Attention All Semper members

[rnmomof7]

Dear Calvinist and Reformed friendly Semper members,

A decision was made by Erwin to add an "open" section to the Congregational forums


That is unbelievers will have a means to fellowship and ask questions on the denominational forums.

I have asked that we be included with this plan for now.
There are many unbelievers that have never been exposed to the gospel of grace or do not understand it.

This sub forum will be in the same area as the "ask a Calvinist "

There will be no debate on the forum, fellowship and questions only .

You guys ok with giving this a shot?

Terry

 

[Elderone]

Yes................

 

[Jon_]

Definitely. It's important that unbelievers realize that there are Christians who likewise think the Arminian concept of "free will" is contradictory. We have an obligation to inform them of the correct arrangement of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Bulldog]

Interesting.

 

[Tertiumquid]

That is unbelievers will have a means to fellowship and ask questions on the denominational forums.


There will be no debate on the forum, fellowship and questions only .

You guys ok with giving this a shot?

Terry

Hi Terry,

Quite frankly, I find many of the rules on these forums perpeplexing, if not rediculous at times, or more appropriately, easily interpreted however a moderator wants.

For instance, in regard to your comments above (that I have quoted), asking a question can very very very easily be construed as "debate". Most of the issues that i've "asked" about in my life were usually followed up by intense scrutiny as I struggled with an issue. Heaven forbid someone like me starts asking a question, and then followup questions. All of sudden, this is "debate". As the songwriter Bruce Cockburn so aptly said, "Nothing worth having comes without some kinda fight." It's only by struggling with ideas that one grows.

I've learned the hard way twice. I went on to the "walking on eggshells" forum that most people call "OBOB". I presented historically accurate information about Luther. I was warned by mods and had my posts deleted. A similar situation is on the Messianic forum, the rule is something like non-messianic Jewish posters are not allowed to answer questions, or debate.

Debate is not a bad thing. It is one of the most important ways to grow.

On a positive note, I enjoy the topics and amount of people/ideas represented on these forums. But the rules about "no debate" are not practical. I

Regards,
James Swan

 

[AndOne]

I agree with James -

My suggestion is to leave it open for debate to insew - if that is where a conversation/thread leads. As long as it stays specific to this particular sub-forum I don't see any harm in it...
Dave

 

[AndOne]

I forgot to add - as long as the conversation stays civil as well...

 

[Monergism]

Yay! I like this idea! But I think I agree with James Swan and Behe's Boy.

 

[cygnusx1]

I am up for everything .......... civil or riotous

 

[Imblessed]

I'm all for it!

 

[reformedfan]

yeah, of course;

But also what James said. If some heathen counters, or some Arminian sez, 'uh- uh! Where is the free will?' are we supposed to just stop posting? Tattle on, i mean report the Armin/ heathen for trying to start a fight? say, 'never mind, you're both right'?

Cuz those i won't do, prolly. I know me pretty well & yeah, i just can't.

 

[rnmomof7]

Calvinists tend to have a greater tolerance for strong discussion than many others do

We have even had an invasion of a troll that was treated with respect and given lots of grace here by members and staff.

I like discussion as long as it is civil .

I will let the reporting up to the members ( as is my custom here).

 

[Bulldog]

Hi Terry,

Quite frankly, I find many of the rules on these forums perpeplexing, if not rediculous at times, or more appropriately, easily interpreted however a moderator wants.

For instance, in regard to your comments above (that I have quoted), asking a question can very very very easily be construed as "debate". Most of the issues that i've "asked" about in my life were usually followed up by intense scrutiny as I struggled with an issue. Heaven forbid someone like me starts asking a question, and then followup questions. All of sudden, this is "debate". As the songwriter Bruce Cockburn so aptly said, "Nothing worth having comes without some kinda fight." It's only by struggling with ideas that one grows.

I've learned the hard way twice. I went on to the "walking on eggshells" forum that most people call "OBOB". I presented historically accurate information about Luther. I was warned by mods and had my posts deleted. A similar situation is on the Messianic forum, the rule is something like non-messianic Jewish posters are not allowed to answer questions, or debate.

Debate is not a bad thing. It is one of the most important ways to grow.

On a positive note, I enjoy the topics and amount of people/ideas represented on these forums. But the rules about "no debate" are not practical. I

Regards,
James Swan

Great post, I absolutly agree. I do enjoy the level of leniency with discussion here in the Reformed forum, and even more so the Lutheran forum.

 

[oworm]

Im all for it. After all we are supposed to be prepared to give an account for the hope we have!

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

I'm ok with it.

Kenith

 

[holeinone]

Why not try it ?