The heresies of the many

[purgedconscience]

I'm trying to give you a heads up! People have told you politely, maybe if we yell for a post or two, you will step back for a second.

It's a nobel thought. I actually agree with the concept.
Once you've been here for a bit, you'll see.......it won't change.

It'd be nice, but it won't happen.
That's what forums are about.

Call me a dreamer, but I'm still holding out hope that it will happen. If it doesn't happen, then we are all the ones who will ultimately be to blame. Again, I said we.

So, you can keep complaining or get on board and avoid it.
This isn't a us and them problem at the moment, brother......this is simply about the dude who keeps liking your posts above.
Pay close attention.

So, everything that is going on at the moment is due to one forum member here who just joined in January? How am I supposed to believe that? Just earlier, I read on the Speak your mind thread how others have left this forum last year. What was the problem then? Unless I'm totally out of mind, the problem is exactly as I've described it:

Pride.

Let God give the increase and let the final judgment rest with Christ.

After all, this is what the Bible instructs us all to do. Again, I said us all.

By the way, I'm never getting on board the quitter's train. In other words, I'm never going to just avoid it. Things don't go away via avoidance. You might not see them anymore, but others are still left to deal with them.

 

[Reborn]

The signs of the times will manifest themselves in mankind, including those who profess to know Christ but truly deny Him by their words and actions. I wrote a thread or two on the falling away, even though many don't believe this can even happen. And as far as context, my threads are in the "context" of what is being shown in multiple places in scripture, but only discerned by the Holy Spirit.

We who are of the Spirit speak the words of God in a mystery, even by comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man cannot receive them, or hear what the Spirit is truly saying.

1 Corinthians 2:7
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1 Corinthians 2:13
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But let me remind you Reborn, this thread is not about what you think of me.

Huh?

You cause division, brother, l don't read how you group or post scripture together anymore. You cant be trusted as a reliable teacher to me.
Falls on deaf eyeballs. You may be right? Don't care.

I've done this dance with you, twice, and you couldn't defend why you taught what you were teaching.
Those are the worst kinds of teachers to me.

Like the picture of you in your avatar. Cute.

 

[dcontroversal]

I agree, but whose job is it to reveal such truth to anybody? Man's or the Holy Spirit's? Granted, man has a part to play as far as planting and watering are concerned, but only God can give the increase. Can you honestly say that you've never sought to force the increase on this forum? This is what I'm saying here. None of us are God. Co-laborers with God, yes, but we're still only called to plant and water. Surely you believe this, don't you? Then why can't we all just implement the same? In my mind, the only reason why such cannot truly be implemented is pride.

You know...the problem is perception.....for example.....I agree with probably 85% of the people who post on this site (not all things they post) and have no problem discussing the scriptures and even a little heated debate is ok with me....if I am wrong and someone can in context, without ignoring verb tense and numerous verses which can stand alone that proves a biblical truth and prove my error I will agree and change my stance...the problem is about 5 or 6 people who at the detriment of ALL who disagree with them refuse to acknowledge truth, verb tense, the very inspired definitions of the Hebrew or Greek words that are inspired and will argue and or judge motive, salvation and or stance while making themselves out to be persecuted just because someone disagrees with them, they will whine like little babies, threaten to turn you in and or make very pointed mouthy comments like posting a dancing ape and talk about coming down to some ones level....all the while claiming to be so righteous and godly and biblical and sinless.....

I KNOW I MAKE POINTED direct comments, I know I say some mouthy things and have admitted it and even apologized for it openly which is rejected while my motive and heart is being judged.....by self righteous men who claim to be sinless.....at the end of the day when the face cannot be seen and or temperament completely known there will always be disagreements, pointed comments, arguments, perceived hatred and or animosity........it would seem that as mature as everyone claims to be we could all not be so easily offended.....now watch and pay attention to the results of this post and who says what....

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Huh?

You cause division, brother, l don't read how you group or post scripture together anymore. You cant be trusted as a reliable teacher to me.
Falls on deaf eyeballs. You may be right? Don't care.

I've done this dance with you, twice, and you couldn't defend why you taught what you were teaching.
Those are the worst kinds of teachers to me.

Like the picture of you in your avatar. Cute.

More hate and false accusations. Again, when did this thread become about me? Seems to happen a lot though. Hmmm.

 

[purgedconscience]

eh, yeah, i think "it began" some thousands of years ago.
and has continued ever since.

this is still a "discussion board" though -- not a place to institute an inquisition.
man, now i feel like i really don't even want to look at that other thread.

That was actually my quote which somehow got attributed to VW because of a quote malfunction I'm guessing. This isn't an Inquisition. Why do people have to cast aspersions and sow seeds of hopelessness into what can be a very easily resolved situation even though it's been a longstanding problem? My thread was started to counter VW's thread and he and I are discussing things civilly and maturely. It seems as if we're both identifying the problem and the solution, so why not give us some time to start implementing it? I'm not singling you out, by the way, so I'm sorry if it sounds that way. It's almost as if some people have deemed a hopeful situation hopeless. Again, call me a dreamer, but I honestly believe that this can all be resolved, at least to the point of civil, respectful dialogue, very quickly and very easily. Time will tell.

 

[posthuman]

That was actually my quote which somehow got attributed to VW because of a quote malfunction I'm guessing. This isn't an Inquisition. Why do people have to cast aspersions and sow seeds of hopelessness into what can be a very easily resolved situation even though it's been a longstanding problem? My thread was started to counter VW's thread and he and I are discussing things civilly and maturely. It seems as if we're both identifying the problem and the solution, so why not give us some time to start implementing it? I'm not singling you out, by the way, so I'm sorry if it sounds that way. It's almost as if some people have deemed a hopeful situation hopeless. Again, call me a dreamer, but I honestly believe that this can all be resolved, at least to the point of civil, respectful dialogue, very quickly and very easily. Time will tell.

i think we're on the same page man.

not that anyone's calling for an inquisition - probably some are (?) - but i don't want to see one. just speaking generally.
i don't put anyone on "ignore"
i get tired of trying to correct the same people over the same points over and over, like anyone would.
that's proof i can't change others, but i can try to change myself.

when i first came here, the people that impressed and convicted me the most were always speaking humbly in love, and being gentle, even when they seemed to completely disagree with others. that's where i saw Christ in them the most clearly. so that's where i want to be.

i can still get set off, and i still get puffed up too. my own plank in my own eye ((my own blindness)) is the thing i ought to be the most concerned with -- & if i can admit that, who am i to judge the state of things?

so got hope like you do. am not leaving and am not ignoring anyone.

 

[just-me]

Repentance for one who has been a professing Christian for years is something that is very rarely thought about on a daily basis today, even though Jesus said if anyone was to follow Him they needed to pick up their cross on a daily basis and follow Him. Paul protested in a rejoicing caused by this unrepentant selfishness, and said he died (to the flesh) on a daily bases.

Usually when scripture is quoted that is convicting against a hard held false doctrine, in order to parry the convicting Spirit, it's the person doing the quoting that is at fault instead of God Himself doing the correcting. It seems that it always makes the accuser feel better to make accusations against the endorser of the scriptures that were convicting. Pride always hinders edification and repentance, but a desire for edification and a desire that is ready always to repent daily is what a true believer's heart in Christ will want.

 

[purgedconscience]

While I agree I bear a great deal of guilt (something I will discuss later in this post) what I see you doing is accusing those of us who stand for what we know to be biblical truth of being arrogant, divisive, etc. You're right. That is exactly what P/Mom is speaking against. If you have not done the very thing which you accuse those of us who stand for truth of doing, then I owe you an apology. But I see in your thread a negative reaction to doing what we are doing, i.e., "calling a spade a spade."

I said if I'm guilty, then you're equally as guilty because our decryings were seemingly being compared by another poster and you agreed with the same. Again, I'm not blame shifting and I'm more than willing to take responsibility for at least half of the problem even though I haven't really been involved with too many of the actual disputes myself. I've stepped in occasionally, fired a shot or two, had my hat shot off of my head, and then run for cover. haha. I've certainly addressed what's been going on and participated more fully in that sense and I'm more than willing to take at least half of the blame and I'm totally sincere in saying that. I just want this whole thing resolved for the betterment of all of us and for all who might visit or join this forum in the future. Surely such is a noble undertaking and I perceive that you're on board with the same. If so, then I commend you. By the way, my calling a spade a spade comment was in relation to your question regarding calling heresy heresy. In other words, it wasn't in relation to accusing any of you of being arrogant, divisive, etc. Please go back and read my original comment in context and you'll see that this is so.

Yours also, Purge. It is good to have a dialogue without using insults or condemnations.

I have to tell you, being the eternal optimist that I am, I had my doubts that it could or would happen. My commendations in regard to your responses here are totally sincere. I don't know you, but I kind of expected that if you did join in on this conversation that we were going to go head to head, so to speak. You really initiated this civil dialogue with your opening comments and you've maintained the same throughout. Again, I sincerely commend you for it. We've certainly had enough bad examples on both sides, haven't we? Who knows? Perhaps the good examples being set forth here will take hold in the hearts, minds and lives of everyone on this forum. I honestly believe that they can. Ultimately, the choice is up to us and I have confidence that, despite all of the disputes and disagreements here, if everybody, and I mean everybody, with my name at the top of the list as far as introspection is concerned, takes a good long look at Jesus and His example, then this nonsense will simply have to stop. I say this because, despite all of the disagreements and with the possible exception of a true wolf or two who might appear, everybody here ultimately wants to do what's right in the sight of the Lord. I know that I do and I perceive that you do too.

I agree 100%, even though I have been a foremost sinner in resorting to such tactics in the past. It is part and parcel of standing for biblical truth but at the same time displaying an arrogance that has no place in the Christian's relationship to others, even those who espouse doctrines which don't appear to be biblically supportable. The important thing, if that appearance is an accurate interpretation, is to win them to truth, not alienate them from Christ.

Again, such alienation only occurs when we, WE, WE, WE, let stinking pride get into the mix. Don't lose your zeal for Christ or God's Word. Seek the Lord. Preach His Word to the best of your God-given ability. Water it and then leave the rest in God's hands. The solution is simple enough. We all simply need to do our parts.

Actually, that's precisely why I started my thread. If we as Christians are too immature to handle adversity and opposition to what we are convinced is biblical truth, then perhaps we need to ignore those who cause such anxiety and dissension among us until such time as we are able to respond with kindness, love, and truth.

I walked away from my computer for about 3 hours just yesterday to regroup. Look, we're all passionate, but we can't passionately devour one another. I don't know about you, but when I start something, then I like to bring it to completion. The problem is that God hasn't ordained things in relation to the gospel to be that way. The best that I can do is plant and water. As soon as I start even thinking about giving the increase, I know that it's time to walk away and get alone with God. I'm as tempted by pride as the next guy or gal is. How about we all help each other in regard to the same? Maybe we can get a cold shower function installed on this forum? haha. I could probably use one right about now.

Amen, I agree whole-heartedly. Which is why I've been asking the other side for the last hour, "What do we do?" I'm trying to build the bridge that keeps getting torn down, and being one who has suddenly been given insight into the bad behavior I and others have exhibited, I realize that I have to overcome my own because I can help anyone overcome theirs. Hence, the thread. Hence, this dialogue.

Dialogue is good. Monologue is deadly. Let's build this bridge together. If we can't do it, then call in some of your Army Engineer buddies to give us a hand.

You're welcome, and again, you're right. Honestly, I hadn't looked at or contributed to the "Speak" thread for a few weeks, with perhaps one or two minor cursory exceptions. I will look at it for some edification. That said, what I opened this post with must now be retracted. You are not doing those things at all, but trying to help close an open wound. Thanks, Purge. welcome, and God bless you for your insight.

I am trying to help close an open wound. I've probably thrown some salt in it beforehand and I apologize if I've offended anybody with my own words or actions, but let's just move forward. Seriously, we can get this done.

God bless you for your participation.

 

[atwhatcost]

I had a cool head last night and I offer no apologies whatsoever for what I said on that other thread.

I also find it interesting that somebody who has only been here two months longer than I have has now sermonized me twice in relation to time. Besides, anybody with one good eye and one functioning brain cell can tell that there's something terribly wrong which regularly takes place on this forum and it began, apparently, long before I ever arrived. Go and read the Speak your mind thread and see how many people there are saying their good-byes to this place and why. They're not leaving because of me, but because of people here whose consciences have apparently been seared with a hot iron and who deem themselves the spiritual elite or the heresy hunters. I have much more patience than Jonah and a heart totally unlike his was initially. Jonah ran from preaching repentance to those who were his enemies. Here I stand. If you have any other judgments which you'd like to pass in regard to me, then let them rip. I can assure you that I won't defend myself or my integrity against any again.

Whoa! Want to join some of us on the defensive wall. (Another thread I started, but I'm pretty sure you know it too, so no need to explain that, unless you missed it. lol) In no way shape or form was I judging you as anything bad. Matter of fact, I don't yet know enough about you to judge you at all, other than I've already had a generalize sense that you're a good man. (I get this good feeling when I see your name and before I read another of your post. I get that because you really do have a nice, well-balanced approach to your posts and you seem solid in your Bible knowledge. Not perfect. No one is, but you don't play slice-and-dice to prove-a-point. But that's all I'm catching about you so far, because I've only seen you for eight days. Nothing wrong with taking time to figure out how we judge another.) So, really not judging you yet, because I don't have enough knowledge of you to judge you.

I'm suggesting you do the same thing. Wait until you get to know people enough to judge.

You're right. I've only been here since April. Because of that, I've only been able to judge a few people on this site as heretics. "A few." I think roughly four so far, because we really do need to take the time to get to know people before we can. (Many others annoy me with their theology, but that's no biggie. That's my problem, not theirs. And I'm dealing with it. And some that do are becoming friends. So I really do know what a heretic is.)

You haven't gotten to know people yet. Scary thing I'm seeing is because you haven't you really are siding with the wolverines because you haven't figured out who they are yet.

I'm not saying don't judge. I'm not even judging you for judging. I'm telling you something sis to bro. Take more time to see what's going on BEFORE you judge.

If you think you have me figured out, guess what? That first three days you were on here checking us out was the same three days when my life took a bad turn -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. No excuses. Just telling you, stuff happens even to the best of us that makes us look absolutely fruitless, but only if you inspect the fruit tree for eight days. Fruit trees don't have fruit on them all the time, and yet, you're sure which part of this crop is fruitful and which isn't from a cursory inspection.

Give the grace of time to decide. God didn't call us out as "fruit right now or die" inspectors. You WILL know folks by their fruit, but you have to know folks first before deciding if the fruit is any good.

Not judgement. Fact. And no need to be defensive. After all you just assumed I was saying something terrible about you, when the only generalized sense I have of you is you're one of the good guys. I'm not sure yet, but it's a slow reveal.

 

[purgedconscience]

You know...the problem is perception.....for example.....I agree with probably 85% of the people who post on this site (not all things they post) and have no problem discussing the scriptures and even a little heated debate is ok with me....if I am wrong and someone can in context, without ignoring verb tense and numerous verses which can stand alone that proves a biblical truth and prove my error I will agree and change my stance...the problem is about 5 or 6 people who at the detriment of ALL who disagree with them refuse to acknowledge truth, verb tense, the very inspired definitions of the Hebrew or Greek words that are inspired and will argue and or judge motive, salvation and or stance while making themselves out to be persecuted just because someone disagrees with them, they will whine like little babies, threaten to turn you in and or make very pointed mouthy comments like posting a dancing ape and talk about coming down to some ones level....all the while claiming to be so righteous and godly and biblical and sinless.....

I KNOW I MAKE POINTED direct comments, I know I say some mouthy things and have admitted it and even apologized for it openly which is rejected while my motive and heart is being judged.....by self righteous men who claim to be sinless.....at the end of the day when the face cannot be seen and or temperament completely known there will always be disagreements, pointed comments, arguments, perceived hatred and or animosity........it would seem that as mature as everyone claims to be we could all not be so easily offended.....now watch and pay attention to the results of this post and who says what....

Thanks for your response.

My question is simply this:

Even if everything that you just said is true, can't you simply plant and water, leave the increase and judging to God while ignoring any provocations?

I'm not saying that it's easy, but it's certainly possible by God's grace. I can get as easily provoked as anybody else can. What does the Bible say about love though? It says that love is not easily provoked. What does this say to all of us? It says that if we learned how to love more, then we wouldn't be responding to such provocations. Again, I believe that the underlying problem is pride. We start defending God and His Word to the best of our respective abilities and we wind up defending ourselves and our reputations. We're all admonished to have the mind of Christ and He made Himself of no reputation. We can all do the same by God's grace. In my short time here, I've responded wrongly and correctly. There have been times when I've said more than I should have and times when I've simply walked away after saying what needed to be said and committed myself to prayer. If I've responded correctly sometimes, then I know that it's possible. I also publicly apologized to somebody just yesterday. It really wasn't that difficult. In fact, I felt much better after doing it.

 

[purgedconscience]

i think we're on the same page man.

not that anyone's calling for an inquisition - probably some are (?) - but i don't want to see one. just speaking generally.
i don't put anyone on "ignore"
i get tired of trying to correct the same people over the same points over and over, like anyone would.
that's proof i can't change others, but i can try to change myself.

when i first came here, the people that impressed and convicted me the most were always speaking humbly in love, and being gentle, even when they seemed to completely disagree with others. that's where i saw Christ in them the most clearly. so that's where i want to be.

i can still get set off, and i still get puffed up too. my own plank in my own eye ((my own blindness)) is the thing i ought to be the most concerned with -- & if i can admit that, who am i to judge the state of things?

so got hope like you do. am not leaving and am not ignoring anyone.

Amen.

Having read that, I'd definitely say that we're on the same page.

God bless you.

 

[atwhatcost]

sigh.

do you truly see no difference between the threads you decry and what this is becoming?

'ware rabbit holes, gentlemen.

I can give you this much. Check out my early-on posts. If I had made up my mind firm on who the good guys were from the bad guys, you'd be in, Sirk would be out, OH was in, Utah was out, Marc was in, Crossnote would be out, JIA was undecided, VW I liked quickly, DH and ISIT would be in.

Notice, I was about equal on the getting it right and getting it wrong equation.

Truly truly, it's hard to tell at first. Quite a bit of our communication abilities come from body language, and this site doesn't even give good emoticons to show body language. YES! Honest! It's that hard to tell, so I don't blame PC for making some of the same mistakes I made.

 

[purgedconscience]

Repentance for one who has been a professing Christian for years is something that is very rarely thought about on a daily basis today, even though Jesus said if anyone was to follow Him they needed to pick up their cross on a daily basis and follow Him. Paul protested in a rejoicing caused by this unrepentant selfishness, and said he died (to the flesh) on a daily bases.

Usually when scripture is quoted that is convicting against a hard held false doctrine, in order to parry the convicting Spirit, it's the person doing the quoting that is at fault instead of God Himself doing the correcting. It seems that it always makes the accuser feel better to make accusations against the endorser of the scriptures that were convicting. Pride always hinders edification and repentance, but a desire for edification and a desire that is ready always to repent daily is what a true believer's heart in Christ will want.

If I'm reading this correctly, then it sounds as if you're basically saying this:

Psalm 141 verse 5

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.

If I've attained to any level of Christian maturity at all, then the route there has been a route of repentance. God's desire is that we all be conformed to the image of His Son and repentance is a vital part of the same.

 

[atwhatcost]

If that's your thought exactly, then you need to realize that any objections which psychomom voiced here, unless I'm greatly misunderstanding her, were comparative in that they mirrored, in her mind, the very things which I'm decrying that happen elsewhere like in the thread that you started which prompted this very thread of my own. In other words, if I'm guilty, then you're equally as guilty. Are you ready to admit to such guilt?

That being said and asked, before I go any further, I'll commend you for the non-confrontational approach that you've taken in your response. There's simply no reason why that approach cannot continue on both of our sides. Again, kudos.


I personally have no problem with calling a spade a spade or a heresy a heresy and I believe that, when justified, the same easily falls within the parameters of Biblical love. God is love and he decried heresy all throughout the scriptures and all throughout history so the decrying of heresy is not my issue. Instead, my issue is in relation to all of the name calling, deriding, insulting, confining others to hell, etc. which I've seen more than my fair share of in my brief time here. The servant of the Lord must not strive or engage in strife, but he/she must be patient and gentle, meekly instructing those who oppose themselves that God might ultimately grant them repentance and that they might be recovered from the captivating snare of the devil. I've seen nothing and I mean nothing which even remotely resembles the same.

Instead of patience, I've seen people flying off of the handle all over the place on both sides.
Instead of gentleness, I've seen harshness, again, on both sides.
Instead of meekness, I've seen pride on both sides.
Instead of a desire to see others recovered from the snare of the devil, I've seen people rejoice when members are banned and moreso on one side than the other.

I'm not the only one by any means to see such things and they've apparently been going on for quite some time around here. Again, go and read the Speak your mind thread and see how many members there are saying their good-byes to others and why. People are sick of the status quo around here and many of them are simply unwilling or incapable of putting up with this garbage anymore. Is this the type of trophy that you'd like to be a part of? Running tender hearted Christians out of town? And, please, don't bother going the route of, Hey, it's not our fault...we're not the heretics, so they're to blame!" Even if you were correct by possibly giving such a response, then your actions here still need changing. Again, God's servants simply are not to engage in strife and way too many people here seem to relish in the same. It's sickeningly ungodly. In fact, it's demonic.

As far as the rest of your post is concerned, I'm sure that the alleged heretics would bring the same type of charges against you. Why can't both sides just present their cases and then leave it to God to give the increase? I'll tell you exactly why in one simple word:

Pride.

God hasn't called you or anybody else to browbeat somebody else into submission, yet you people are at it all day long. Read Jesus' parables. The wheat and tares both grow together until the time of harvest. Who the hell then are you or anybody else to be busy seeking to uproot the same? Again, the underlying problem is pride.

If you hear nothing else that I've said here, then at least go and read the posts in the last few pages on the Speak your mind thread. Do you care anything at all for these people who are heading for the exits? If you do, then put an end to your own involvement in the ongoing situation here which is the primary cause of the same.

Thanks for sharing and listening.

Honestly? I don't read the Speak Your Mind thread, because the first time I went there it appeared to be random grumbles and whines with no concept anyone else was on the same thread. I assume it's something else for others. It's just not for me. Fortunately, I found out this site is much more than that thread.

 

[psychomom]

I can give you this much. Check out my early-on posts. If I had made up my mind firm on who the good guys were from the bad guys, you'd be in, Sirk would be out, OH was in, Utah was out, Marc was in, Crossnote would be out, JIA was undecided, VW I liked quickly, DH and ISIT would be in.

Notice, I was about equal on the getting it right and getting it wrong equation.

Truly truly, it's hard to tell at first. Quite a bit of our communication abilities come from body language, and this site doesn't even give good emoticons to show body language. YES! Honest! It's that hard to tell, so I don't blame PC for making some of the same mistakes I made.

neither do i blame him.

i agree it takes quite a while to get to know anyone through posts.

 

[Chica]

My thought exactly. P/Mom.

I note that this thread seems -- and if I'm wrong, purged, forgive me and feel free to correct me -- to be based on the concept that calling heresy heresy is unloving. When someone can show those of us who stand for biblical truth that we are wrong, I'll be the first to say, "Yes, you are right, I have been wrong all along." But what we get instead are passages lifted out of context, the teachings of men superimposed over the words of God, and blatantly false teachings on "losing salvation," keeping the Law and the alleged ability of man to live a sinless life, among many other false teachings we see here.

When posting in contradiction of these views, with properly exegesis of Scripture examined with thorough lexical analysis, all pointing to the great possibility those members and their teachings might be in error, we get more out-of-context Scripture, followed by a distinct attitude of superiority that is not only anathema to the Christian, but is also based in a cult of self, or a cult of some leader somewhere who originated the heresy.

We are told that the doctrines to which a vast majority of Christians adhere, biblically sound and proven doctrines, are in error. This is a direct contradiction of God's word, and a lie, not because the adherents have been "taught doctrines of men to be truth" but because those of us who affirm them have, in fact, examined them for themselves and, more importantly with the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit.

As a result, we have found them to be the absolute truth. Rather than provide proof their doctrines are biblical, the promoters of false doctrine resort to more haughtiness, poor exegesis, and often display an inability to go beyond the doctrinal statements of their leadership.

Now you may say that, in championing these beliefs as the absolute truth, that I am the one being haughty. But given most of us can produce the biblical evidence for our beliefs, and further given that not once have I see those who disagree with these views produce anything other than fragmented Scripture and catch-phrases from their teachers, I beg to differ. That said, carry on with your thread. Perhaps others can benefit from a continuing exchange.

Look inside the church not outside.

 

[atwhatcost]

Shame on you.

Rather than address what's been said, all we get are comments about time, age and an alleged hatred of the game. What game? Do you think that life is a game? You're an active participant in the Speak your mind thread. Do you think that it's a game or some type of sport that so many people there are saying their good-byes? I don't. Not at all. And your time comment is equally as ridiculous. Again, read the words of your own friends here. According to their testimony, this garbage has been transpiring here regularly for a long, long time, so my being here only a little more than a week is irrelevant.

Age? Did you mention age? Many of you behave like two year olds. Stomping your feet. Throwing temper tantrums. Demanding your ways. Dirtying your diapers and the stench has become more than many people here can bear.

You seem to be friends with some people here who seem genuinely nice, so I'm willing to assume that this was just poor judgment on your part.

Shame on you!

You immediately assumed he was talking about "time" "age" and "game" separately, that he was attacking you, that he's an ageist (yet not that much older than you), etc.

Time! Yes, as in give it time, instead of being all knowing before it's time.

Age! Yes, as in an eight day old doesn't know as much as a 2 week old, as in a 2 month old doesn't know as much as a 7 month old.

Game! Yes, as in there are people right here, right now, that are playing you for THEIR game!

Exactly what I'm talking about. What are your passions in life? Did you know how to do any of them well in a week? Did you know all the rules and how it all worked in a week? Did you think you were great at it in a week? And yet, here you are at this time pretending to know more than others.

Exactly what is so ungodly wrong with bros telling you to take time? You planning having your whole life finished by the Fourth of July? You got time. Use it!

And, if you end up not having time, oh well, you get eternity. So, you still have TIME.

Stop being so damn defensive and listen! We're not attacking, so you have no need to be defensive. We're warning you. You haven't gotten it figured out yet. Give it time! No hurry.

 

[purgedconscience]

Whoa! Want to join some of us on the defensive wall. (Another thread I started, but I'm pretty sure you know it too, so no need to explain that, unless you missed it. lol) In no way shape or form was I judging you as anything bad. Matter of fact, I don't yet know enough about you to judge you at all, other than I've already had a generalize sense that you're a good man. (I get this good feeling when I see your name and before I read another of your post. I get that because you really do have a nice, well-balanced approach to your posts and you seem solid in your Bible knowledge. Not perfect. No one is, but you don't play slice-and-dice to prove-a-point. But that's all I'm catching about you so far, because I've only seen you for eight days. Nothing wrong with taking time to figure out how we judge another.) So, really not judging you yet, because I don't have enough knowledge of you to judge you.

I'm suggesting you do the same thing. Wait until you get to know people enough to judge.

You're right. I've only been here since April. Because of that, I've only been able to judge a few people on this site as heretics. "A few." I think roughly four so far, because we really do need to take the time to get to know people before we can. (Many others annoy me with their theology, but that's no biggie. That's my problem, not theirs. And I'm dealing with it. And some that do are becoming friends. So I really do know what a heretic is.)

You haven't gotten to know people yet. Scary thing I'm seeing is because you haven't you really are siding with the wolverines because you haven't figured out who they are yet.

I'm not saying don't judge. I'm not even judging you for judging. I'm telling you something sis to bro. Take more time to see what's going on BEFORE you judge.

If you think you have me figured out, guess what? That first three days you were on here checking us out was the same three days when my life took a bad turn -- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. No excuses. Just telling you, stuff happens even to the best of us that makes us look absolutely fruitless, but only if you inspect the fruit tree for eight days. Fruit trees don't have fruit on them all the time, and yet, you're sure which part of this crop is fruitful and which isn't from a cursory inspection.

Give the grace of time to decide. God didn't call us out as "fruit right now or die" inspectors. You WILL know folks by their fruit, but you have to know folks first before deciding if the fruit is any good.

Not judgement. Fact. And no need to be defensive. After all you just assumed I was saying something terrible about you, when the only generalized sense I have of you is you're one of the good guys. I'm not sure yet, but it's a slow reveal.

Honestly, I don't even know who the wolverines are yet, so how could I possibly have sided with them? God is no respecter of persons and I strive daily to be the same way. I'm not here to judge anybody. What I have been judging is the type of environment which has apparently existed here for way too long and the types of tactics employed by some on both sides and has apparently been accepted as the status quo by some while it has simultaneously been tearing some other people up inside to the point that they're leaving the forum. Wow. That was some sentence. I think that I just gave Paul a run for his money is his opening statements in the letter to the Ephesians. haha.

Look, I'm not a bad guy. Granted, I've been a bit forceful because I've seen a bad situation. My tone now has definitely gone down a few decibels just from my opening post on this thread. Honestly, I was expecting more of a fight if anybody participated in this thread and I'm pleasantly surprised in how things have been progressing here. I just told somebody in a private exchange that God has more than exceeded my expectations already, so if anything good comes out of this dialogue, then to God be all the glory and all the praise.

I'm also not a fruit inspector and now you've got me craving oranges. For real.

Back to the wolverines for a second. Honestly, I don't even know what so many of the threads that I've looked at are even about. I've gone in, started reading, and KABOOM! the back and forth grenade tossing began and I totally lost track of what the actual discussion was even about and who actually believes what. I started another thread called Which wisdom? where James said:

James chapter 3 verse 16

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Honestly, I'm confused to a very large degree as to who actually believes what and it's a direct result of all of the strife. Please don't anybody assume anything about me. I'm a very plain speaker, whether that's good or bad, and I'm open to civil dialogue with anybody.

haha.

I just started laughing as I thought on how somebody swooped in on one thread the other day and ripped my head off just out of the blue. I had never spoken to that person before and she basically pecked my eyes out and used them as olives in her Martini. This place is weird. I just hope that it changes for the better.

 

[Chica]

One week?

Like l've said before.....you already hate the game, without knowing the players or the rules yet?
Word to the wise. .....check the ages, man, .......it might help you decide whether to respond or not.


Because you dislike the opinions of a handful of people on CC ,
......on a site you return to daily, (lol, a place where you disagree with and dislike most anyway?)
Whats your new agenda now? I know. There's the "H" word again.

That's your best example of apostasy?
You believe disagreeing with some people on CC, is enough to state that?

Very logical, ISIT.
Im still waiting for you to use scripture ......just once.... in context...... these last few days.

The day isn't over, yet, you still have time.
If you can stir up people like Ellie, ........l think you need to rethink how you think others think.
Have a good one buddy.

I'm confused, purgedconscience has been very good at using scirpture in context.

 

[Chica]

Shame on you.
Do much judging?

All you've done since you've joined, is whine......you don't have any idea what you're even talking about.

Some of these "battles" have been ongoing for months.
You stroll into the middle of it, and say....,hey, what's with all the fighting, everyone.

Stay out of it, if you dislike it.
Don't read the posts.
Simple solution.

I think there is a lot of difference between whining and telling it like it is. How many times have I seen people be rude and obnoxious and no one ever speaks up. I've had people click like on a post that was vented towards me and ugly and they have acted like they liked me on other posts. There are a lot of two faced people on this forum.