What are we doing here?

[Sister-n-Christ]

Do you wonder?

Are we here for community? Consider how we debate,argue,our understanding of scripture.
Yes,it can become heated. Because faith is personal.

And we all argue our understanding of scriptures as if our lives depend on our being right. And those opposed and their argument can feel threatening to our understanding. And as a consequence to our sense of knowledge and security in our own understanding.

This is of course referring to fellow believers.
Not disruptive atheist trolls who pretend to be Christians in order to mock,ridicule, and cast aspersions upon our faith and the scriptures.

What are we doing here? Really?

Think about it. If any here read me at all. Ask yourself,what?

The Gospel is suppose to free us.

How much time do we spend trying to talk one another into believing we know what God means to say to us in his own words?

As if what is written as his inspired teachings that he wants us to understand don't say enough in themselves?

God! Creator of all that exists teaches us what he expects us to live in his own words. And here we are debating,arguing, our understanding as the individual believer in God's message know more than the other believer here.

And look at how we treat each other when we undertake that effort to prove it.

Me included of course.

What do you have to prove?
If God leads us to understanding through his Holy Spirit,what are we doing?

Pushing the ego centric idea that "I," know more than "you" do?

And what's that mean? Page after page,thread after thread.

Maybe that we don't know as much as we think.

Our faith is our life. We live the example God's truth instills in us.

What do we example here?

 

[Wick Stick]

I'm here to have conversations about the Bible, history, and other topics I care about. People in my real life often aren't inclined to have in-depth discussions about religion, so... here.

I'm not trying to sway anyone from their position. On the contrary, conversation is livelier when there is disagreement.

Some people are immature, and unable to disagree without becoming angry or disrespectful. I simply mute them. It makes my experience here MUCH better. I highly recommend it.

 

[PS95]

Do you wonder?

Are we here for community? Consider how we debate,argue,our understanding of scripture.
Yes,it can become heated. Because faith is personal.

And we all argue our understanding of scriptures as if our lives depend on our being right. And those opposed and their argument can feel threatening to our understanding. And as a consequence to our sense of knowledge and security in our own understanding.

This is of course referring to fellow believers.
Not disruptive atheist trolls who pretend to be Christians in order to mock,ridicule, and cast aspersions upon our faith and the scriptures.

What are we doing here? Really?

Think about it. If any here read me at all. Ask yourself,what?

The Gospel is suppose to free us.

How much time do we spend trying to talk one another into believing we know what God means to say to us in his own words?

As if what is written as his inspired teachings that he wants us to understand don't say enough in themselves?

God! Creator of all that exists teaches us what he expects us to live in his own words. And here we are debating,arguing, our understanding as the individual believer in God's message know more than the other believer here.

And look at how we treat each other when we undertake that effort to prove it.

Me included of course.

What do you have to prove?
If God leads us to understanding through his Holy Spirit,what are we doing?

Pushing the ego centric idea that "I," know more than "you" do?

And what's that mean? Page after page,thread after thread.

Maybe that we don't know as much as we think.

Our faith is our life. We live the example God's truth instills in us.

What do we example here?

Yes I have wondered! I see a lot of needless bickering here. I don't argue with believers.

I am here to help others see the real false teachers who are here as wolves in sheep clothing.- cults and trouble makers They do very real damage to others. They should be made to designate their denominations. That would avoid a lot of conflicts! Moderators don't agree. I have no idea why. Perhaps they don't understand the damage they do. There are many who join here as a way to convert you away from Christ and His liberty and to themselves. They are not easily spotted by many but with spiritual discernment they become apparent.
I don't have a denominational name- I am a Christian and my church is Christian- & nothing more. But many here do have denomination name and they should be asked to change from Christian to whatever they do call themselves.

However, what I see that is also troubling is believers pitting against one another and the name calling etc. that should not be. Those disagreements are NOT salvational. There should be more grace given and agree to disagree on the things that can could be taken either way due to scriptures not being 100% clear. We are dealing with scriptures that are translated from a language no longer spoken- and letters that were written to others in a culture that was very different thousands of years ago. There are bound to be issues. Never are those things salvational. The basics are clear and the gospel truth was certainly preserved.
In the real world I have never witnessed Christians speak to each other the way some people here do. I guess it's the curse of the internet.

Paul to false teachers-- who were legalistic saying you must be under the law - needing circumcism to be saved- he said he hoped they would go mutilate themselves- and others who taught a different gospel- let them be accursed!
Jesus spoke to Pharisees- brood of vipers- sons of the devil, whitewashed tombs.
So we see real anger against false teachers. It is righteous anger.

But when a believer gets mixed up or has a view on something that doesn't cause a horrible rift in our faith in Christ- they should be treated with care and patience.
what I see- arguments over osas and calvinism.. while I am neither of those- I do accept them as fellow believers in Christ. They were likely taught that way, and while mistaken as I see it- it does not mean they are not believers. So I don't enter those discussions because they get rabid. I know some very lovely Christians who are osas and /or calvinist.
If they are teaching licentiousness that's different, of course.

The pre trib/ pre mil vs amil views- that's another that gets nasty. I think it's as simple as not allowing yourself to be provoked. Love does not provoke to anger- so if we see a believer getting angry we should take a step back and pray and not reply to keep it going. Even suggesting a time out for gathering ourselves would be good. It is fleshly and not pretty. I have heard recent pastors from Calvary chapel say that if you don't believe pre trib rapture and premil you may not be a Christian. That was via the radio and said more than once. THAT is a divisive pastor and he should be removed IMO. We are talking about prophecy and he is deciding who is a Christian by that? Not good!

In a world of tribulations and growing stress due to politics and lawlessness we are seeing love grow cold? We are living in the last days and we have been for 2000 years & things have amped up.
As I said though I don't see this in real life among believers- the internet is a whole other game. All in all it is walking in the flesh and not the spirit- I prefer to see the fruits of the spirit. Love one another is commanded. Think we can do that? Only when we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus-- & only if we take times of refreshing and walk away if someone begins to get annoyed. All we can do is OUR part.
If we do mess up - apologize to that person directly.

I feel like I just typed all of that for nothing. It's been this way for a year now. I don't have much hope. But hope springs eternal..

 

[SavedInHim]

Do you wonder?

Are we here for community? Consider how we debate,argue,our understanding of scripture.
Yes,it can become heated. Because faith is personal.

And we all argue our understanding of scriptures as if our lives depend on our being right. And those opposed and their argument can feel threatening to our understanding. And as a consequence to our sense of knowledge and security in our own understanding.

This is of course referring to fellow believers.
Not disruptive atheist trolls who pretend to be Christians in order to mock,ridicule, and cast aspersions upon our faith and the scriptures.

What are we doing here? Really?

Think about it. If any here read me at all. Ask yourself,what?

The Gospel is suppose to free us.

How much time do we spend trying to talk one another into believing we know what God means to say to us in his own words?

As if what is written as his inspired teachings that he wants us to understand don't say enough in themselves?

God! Creator of all that exists teaches us what he expects us to live in his own words. And here we are debating,arguing, our understanding as the individual believer in God's message know more than the other believer here.

And look at how we treat each other when we undertake that effort to prove it.

Me included of course.

What do you have to prove?
If God leads us to understanding through his Holy Spirit,what are we doing?

Pushing the ego centric idea that "I," know more than "you" do?

And what's that mean? Page after page,thread after thread.

Maybe that we don't know as much as we think.

Our faith is our life. We live the example God's truth instills in us.

What do we example here?

I'd wager that 9 people out of 10 will say they're here to "help" others. And by "help" they mean prove to them how wrong they are.

 

[Matthias]

What I’m primarily doing here is getting away from my work with neglected, abused and at-risk children. I‘ll speak with anyone but I’m most interested in speaking with atheists, agnostics and members who are registered “Other Faith”.

 

[Helen]

Hmmm What am I doing here ?
I first joined this forum way back in ‘07 under a different avatar/name …I stayed until the arguing got to me ( or I allowed it to get to me) there were some quite ‘vicious‘ members back then!

I came back in about 2015 for about 7 years , then saw many good ‘friends ‘ leave , so ofter a while , I drifted off too. Been gone a couple of years , and came back a week or so ago…

why did I come back yet again ? Why am I here ?
I wanted to see if any old friends had returned , and just wondered what the topics of discussion were now. I’ve seen the ownership change hands a few times in almost 20 years ….

I have no great or hidden agendas for being here. Ive always liked this forum , I guess I just end up returning like a homing pigeon

Bless all who sail in her…..

 

[ScottA]

Do you wonder?

Are we here for community? Consider how we debate,argue,our understanding of scripture.
Yes,it can become heated. Because faith is personal.

And we all argue our understanding of scriptures as if our lives depend on our being right. And those opposed and their argument can feel threatening to our understanding. And as a consequence to our sense of knowledge and security in our own understanding.

This is of course referring to fellow believers.
Not disruptive atheist trolls who pretend to be Christians in order to mock,ridicule, and cast aspersions upon our faith and the scriptures.

What are we doing here? Really?

Think about it. If any here read me at all. Ask yourself,what?

The Gospel is suppose to free us.

How much time do we spend trying to talk one another into believing we know what God means to say to us in his own words?

As if what is written as his inspired teachings that he wants us to understand don't say enough in themselves?

God! Creator of all that exists teaches us what he expects us to live in his own words. And here we are debating,arguing, our understanding as the individual believer in God's message know more than the other believer here.

And look at how we treat each other when we undertake that effort to prove it.

Me included of course.

What do you have to prove?
If God leads us to understanding through his Holy Spirit,what are we doing?

Pushing the ego centric idea that "I," know more than "you" do?

And what's that mean? Page after page,thread after thread.

Maybe that we don't know as much as we think.

Our faith is our life. We live the example God's truth instills in us.

What do we example here?

In ages past the people of God did evil before Him, then good, then evil again. Was it all for naught? No, but indeed, all has purpose.

Now it's our turn. But this is not the same, this is rather the manifestation of God's spirit being poured out upon all people--meaning, both good and evil. Why? Because we have our own choice between good and evil, blessing a cursing to make; and because unlike Israel who were chosen to be the one among many nations and people, we were chosen to be among the many, among the chaos and the scattered--even within the church.

Still, the choice is the same. Except our choice was specifically between "flesh and blood" and "My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17) After which many have failed. Then we--as the Bride, as women, were told to "keep silent in church" 1 Corinthians 14:34 (allowing only the Spirit to speak). And we failed again.

But you are correct, there is a big difference between making claims and debating from our own understanding, and the Holy Spirit speaking. For which there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

[PS95]

I'm here to have conversations about the Bible, history, and other topics I care about. People in my real life often aren't inclined to have in-depth discussions about religion, so... here.

I'm not trying to sway anyone from their position. On the contrary, conversation is livelier when there is disagreement.

Some people are immature, and unable to disagree without becoming angry or disrespectful. I simply mute them. It makes my experience here MUCH better. I highly recommend it.

I'm curious. If you were aware of blatant false teachings- but those teachings are not widely known-- would you choose not to expose it and try to show that person why it is wrong?
By blatant, I speak of denying that in Christ's blood there is forgiveness of our sins, and instead teaching that physical death deletes all sins therefore, you will be resurrected because you died.
And that our bad deeds in this life do not matter since when you die they are all paid for?
Would you be concerned for people pushing such teachings on others here?
That's why I joined here.

 

[Wick Stick]

I'm curious. If you were aware of blatant false teachings- but those teachings are not widely known-- would you choose not to expose it and try to show that person why it is wrong?
By blatant, I speak of denying that in Christ's blood there is forgiveness of our sins, and instead teaching that physical death deletes all sins therefore, you will be resurrected because you died.
And that our bad deeds in this life do not matter since when you die they are all paid for?
Would you be concerned for people pushing such teachings on others here?
That's why I joined here.

I moderated at another Christian form for about 15 years prior to being here, and... ignoring exactly what false teaching it happens to be... there are levels to this.

Are they playing devil's advocate and don't actually believe it themselves?
Are they earnest but deceived?
Are they maliciously spreading doctrine they know to be false?

In the first case, play along and have that argument. Since we are actually on the same side, the outcome of the argument is assured.

In the second case, the best way to correct someone is not to tell them they're wrong, or "prove" it from Scripture. The better method of persuasion is to present views alternate to their own. Rather than trying to give them answers, give them questions.

In the third case... I've banned a number of people over the years. (I think a couple of them post here now welp).