At Crossroads -- Cf's Vision Discussion Thread (2) - Please Vote in Poll Thread

[heatherq17]

Option 2

 

[SallyNow]

Option 2 more closely supports the mission of the site "uniting all Christians as one body".

...if the person is a mainstream Christian. How do we define mainstream? By political outlook? Country of origin? A Creed? By what?

Option 1 encourages a very Christian outlook, with focus on outreach and fellowship. And yes, there would even be room for debating. This isn't a bad thing: debating makes a person stronger, more willing to understand their position.

Option 2 discourages outreach, fellowship. It will probably lead to a lot of fighting about what a "mainstream Christian" is, and in the process alienate many people.

Option 1 is the way to go if we must choose between the two. I am going to think about the "third option"...

 

[KomissarSteve]

...if the person is a mainstream Christian. How do we define mainstream? By political outlook? Country of origin? A Creed? By what?

Option 1 encourages a very Christian outlook, with focus on outreach and fellowship. And yes, there would even be room for debating. This isn't a bad thing: debating makes a person stronger, more willing to understand their position.

Option 2 discourages outreach, fellowship. It will probably lead to a lot of fighting about what a "mainstream Christian" is, and in the process alienate many people.

Option 1 is the way to go if we must choose between the two. I am going to think about the "third option"...

Agreed 100%. Christianity is not a mystery cult, meant to be holed up in secretive temples. Jesus wants us to always be in touch with the world around us - not holed up in an ivory tower!

Besides, this idea of uniting Christians by cutting out the non-Christians is pure lunacy. There's no way I'm going to be totally united with one of the more conservative members of this forum; we can be friends and agree on a lot of things, obviously, but my view that real Christians should uphold Roe v. Wade and oppose the War in Iraq while supporting the troops isn't going to change, if we make CF a "Christians-only clubhouse." Nor, do I suspect, will the conservative member's views that differ with mine, change under those circumstances either.

I know that a lot of the political rancor that exists between left-wing and right-wing members CF is very upsetting to some. But that isn't going to simply magically disappear just because the non-Christians aren't allowed to post in as many places. I'm still going to stick by my principles and stand up for what my conscience tells me is right, and I know I'm not the only liberal Christian who is going to do that.

Brothers and sisters in Christ - each and every one of whom, in spite of our disagreements in the past, I truly and genuinely love - if the division and rancor that has arisen over deeply-rooted disagreements over what it means to be a good Christian is what's fueling so many of you to vote to shut out your non-Christian brothers and sisters, then please believe me when I tell you that it doesn't have to be this way! There are other alternatives - and the ones with the best chance of success begin with each and every one of us endeavoring to lead the community by example. While we're always going to have our disagreements, we need to remember to deal with others kindly in those disagreements. Even when we know we're right and our brother or sister is wrong, we need to show forgiveness - because it won't be long before each and every one of us will be wrong about something, and will require the mercy and forgiveness of our peers.

Brothers and sisters, I understand your dissatisfaction with the path CF has taken in the recent path, and I agree that something needs to be done. But that "something" is not driving out those who don't think like us - Jesus never drove sinners from His sight, after all! Rather, it's to follow our Lord in leading by example.

 

[SunMessenger]

...if the person is a mainstream Christian. How do we define mainstream? By political outlook? Country of origin? A Creed? By what?

Option 1 encourages a very Christian outlook, with focus on outreach and fellowship. And yes, there would even be room for debating. This isn't a bad thing: debating makes a person stronger, more willing to understand their position.

Option 2 discourages outreach, fellowship. It will probably lead to a lot of fighting about what a "mainstream Christian" is, and in the process alienate many people.

Option 1 is the way to go if we must choose between the two. I am going to think about the "third option"...

A Christian does not just say they are Christian they live it. The behaviors of the individual will speak for themselves. We can not judge a person upon their word but we can draw some conclusions based upon their actions . If proper rules are in place no one would ever need to make that private determination of faith unless it was offered openly by the person themselves . I do not see that as being a problem in anyway for option two...


Sun

 

[KomissarSteve]

A Christian does not just say they are Christian they live it.

But that doesn't necessarily mean that the way you believe a Christian lives his or her life, and the way I believe he or she lives it, are necessarily the same! I mean, by what criteria do you measure how well a Christian lives his or her life? I'm certain it's based upon Scripture, but what if your interpretation of the Scripture and mine differ?

 

[SunMessenger]

But that doesn't necessarily mean that the way you believe a Christian lives his or her life, and the way I believe he or she lives it, are necessarily the same! I mean, by what criteria do you measure how well a Christian lives his or her life? I'm certain it's based upon Scripture, but what if your interpretation of the Scripture and mine differ?

It is and it is a private matter between the individual and God not us. That would in no way change ones ability to follow simple and clear rules to maintain the order of a site. Further we should never make a single rule regarding this issue . It is a matter of conscience between the person and God not involving anyone here...

Sun

 

[KomissarSteve]

It is and it is a private matter between the individual and God not us. That would in no way change ones ability to follow simple and clear rules to maintain the order of a site. Further we should never make a single rule regarding this issue . It is a matter of conscience between the person and God not involving anyone here...

Sun

Well, that's all very well, then, and I'm very pleased to agree with you! But I still think SallyNow brought up a very good point - I mean, if we're going to unite Christians at CF under the structure of Option B, then by what criteria are we going to determine who we're going to try to unite, and who we aren't? Is the criteria simply going to be, "Whoever considers him- or herself to be a Christian is a Christian"?

 

[A New Dawn]

Apology accepted, of course. I agree with you, as well... on this board there has never been a Ghetto, no Holocaust ever occurred, and Christian persecution has never existed.

In the real world, they did. But not here. Such comparisons are both insensitive and counter-productive.

Thanks.

 

[+RubiesFire+]

Jesus never drove sinners from His sight, after all! Rather, it's to follow our Lord in leading by example.

Very true.

 

[HadessahRose]

WELL, to determine a Christian..easy..if they confess that Christ came in the flesh, lived a holy pure life, died and rose again! Do they preach Christ crucified? IF not..nope. Scripture is CLEAR on what a Christian is...tht is what Erwin should go by..SCRIPTURE.NOT a creed, thoughts/ feelings or anything else. LOOK it up in the Word of God, set the standard and go with it.

 

[KomissarSteve]

WELL, to determine a Christian..easy..if they confess that Christ came in the flesh, lived a holy pure life, died and rose again! Do they preach Christ crucified? IF not..nope. Scripture is CLEAR on what a Christian is...tht is what Erwin should go by..SCRIPTURE.NOT a creed, thoughts/ feelings or anything else. LOOK it up in the Word of God, set the standard and go with it.

I can assure you that nobody but Erwin interprets the Scripture exactly as Erwin interprets it. Each and every one of us puts our own spin on the Scripture, so I don't think it's very helpful to say that he'll make his decision "based on Scripture."

 

[J4Jesus]

A Christian does not just say they are Christian they live it. The behaviors of the individual will speak for themselves. -------------------


Sun

WELL, to determine a Christian..easy..if they confess that Christ came in the flesh, lived a holy pure life, died and rose again! Do they preach Christ crucified? IF not..nope. Scripture is CLEAR on what a Christian is...tht is what Erwin should go by..SCRIPTURE.NOT a creed, thoughts/ feelings or anything else. LOOK it up in the Word of God, set the standard and go with it.

 

[KomissarSteve]

WELL, to determine a Christian..easy..if they confess that Christ came in the flesh, lived a holy pure life, died and rose again! Do they preach Christ crucified? IF not..nope. Scripture is CLEAR on what a Christian is...tht is what Erwin should go by..SCRIPTURE.NOT a creed, thoughts/ feelings or anything else. LOOK it up in the Word of God, set the standard and go with it.

Yet I know a lot of non-Christians who live more Christlike lifestyles than many Christians...

 

[HadessahRose]

I can assure you that nobody but Erwin interprets the Scripture exactly as Erwin interprets it. Each and every one of us puts our own spin on the Scripture, so I don't think it's very helpful to say that he'll make his decision "based on Scripture."

I didn't say he would...I am saying I HOPE he DOES! It is in the scripture, can't find it at the moment, that a Christian confesses that Christ came in the flesh...I will find it.

 

[HadessahRose]

Yet I know a lot of non-Christians who live more Christlike lifestyles than many Christians...

so, that does not make them one now does it?

 

[HadessahRose]

found it...
2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1 John 4:2 (King James Version)

 

[KomissarSteve]

so, that does not make them one now does it?

No, but what I'm saying is, making CF exclusive to only self-proclaimed Christians isn't necessarily going to give you a forum filled with people who live Christ-like lives.

 

[KomissarSteve]

I didn't say he would...I am saying I HOPE he DOES! It is in the scripture, can't find it at the moment, that a Christian confesses that Christ came in the flesh...I will find it.

Right, but the Scriptures also tell us that faith without works is dead, do they not?

 

[Risen Tree]

Because of the forum-wide announcement of this thread, I'm going to break my silence momentarily and toss out my opinion on this matter. And I'm just going to say one thing about it.

Self-professed Christians who are willingly, fervently engaging in us-vs-them, get-the-Big-Bad-Liberals-back-in-their-place tactics, you're speaking very clearly for yourself. Make no mistake: you are making it painfully clear what it means to be a White, heterosexual, American, conservative Christian.

We see you, and we see who you are. You need not fear going unheard, I can assure you.

 

[ZACTAK]

Because of the forum-wide announcement of this thread, I'm going to break my silence momentarily and toss out my opinion on this matter. And I'm just going to say one thing about it.

Self-professed Christians who are willingly, fervently engaging in us-vs-them, get-the-Big-Bad-Liberals-back-in-their-place tactics, you're speaking very clearly for yourself. Make no mistake: you are making it painfully clear what it means to be a White, heterosexual, American, conservative Christian.

We see you, and we see who you are. You need not fear going unheard, I can assure you.

I think the us v. them mentality is coming from both sides, not just ours... I tried to explain that I am not an us v. them type person, but it is still getting construed that way...