What de-conversion feels like

[Grizzly]

If I've found points he has made on the first page I visited which show a lack of understanding of God and Biblical theology, what is the point of reading the whole site? I might as well speak to a kindergarden kid about Biblical theology.

We know how you feel. But trust me, sometimes patience pays off.

 

[TheListener]

If something I start reading is wrong from the first page, then the only reason I would continue reading it would be out of personal interest or if I wanted to take on faith what he has to say as reality.

I don't hold that position with that site, if you wish to discuss specific issues, start a thread about them & lets discuss them one by one.

 

[Grizzly]

If something I start reading is wrong from the first page, then the only reason I would continue reading it would be out of personal interest or if I wanted to take on faith what he has to say as reality.

I don't hold that position with that site, if you wish to discuss specific issues, start a thread about them & lets discuss them one by one.

I think that's fair.

 

[radorth]

Rad, just stay away from the subject of abiogenesis and evolution. You're not doing yourself or anyone else any favors.

You might consider taking your own advice when commenting on the Bible. On second thought, don't. BTW since you're an expert, how are they doing making pond scum in the lab?

Rad

 

[radorth]

All these "deconverts" can tell you what nice committed Christians they were at one time, but few if any were ever born again. If indeed God gives one a new nature, it is quite impossible to get rid of it and so they must inevitably return to Christ and that which they truly are by nature.

Rad

 

[truthmonger89]

All these "deconverts" can tell you what nice committed Christians they were at one time, but few if any were ever born again.

No true Scotsman fallacy.

 

[radorth]

No true Scotsman fallacy.

I guess you think everyone who calls himself or herself a patriot is one. Seems a bit naive to me.

BTW is that "no true Scotsman" fallacy (invented by an atheist in the 70's and found in no classic work on logic), something like the No True Scientist fallacy?


Rad

 

[Btodd]

All these "deconverts" can tell you what nice committed Christians they were at one time, but few if any were ever born again. If indeed God gives one a new nature, it is quite impossible to get rid of it and so they must inevitably return to Christ and that which they truly are by nature.

Rad

Their motives obviously weren't as pure as yours. Where they failed, you succeeded. Where they were weak, you are strong. Most of all, where they were insincere, you are sincere.


Btodd

 

[truthmonger89]

I guess you think everyone who calls himself or herself a patriot is one. Seems a bit naive to me.

BTW is that "no true Scotsman" fallacy (invented by an atheist in the 70's and found in no classic work on logic), something like the No True Scientist fallacy?


Rad

It just means changing your definitions after the fact to suit your convenience. For all you know, ten years from now Pat Robertson might become an atheist, and it would certainly be a fallacy to say that he was never a true Christian. For all you know, ten years from now you might become an atheist. People change, but that doesn't mean they were faking it before they changed.

 

[radorth]

It just means changing your definitions after the fact to suit your convenience. For all you know, ten years from now Pat Robertson might become an atheist, and it would certainly be a fallacy to say that he was never a true Christian. For all you know, ten years from now you might become an atheist. People change, but that doesn't mean they were faking it before they changed.

No but in my church, when people want to do ministry, we discern who is a Christian by their testimony of rebirth and you can tell when they are faking it. To the spiritual ear the non-born-again testimony has a dead ring to it. It's not infallible but it works better than anything else. Anybody can talk and make claims, but the Spirit knows.

Rad

 

[Eudaimonist]

No but in my church, when people want to do ministry, we discern who is a Christian by their testimony of rebirth and you can tell when they are faking it. To the spiritual ear the non-born-again testimony has a dead ring to it. It's not infallible but it works better than anything else. Anybody can talk and make claims, but the Spirit knows.

That suggests some interesting studies. For instance, checking the progress of converts who people with the "spiritual ear" agree are true born-agains to see if any become atheists afterwards. Also, having atheists and born-agains listen to testimony and guess who is a born-again and who is lying.

 

[sc4s2cg]

G-d doesn't like to be tested, do you think He'll like it if we test His ability?

G-d bless,
sc

 

[Eudaimonist]

G-d doesn't like to be tested, do you think He'll like it if we test His ability?

I don't see why God would mind.

 

[nb_christseeker]

Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

 

[Grizzly]

No but in my church, when people want to do ministry, we discern who is a Christian by their testimony of rebirth and you can tell when they are faking it. To the spiritual ear the non-born-again testimony has a dead ring to it. It's not infallible but it works better than anything else. Anybody can talk and make claims, but the Spirit knows.

Rad

Is this the same Spirit that supposed to help all Christians interpret the bible in the same way (God's way) and to keep the Body of Christ (the church) unified?

 

[70judge]

No but in my church, when people want to do ministry, we discern who is a Christian by their testimony of rebirth and you can tell when they are faking it. To the spiritual ear the non-born-again testimony has a dead ring to it. It's not infallible but it works better than anything else. Anybody can talk and make claims, but the Spirit knows.

Rad

i wonder, can christians tell if benny hinn is faking it? if so why do they continue to send him money making him wealthy?

 

[nb_christseeker]

aw grizzly youre so cute. ;-)

 

[nb_christseeker]

well Hinn reminds me nothing of Christ, so I can tell. i dont know about some of those other holy rollers out there. ;-)

 

[truthmonger89]

No but in my church, when people want to do ministry, we discern who is a Christian by their testimony of rebirth and you can tell when they are faking it. To the spiritual ear the non-born-again testimony has a dead ring to it. It's not infallible but it works better than anything else. Anybody can talk and make claims, but the Spirit knows.

Rad

Why would anybody fake it? What's the point of that? If they're faking it, don't you think they would realize it themselves and just go home and do yardwork or something instead of wasting their time in church, pretending to believe? Or do you think the people who are faking it don't even know they're faking it?

 

[radorth]

Why would anybody fake it?

OK, I think we just have a misunderstanding. One can be entirely sincere in their beliefs and do good works not be born again.

It is doubtless some of these who will come to Jesus saying "Didn't we do many good works in your name?" And he will say "I never knew you."

Rad