Theological debate and the mind of Christ

soldier of light said:

Debate is messy because you have a bunch of people arguing over things that they might not even understand. When I first started debating I was searching for God's will. I ran into people who didn't like the Lord's commands. They debated the law vs grace and I posted scripture of Paul's commands and I was called a lawyer and a Pharisee. These people confused me more than I was. How could they seemingly toss out the Lord's good word? How is Paul and Jesus commands Pharisee-ism? Debate is contrary to the spirit. There is no debate in the mind of Christ. Christ isn't divided. You either keep his commandments or you don't.

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as written (of those abiding in union in Yeshua): "We have the mind (the thoughts) of Jesus!"

Those who argue most and loudest don't.

soldier of light said:

Debate is messy because you have a bunch of people arguing over things that they might not even understand. When I first started debating I was searching for God's will. I ran into people who didn't like the Lord's commands. They debated the law vs grace and I posted scripture of Paul's commands and I was called a lawyer and a Pharisee. These people confused me more than I was. How could they seemingly toss out the Lord's good word? How is Paul and Jesus commands Pharisee-ism? Debate is contrary to the spirit. There is no debate in the mind of Christ. Christ isn't divided. You either keep his commandments or you don't.

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I consider myself foolish for even replying to this thread because if you disagree, it appears the pattern is accusing others of being judgemental and inconsiderate of your mental issues. You want to look at yourself in the mirror before proceeding with accusations.

We all have things we are dealing with and I do know more than a thing or two regarding mental issues and have been terribly hurt by others with mental issues. They have torn me down so bad that I wanted to jump off a cliff until the Lord led me to put up boundaries and even cut some off for a time. He had to work on me not letting them effect how I felt about myself. That is my responsibility with Him.

When it comes to human relationships, there are two sides to that story too, but where we are supposed to meet is in the heart of God found in Christ. That is where our unity lies.

Nonetheless, foolish as I am, I will share my input on this topic, come what may.

There, IN ITSELF, is nothing wrong with disagreeing with one another and discussing or debating that. The issues arise when we try and take the Holy Spirit's role in others lives in convincing them, instead of letting them hear from the Lord on the matter to confirm or not.

These things also require a good amount of humility from us because the love can be lost and then it can become more about me winning a disagreement rather than remaining in love.

If it causes you that much stress, my advice would be to steer clear of that until you are able to handle in Christ, but you cannot avoid stress and anxiety by controlling others behavior. Just share what the Lord has laid on your heart, elaborate if you need to, then leave it in his hands

And we need to be careful of using the word of God as weapons against each other. We can be right in our own eyes, but the Lord examines the heart.

soldier of light said:

Debate is messy because you have a bunch of people arguing over things that they might not even understand. When I first started debating I was searching for God's will. I ran into people who didn't like the Lord's commands. They debated the law vs grace and I posted scripture of Paul's commands and I was called a lawyer and a Pharisee. These people confused me more than I was. How could they seemingly toss out the Lord's good word? How is Paul and Jesus commands Pharisee-ism? Debate is contrary to the spirit. There is no debate in the mind of Christ. Christ isn't divided. You either keep his commandments or you don't.

Click to expand...

I consider myself foolish for even replying to this thread because if you disagree, it appears the pattern is accusing others of being judgemental and inconsiderate of your mental issues. You want to look at yourself in the mirror before proceeding with accusations.

We all have things we are dealing with and I do know more than a thing or two regarding mental issues and have been terribly hurt by others with mental issues. They have torn me down so bad that I wanted to jump off a cliff until the Lord led me to put up boundaries and even cut some off for a time. He had to work on me not letting them effect how I felt about myself. That is my responsibility with Him.

When it comes to human relationships, there are two sides to that story too, but where we are supposed to meet is in the heart of God found in Christ. That is where our unity lies

Nonetheless, foolish as I am, I will share my input on this topic, come what may.

There, IN ITSELF, is nothing wrong with disagreeing with one another and discussing or debating that. The issues arise when we try and take the Holy Spirit's role in others lives in convincing them, instead of letting them hear from the Lord on the matter to confirm or not.

These things also require a good amount of humility from us because the love can be lost and then it can become more about me winning a disagreement rather than remaining in love.

If it causes you that much stress, my advice would be to steer clear of that until you are able to handle in Christ, but you cannot avoid stress and anxiety by controlling others behavior. Just share what the Lord has laid on your heart, elaborate if you need to, then leave it in his hands

And we need to be careful of using the word of God as weapons against each other. We can be right in our own eyes, but the Lord examines the heart.

Jo555 said:

I consider myself foolish for even replying to this thread because if you disagree, it appears the pattern is accusing others of being judgemental and inconsiderate of your mental issues. You want to look at yourself in the mirror before proceeding with accusations.

We all have things we are dealing with and I do know more than a thing or two regarding mental issues and have been terribly hurt by others with mental issues. They have torn me down so bad that I wanted to jump off a cliff until the Lord led me to put up boundaries and even cut some off for a time.

When it comes to human relationships, there are two sides to that story too, but where we are supposed to meet is in the heart of God found in Christ. That is where our unity lies.

Nonetheless, foolish as I am, I will share my input on this topic, come what may.

There, IN ITSELF, is nothing wrong with disagreeing with one another and discussing or debating that. The issues arise when we try and take the Holy Spirit's role in others lives in convincing them, instead of letting them hear from the Lord on the matter to confirm or not.

These things also require a good amount of humility from us because the love can be lost and then it can become more about me winning a disagreement rather than remaining in love.

If it causes you that much stress, my advice would be to steer clear of that until you are able to handle in Christ, but you cannot avoid stress and anxiety by controlling others behavior. Just share what the Lord has laid on your heart, elaborate if you need to, then leave it in his hands

And we need to be careful of using the word of God as weapons against each other. We can be right in our own eyes, but the Lord examines the heart.

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I should also add that if in our hearts we feel it is wrong, then don't do it because for us then it is wrong and that is what the Lord is looking at.

He may have you steer clear of a disagreement, but have another share.

soldier of light said:

Debate is messy

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Greetings soldier of light. I hope you are warm and fed today. The blessings of God abound.

I must admit, I'm not clear on your intentions with this post. It seems as if you mix two issues. First, an issue of law vs grace and Pharisee-ism (I'm not interested in this topic at this time). And second, the issue of debate, public discourse, or iron sharpening iron ("one man sharpens another" (Prov 27:17).

In the above quote of you, you say "debate is messy". I agree with this, particularly depending upon who you debate, the topic of that debate, and if each person comes as teacher and learner (vessel and humbled).

However, you then write ....

soldier of light said:

Debate is contrary to the spirit

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Within your post you frame the word "debate" as being discourse between two individuals. You then present that discourse as negative and then claim the "debate itself" is contrary to the spirit.

soldier of light said:

There is no debate in the mind of Christ. Christ isn't divided.

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Your proof that public discourse is "contrary to the spirit" is to try and equate the word "debate" with some form of inconsistency within Christ. However, it is clear the two are not related.

1. Public discorse (debate)
2. Consistency of the mind of Christ

The internal consistency of Christ is not reason for not having public discourse (i.e., debate). Although I agree that "Christ isn't divided", that is, He is internally consistent. The very fact that we as human beings tend to be internally inconsistent in thought, is the very reason there should be debate.

I agree that there is only one truth, that is the wisdom of God. I just disagree that I , you or anyone, hold 100% of it. If you think you hold 100% truth in all things you think theologically, then this is where our dispute originates. Debate is needed to flush out my, and your, errors.

As an edit, I saw another one of your posts. It seems to speak to what I have said here. And appears to demonstrate we agree on the debate issue.

Peace and love to you, brother
keep seeking God's wisdom as if it were hidden treasure.

soldier of light said:

Debate is messy because you have a bunch of people arguing over things that they might not even understand. When I first started debating I was searching for God's will. I ran into people who didn't like the Lord's commands. They debated the law vs grace and I posted scripture of Paul's commands and I was called a lawyer and a Pharisee. These people confused me more than I was. How could they seemingly toss out the Lord's good word? How is Paul and Jesus commands Pharisee-ism? Debate is contrary to the spirit. There is no debate in the mind of Christ. Christ isn't divided. You either keep his commandments or you don't.

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You may have hit a wall with many when trying to debate the Mosaic Law vs Grace. Neither result in " the" solution. One must choose to debate the law vs the Spirit. This is what Jesus Christ of Nazareth and Paul were actually speaking of.
Blessings

Romans 7:6: "But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code."

Jesus was asked a lot of questions, and He asked a lot of questions, so was he debating them?

soldier of light said:

I apologize for coming here. It's obvious I don't fit in with church people. I'll just stay at home and worship the Lord by myself.

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No please stay it helps to have you with us! I understand how you feel.

soldier of light said:

My advice to you is to love people who are hurting

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Ditto. You are not the only one hurting.

soldier of light said:

My advice to you is to love people who are hurting

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Ditto. You are not the only one hurting

I would add to that, love is not defined by humans. God is love.

There is a lot to be said for stop concentrating on ourselves and put our eyes on the Lord and how He would use us to be his hands and feet in a broken world.

Look to the answer.

Jo555 said:

Ditto. You are not the only one hurting

I would add to that, love is not defined by humans. God is love.

There is a lot to be said for stop concentrating on ourselves and put our eyes on the Lord and how He would use us to be his hands and feet in a broken world.

Look to the answer.

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But I'm done because, as I said before, i personally feel some things should be said more privately.

But one more thing before I go, and not saying you are doing this, but in case. Some people diagnosed with mental issues appear to believe it is a license to behave however they want without any responsibility. That may be the case in some cases, but overall I don't buy it. Each case as the Lord reveals.

And these people (mental issues) have contributed to serious hurts and damage to others, but we can't play the blame game. God doesn't ignore contributors, but He does expect us to be reliant on Him foremost. People aren't perfect and are dealing with their own issues and the sooner you learn that, it will help.

Jo555 said:

Ditto. You are not the only one hurting

I would add to that, love is not defined by humans. God is love.

There is a lot to be said for stop concentrating on ourselves and put our eyes on the Lord and how He would use us to be his hands and feet in a broken world.

Look to the answer.

Click to expand...

But I'm done because, as I said before, i personally feel some things should be said more privately.

But one more thing before I go, and not saying you are doing this, but in case. Some people diagnosed with mental issues appear to believe it is s license to behave however they want without any responsibility. That may be the case in some cases, but overall I don't buy it. Each case as the Lord reveals.

And these people (mental issues) have contributed to serious hurts and damage to others, but we can't play the blame game. God doesn't ignore contributors, but He does expect us to be reliant on Him foremost. People aren't perfect and are dealing with their own issues and the sooner you learn that, it will help