I know that it is politically incorrect to say what I'm about to say,
but I will say it.
I suspect that most people in the ASA and on this list do regard
Christian Science to be an unorthodox cult. It is my understanding
that Christian Science has unorthodox views of the Trinity and of the
deity of Christ and of the nature of the work of Christ, among other
things (these particular doctrinal deviations from historic Christian
orthodoxy are what warrant the label "cult" among evangelicals --
this label is shared with Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormonism, The Way
International, and others). I had a Christian Science roommate in
college and had many long discussions with him; it's been a while
since I've studied the issues in detail, but I don't think that I
speak from ignorance here.
The ASA statement of faith is very "big-tent" and points to the
Apostles' and Nicene creed as fundamental statements of orthodoxy as
being accurate statements of the teaching of scripture. These are the
classic Christian creeds defining the Trinity and the Incarnation. In
general, we do not regard as Christians those who disagree with these
doctrines (part of what it means to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord
and Savior is to agree with the teachings of these creeds).
I am willing to learn from Stuart if I my understanding of Christian
Science is in error, but if it is not and there is a denial of the
Trinity and the unique deity of Christ, then what I say stands. I
don't think that the ASA list is a place to carry out debates on
whether or not the ecumenical creeds are Biblical--that is one of our
starting points as an organization. If Stuart is participating in the
discussion on the common groundwork of historic Christianity, then
let the discussion continue; if not, then it should stop.
Just to make it clear: I am not speaking here as moderator, but as
participant in this group. At this point I have no plans to prevent
the discussion or to "censor" posts, but I speak as an ASA member who
is zealous to maintain the "evangelical" integrity of our group and
our discussions.
TG
-- _________________ Terry M. Gray, Ph.D., Computer Support Scientist Chemistry Department, Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 grayt@lamar.colostate.edu http://www.chm.colostate.edu/~grayt/ phone: 970-491-7003 fax: 970-491-1801
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Apr 26 2002 - 17:22:20 EDT