of Christianity and remain Christian. Although that is probably not an accurate description of my friends' beliefs, I can't resist that kind of contradiction.

Originally Posted by apamburn

Definitely Seventh Day.

I certainly believe the Bible to be the word of God, insomuch as it is correctly translated.

Unfortunately the New Testament has passed through some dirty hands and some parts of it are questionable.

As a whole, though, there is no better reference for the teaching and life of Jesus Christ, arguably the most influential man to ever live on the planet (whether you believe in his divinity or not), and no better reference for the short-lived history of the early Christian Church.

Thanks, apamburn, for the Adventist perspective. Apparently, my friends deny membership in SDA, or any other 'name' denomination. This is supposedly something new, and they pursue their study of it from within their usual Christian church.

Originally Posted by rtparso

They are Christians that are "returning to there Jewish roots".

This sounds like what my friends have in mind. They may be following the path that led to 7th Day Adventism, but have not officially become SDA. It sounds kind of like Messianic Judaism, but approached from the Christian side. The result seems to be a combination of 7th Day and Jehovah's Witness beliefs and practices: Saturday Sabbath and dietary restrictions like SDA, prohibition against celebrating any occasion other than weddings like Witnesses. They profess to follow only the Old Testament, which is the part that really puzzles me. If you follow only the Old Testament, and Jesus is not mentioned therein, how can you embrace Jesus as your savior? I will have to quiz them next time I see them.

[cz75luver]

I'm starting a new religion called JudeoChristianMuslim. Say that fast three times.

At any rate, all your bases will be covered as one of them is bound to be right. It'll be an internet church.

[Zombie Hunter]

I think monotheism is just a passing fad, I’m going back to worshiping all the old gods.

[DanTheEldest]

Originally Posted by apamburn

I certainly believe the Bible to be the word of God, insomuch as it is correctly translated.

You're LDS, aren't you?

[apamburn]

Guilty as accused

We use the New Testament and the Old Testament, in addition to several other books of scripture.

There are those who think that we do not use the Bible at all, but they are mistaken.

We recognize the New Testament as the only (and best) source of truth in regards to the life of Christ. This year's Sunday School for the worldwide church was dedicated to the study of the New Testament, in fact.

As far as what I know of SDAs, I had the pleasure of associating with many Seventh Day Adventists, as well as Jehovah's Witnesses, while serving as a Missionary, so I became familiar with their beliefs.

I have found that truly pious people are few and far between, and whether one likes them and their beliefs or not, SDA's and JWs are generally truly pious.

I met more than a few who didn't like me because of my beliefs, but that's OK.

I have a lot of respect for someone who really lives the principles of the religion they profess, and the SDAs and JWs that I met did that.

[taylor6400]

Probably Living Church of God. Living Church of God

There view on Christmas here. Why Kwanzaa? Man-made holidays and God’s Holy Days - Living Church of God: Commentary

I know a family in this religion. They are all very devout with strict tithes, and rituals (fasting, festivals, etc). Almost cult-like from knowing the daughter.