WHOA NELLY!!

[Light Walker]

Those open forums and discussions are full of lies and straight out of hell itself! Those types of threads are just plain poisonous to the Christian! Granted, it is a persons God given choice to believe what they want, and American right to post what they want....but I truly believe that everything that is spewed in those discussions is venemous, rotten bile. I'm sorry I even started to try to debate, as it goes NOWHERE!!! There are some truly lost souls on this Earth! I'm staying as far as I can from the open discussion forums from now on. Christ is Lord!

IN HIS HOLY NAME!!!
LW!

 

[Peter]

And yet, Light Walker, this board does reflect the type of heated debate that often occured in the ecumenical councils. Some so heated that one of our beloved saints, St. Nicholas, went so far as to strike another bishop. Now, he was scolded for his actions, but his actions reflect the intensity of those councils.

Did they do any good? Well, from them we got the definition of the Trinity, the two natures of God, the canon of scripture etc.

If I were to ask you how you know those debates are from hell itself, you would no doubt, begin to quote scripture. But where did you get that scripture? From heated debate like you find here.

Are you aware that for Western christians, you almost didn't have the book of Hebrews? Or that Eastern christians didn't want Revelation? The agreement to accept both books came from councils, disagreement, and compromise.

Breathe. Relax. It will be okay.

Peace.

Peter

 

[Light Walker]

Great point, Peter. Thank you for the enlightenment. I was about to question why a Christian internet forum even allowed these types of discussions, but you have answered that.
Thanks!

LW

 

[Gift_of_God]

They just don't know the truth. You should pray for them instead of judging or condemning.

 

[SAVEVERYONE]

Nope dont do it thats where the devil wins if you give up, what you do instead of debating is speak the truth and let it be, and let truth do surgery in stead of you trying to do surgery....let Gods word do the splitting and cutting..you stay out of the way...and become there friend rather then a debator i find this usefull....

 

[Light Walker]

Thanks! I can't believe I am so compelled to go back in there and debate. He is clearly wanting to work through me!

Glory to the Lord!

LW

 

[Gift_of_God]

Maybe God knows that you are the only person who can get them to understand the truth. That's why you should just guide them and love them. When we are wrong or don't understand, God doesn't just say"Your'e not worth my time!" I am thankful that He doesn't!!!!

 

[the Colonel]

Nope dont do it thats where the devil wins if you give up, what you do instead of debating is speak the truth and let it be, and let truth do surgery in stead of you trying to do surgery....let Gods word do the splitting and cutting..you stay out of the way...and become there friend rather then a debator i find this usefull....

Wonderfully said. Our pastor has just been speaking on this type of thing. Look up Acts 17:16-34. It's a wonderful account of Paul facing the "elites" of the day. The "enlightened" ones. It's very, VERY pertinent to what occurs on these forums. Notice verse 21: "(All the poeple of Athens and those from other countries who lived there always used their time to talk about the newest ideas.)" [NCV] They thought they were so enlightened because they discussed the latest craze in thought.

What did Paul do? Read it. It's awesome. He told them the word of God, just like it is, in their faces. Then, verse 32: "When the people heard about Jesus being raised from the dead, some of them laughed. But others said, "We will hear more about this form you later." 33 So Paul went away from them."

Paul let the word speak for itself. He knew he would not get anywhere with these people, so he let the Holy Spirit and God's word do the speaking for him.

I'm with you Light Walker. It's VERY frustrating "talking" with some of these people.

It goes 'round in circles, saying the same things over and over. God says that some have hardened their hearts to the truth. We can pronounce the truth, but that's all we can do. I know it's very difficult. I struggle with the exact same thing, LW. That's why we need to stand up for one another!

Praise God.

In Christ,

the Colonel

 

[Light Walker]

Thank you all! I was reacting in a way that was completely contradictory to what I believe and didn't even realize it. I guess we all can become frustrated at one time or another. You all have enlightened me, and I thank you!

And thanks Colonel,
Acts 17:34 - However, some men joined him and believed...
Glory be to God!
LW

 

[Gift_of_God]

This just proves how easy it is to let our thoughts go astray. That is why we need to stay in the Word and stay in Prayer and stay strong because the devil trys SO hard to get us acting or thinking in a way that is not Christ like. A lot of times it is something so simple and we don't realize. God bless you Light Walker!

 

[Blessed-one]

well, come to the CO forums to relax after a big battle.

 

[BarbB]

well, come to the CO forums to relax after a big battle.

Amen, Blessed-one. I have been very frustrated here at times. I've argued everywhere wondering why the Truth cannot be seen by everyone. Well, we know that not everyone will accept the Truth. It is our job to find those who will.

And to give you hope, I have been approached via PM by a witch, a cynic, a lost one, a homosexual, and several others about my testimony and what a difference it's made to them. That keeps me going.

To repeat SaveEveryone's advice because it's so good - state your piece, post friendly stuff and wait in confidence!

Nope dont do it thats where the devil wins if you give up, what you do instead of debating is speak the truth and let it be, and let truth do surgery in stead of you trying to do surgery....let Gods word do the splitting and cutting..you stay out of the way...and become there friend rather then a debator i find this usefull...

 

[Light Walker]

God bless you guys. I keep getting beaten up in General Apologetics, and it's probably because I lose my temper and stray off the path, and start thinking the "other" way. I'll get bandaged up in here...then go back into the battle when I heal up. I do know now though, how hard that battle is and I'm sure to be real careful in the future about what I post. Some are pure meanness, lol!

In Christ!
LW

 

[Salsa_1960]

I guess it's like church. We go back to get our fill but have to be part of the world again.

Maybe these "safe forums" are the same way. We can come in here for edification, but we can take that encouragement with us back out to the other forums and share our joy with others.

When I was new to Christianity, I used to knock people over the head with my Bible-- with my "theological enlightenment". With my doctrines. With my head knowledge. I HAD TO BE RIGHT and THEY HAD TO BE WRONG. I've learned to be a listener-- even when I disagree. (People are much more receptive when you listen to them first-- it shows them that you have respect for their beliefs). That's important.

I may not agree with my aunt (who is a Mormon) or a neighbor who may be a devout Muslim, but I can still respect their faith and dedication. (Both two good ethical standards from which they might later build their Christian faith. Saul of Tarsus (St. Paul) is a perfect example of this).

IMO, it doesn't work to knock a person over the head with tenets and creeds and then impress on them how faulty their doctrines are. It only drives them away. It says that I have no respect for their beliefs. Even Billy Graham encourages people (after they've "come forward" to go back to their own churches...not to join his).

For me, it is better to simply share my personal beliefs, leave it at that...and let God do the rest. (Let go and let God). I'd rather reach a person through love. And real love too.....not sweet candy-gooey love. Care. Concern. Respect. (Respect is a form of love). I remember a saying often quoted by the minister at a church I once attended. He said it several times and it stuck. (It made quite an impression on me): “People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.”

~Sandy

 

[Light Walker]

“People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.”

~Sandy

That's great! Thank you!
In Him
LW