Stoicism - This is what I believe, no matter the truth...

[BeforeThereWas]

This one is from the Barna Group:

“The problem facing the Christian church is not that people lack a complete set of beliefs. The problem is that they have a full slate of beliefs in mind which they think are consistent with biblical teachings, and they are neither open to being proven wrong nor to learning new insights. It may well be that spiritual evaluation is so uncommon because people fear that the results might suggest the need for different growth strategies or for more aggressive engagement in the growth process. No matter what the underlying reason is, the bottom line—among both the clergy and the laity—was indifference toward their acknowledged lack of evaluation.”

What is that quote saying? It’s saying:

“I know what I believe—don’t confuse me with any of those facts.”

Inevitably, those who believe what is false will take this and run with it, saying, "See? See? I believe what the Bible teaches...," even though they harbor patently false beliefs derived from their personal study with blinders on or what they heard from their favorite "pastor" or teacher at their churchianity organization, online, in a book or on radio or podcast. These are they who refuse to read scripture for what it says and to engage a systematic study of scripture on a given topic.

What about you? It's not so much going forward with an "open mind" as an invitation for the devil to get in there and fill it with his own falsehoods. It's about looking unto the Lord and His Spirit for His instruction and enlightenment (1 John 2:27).

What say you?

BTW

 

[ScottA]

This one is from the Barna Group:

“The problem facing the Christian church is not that people lack a complete set of beliefs. The problem is that they have a full slate of beliefs in mind which they think are consistent with biblical teachings, and they are neither open to being proven wrong nor to learning new insights. It may well be that spiritual evaluation is so uncommon because people fear that the results might suggest the need for different growth strategies or for more aggressive engagement in the growth process. No matter what the underlying reason is, the bottom line—among both the clergy and the laity—was indifference toward their acknowledged lack of evaluation.”

What is that quote saying? It’s saying:

“I know what I believe—don’t confuse me with any of those facts.”

Inevitably, those who believe what is false will take this and run with it, saying, "See? See? I believe what the Bible teaches...," even though they harbor patently false beliefs derived from their personal study with blinders on or what they heard from their favorite "pastor" or teacher at their churchianity organization, online, in a book or on radio or podcast. These are they who refuse to read scripture for what it says and to engage a systematic study of scripture on a given topic.

What about you? It's not so much going forward with an "open mind" as an invitation for the devil to get in there and fill it with his own falsehoods. It's about looking unto the Lord and His Spirit for His instruction and enlightenment (1 John 2:27).

What say you?

BTW

We people have a tenancy to most consider that portion we have found along our own way. Our own way.

However, along the way of God and His revealing Himself to so many witnesses one pure thread of truth, it is the overall that should be our guide. Given a map or timeline saying "You are here", we would know more and expect more, and likely be prepared for what is coming. But we seem to fail in knowing the times. And if we have even some idea that is correct, there we are again directing our own way. Our own way.

If we only knew. And it's not as if there are not a thousand examples written to show how men have returned to the way of their own folly. There are.

One could even now state exactly where we are and what we should expect--but all would retreat to their own way. Their own way.

 

[MatthewG]

I don't like any of it.

It's by ones own faith a person stands firm, according to Paul.

I know one thing is for sure, I don't believe its good to trust me, or anyone else on the matters one comes to when they read the bible for themselves.

They should trust Yahavah, God, over man... But at the same time people have no right to abuse, judge, or condemn people.

When it comes down to as though they have some type of authority.

There are so many people that put the Bible first, rather than the Spirit, when the Spirit is primary. The Bible itself is referencial, to check and test all things by the spirit.

As Paul wrote to the people in Thessalonica,

but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

What about you? It's not so much going forward with an "open mind" as an invitation for the devil to get in there and fill it with his own falsehoods. It's about looking unto the Lord and His Spirit for His instruction and enlightenment (1 John 2:27).

We should only be open to the Holy Spirit Who Jesus said would lead us in to ALL Truth (John 16:13), and Jesus said God's Word IS Truth (John 17:17)

If one is walking with the Lord with sincerity being led by the Holy Spirit based on what God has already said in His Word they will continue growing spiritually in the Lord.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Here’s a simple illustration to further the point made in the OP:

As a child, your family has a way of doing things.

You get used to it—it’s the only thing you've ever known before because that’s how your family operates.

Then you get older, and you realize: “Huh. Not everyone does things the same way.”

You then start thinking:

“Well, I’ve always done it this way. But now I see others do it differently.”

Part of becoming an adult is realizing: “What are the odds that everything I’ve been taught is correct? That I don’t need to change anything? That my family just got everything right, and we’re one of the lucky ones?”

Is that a reasonable point of view?
No—it’s incredibly naïve.

There is no one in a situation where everything they’ve been taught is correct, so if you're a serious person, you realize, “I need to re-evaluate these things. Not with automatic skepticism, but with the goal of understanding what’s true.”

Some people say, “I’m going to reject everything I’ve been taught—because I want to be my own person.”

That’s just foolishness.

The right approach is, “Let me re-evaluate to figure out what is true.”

That—that is the process of becoming an adult.

It’s the process of saying, “Here are the things I’ve been taught. Let me analyze them. Are they correct? If so, hold on to them even tighter. However, if something is wrong—correct it. Believe what is true.”

BTW

 

[MatthewG]

Here’s a simple illustration to further the point made in the OP:

As a child, your family has a way of doing things.

You get used to it—it’s the only thing you've ever known before because that’s how your family operates.

Then you get older, and you realize: “Huh. Not everyone does things the same way.”

You then start thinking:

“Well, I’ve always done it this way. But now I see others do it differently.”

Part of becoming an adult is realizing: “What are the odds that everything I’ve been taught is correct? That I don’t need to change anything? That my family just got everything right, and we’re one of the lucky ones?”

Is that a reasonable point of view?
No—it’s incredibly naïve.

There is no one in a situation where everything they’ve been taught is correct, so if you're a serious person, you realize, “I need to re-evaluate these things. Not with automatic skepticism, but with the goal of understanding what’s true.”

Some people say, “I’m going to reject everything I’ve been taught—because I want to be my own person.”

That’s just foolishness.

The right approach is, “Let me re-evaluate to figure out what is true.”

That—that is the process of becoming an adult.

It’s the process of saying, “Here are the things I’ve been taught. Let me analyze them. Are they correct? If so, hold on to them even tighter. However, if something is wrong—correct it. Believe what is true.”

BTW

BTW,

People reap what they sow, and choose what they want to do. Everyone is truly responsible for themselves in the end.

I agree with you people whom hear something, they should go and test things by what is given in the Bible if that is the overall message, you are sharing.

Reject traditions. A person whom is a seeker will go and seek, if they are wanting answers.

Not everyone ya listen to is gonna be the same, people should re-evaluate what they have been taught especially if it is getting others to hate people, judge, and condemn.

That is not of the Spirit what so ever.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

BTW,

People reap what they sow, and choose what they want to do. Everyone is truly responsible for themselves in the end.

I agree with you people whom hear something, they should go and test things by what is given in the Bible if that is the overall message, you are sharing.

Reject traditions. A person whom is a seeker will go and seek, if they are wanting answers.

Not everyone ya listen to is gonna be the same, people should re-evaluate what they have been taught especially if it is getting others to hate people, judge, and condemn.

That is not of the Spirit what so ever.

I fully agree they will do whatever they so desire. However, there are those precious souls who will at least stop and consider what is being said, and speak of their going back into the scriptures to see what is written, and also in their prayer closet where the Spirit of the Lord can and will teach them (1 John 2:27). We don't stop trying to reach fellow believers simply because most will do as they so please. Evangelism would come to a screeching halt if the self-defeating argument were of any serious merit for regard dare one fear the rejection that most will perpetrate against those sharing Light.

What is important to me is that the fullness of the Gentiles be come in as soon as possible...that is when the blindness will be lifted from Israel that they too may see their folly as I had done many years ago as an Israeli.

BTW