Unorthodox TheologyA forum to discuss/debate theological doctrines not accepted by mainstream evangelical Christianity (eg. Full Preterism, Unitarianism)
Does this mean you don't believe there are bigots on the forum or that there are bigots, but it is counter productive to point that out? If it is the former, then we must not read the same threads. If it is the latter, then I would agree it's counter productive to say poster X is a bigot, but I don't think in answering a general question about the hostility on the boards pointing out bigotry is part of the problem is counter productive. Rather, I think it serves two purposes: one, it identifies a source and as G.I. Joe says "knowing is half the battle". Two, it allows one to see the issue can only be resolved by Moderator action as bigots are not interested in any accord or detente, only their warped crusade.
Hi Orontes,
I have seen a lot of labels put on people in this forum; bigot, heretic, anti, cultist, wolf in sheeps clothing, Christian in quotes as though to imply that the person isn't really a Christian, and more. I'm not interested in labeling people. I'd rather discuss ideas.
Have you read the new rules? Here's a link to them: http://www.christianforums.com/rules. Under "Love Your Neighbor", I read such rules as no flaming, baiting, harassment of other members, or defamation of members. I don't think that it is necessary to label anyone in order to determine whether or not the rules have been violated. I've noticed recently a lot of mod hats in the forum, reminding us all not to flame, bait, ridicule, and belittle each other. They are making an effort to help us all to discuss the issues in a respectful manner.
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Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14
Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying. There are as many interpretations of scripture as there are theologians. There are as many perspectives as there are searchers. There are as many doctrinal positions as there are bible students. And EVERY ONE of them believes that what they see in the bible is the TRUTH....and that everyone else is wrong.
So why don't we just let God sort it out? Everyone is searching for God and His truth. I think He is big enough and smart enough to reveal to each person what He wants, when He wants and how He wants. To his own master he stands or falls. Not our call.
I'm not saying we shouldn't debate this stuff....I'm just saying there is no room to judge each other over it.
And just WHO is going to decide which doctrinal interpretation is the CORRECT one? Who is going to decide which teaching is false?
YOU? ME? A particular denomination? A particular theologian? The Catholics? The Baptists? The Pentecostals? The Mormons? The Jehovah's Witnesses? The Methodists? The Lutherans? The Presbyterians?
Who gets to say what is false on behalf of God??
I would dare say that you believe that YOU and YOUR particular brand of Christianity should get to decide what is false because you believe that YOUR interpretation is the correct one.....however every other one of those groups believe the exact same thing. So why should YOUR view win out?
No, but everyone CAN be wrong...
There are two influences that lead our thoughts, the Holy Spirit, and that false angel of light. This is what I surmise when I read the scriptures. Our daily activities, choices and thoughts (which always convert to actions eventually) are the self diagnostic means to know which Spirit/spirit we attune ourselves to. If our desires and passions take us to areas that are prohibited as a standard in scripture, then the the same spirit that rules these thoughts can also influence our understanding to error.
The Psalmist put it very straight forward when he said: 97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. 102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. (Psalms 119:97 - 104)
The greatest obstacle to understanding the things of God occured when people got the notion that repentance is not necessary for salvation, because it is a work. Job teaches us that to depart from evil equates to understanding. Satan does not want us to repent because it keeps us in blindness.
God has sorted it out for us. We just need to develop the eyes to see, the ears to hear, and the hearts to perceive. Most here believe that I am deceived in Mormonism. If so, then it would be because of my failure to comply with the correct principles stated above, principles that are set forth in scripture.
Perhaps it is well to remember what God's purpose is for all those who desire His greatest blessings. ¶ Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. (Exodus16:4) That proving pertains to you and me, just as much as it did to the Israelites. Our understanding grows as we prove trustworthy to receive.
This is my contribution to the topic, not a preachy sermon. If my approach and view is not harmonious to God's Word, please respond.
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"Complicated" only means multiple basics that work together in harmony.
MormonFriend 1957 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Last edited by MormonFriend; 22nd June 2006 at 05:13 AM.
I have seen a lot of labels put on people in this forum; bigot, heretic, anti, cultist, wolf in sheeps clothing, Christian in quotes as though to imply that the person isn't really a Christian, and more. I'm not interested in labeling people. I'd rather discuss ideas.
Hi Skylark,
Wanting to discuss ideas is a good thing, but that doesn't address the issue of the hostility on the forum which I think you recognize is present. If you do recognize its presence then the natural question is why is it present? I think part of the reason such exists is because of a pronounced bigotry of some. If that is correct, then be nice appeals will have no effect as the bigot is more committed to their prejudice than to any accord with the object of their ire. Consider, I've read posts by some on these boards who have written it is their Divine mission to combat Mormonism. Someone who considers it their Divine calling to attack another faith is not going to be dissuaded by simple appeals to be peaceable. This is why I posted direct Moderator action is the only possible solution. That the Moderators are more active I think is a good thing.
__________________ "We are lovers of beauty without extravagance and of learning without loss of vigor." -Thucydides
"Then let us again examine whether that is a sound statement, or do we let it pass, and if one of us, or someone else, merely says that something is so, do we accept that it is so? Or should we examine what the speaker means?" -Plato
I'd agree that in the spirit of debate and in people trying to be humorous, things are said that can offend. That said, I do wishing happy posting to all and hope we can all be internet buds here.
I also would like to see harmony and civil discussion.
Remember, the only people that Jesus EVER got down and dirty with were the Pharisees.....who were the RELIGIOUS folks who thought they KNEW IT ALL and were going to tell EVERYONE ELSE how to live in order to be pleasing to God.
Yep, that's exactly what I'm saying. There are as many interpretations of scripture as there are theologians. There are as many perspectives as there are searchers. There are as many doctrinal positions as there are bible students. And EVERY ONE of them believes that what they see in the bible is the TRUTH....and that everyone else is wrong.
Yes there certainly are, and God bless that there are. He wants us to debate and contend for the truth so we may get to the truth and to grow spritually. Yes they all believe that there interpretation is the truth but there is a right interpretation that is why we continue to study the bible to learn it.
So why don't we just let God sort it out? Everyone is searching for God and His truth. I think He is big enough and smart enough to reveal to each person what He wants, when He wants and how He wants. To his own master he stands or falls. Not our call.
He has sorted it out it is called the bible, it is our fallen state that has caused all the contention and wrong interpretations of it.
I'm not saying we shouldn't debate this stuff....I'm just saying there is no room to judge each other over it.
I agree, only God can judge.
And just WHO is going to decide which doctrinal interpretation is the CORRECT one? Who is going to decide which teaching is false?
YOU? ME? A particular denomination? A particular theologian? The Catholics? The Baptists? The Pentecostals? The Mormons? The Jehovah's Witnesses? The Methodists? The Lutherans? The Presbyterians?
God decides that's who.
Who gets to say what is false on behalf of God??
The Holy Ghost testifies to the truth through the bible. There are clearly teachings out there that are no where found in the bible at all, either in interpretation or directly saying it, what about those are the right too despite being found no where in the bible .
I would dare say that you believe that YOU and YOUR particular brand of Christianity should get to decide what is false because you believe that YOUR interpretation is the correct one.....however every other one of those groups believe the exact same thing. So why should YOUR view win out?
Yes there certainly are, and God bless that there are. He wants us to debate and contend for the truth so we may get to the truth and to grow spritually. Yes they all believe that there interpretation is the truth but there is a right interpretation that is why we continue to study the bible to learn it.
My observation is that the emphasis on "study" the bible is greater than the emphasis on "living" the bible. The understanding that is in question comes naturally from the result of living what we learn. Too many thrive on the attention and status of being "in the know", and miss the mark entirely.
The world's view and interpretation of intelligence is transformed into a quotia, an IQ. The rewards and emphasis for attention goes to straight-A people, which has no means of sifting out greed. Look what happens when they gain leadership and authority.
I think the Lord's standard for intelligence is the ability for a person to use whatever knowledge he has, small or great, in a way that maintains harmony and peace among the social structure of fellow man. Will not heaven be a social structure of some form? Is life not a means to sort out those who will abide and live the laws of God?
True understanding comes from revelation by the Holy Ghost. The bible has information, but the deciphering and understanding it's powers and principles are meant only for the eyes that can see, the ears that hear, and the heart that perceives. Hence, so many interpretations of the Bible, because so many do so without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and truth is hid from the greedy, until such dross is removed by the refiner's fire, if they will endure.
__________________
"Complicated" only means multiple basics that work together in harmony.
MormonFriend 1957 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Group hug ?? Careful guys....don't get too close to him. He just wants to bab-uh-tize you with dihydrogen monoxide... and then zap you with his decoder ring
__________________ Suffering by nature or chance never seems so painful as suffering inflicted on us by the arbitrary will of another. - Arthur Schopenhauer
Personaly, I believe that studying the Bible and living the Bible go hand in hand, I don't think one is more important than the other. If you know the Word, your desire is then to live it; if you are living it day to day, your desire to learn increases more as you are filled with the joy of the Lord.
and then zap you with his decoder ring 
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