TOPIC
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TRADITIONAL CHRISTIANITY |
THE NEW CHURCH
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| God |
A trinity of Divine Persons in a mystical union as one
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A trinity of essential qualities in one divine person, the Lord Jesus Christ
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Purpose of Christ's life on earth
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To atone for the sins of all mankind by His suffering and death on the cross
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To restore spiritual freedom to the human race by teaching the truth with love and power
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The Second Coming of Christ
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Still awaited in the literal clouds of heaven at a cataclysmic day of earthly judgment
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Accomplished in the 18th century by means of the revelation of the spiritual sense of the Word
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Human Heredity
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The sins of the whole human race have been passed down from Adam, condemning everyone.
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Both good and evil inclinations are passed on through heredity, but not sins or anything of personal merit.
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Sin
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Any disorderly trait that alienates a person from God, whether consciously acquired or not
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Any evil consciously done knowing it is contrary to God's will.
Sins condemn, evils do not.
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Rebirth
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People are "born again" and thus saved by a single act of confession and faith, often including baptism.
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We begin with a conviction of faith, but our spiritual growth and well-being is a gradual life-long process.
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Salvation
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Eternal heavenly life is granted only to those who are born again and baptized in a Christian faith.
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Refers to spiritual health, which is granted by God to all who live well according to His laws of order.
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The Bible
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Either seen as literally true or as teaching the truth through myths, metaphors and legends
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Every word contains a symbolic spiritual sense concerning the Lord and our own eternal lives.
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Life After Death
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Will commence for everyone at the time of the Last Judgment on this earth. Meanwhile... ???
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Will commence for everyone immediately after the death of the body; many details revealed
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Heaven and Hell
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Heaven is the eternal reward for those who live well (or get saved) on earth, and hell is the eternal punishment for those who don't.
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Heaven is the state of eternal happiness of those who love God and love to serve others. Hell is the opposite, for those who don't.
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Angels and Devils
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Angels are a separate race of beings created by God, and devils are fallen angels.
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All angels and devils were once people living in this world who now live on as spirits in heaven or hell.
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Marriage
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Necessary for the procreation of the race but dissolved along with the flesh after death. Men often seen as governing over women.
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Men and women are distinct and complementary in spirit as well as in the flesh, and a truly spiritual |
