I am pleased that Brother John started this essay with this very important note:
( A creed is a statement of beliefs. From the title above, you can see that this page contains a statement of beliefs of “a” Christian Deist, namely myself. Christian Deism is an individual religion so each Christian Deist must state his/her beliefs in his/her own way. It is not my intention to impose my beliefs on anyone else but I offer my “creed” as a statement of beliefs that others may find to be similar to their own. This creed represents my definition of “Christian Deism.” )
I consider myself a “deist” because I believe that God created the world and rules it through natural laws. I am a “Christian” because I believe that Jesus was a man who was “anointed” by God to preach the gospel (good news) that the Kingdom of God is “at hand” for persons who are willing to obey God’s laws for humankind, namely, love for God and love for each other. The title “christ” means “anointed one,” and a “Christian” is a follower of Jesus, the “anointed one.”
The following is my effort to state my beliefs as a Christian Deist:
I BELIEVE:
1. God created all that exists, including humankind.
2. God rules the world through natural laws. Obedience to these laws is life-creative; disobedience to these laws is life-destructive.
3. God’s laws for humankind are known to every person because these laws are inherent in the design of human nature. It is God’s will, or intention, for us to love God and love each other.
4. Jesus was a human being who discovered that God’s laws are planted like a seed “in the heart” of each person.
5. Jesus believed that he had been “anointed” to preach the “gospel” (good news) that the “Kingdom of God” becomes a reality on earth as human beings obey God’s basic laws of love for God and each other.
6. Jesus taught that causing human suffering or being indifferent toward human suffering are violations of God’s laws of love (see parable of the Good Samaritan). A violation of God’s law is called “sin.”
7. Jesus called for people “to repent” (turn away) from sin and “believe in the gospel (good news)” that “the kingdom of God is at hand” on earth as God’s laws are obeyed by individuals.
8. An individual who is committed to follow God’s laws of love will experience “repentance” whenever the individual fails to love. Repentance is the prerequisite for forgiveness.
9. By obeying God’s laws of love, a person experiences life on a higher level which Jesus described as “abundant” and “eternal.”
10. God created us as free agents in a free world. We are responsible for our own actions within the limits of our individual abilities and opportunities.
11. In a free world, bad things can happen to people by accident or by human intention. God does not intend for bad things to happen but God cannot directly intervene. We must accept the fact that accidents can happen in a free world. We must oppose wrong human intentions.
12. Although God cannot directly intervene in human affairs, God may intervene through us as God’s agents in creating the “kingdom of God on earth.” For example, God can heal through the efforts of physicians and nurses. Each of us should do what we can to create the kingdom of God on earth.
13. If we try to live today as God intends for us to live in this world, we can trust God to take care of us beyond this world (as taught by Jesus in his “parable of the talents”). The fact that we have life now through no action of our own is evidence that God has the power to give life. We must recognize our dependence on God for life now and in the future.
John Lindell, 1999
Site owners note: These essays are the words, expressions, opinions & thoughts of Brother John H. Lindell. They do not necessarily reflect the thoughts and/or firm beliefs of either myself or all Deists, Christian Deists. I have the utmost respect for this brother and agree on almost all aspects but I wanted to state that I am posting these as reference for those seeking his works and not that I am pushing his material as the “hardline” facts a fellow brother or sister has to follow to associate as a Christian Deist. His work should not be lost and thus I have created these pages for others.
