I hear ya
a good debate is useful, it helps us learn about others, helps us see maybe some error in our own thinking, or strengthens our own faith as we see deeper some things we did not know before that strengthens us
but the attacks that person was making was uncalled for. If any of us get there, and I am sure we all have gotten angry every now and then, someone should call us out, if we refuse to see how we are acting, we’ll then further action needs taken,
I think that any personal "you" statements directed at us that make us feel defensive, is on the level of "flaming" and "goading", and a type of abuse, even it is never so mild. We have the right to express our opinions and be proved wrong if need be by Scripture or just plain common logic, but no one has the right to throw abuse at us for expressing our opinions.
Since I joined this forum, I have noticed that some have expressed concern about the frequency of attacks and flaming that have go on here. When I saw that, I determined that I would do what I could to oppose flaming and abuse and use my contribution to show what a good debate looks like without having to resort to personal attacks on those who see different to what I do.
I don't know everything. I just have partial knowledge as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13. "We know in part and prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, the part shall be done away and we will know as we are known." (my paraphrase).
Therefore it all depends on how we are mentored and taught during our spiritual formative years in the particular religious environment that we were either brought up in as children or came into when we were first converted to Christ. The doctrine that we were taught by those teachers, pastors, and priests, whom we most respected, is doctrine that is very difficult to doubt, unless the Holy Spirit gives us new insight into God's Word to alter our theology to suit what we have learned anew.
For example: I spent the first 12 years of my Christian walk in Pentecostal churches. As a result I fully accepted its theology and practice and zealously defended it for the next 50 years. Then I read a book by a particular author showing where the Charismatic movement departed from the New Testament, and viewed a Bible teacher on Youtube who showed conclusively the areas of mainstream Charistmatic that were involved in pagan mind-control ("positive confession"), false prosperity and guaranteed-healing teaching and occult kundalini manifestation in services. As a result, this turned a lot of my Pentecostal/Charismatic theology on its head, and I had to re-examine what I previously practiced and supported, and found that much of it was missing from the New Testament. That was not altogether pleasant but it was necessary for me to adopt the attitude that if it ain't in the New Testament then it ain't true. Then the sayings of Jesus and Paul about false prophets, teachers, signs and wonders, began to have new significance for me.
But a couple of years ago, I would have defended them, like I had for the previous 50 years, to the max and refused to allow myself to believe anything different. It was as if any doubts about my Pentecostal theology were an attack on the foundation of my Christian faith. So I understand when people feel defensive and threatened when counter-arguments are present to what they firmly believe. But that is no excuse for viciously attacking and abusing those who give those counter-arguments.
