Can a Liberal Christian attain salvation by being born-again in the sense of biblical salvation? Online info?

Question

I am a Roman Catholic by birth. However, I am reexamining my spirituality. I consider myself "liberal" in the fact that while I believe in the Bible and its stories, I don't believe that they happened exactly "as is". I believe the stories happened but were recorded in the context of the reality of their lives 2-5000 years ago. I do NOT take the bible LITERALLY "as is".

For example, I believe God created everything in the universe, but that the Big Bang billions of years ago, evolution, humans evolved from apes (we are created in the image of God's spirit and love). I believe in a possible Garden of Eden in the fertile plains of the Jordan River where scientists say it probably existed thousands of years ago. I believe in Noah's flood, but believe it to have been a regional flood, as it is physically impossible for the earth to have been entirely covered with water, much less have all human races on earth having been descended from Noah and his family only 5000 years ago, etc.

Answer 1

the fact of the matter is you either believe the bible or you dont ,you cant pick and choose what you want to believe

Answer 2

If you did not believe that cancer even exists, would a doctor be able to convince you to take radiation and chemotherapy?

You don't believe that Adam and Eve actually existed? It was their disobedience that resulted in our need for Jesus Christ as our savior.

The Bible shows an actual genealogy starting with Adam and Eve. Do you mean to say that you believe God picked out one particular pair of human-type, evolved creatures and named them Adam and Eve?

It's a physical impossibility that the earth could have been completely under water? And impossible for all of us to have come from Noah and his family? I wasn't aware of that.

To answer your question though, if it's the Pope's decision, from the other posters, I guess you're OK. If it's my interpretation, I'd say not. But neither the Pope, nor I get to decide. It's a fairly important thing to your future though (a bit more important than breathing....) so if I were you, I'd pray alot and read the bible alot. You're betting alot on the outcome.

Answer 3

Yes you can. It sounds like you have more faith than you need. When I was saved, I didn't really believe anything. When you follow God's plan of Salvation, He will lead you in all truth!! St. John 3:5 says that we must be Born Again of the waterand of the Spirit. Acts 2:38 tells us how to do this. Repent and be baptized by immersion for the forgiveness of sins, then He will fill us with the Holy Ghost. We know when we have it when we experience what they did in Acts 2:4, 10:45-46, 19:6 and verified in St. Mark 16:16-17. Experience this and God will perform a miracle in your life!!

Answer 4

I'm not sure what your question is. You mean, can you take a reasonable, somewhat compromised interpretation of scripture and still consider yourself "saved"?

The answer depends on which cult you ask. Most Christian sects that stress the "born again" terminology are fairly narrow-minded when it comes to scripture. They would more than likely consider your ideas to be "apostacy," because you make capitulations to the advance of human knowledge. It is of course impossible to take the bible "literally," but they THINK they do, and they consider it a cardinal point of faith that you agree with them on every point.

Needless to say, most "Christians" go right ahead and invent their own religion regardless, cherry-picking (consciously or unconsciously) texts and ideas that suit them (and I don't necessarily mean ideas that they find "pleasant").

Answer 5

Being born again we become a new creature spiritually. We are given the Holy Spirit to teach us the Truth and to guide us. We are no longer our own but Christ's.

John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:7 - Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

1 Peter 1:23 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Answer 6

I don't think that makes you liberal.

I'm Catholic, and as far as I know the Church doesn't teach that the creation story is literal, nor does she teach that all of the Bible is to be taken literally.

In fact the Pope said that evolution is not at odds with God's plan nor with creation.
http://www.catholic.net/RCC/Periodicals/Dossier/0102-97/Article3.html

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_05104.shtml

http://www.catholic.com/library/adam_eve_and_evolution.asp

Answer 7

Christ will welcome you with open arms. I don't think there's a person on earth who doesn't have some misconception about something written in the Bible. But not being a "liberal" christian, I can't advise you on online sites.

Answer 8

Can you refine your question and specifiy what you want to know? If you want to know about being "born again," read John 3, then compare it to Acts 2.

Answer 9

Sorry, I don't think that born again thing happens until Christ returns.

Answer 10

You think too much.