I often wonder if the purpose for starting a thread had underlying motives to it. Meaning do you really want to discuss it or argue it?
On this thread I have posted exactly what I believe and live by according to the Scriptures I provide. It is a perfectly legitimate thread for the Bible Study forum.
And then others have come out to denounce it,
as well as me as teaching a cult,
without even addressing points I make. I then defend what I teach, and I am the one denounced as only wanting to argue with them?? Seriously?
You moderators need to get together and decide exactly what your are looking for on the Bible Study forum.
These are just a few scriptures about arguments and disputes over discussions that profits no one.
Page after page, thread after thread....except for the prayer, Praise, testimony, and fellowship forums....tend to end up in conflict and leading to strife and division.
It's time we join together in singleness of faith...in one mind and one accord...so that we may see the kingdom of God within ourselves.
I completely agree. I have called for in private, and now do so publicly with you. I say you enforce an
agreement free Bible Study forum and leave personal disputes to the Debate Forum.
Rule of Bible Study Forum:
1. Only teach what we believe Scripture is saying.
2. Do not personally respond to, nor quote anyone, to disagree with them, or to try and change their opinion.
3. Only personally respond to anyone, or quote them, to either agree, or to ask for clarification, or for more Scriptural proof.
Until you make this rule for the Bible Study forum, then there will never be a separation from agreeable study and debate with personal disputes.
I would be more than glad to properly participate in a Bible Study forum like that.
However, so far as whether disputing the Scriptures is godly or not, it is exactly what the apostles did in private and publicly, beginning with Jesus, which is why the rulers had Him crucified:
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
They were disputing with one another and others, as to exactly what Scripture teaches. Which is every Christian's right to do, unless we want to join a cult, where no such 'disagreement' is allowed.
I will be looking for a reply to my suggestion for the Bible Study thread. In the meantime, if anyone comes out to specifically disagree with anything I teach, I will defend it. And if that means exposing what they say as false according to Scripture, so be it.
What you ought be doing is telling others, that if they get offended by being argued with, then they should not be disagreeing with anyone else, but only post what they believe.
If someone posts something independently of what they believe on this Bible Study forum. I do not argue with them. But if they are addressing it personally to me, then I either agree and add to it with more Scripture, or I disagree and show by Scripture why.