Consider ....Temperance

[Boaz]

To see me here is an odd occasion on this 'Theological' forum . I don't come here ...at all . This is a dangerous place for those of faith in my opinion . Mostly a battleground of 'Ideas' or 'Opinion' . When this board began I thought to leave this forum . Having had much to do with this type discussions as a mod and admin on other forums . Yep ! That's how much I was against it .

I have seen too many of 'faith' trying to destroy one another in these discussions . I encourage you that believe in the one true living GOD we share the same belief in to temper your words and even more your reactions to others . We as followers of Christ are to build one another , to confirm to one another . Through our common conviction in our Lord we are bound to support and love one another .

Do not let self proclaimed atheists detract , interfere , influence or make you stumble in your walk with GOD . Do not frail them with scripture they profess to hate and deny , wasting GOD's words on those that detest and hate the truth . Do not judge them , we are spared that burden by our Lord himself as he will be their judge . You need not hate them . Do not reach a point you are defending GOD . God doesn't need to be defended , he is more capable of defending himself than you are . Each of us created by GOD himself is given choice and as sad as it may seem not all will acknowledge even their creator . If is their choice...not mine to make for them . Love them , pray for them seeking GOD to intervene in their lives . If you become embroiled in vitriolic divisive debate they have already 'won' the fight . Be an example showing true strength...your faith in GOD . I leave you with ;Matthew 10:14
And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.

Testify , witness , prayer or the offer of eternal salvation for all . We are to be examples for them . Use the sword of GOD to those actually seeking . The sword of GOD is his holy word as described in putting on the armor of GOD . Most quoted is Ephesians 6:10-18 ;

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints .

We have all read this verse before and understand it's meaning . But be careful using the sword of God to be effectual in his name . Lets explore the rest of this verse that is extremely important and given to us by him in the following scripture that should be included . Ephesians 6;19-20 ;

19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The last two verses are often neglected but key to meaning . You are empowered by GOD through his Holy Spirit to speak for him . Be sure your using the Holy Spirit though and are an example .

I will post more , those put upon to distract me might want to wait a bit and gather more wood for that fire that will burn with no light in their minds .

[Markopolo]

... .... ... well done.

[Rizzo]

I feel this Deep Theological Discussion forum is a good place to discuss and even debate our religious beliefs.
It doesn't bother me reading opposing views to mine here.
It is interesting to read the views of Buddhists, Christians, Atheists etc.
As long as everyone is respectful of the other person's views, it seems to be a good place to exchange views and beliefs.
It can be a learning experience.

Some people get rattled and take offense when different views are challenged.
Hearing/reading those opposing views can strengthen one's beliefs because it sometimes requires some research into it and afterwards you can have a better understanding of what you believe.
I hope I made sense with that.

So, yes, "temperance", patience, respectfulness, etc. is how a poster should act, but the "I'm right and you're wrong" should be left outside this forum.

[dverna]

I feel this Deep Theological Discussion forum is a good place to discuss and even debate our religious beliefs.
It doesn't bother me reading opposing views to mine here.
It is interesting to read the views of Buddhists, Christians, Atheists etc.
As long as everyone is respectful of the other person's views, it seems to be a good place to exchange views and beliefs.
It can be a learning experience.

Some people get rattled and take offense when different views are challenged.
Hearing/reading those opposing views can strengthen one's beliefs because it sometimes requires some research into it and afterwards you can have a better understanding of what you believe.
I hope I made sense with that.

So, yes, "temperance", patience, respectfulness, etc. is how a poster should act, but the "I'm right and you're wrong" should be left outside this forum.

Yes, I am with you on this. When I was an atheist I still showed respect when posting in the Chapel and everyone should do that regardless of beliefs. I had a great three hours last night discussing the Bible, our doubts, and beliefs with a husband and wife from the church I am currently attending. We learn by interacting with others and it also how we teach.

Jude 22 tells us to “have mercy on those who doubt.” It is easy to judge, condemn, and look down on doubters as if they are second-rate Christians. But to have mercy on those who doubt is to be there for them, comforting and building them up.

[RED BEAR]

Thats why people have free will. You can't make someone believe what you do so its best not to try.

[jmort]

Boaz, you have nailed it. Better than I ever could. My temperament is a work in progress.

"This is a dangerous place for those of faith in my opinion . Mostly a battleground of 'Ideas' or 'Opinion' .... This is a dangerous place for those of faith in my opinion . Mostly a battleground of 'Ideas' or 'Opinion' ."

The sub-forum was created to discuss the Bible and now it is a joke.

Best to stick with The Chapel as the sinner men and women have no place there.
With threads calling the Bible a myth and unbelievers spewing hatred of The Church, it is literally a place to be avoided. A sick joke.
I hope you do not leave due to this denegration of Christians, The Faith, and The Bible, and just stck with Our Chapel
I do not post here anymore as it has been befouled. From a place created to dig into the Word, The Bible, to a place where non- believers just spout off nonsense.

The original intent of this sub-forum is now perverted.

"Please read this before you decide to post something that will cause argument.
I will issue points for name calling, arguing, or just plain causing the deterioration of this place to non Biblical debates (denominational not biblical) .
Thank you"

We are way past that and them some. Rather than moderate this hot mess, I would respectfully beg No. 1 to move it to The Pit and let Our Chapel carry on undefiled.

[Thundarstick]

Gentlemen, nonbelievers and scoffers ARE what believers face everyday in life. Where are believers going to learn how to deal with the atheist, agnostic, haters, and scoffers, if not places like this? I have learned much about dealing with straw man arguments, and legitimate differences in scriptural interpretation and application. If this subsection is moved to the PIT and folded, the scoffers have won a victory by silencing the very discussion of God, faith, belief and Bible subjects. It will also creep back into the chapel, because scriptural questions still come be up in the chapel.

Temperance, by all means, but stop feeding the bears and they'll leave.

[1hole]

Respecting those people whose views I know to be dangerously wrong is dishonest to them and I cannot do that. But I can - and do - respect those people who hold wrong views (IF they are worthy of respect; no Occupiers or Antifias or PC Democrat socialists need apply). Blindly trying to "build up" beliefs that are obviously wrong encourages bad ideas and that is a large part of why American society has gotten so terribly cockeyed and detached from reality.

Don't misunderstand our efforts to reach out to non-believers. Any Christian worthy of the name feels a deep sense of concern for the eternal horrors awaiting those poor souls who die without Jesus.

[Boaz]

I have wasted my time on this board I didn't want to come to in the first place . In this last writing I'm trying to minimize my words . I will not become embroiled in in a frontal assault on non believers who prop up their 'belief' which is non belief in the here and now with only what they can hold in their hand through their self serving acceptance of not accepting .

I am little more than a dumb beast such as Balaam’s donkey who could see what could not be seen by his master . To those who use the word of GOD to uselessly frail the non believers forcing them to cling tighter to their non belief consider the wrong you do them in GOD's name . Instead stand in the light to lead the way , be an example . Test yourself with patience and love of them . You are promised persecution from them by our savior himself fulfilling his prophesy .

Temper your judgement and anger , seek discernment and wisdom instead of engaging in a battle of the flesh and let GOD lead . Sow and don't try to reap .

I could spew a ton of scripture right now to no purpose or relief but have danced with the devil long enough , more than I wanted to . Follow the second commandment of Christ and struggle to stand in his shadow .

[Der Gebirgsjager]

A highly respected, long term member of the Forum who no longer seems to post here, once used the term "religious trolls" to explain his non-participation in such threads. I'd never heard the term before, and thought about it a lot. I think he had something there. Some of us who are believers throw challenges to the unbelievers to antagonize them into making statements to attack with scripture. The unbelievers never fail to make their presence known in religiously themed threads and attack the believers' doctrines. The believers are not above arguing amongst themselves about their respective beliefs. It's a nice thing to have a Forum Chapel where believers can meet to request prayer and share thoughts, but trolling and strife does not belong there. There are indeed "religious trolls."

[Blackwater]

Well, I expected to find a post on alcohol, but am pleased with this warning against rage here. It's totally out of place in this section of the forum. Boaz and I stand in one accord on this. And the problem often seems to be that some, perhaps being previously piqued, tend to let their ire loose when challenged, or when bested by another poster or his questions. Many "messes" seem to be started by simple questions. A sharp answer ensues, and it's "off to the races." This is not only dysfunctional, it's very tiring and un-enjoyable. It is the exact opposite of why most of us come here.

On the other hand, did not Christ himself encourage us to "study to show thyself approved?" And if we study together, is it not inevitable that we will see something in a verse that others may not readily see? That doesn't make either side wrong. It just means we need to seriously look more deeply into the matter, and resolve our conflicts (again, just like Christ admonished us to do).

But we humans, being as we are, a fair number of us wind up getting hot under the collar. C'est la' vie, brothers! It's the way we work, and it's our job to work these things out, not simply withdraw and avoid sharing with our fellow believers. Some folks don't like being questioned or disagreed with. Being of one accord is awfully nice, but it doesn't just happen by force of will. We have to be HUMBLE enough ( a most difficult thing these days, it seems) to recognize that maybe the other fellow really HAS a point we might need to look further into and come to understand more fully.

It's that humility part that comes with such difficulty to so many of us these days. The world around us may encourage pridefulness, but the Bible advises us differently, and we have to make the choice. Some people's tempers are easily piqued. I know. I can be one of them, but I'm getting a lot better at it. All that's really necessary is just loving our brothers and sisters enough to not fear them, and letting them have the God-given right to find their own way. Not all will find the way, of course, but heated arguments won't change that, and if a Christian drives them away ...... well, how are they EVER going to be converted, and how will they ever come to understand?

It's inevitable that some of us, however devout, will encounter bad theology or ideas that seem offensive to us. BUt we can't be prigs if we truly follow the word of Christ, and have our brothers and sisters salvation as our aim and concern. A free discussion CAN, most definitely, be a very strong asset to all of us, no matter where we stand.

Too many of us have found what we believe to be "The Truth," and we often tend to get bigoted about it. It's just one of our many foibles that we have to keep watch on. But as Christ has forgiven us, and even died for that forgiveness, we need to learn to forgive our brothers and sisters, and not hold grudges. You never know when a present "enemy" may say something that crystalizes something that we've long been wondering about. Throwing away assets, like a brother who is honest enough to disagree with us, is NOT a wise thing to do!

[slim1836]

AMEN, well said.

Slim

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Good to see you posting again, Dennis. Hope your health is much improved.

DG

[T_McD]

Boaz, you have nailed it. Better than I ever could. My temperament is a work in progress.

"This is a dangerous place for those of faith in my opinion . Mostly a battleground of 'Ideas' or 'Opinion' .... This is a dangerous place for those of faith in my opinion . Mostly a battleground of 'Ideas' or 'Opinion' ."

The sub-forum was created to discuss the Bible and now it is a joke.

Best to stick with The Chapel as the sinner men and women have no place there.
With threads calling the Bible a myth and unbelievers spewing hatred of The Church, it is literally a place to be avoided. A sick joke.
I hope you do not leave due to this denegration of Christians, The Faith, and The Bible, and just stck with Our Chapel
I do not post here anymore as it has been befouled. From a place created to dig into the Word, The Bible, to a place where non- believers just spout off nonsense.

The original intent of this sub-forum is now perverted.

"Please read this before you decide to post something that will cause argument.
I will issue points for name calling, arguing, or just plain causing the deterioration of this place to non Biblical debates (denominational not biblical) .
Thank you"

We are way past that and them some. Rather than moderate this hot mess, I would respectfully beg No. 1 to move it to The Pit and let Our Chapel carry on undefiled.

If this was the original intent of this sub-forum, then yes we are way off track. However, the name of the subform and the intro post do not indicate that at all.

If you need your safe space, you may have it. I would appreciate some more clarity from a mod tho.