(Cool, links!)
There is one and only one correct interpretation of the Bible. There are many applications, but one and only one correct interpretation. Show me a book, and I can only describe to you what I see from my view point. You see another view. Another sees yet a different view. But many people describe what they want to see, not what actually is.
I said I feel there isn't sufficient stress on repentance. Also I feel there is a dire lack of stress on personal obedience. To stress the need for repentance isn't the same as beating someone up (and some conservatives do this) for needing helping in trying to resist sinning in the first place. They say, "You need to repent of this or that temptation." That's pure ignorance. They should say, Yes, we will pray with you and for you and help you along the Way. And liberals have a way of saying, "Well, If you enjoy indulging yourself at Christ's continued expense, you go ahead." This too is pure ignorance. No wonder there is so much confusion and infighting.
Liberals (imho) lack understanding, faith, repentance, and obedience in their teachings. They seem to confuse excusing sin as forgiveness, and permissiveness as mercy. Conservatives often lack understanding and love. They often seem to confuse forgiveness with excusing sin and mercy as permissiveness.
So few seem to take God at His Word anymore. That was Adam and Eve's sin: not taking God at His Word and then they acted on that unbelief by eating the forbidden fruit. So, if we want to be saved, we are required to take God at His
every Word, even when we don't understand it - from the Genesis account of a literal 6 day creation to the promise that those who don't believe (as proven by their unrepentant behavior) will be damned. (A loving God wouldn't let an unrepentant unbeliever enjoy Heaven along with those who did bring themselves into submission in faith. That would render the believer's faith and self-sacrifice pointless. Besides, would you let someone you knew hated you and wanted to do you and yours harm live with you in your house? No. Neither will God.)
As well, too many seem to be confusing Christianity with political positions and social crusades without any apparent notion of personal submission and obedience. So sad. So tragic. And we put too much emphasis on seminary and man-made hoops. We should be concerned with orthodoxy, character, widsom (which will never be found in seminary), and especially Spirit-led-ness (to make up a word).
And finally, and I promise to be quiet for a bit, we need more evangelism. My church gives you this "Are you nuts?!" look when you talk about evangelism. They respond, "We don't want to force people." To which I reply, "Nobody is forcing anybody. But contrary to your understanding, Wesley didn't get saved by osmosis. Somebody had to explain it to him and help him come to the point of deciding that, yes, he did believe. Simply joining the church isn't always the same as becoming Christian just because you become part of the church when become a Christian." (and now I'll be quiet for a bit...
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