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Jesus is very personal with each one of us. As such He doesn't approach everyone exactly the same because we are all individuals with different personalities and perspective. As a result we all view Jesus differently. Not that the truth is relative...not in the least. But everyone is at a different place in their walk.
How many times have I said that we shouldn't even be discussing PRIVATE REVELATION!

Maybe this should be in the TOS??
 
Jesus Christ is the truth: everything that comes out of His mouth.

His Gospel
His Doctrine
His Commandments




JLB
But everyone understands this in different ways these days.
We've splintered into so many different beliefs, I'm beginning to think there should be a Protestant Pope!!
 
This is a good point.


I think much of this will come to light when we begin to develope the Statement of Faith.


Understanding and Defining biblical words and phrases will go a long way to cut down on the back and forth, repeating of post’s and scriptures that cause so much frustration and strife between all.



IOW, what good does it do, if we quote a scripture for what we believe, and a person just redefines the words of Christ to suit their own perspective?


I can give an example.




JLB
Yes. Please do.
 
That's what the moderating and admin staff is for. (We aren't just sidewalk superintendents)
Those situations are for the membership to report and for us to handle.
I'm NEVER going to report anybody.
I've been attached personally here in the past 3 years and I'd never report anyone.
Is this kindergarten? If I can't handle myself,,,what am I doing on an online format anyway?
 
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The problem I have seen with regard to debate is what people's idea of a debate is. I was never involved with debates but in virtually every one that I have witnessed from political to otherwise the primary focus that opponents seem to work towards is to score points against each other. Someone states a position and the opponents tries his/her best to find errors and ways to twist what is said to mean something that was not meant. This tactic then puts the opponent on the defensive and from a debating point of view that is an advantage for the one on the offensive. This then creates an atmosphere that is no longer edifying.
So, maybe we need to explain what
DEBATE
DISCUSS
means?
 
I just broke a TOS rule...
Don't hog the thread!
But it's due to the time difference and I'm such a chatterbox!
 
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Yes. Please do.


I used this verse from the Lord in a discussion about OSAS.


If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6


The person I was discussing this with, then told me how ignorant I was, because “thrown into the fire and burned” really meant
removed from Christian service.


JLB
 
I'm NEVER going to report anybody.
I've been attached personally here in the past 3 years and I'd never report anyone.
Is this kindergarten? If I can't handle myself,,,what am I doing on an online format anyway?
When someone new comes along and wants to teach us some kind of "special" teaching... tell me or anyone else on staff.
That's what we are here for.

Sure, people believe in OSAS...but debating it doesn't change anyone's mind about it. And for some that's all they wish to discuss... which creates division and hurt feelings. This particular debate was answered by Jesus directly (as I have related here several times to no avail)

No one's mind is ever changed but unity is changed into division by it.

To you, it's an important debate. To me I want nothing to do with that debate. I have other fish to fry...so to speak.
 
SB,

From where did you gain that understanding of Prov 27:17? It is not what Hebrew exegetes Keil & Delitzsch discover from the grammar that verse. They wrote:

This proverb expresses the influence arising from the intercourse [conversation] of man with man....​
The proverb requires that the intercourse [conversation] of man with man operate in the way of sharpening the manner and forming the habits and character; that one help another to culture and polish of manner, rub off his ruggedness, round his corners, as one has to make use of iron when he sharpens iron and seeks to make it bright. The jussive form is the oratorical form of the expression of that which is done, but also of that which is to be done (Keil & Delitzsch n.d. Commentary on the Old Testament, vol 6, pp 212-213, Bible Hub).​

Allen P Ross in his commentary on Prov 27:17 states: 'Constructive criticism between friends develops character' (Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol 5, p 1099).

The interaction, even on CFnet, of one person/mind sharpening another, is critical for Christian growth. 'One person sharpening another' is literally, 'Sharpens the face of his friend' where the face stands for the whole personality (Edgar Jones, Proverbs & Ecclesiastes, p 219)

Oz
For me, the key word above is friend.... but in biblical terms, we are speaking of a brother.... family, which is so much more than a friend.

You bring up some valuable thoughts which we shall take into consideration as the site progresses. Please, have patience.

Jesus didnt spend the bulk of his time debating....neither should we.
 
So, maybe we need to explain what
DEBATE
DISCUSS
means?
Personally, we need to remember that we are merely witnesses. We cannot convict. We cannot change another person's heart. Only God can do those things. The problem is we think we can and/or we think it is our purpose and in my mind that in itself is prideful. And that is usually how it comes across.
 
I used this verse from the Lord in a discussion about OSAS.


If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. John 15:6


The person I was discussing this with, then told me how ignorant I was, because “thrown into the fire and burned” really meant
removed from Christian service.


JLB
Yes, well, those who cannot accept the truth, tend to change words and phrases to mean what THEY want them to mean.
Doing the SOF will be very interesting....
 
Personally, we need to remember that we are merely witnesses. We cannot convict. We cannot change another person's heart. Only God can do those things. The problem is we think we can and/or we think it is our purpose and in my mind that in itself is prideful. And that is usually how it comes across.
Hi WIP,
If you read my post no. 111, you'll find that I agree totally with the above.

We won't change anyone's mind, but our truth must still be told.
In a nice way, of course.

This is my point,,, I think we should be able to speak freely, but in a nice way and to not start an argument.

"address the post, not the poster"...
 
When someone new comes along and wants to teach us some kind of "special" teaching... tell me or anyone else on staff.
That's what we are here for.

Sure, people believe in OSAS...but debating it doesn't change anyone's mind about it. And for some that's all they wish to discuss... which creates division and hurt feelings. This particular debate was answered by Jesus directly (as I have related here several times to no avail)

No one's mind is ever changed but unity is changed into division by it.

To you, it's an important debate. To me I want nothing to do with that debate. I have other fish to fry...so to speak.
I agree with you and WIP about our not changing anyone's mind.
As I've said, I basically write for those reading along...we never know who could be reading what is written here.

As far as special teachings...yes, I've heard some pretty weird ones...maybe not here because this site is well-moderated.

TTYTT, I haven't heard really odd doctrine on this site.
 
True, very true. But I think their point is, this ain’t the Lord’s Supper in Corinth. But then again, Corinthians 11:1 ain’t a bad ToS:

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1 Corinthians 11:1&version=NLT
Imitating is a noble goal. None of us do it fully and not in every area. I think making rules to deal with enforcing certain aspects of that imitating is dangerous. Favoring one fruit above another and hating one sin more than another is how we get in these huge divisive messes where altering things like the ToS are required. The biblical model is people talk and either their BS or acumen gets known. Straying from that causes other issues.
 
⬆️ sound advice for Theology/Study! I would say questions are great for getting at the truth (versus allowing a falsehood to proceed). This though after first honestly considering/investigating their evidence for their view (hopefully the person’s view was Scripturally supported if posted in the Theology/discussion forum so that investigation can be done).

Then he asked, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I forbade you to eat?”
Genesis 3:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis 3:11&version=LEB

Here’s an anecdote:

The other day, someone started a thread in the Theology forum and made a claim I disagreed with. (I know, I know most of you find it hard to believe I’d disagree with a poster. That’s a joke, BTW). I had drafted a fairly long reply explaining my disagreement. I was about to click ‘post reply’ and something (or Someone) told me to wait and go look at all the supporting verses (and of upmost importance their context) which he had tagged or partially quoted for his support. Hmm, turns out he was right and my initial view was wrong.

Anyway with regard to no more debate: discussion, where’s that proverb that says; ‘Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water’???
Question.... did you tell the other person they were right? Or did you keep that to yourself?
 
Isn’t that the truth.





Do be surprised if everyone doesn’t have the same motive for coming here as you.


Their are more born again Christians that do not go to Church, than there are that do.

Many come to these Forums searching for the truth.


I, for one, want to encourage people to seek the Lord daily, and to learn from Him, as well as be founded on the solid rock of His teachings.


This Forum can have an eternal impact on many lives, in a way they may not be impacted through their local Church, if they go at all.



Just my thoughts.




JLB
And that is one of the sentiments I hold near. It is also why I say we need to generate more content and dialog around sharing our knowledge through teaching.

I read a study some time ago that laid out the phases of human growth.

When you are a child, you are in a learning phase. When we hit our 40's, our focus turns to teaching.

You've heard the saying, too many cooks in the kitchen. Well, I think we all have something to offer, and the kitchen is bigger than we realize. By that I mean, have you noticed the same debates over the years?
 
Question.... did you tell the other person they were right? Or did you keep that to yourself?
I thanked him for sharing his point and for teaching me something I’d never noticed before. Which I guess is similar to telling him he was right. But technically, no, I didn’t tell him he was right and I was wrong because I’d never told him him he was wrong in the first place. I kept that to myself.
 
wondering , JLB ,JohnDB ,OzSpen ,WIP

Some of you may recall many years ago when Vic was Admin. Those were the very early days of the forum when Universalism was the topic that permeated the board. FineLinen was very active and actually, hes a pretty nice guy with a heart for the Lord. I believe he is over at .com now.

After that, we had the Catholic, Orthodox and Athiests take over the board. Systematic theology started to take over the board as Vic assigned them as Moderators. Soon afterwards, it became a witch hunt to "keep doctrine pure".
As a Church of Christ member, I was attacked repeated times to the point I stepped down as Moderator and Judy, the other Admin stepped down prior. Vic stood his ground, but it cleared this place out.

That group started their own forum and they made it their duty to attack other online Christian forums like locusts destroy a crop. They were stupid enough to openly post their next exploit on their forum and brag about getting banned from "another" site.

It was only a matter of time when there were no more forums to consume. So they started consuming themselves. The leader was very head strong, and would not extend any grace. He held absolute scriptural truth.... he ended up alone on that forum and I think it's just a web page now. I havent looked in years.

I say this because I know what happens when one defines Christianity so tight they leave no room for another viewpoint and when we go over the SOF, we will try to give tolerable room for differing views.

Personally, I do not ascribe to OSAS, but I have found that most of them are pretty decent people. It should be obvious this will be addressed in our SOF, but what's more important, and what will carry more weight is our TOS which will have a heavy emphasis on how we are treated, and how we treat others.

Everyone currently on this site knows how to play nice in the sand box without compromising the truths you hold. I honestly think this is one of the best memberships and moderator groups I've seen.
 
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