Brother, we cannot know every one who reads these boards.
Well, I am not trying to be argumentative - but I would like to discuss this. Part of me wants to say, it comes with the territory; if we start limiting people from discussing what is on their mind because someone has decided that it is dangerous for young Christians to read and attributing evil intentions to those who simply want to work out their faith - I think it will not be enforceable, just, or healthy. It may just be my opinion, but I believe questioning is a good thing and promotes further study. If a person who is weak in faith comes here and sees us discussing difficult and thought provoking topics without fear, I think it will give people courage that these tough issues do not have to be avoided or ignored because Christianity is not able to handle them.
Some are reading as guest, looking on so to speak, some wanting to believe, and others just believing, and even some who are looking for an excuse to stop believing. I know that you consider this a place to debate and exchange thoughts, and it is. But I feel strongly that we should temper our posts through the heart of the Holy Spirit, so that we not be the reason for any to stumble.
I am just not seeing my posts as dangerous - I think they are challenging, but I always promote the sovereignty of God and the saving work of Jesus on the cross and His sanctification in the hearts of Christians. I also believe Christianity is a dynamic faith, with a long history of rich, intellectual thought, which is being sacrificed for safe and nice.
I do not believe posts that talk about safe topics or promote rigid answers do Christianity any favors. When I first started posting here, the hot topic was, "should Christians [men] have long hair?" Now there is nothing wrong with this kind of topic, but there is also nothing thought provoking about it either. You seem to worry about the Christian that is weak in their faith reading my posts, but what about people who are struggling with real spiritual problems or life problems? How are they going to respond to people that claim to have the truth and a rock solid faith in God arguing about hair? It just seems to me that God is big enough to handle even the most difficult issues.
I have seen our enemy trying to gain a foothold, trying to cause strife and discord among us, and we should not facilitate him in this.
The only strife I have seen so far is certain people becoming very emotional and frightened over threads that do not conform to safe topics. Thinking outside of an extremely narrow point of view, even though it is orthodox seems to upset people that claim to have a strong faith - meanwhile, I haven't heard anyone with a weak faith come forward with concerns - now, I understand we can't know everyone who reads these boards and someone my get hurt without our knowledge.
Admittedly, it is deeply troubling for me to watch certain Christians here get so frightened over posts that provoke thought, and yet, so tolerant of threads that promote hatred against Israel and conspiracy theories and vasectomies! Honestly, I think I have written more about sanctification of the Spirit, the grace of God, and God's will in the last two weeks then most people here.
And I have seen him attacking some come here looking for answers. I believe that God has an answer for every single person who is seeking Him, and that the Holy Spirit will give that answer, if we seek His wisdom.
I've seen a lot of people getting attacked, but it is usually the Christians that are frightened that I have seen lash out against people they believe are arrogantly promoting heresy or atheism or ideas that are not supported by scripture.
The fact is, we as Christians have the reputation in the world for being arrogant, dismissive, anti-intellectual, dogmatic, and promoters of black and white thinking methods, with an ends justifies the means morality; more concerned with closing the deal than loving our neighbors for the long haul. I am just trying to show nonbelievers that Christians are actually much more.
Thanks for reading and God bless
In His peace
