Brendon Naicker’s Post

The Latter-day Saints (LDS) church, commonly known as Mormonism, was founded by Joseph Smith in the early 19th century. This movement distinguishes itself from orthodox Christianity through its additional scriptures, such as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Key doctrinal differences include the nature of God, the concept of exaltation, belief in modern prophets, and the idea of pre-mortal existence. These beliefs often lead to religious debate and controversy, as they diverge significantly from traditional Christian doctrine and scriptural authority. From a biblical perspective, orthodox Christianity views these doctrines as inconsistent with fundamental teachings about the nature of God and the closed canon of scripture. This comparison highlights the theological debate between Mormon beliefs and established Christian doctrine. #swindonchurch #brendonnaicker #theologyschool #LDS, #Mormonism, #Christianity, #ChurchHistory, #Doctrine, #BiblicalPerspective, #JosephSmith, #Mormon Beliefs, #ReligiousDebate, #Christian #swindon https://lnkd.in/etbSJDyW

The Latter-day Saints (LDS) church, commonly known as Mormonism, was founded by Joseph Smith in the early 19th century. This movement distinguishes itself from orthodox Christianity through its additional scriptures, such as the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. Key doctrinal differences include the nature of God, the concept of exaltation, belief in modern prophets, and the idea of pre-mortal existence. These beliefs often lead to religious debate and controversy, as they diverge significantly from traditional Christian doctrine and scriptural authority. From a biblical perspective, orthodox Christianity views these doctrines as inconsistent with fundamental teachings about the nature of God and the closed canon of scripture. This comparison highlights the theological debate between Mormon beliefs and established Christian doctrine. #swindonchurch #brendonnaicker #theologyschool #LDS, #Mormonism, #Christianity, #ChurchHistory, #Doctrine, #BiblicalPerspective, #JosephSmith, #Mormon #Beliefs, #ReligiousDebate, #Christian #swindon https://lnkd.in/etbSJDyW

An Overview of the Trinity Doctrine #swindonchurch The doctrine of the Trinity remains a central and defining element of Christian theology, reflecting the complexity and depth of the Christian understanding of God. Its development over centuries, theological significance, and scriptural foundations highlight the richness of the Christian faith. Despite its mystery, the Trinity offers a profound insight into the nature of God as a relational and loving being, inviting believers into a deeper relationship with the triune God. #swindonchurch #swindonchurches https://lnkd.in/ewYZhC6b

Merry Christmas! Monday, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Did you know that "Christ" is a title, not a last name? (True!) Do you know the reasons why Jesus was "prosecuted" and then killed by crucifixion? What was so dangerous to those who misinterpreted his message? Was His message peaceful? Practical? Otherworldly? Radical? How did Christianity start? Who were the first Christians? What is the oldest, earliest Christian church? How many different Christian churches exist? What are the broad strokes of how they emerged throughout human history? Why are Roman Catholics called Roman? What's so Eastern about Eastern Orthodoxy? Why are there 1,000s of Protestant denominations? Do Christians read the entire Bible literally? Does Christian doctrine conflict with scientific findings like the Big Bang? These are all GREAT questions to explore during the Christmas season. For doubters, skeptics, the curious, and yes, followers of Christ, I wrote a book that answers 500+ of these Frequently Asked Questions, all in plain English, using the same direct, clear, concise style as my earlier three books, the bestselling Government Contracts in Plain English Series! Check it out on Amazon: Christianity in Plain English: Answers to 500+ FAQs about Jesus, Bible Translations, God, Creation, Theology, Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodoxy, Heaven, Angels, and More #books #SmallBusiness #Christmas #Christianity #Apologetics

An Overview of the Trinity Doctrine #swindonchurch The doctrine of the Trinity remains a central and defining element of Christian theology, reflecting the complexity and depth of the Christian understanding of God. Its development over centuries, theological significance, and scriptural foundations highlight the richness of the Christian faith. Despite its mystery, the Trinity offers a profound insight into the nature of God as a relational and loving being, inviting believers into a deeper relationship with the triune God. #swindonchurch #swindonchurches https://lnkd.in/eME9PWfM

As I work in multi-faith, I occasionally hear that we ought to set aside doctrinal differences to work together. At the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network we would reject that as a false dichotomy. I can set aside my doctrinal distinctives as easily as I can cut off my arm - in fact, it might be harder. Instead, we recognize that we live in a pluralistic context, and each person of faith (or no faith), comes to the public square with all their doctrinal distinctives making them who they are. For me that means I am a follower of Jesus Christ, through and through. My doctrinal peculiarities are what drive me to who I am, to collaboration and care for those who believe differently than I do, and give me the desire to live out and share my faith. We don't need less distinctive faith - we need people who own their theological distinctives and who can live those out, demonstrating kindness and compassion for one another. We don't need to gather together around theological uniformity, but rather around a common belief in the dignity, worth, and value of each person. I don't want people of other faiths who work with me to feel the need to hide or diminish what they believe. We are much better off if we live in a free state where each person can believe freely, and be accountable to live out that faith - where we can share that faith openly. For me, as a fairly conservative Evangelical Christian I don't serve in spite of that theology, I serve others, and love others, and value others, because of that faith.

📚 Christianity During the First Four Centuries The first four centuries of Christianity were marked by profound transformations and intellectual debates that shaped the course of the religion. This period saw Christianity evolve from its Jewish roots, through the influence of figures like Saint Paul, and interact with Greek philosophy and other religious ideas of the time. The tension between Jewish and Gentile followers of Christ played a significant role in shaping the early Christian Church. Saint Paul’s efforts to include Gentiles without the requirement of following Jewish laws like circumcision opened the way for Christianity to spread beyond the Jewish community. The emergence of Gnosticism and its alternative interpretations of Christian teachings is another intriguing aspect. The Gnostic view of the world as created by an inferior deity and their reinterpretation of biblical figures like the serpent in the Garden of Eden certainly challenged mainstream Christian beliefs. The influence of Greek philosophy on Christian theology, as seen in the works of Origen and others, is also a key part of this history. The blending of Platonic ideas with Christian doctrine, while controversial, contributed to the development of Christian theology. However, the acquisition of political power also led to internal conflicts within the Christian community, particularly over theological issues. The Arian controversy and the subsequent theological debates highlight the complexities and challenges faced by the early Christian Church. The period from Constantine to the Council of Chalcedon was indeed marked by significant theological debates, particularly regarding the nature of the Trinity and the doctrine of the Incarnation. The role of figures like Athanasius in championing Nicene orthodoxy during these debates is noteworthy. #Christianity #History #Philosophy #FirstFourCenturies

New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) : Biblical Analysis The emphasis on spiritual rather than political dominion resonates deeply with Jesus’ teachings and the New Testament’s overarching narrative. As the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) advocates for Christians to seize control of societal structures, it risks blurring the line between spiritual authority and political power, which could ultimately distract from the church’s primary mission. Historically, the early church exemplified a commitment to spiritual transformation, service, and witness without pursuing political dominion, presenting a stark contrast to Dominion Theology. By understanding and embracing the biblical perspective of the Kingdom of God, the church can stay true to its calling and mission, anticipating the future fulfillment of God’s Kingdom while actively representing Christ through love, service, and the proclamation of the gospel in the present age. #NAR #brendonnaicker #swindonchurch #swindonchurches #theologyschool #newapostolicreformation #badtheology https://lnkd.in/ePUVisvp

Who were the Protestant Reformers, and what were they reforming? Read today’s blog post by Dr. Keith Mathison, our professor of systematic theology, to learn more about people who desired to bring the church back to its biblical roots.

New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) : Biblical Analysis The emphasis on spiritual rather than political dominion resonates deeply with Jesus’ teachings and the New Testament’s overarching narrative. As the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) advocates for Christians to seize control of societal structures, it risks blurring the line between spiritual authority and political power, which could ultimately distract from the church’s primary mission. Historically, the early church exemplified a commitment to spiritual transformation, service, and witness without pursuing political dominion, presenting a stark contrast to Dominion Theology. By understanding and embracing the biblical perspective of the Kingdom of God, the church can stay true to its calling and mission, anticipating the future fulfillment of God’s Kingdom while actively representing Christ through love, service, and the proclamation of the gospel in the present age. #NAR #brendonnaicker #swindonchurch #swindonchurches #theologyschool #newapostolicreformation #badtheology https://lnkd.in/eGQipT3H