Whaat are We doing

[1denomination]

The Catholics are against the Protestants, the Protestants against the Orthodox, the Baptist against the Methodist and the Methodist against the Presyberians. The TE's are against the YEC's, the YEC's against the OEC's. How hard should it be for Christians to be for each other for a change? Meanwhile, the enemy does not have to lift a finger--and still wins!!

This is Herev's signature. God bless you Herev. I belive this is one of the best things I've read on this board in quite sometime, If not ever. Thats all I have to say. God bless.

 

[grmorton]

This is Herev's signature. God bless you Herev. I belive this is one of the best things I've read on this board in quite sometime, If not ever. Thats all I have to say. God bless.

As long as one does his best to avoid making the disputation personal and does his best to avoid having the discussion descend to name calling, it is quite possible to vigorously debate these things and still like each other. I have may YECs and TEs with whom I have debated things with gusto, but still we can go to dinner and enjoy each other's company. Debate does not mean hate.
It can, but it doesn't have to.

And if getting along means merely giving up what we each dearly hold, what kind of boring world would we live in if no one had any issues to discuss? One shouldn't give up easily what one holds as important. One should give it up if convinced by solid argumentation that the view is in error. This does mean that occasionally tempers will flair(because we hold dearly to our views), but we can not ask people to simple drop all meaning out of their life for some supposed view of nirvana--a debateless earth. After all, when the Bible says

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Prov. 27:17,

One can not imagine that this process can take place without a bit of struggle and pain. So here is to the struggle in our search for truth, regardless of how painful it sometimes gets, it is a necessary part of life's journey.

(personal note: Given Herev's signature, I would like to note that my wife was Eastern Orthodox when I met her (her sister still is), I was protestant then a YEC now a TE, my sister-in-law is Catholic, my father an atheist and some of my good freinds are YECs. It isn't always as Herev's signature claims. The individuals in those groups can get along)

 

[California Tim]

As long as one does his best to avoid making the disputation personal and does his best to avoid having the discussion descend to name calling, it is quite possible to vigorously debate these things and still like each other. I have may YECs and TEs with whom I have debated things with gusto, but still we can go to dinner and enjoy each other's company. Debate does not mean hate.
It can, but it doesn't have to.

And if getting along means merely giving up what we each dearly hold, what kind of boring world would we live in if no one had any issues to discuss? One shouldn't give up easily what one holds as important. One should give it up if convinced by solid argumentation that the view is in error. This does mean that occasionally tempers will flair(because we hold dearly to our views), but we can not ask people to simple drop all meaning out of their life for some supposed view of nirvana--a debateless earth. After all, when the Bible says

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Prov. 27:17,

One can not imagine that this process can take place without a bit of struggle and pain. So here is to the struggle in our search for truth, regardless of how painful it sometimes gets, it is a necessary part of life's journey.

(personal note: Given Herev's signature, I would like to note that my wife was Eastern Orthodox when I met her (her sister still is), I was protestant then a YEC now a TE, my sister-in-law is Catholic, my father an atheist and some of my good freinds are YECs. It isn't always as Herev's signature claims. The individuals in those groups can get along)

I concur wholeheartedly. We engage in civil debate willingly and often for gratifying reasons. Personally, I enjoy learning all I can about Christ. I also enjoy being put to the task of researching and explaining my faith thoroughly. I cannot think of a better method to accomplish that, all without the risk of taking everything personally, than here in forums like these, where we have the advantage of reviewing our responses and editing before posting.

 

[Vance]

I would have to agree with Glenn and Tim on this one. I don't see this debate as destructive at all if handled appropriately, but can be very constructive for the Body of Christ. What if Paul had not stood up to the Judaizers? What if the Aryans had been debated? What if Luther had not nailed his theses? It is not the debate that is the problem, it is the tone of anger, hostility and intolerance that so often rises to the surface. That is when Satan's work is done for him, not when we debate theological issues.

 

[herev]

I changed my signature after several issues came up. The main thing here has been that I have two problems in these threads.
TE's have at times allowed their words to suggest that others are less than intelligent, closed minded, etc.
YEC's have at times allowed their words to suggest that others are less than Chrsitian, less faithful, etc.
I have no problem with debate--even heated debate, but these two things annoy me to no end

 

[grmorton]

I changed my signature after several issues came up. The main thing here has been that I have two problems in these threads.
TE's have at times allowed their words to suggest that others are less than intelligent, closed minded, etc.
YEC's have at times allowed their words to suggest that others are less than Chrsitian, less faithful, etc.
I have no problem with debate--even heated debate, but these two things annoy me to no end

And they should bother you. And I won't say that I have been perfect in those regards, because I haven't. One can always try harder.

 

[1denomination]

And they should bother you. And I won't say that I have been perfect in those regards, because I haven't. One can always try harder.

As can we all brother!

I was not condeming the debate I feel that it is healthy for us to disscuss. Only when we come to the point that we are against eachother do I feel it is a problem. Bottom line is we are all brothers and sisters in christ , let try to behave as such. This of course does not only apply to this forum. I once had a man tell me that I was going to hell because during worship service at my church we play instruments. (what is that all about anyway) Although we here may not go to this extreme some of us YEC's have come close as a result of this debate. If you are not one of these people then I'm no talking to you but, if you are then "What are you doing"

 

[Saint Taz]

Amen to that!

 

[KleinerApfel]

I changed my signature after several issues came up. The main thing here has been that I have two problems in these threads.
TE's have at times allowed their words to suggest that others are less than intelligent, closed minded, etc.
YEC's have at times allowed their words to suggest that others are less than Chrsitian, less faithful, etc.
I have no problem with debate--even heated debate, but these two things annoy me to no end

 

[California Tim]

I turned off the signatures as soon as I set up my account. They cluttered up the message board to my eyes and added little substance to the topics being discussed. We have enough clutter at the top of each post as it is.