- Nov 7, 2012
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Justin Mangonel said:Justin ..... I have made a few comments in red below .... thanks .... Arnie
When speaking to people about the Bible I have noticed that some refuse to move an inch from their viewpoints and merely machine gun you with doctrinal bullets every time you seem to threaten their position. I encounter this type of behavior all the time and it seems that people think that this amounts to a discussion when in reality is it more of a statement of faith. They say they are open to understand new viewpoints but the are deluding themselves. The truth is that many would rather kill or be killed than give up their present doctrinal position.
To be fair Justin ... many cults and false teachers operate just an inch from the truth .... and for that reason many folks are afraid to budge an inch from their doctrine ... not everybody is capable of good bible study so they simply stand firm in what they already know (or were taught)
Some people can literally bury a discussion in scripture and the volume of their writing. However, volume of scripture quoted does not necessarily impress me. Many times people quote scripture whole sections of the Bible that they think supports their viewpoint when it really doesn’t.
I agree completely
The question I am try to answer is “what are we really accomplishing and what spirit are we of?”
For me personally I find it a healthy exercise to discuss and debate with someone in case I have "missed something" ..... I may initially reject and bash .... but if the other person can point out things I overlooked I will admit it and agree .... I have learned some of my "hardest lessons" that way
. Having had a foretaste of the next move of the Spirit I desperately want to go back over Jordan but I cannot do so without the bulk of my brethren crossing with me.
I may be completely off base here .... but it sounds as though you are desiring a "following" of people to accompany you ..... it gives a person a sense of security if they can convince other to follow them .... many cults and groups begin that way .... we must be cautious.
So, I don’t really don’t know what to do with these types of people other than leave them alone. The word does not get to them, the spirit does not seem to impact them, they are immovable and proud of it. Many seem to have a bit of ability in the word, which is commendable, but it seems that they are so married to their way of looking at things that nothing can shake them loose in the slightest. They are hunkered down in their theological fox hole and no amount of persuasion is going to move them. Unless I come and sit in their fox hole with them it seems there can be little fellowship.
You make a fantastic point that I have pondered many times as well and here is my conclusion .... the so called "small errors" in their doctrine will not keep them out of heaven .... so with that in mind we could just "let them be" and no real harm done ..... TROUBLE IS ... those same folks will publicly proclaim they are correct on a regular basis and that is why we try to step in with corrections so others are not mislead ..... then the fireworks in the foxhole begins anew.
It is like their minds are slammed shut and nobody can reach them. I do not have a solution
Thanks
Arnie
The Mormons can be called a cult ? I didn't know that. I thought they were a false religion.Justin Mangonel said:Dear A,
Yes, point well taken...sometimes cults, like the Mormons, side up to the truth to give them credibility and then twist it to their own ends.
Wow, that confused me lol ! Do you mean that a cult can be a good thing (cause that's what Christianity is by this definition) ? Seems that the meaning changed as centuries went by.... as people started to accept Christ.aspen2 said:a cult is a religious group that breaks away from a larger group. mormons are a protestant cult. technically christians started out as a jewish cult. one person,s sect is another person's cult depending on perspective
Yes, me too. They believe in Jesus, but don't they also consider him to be an angel or something like that ? Or am I thinking of another false religion ? One of them does.....Justin Mangonel said:Dear L,
Actually, I consider most Mormon's to be saved but their organization is really off. Many think that Momonism is a cult and I was just using that as an example. I can see you point though.
Blessings,
Justin