Are We Athenians?

[AlexDTX]

To CF Moderators.
This may be in the wrong location, so if it needs to be moved, please move it.

Act 17:21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners living there used to spend their time doing nothing else other than listening to the latest ideas or repeating them.​

I wonder, I have been on this forum for a year now, and it seems to me that many Christians (I include myself) seem to be looking for some new thing to discuss, argue and debate over. I go in an out of Talk Radio listening. I want to know what is going on, but the endless discussion of the same thing by all the radio hosts wears me out. How much do we need to discuss the matter? What can we do if anything at all?

And I find the same feeling overwhelming me at this forum. So often people are cruising through the threads (I still include myself as being guilty of these points) simply looking for red flags that we can jump on to defend our positions. Or how often are threads begun by people who know that they are baiting readers into a debate so they can champion their point of view.

Yet in all of this, how are we furthering the Kingdom of God? How are we edifying others to encourage them in their walk with Christ? How often do we disregard this admonition?

Rom 14:1 Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of arguing over differences of opinion.​

I resolve to be more careful not to engage in doubtful disputations, or to waste time arguing over differences of opinions that do not edify readers or do not encourage others in our trust in Christ. Forgive me for those times I have failed. And please join me in this resolution. Will you join me?

 

[Paul of Eugene OR]

To CF Moderators.
This may be in the wrong location, so if it needs to be moved, please move it.

Act 17:21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners living there used to spend their time doing nothing else other than listening to the latest ideas or repeating them.​

I wonder, I have been on this forum for a year now, and it seems to me that many Christians (I include myself) seem to be looking for some new thing to discuss, argue and debate over. I go in an out of Talk Radio listening. I want to know what is going on, but the endless discussion of the same thing by all the radio hosts wears me out. How much do we need to discuss the matter? What can we do if anything at all?

And I find the same feeling overwhelming me at this forum. So often people are cruising through the threads (I still include myself as being guilty of these points) simply looking for red flags that we can jump on to defend our positions. Or how often are threads begun by people who know that they are baiting readers into a debate so they can champion their point of view.

Yet in all of this, how are we furthering the Kingdom of God? How are we edifying others to encourage them in their walk with Christ? How often do we disregard this admonition?

Rom 14:1 Accept anyone who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of arguing over differences of opinion.​

I resolve to be more careful not to engage in doubtful disputations, or to waste time arguing over differences of opinions that do not edify readers or do not encourage others in our trust in Christ. Forgive me for those times I have failed. And please join me in this resolution. Will you join me?

You speak as if there was something wrong about listening to the latest ideas and testing them out! There is a place and a time for such things. I submit that right here on a public discussion board is the right place. However, there is the point that perhaps we might spend too much time here instead of being about other important work, and in that sense I agree this can become a waste of time.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

CF can be useful for testing our positions on doctrine. But only for those willing to admit their doctrine may be wrong, which that number is growing less by the day it seems.

The danger in a place like CF is it provides opportunity for those who have no business teaching scripture or doctrine to have free reign over such matters. The mods do a fairly decent job at policing, but it is just an enormous task to handle on any level.

 

[Uber Genius]

It is tough to watch what passes for exegesis out here. I try and help people gain methodological understanding rather than "just adopt my view." But instead of appreciation they defend to the death fallacious views. Few want to learn. Luckily I have many ministry opportunities that provide an audience that wants to learn, and is open to arguments for the best inference on the biblical data, while recognizing they could be wrong.

Good post. Humbling but true of some of my engagement out here.

 

[AlexDTX]

You speak as if there was something wrong about listening to the latest ideas and testing them out! There is a place and a time for such things. I submit that right here on a public discussion board is the right place. However, there is the point that perhaps we might spend too much time here instead of being about other important work, and in that sense I agree this can become a waste of time.

It is not the waste of time that I am addressing the but the lack of edification. As I said, I listen to talk radio to keep up, likewise I participate in the forum to keep up. But the hunting for opportunity to champion pet peeves or seek contention, is not the way of Christ in my opinion. But thank you for your feed back.

 

[AlexDTX]

CF can be useful for testing our positions on doctrine. But only for those willing to admit their doctrine may be wrong, which that number is growing less by the day it seems.

The danger in a place like CF is it provides opportunity for those who have no business teaching scripture or doctrine to have free reign over such matters. The mods do a fairly decent job at policing, but it is just an enormous task to handle on any level.

Well said, Spirit.

 

[AlexDTX]

It is tough to watch what passes for exegesis out here. I try and help people gain methodological understanding rather than "just adopt my view." But instead of appreciation they defend to the death fallacious views. Few want to learn. Luckily I have many ministry opportunities that provide an audience that wants to learn, and is open to arguments for the best inference on the biblical data, while recognizing they could be wrong.

Good post. Humbling but true of some of my engagement out here.

Yes, I agree. Iron sharpens iron. I am not against discussion nor even debate, but I am wary of debates that do not edify.

 

[Uber Genius]

Yes, I agree. Iron sharpens iron. I am not against discussion nor even debate, but I am wary of debates that do not edify.

Yep. Your point is well-taken and applies to many of my conversations. Thx.