First of all, thank you for your honest opinion.
Please give me suggestions on how to fix the 'impression' I am giving to others that my words are better than Scripture.
The impression I get from your studies is this:
1) You use this forum to glorify your own wisdom and knowledge of the Word. Although you don't actually say it, but the impression I get is you think of yourself a super apostle ordained by God where as your words are equal with Holy Scripture. -- I like studying and sharing my studying. Do you think that I should keep my studying to myself or present in a format (example, if so). Honestly, what do I say or do that gives you the impression that I think my words are equal to Scripture?
It's what you don't say. There is never an open ended question to your reader(s), never do you say "in my opinion this means...", or, "I'm not sure about this, but I think", or "could this mean..., what's your opinion," etc. etc. However, in all fairness and that being said, there were times in some of my posts where I didn't present interpretation as my opinion, but I never claimed to have received "whatever" as one with authority over someone else's opinion or interpretation. I get the impression from reading your work that you think you have all the light and all the answers. I see no humility on your part, nor do I see anywhere in your notes that what you say are not infallible... Your format is more like a commentary then a study. Don't get me wrong, I like commentaries, but neither do I believe that Gill, Henry, Calvin, Wesley etc. have all the light either.
2) That you think your interpretations of the Word are infallible. Is this the reason why people do not post in here? How do I give this impression?
Maybe, I can only speculate and I can't speak for others in why they don't post here. By never openly admitting that you could be wrong sometimes, or that simply stating that these are "things" that you think are correct, but not absolute certain. Somethings we can be certain of, but anyone thinking that they are led 100% of the time and have a monopoly on scripture raises a red flag in my mind. Open things up for more discussion. Or simply state that your studies are your commentary on scripture.
3) The exultation of your protege GreenNnice is revolting to me.
4) It is obvious to me that your following is small, mostly of GreenNnice, and a few other commenters.
This being said, I will also apologize for being so blunt in the matter. But you are the one that asked. -- Honesty is what I wanted and you have given it.
In this statement you have shown integrity and humility. And in all honesty, I am biased toward most of your works here, because of your stance on some doctrines we disagree on.
Your studies may very well have much truth in them, but could be mixed in with unintentional untruths.
-- But I guess that goes back to people not posting here for or against what I say.
We are to test all things, and hold fast unto what is good. I for one, in most cases don't want to stick my neck out, because I'll get my head chopped off. I'm not sure why I did it this time maybe because you were calling for another witness... and I did get called a prosecutor of a believe by another believer. I'm tired of the name calling.
But neither do I have the time or patience to read through it all, for I much rather prefer my own personal studies and rely on them to receive God's word into me and His leading in my life. -- Me too and what I do study, I post here. So, perhaps this is the reason why people do not repsond?
Yes, that is one possibility. And maybe I'm completely off base in my impression, after all I do claim that we can't trust our own thoughts, dreams, visions (I'll add impressions) etc. etc. and need to hold everything up a subject framework, the Word of God.
The Internet is a place where any want-a-bee can portray him or herself as anyone they imagine. It is one thing to speak words of wisdom on an Internet forum and to actually preach them in real life, applying Godly principles of daily living in front of peers (unsaved and saved) and to live them out in a crucified life to Christ. Therefore I take anyone's words here with a grain of salt, hold fast to what is good and what speaks to me, and throw out the rest. I'm sure you may have the exact sediments about what others or I say on here as well, so I mean no offense really. -- No offense taken here. But with that said, why then do any of us post on CC?
Everyone has their own reasons. I'd say some want closure in their belief system, some want fellowship, some want to stir up contention, and some want to show off what they think they know... etc. etc.
I ask you and God for forgiveness if my intentions and comments here are of the flesh, if I am wrong in my statements about your character, intentions and love for God. But I agree with Mari's statements concerning this thread. -- But as you say, you do not know me and I do not know you, so you would not know my 'real life' as I you. I can, just as you, set here and tell them, but then again, we are left with the same sentiment of, 'who are you really'.
So maybe we should be more personalible on here in the general forums, instead of instructive, constructive and decisive. I far more enjoy your comments to other peoples posts then reading your studies ( I'm not trying to depreciate your work at all ).
I am prepared to called jealous, or not know anything, un-led or blastpheming the HS in which many get called who disagree with some of your doctrines. Regardless of what is said of me, I choose to forgive you and/or anyone else as the Lord in heaven has forgiven me. Amen -- Likewise. But if one considers the Spirit of God and Jesus a thing, a figment of a loons psychotic thoughts, then yes that 'one' is blastphemious. It is the Spirit who leads to all Truth, and by which same Spirit we are giving the mind of Christ, and if that Spirit is so thought of in a disguisting manner then yes, that 'one' knows nothing. And I will continue telling that person the same. But, I know you are not saying this here. So, none of this applies to you.
Do you claim to have all truth? Are you led 100% of the time? I believe there is a difference between the dwelling Holy Spirit and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If you claim to have all the truth, and indwelling Holy Spirit in all that you do and say, then I'd say you are claiming for yourself a special calling and apostleship like status of an 1st century apostle.
In my opinion, there is a big difference between the 1st century apostles and today's Christian leaders, teaches, ministers etc. because in the 1st Century, what qualified them to be apostles of Christ, was their personal and physical walk with Christ. Paul was the only exception, but he did know of Christ as a pharasee and later had Christ touch him super-naturally which led to His conversion and calling.
