Paul Christensen
Well-Known Member
- Mar 2, 2020
- 3,068
- 1,619
- 113
- 77
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- New Zealand
I can't save anyone's soul. Not my role. I can only share the gospel of Christ as I see it. Whether others believe or not is not under my control. Evangelism is not about power and control over others. Bible-bashing people into submission is not genuine evangelism. Evangelism is about witnessing about who Jesus Christ is, showing the way to salvation in Christ, and testifying about what Christ has done for us.Are you trying to (in your view) save my soul?
If so, then it's about ENTERLY about me and my beliefs. Something you keep overlooking completely. If you want try to save my soul, then you need to talk to me and listen to my beliefs. Not lecture on what you think "Mormons" believe (cause that's not remotely accurate). You must listen, not lecture. And yes, I keep trying to focus on Christ, and keep ignoring me and going off on a million other tangents. It is beyond disrespectful and frustrating.
And again, if your definition of "Christian" - "Protestant Christians whom confesses sola scirptura and a bunch of other doctrines you choose", then I don't match that definition. And never will be because I passionately disagree with sola scirptura, so let's both skip wasteful talking if that's the case.
Actually it's not remotely a doctrinal standard book, and in fact has some problem with it. I already said that (and was promptly ignored).
No, you're still ignoring me.
Therefore, evangelism and witnessing for Christ is not proselytizing individuals to a church, nor is to persuading people to leave a church to join up with a "better" one.
I see Christ as a totally separate Person from any church. The church means nothing more than a place to fellowship with other Christians and to learn more of Christ. The church has no authority over people (although some churches think they have). The only authority that Christ has passed on the Christians is authority over sickness, disease, and demons. He has never given anyone authority to demand obedience to that person. Obedience to the gospel and to the commands of Christ is totally voluntary. God has no conscripts, only volunteers.
The problem with those who don't go along with sola scriptura is that because the Bible is very clear and straightforward about God's standards and commends, people don't want to comply, because they want to retain their self-will, and not comply with a God who requires of them.
They say, "Oh yes, I believe in Christ", but when the Christ of the Bible says, "No one can come to the Father but by Me" and that "Your righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees", they say, "Oh that's sola scriptura, and I am against it". What they are really saying is that "I have my version of faith, and I'm not going to let the Bible get in the way of it."
Anyway before you reload your Colt 45, suggest to me a doctrinal book that is the current standard of the LDS church.