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Actually, I think the greatest problem on CC is that people post as if they are the only ones who've ever studied or thought deeply about a topic.
Now, of course, there are people who haven't thought about a topic before and just believe a doctrine because they have always done so. But the trick is to ASSUME that they have. Think as highly as possible of those you have disagreements with, on the Sabbath, on the Law, the Rapture, a millennial kingdom, whatever, and give genuine form to that high appraisal by serving others with well thought out, reasoned arguments that do not attack the other person, but articulate with great care why you believe what you do.
And never go into a discussion if you aren't prepared for the possibility that someone will actually prove you wrong. That doesn't mean expect to be proven wrong, have confidence in your position, but if truth is truth, as opposed to your own opinion, you must always be ready to be wrong, because truth is not contingent on your opinion.
And..."above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins."
Now, of course, there are people who haven't thought about a topic before and just believe a doctrine because they have always done so. But the trick is to ASSUME that they have. Think as highly as possible of those you have disagreements with, on the Sabbath, on the Law, the Rapture, a millennial kingdom, whatever, and give genuine form to that high appraisal by serving others with well thought out, reasoned arguments that do not attack the other person, but articulate with great care why you believe what you do.
And never go into a discussion if you aren't prepared for the possibility that someone will actually prove you wrong. That doesn't mean expect to be proven wrong, have confidence in your position, but if truth is truth, as opposed to your own opinion, you must always be ready to be wrong, because truth is not contingent on your opinion.
And..."above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins."
Nick, we appreciate this post of yours.
this is a very insightful post.
spoken by a very young person who sounds like
they have some 'old-school' manners,
not to mention an heartfelt maturity in
The Lord, Jesus Christ.
thank you.