I Believe Or I Think

Most people use the phrase "I believe" interchangeably with the phrase "I think". While this ambiguity in communication is misleading, it wouldn't be a cause for concern. But I think these two words have become mixed together in some people's heads, and that is serious cause for concern. People behave like they are ready to battle to the death over something that is only their opinion of the moment. Worse, many people act as if every thought that pops in their heads is important, right and anyone who contradicts them is evil. I think that if people could discern the difference between "I believe" and "I think" they would be happier, get along better, and would be better witnesses to others.

Let me try to make this clearer: The things I believe are core to my faith. These are not up for debate. Although I have no problem debating with someone about my beliefs, especially when they are genuinely interested. But they are not going to change my mind. An example is that I believe in God. I'll discuss it with an Atheist, and probably enjoy the discussion. But they're not going to change my mind. I've already wrestled with that one.

Then there are things that I think. I think that the way some churches are set up that are just crazy and cause more problems than they solve. And there are some ways that I think work better than others. But these are just my opinions. There are Biblical examples of what I think. But the Bible doesn't say to do it the way I think. It's largely silent on the issue other than to describe how it was done in a couple instances. If someone disagrees with me on these issues, I don't care. It doesn't really matter. It's just an opinion.

If someone put a gun in my face and told me to renounce Jesus, I'd tell them to pull the trigger. If they put a gun to my head over how we should do water baptism I'd say okay, we can do it your way. It doesn't really matter. I happen to think that immersion is the preferred way to go as it follows the examples in the New Testament. However, that is an "I think", not an "I believe". I don't think that people who only get sprinkled are going to hell. However, I think that those who argue for sprinkling being more proper over immersion are on shaky ground. But that is also an "I think". I will die for my beliefs, but there aren't that many of them.

What I believe is nicely summed up in the Apostle's Creed, or the Nicene Creed. These are the things that I stake my life and my soul on. While non-affiliated churches have an aversion to practices that are common in national and international denominations, there are a few they should consider. A few years ago, Celebration Church started reciting The Apostle's Creed as a congregation before the sermon. I really like repeating our core beliefs as a group of believers. While it is a good thing for new Christians, I think it's just as important for those who have been Christians for years. Over time we forget and we take for granted. Before a pilot takes off, he recages, that is aligns with the horizon, the artificial horizon, sets the correct coordinates in his navigation system, and sets his altimeter to the current barometric setting. All instruments drift away from true. But by resetting everything as accurately as possible before the flight, he can be sure that they will be true when he needs them. In the same way, we can use an alignment as Christians. The Apostle's Creed is a good way to do that. It can keep other things in perspective. And when someone else in the church suggests something we don't agree with, it's not a cage match in the church.

The Apostle's Creed (Revised for modern language)

We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the creator of Heaven and Earth. We believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. Who for us and our salvation, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead, and on the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the fellowship of believers, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

I'm not saying that other things aren't important. In fact, I've found that failure to follow other biblical principals and teachings as closely and accurately as possible is to court disaster. But at the same time, to insist that unless someone follows our own interpretation they are going to hell is to be more of a Pharisee than a Christian. Just as with the Pharisees, there are many things people today insist are beliefs that are unbiblical or even anti-biblical. That is not good place to be. I do not want to be that guy. That's why the Apostle's Creed and the Nicene Creed are on this website.