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From: bcsaic!carroll@beaver.cs.washington.edu (Jeff Carroll)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: "People of the Book"
Message-ID: <Mar.16.05.26.22.1990.27240@athos.rutgers.edu>
Date: 16 Mar 90 10:26:24 GMT
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Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu


	I agree with Pastor Eldberg that there is some usefulness in a
formal definition of who is Xtian, and who not - specifically in
questions of ecumenism and open communion.
	For the last century, the Anglican Communion has had a formal
definition of what constitutes being Christian - at least, being
Christian enough to be in communion with Canterbury. It is called the
Lambeth Quadrilateral, and was adopted in the form of Resolution 11 of
the Lambeth Conference of 1888. I quote:

	That, in the opinion of this Conference, the following Articles
	supply a basis on which approach may be by God's blessing made
	towards Home Reunion:

	(a) The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as
	"containing all things necessary to salvation," and as being
	the rule and ultimate standard of faith.

	(b) The Apostles' Creed, as the Baptismal Symbol; and the Nicene
	Creed, as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.

	(c) The two Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself - Baptism and
	the Supper of the Lord - ministered with unfailing use of
	Christ's words of institution, and of the elements ordained by 
	Him.

	(d) The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of
	its administration to the varying needs of the nations and
	peoples called of God into the Unity of His Church.

	In practice, my idea of "Christian" is a little broader than
this; however, I wouldn't want to merge with or get seriously involved
with a community that rejected any of these.
	On the other hand, I have no time or energy for bashing of
Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Unity members, SDAs, or any of the other
groups whose unorthodox theology puts them in the "gray area" of
Christianity.

	Jeff Carroll
	carroll@atc.boeing.com