A Question For The Old-Timers Here

[Budman]

Being naturally curious, I was wondering if you've ever witnessed someone on Christian Chat completely change their position?

Not on a little issue, but a major one - such as the Rapture, Sinless Perfectionism, Theistic Evolution, the Worldwide Flood, etc.

You know, the stuff that has been argued about for years here.

Everyone seems so entrenched - refusing to give an inch.

Am I asking for the equivalent of spotting a Unicorn?

 

[Graybeard]

Not sure if anyone has witnessed a major change in view or Doctrine, Speaking for myself I have not. What I have witnessed and it has disturbed me, is a profound amount of pride and stubbornest a lot of Christians have!

 

[tanach]

Budman There goes a flying Pig. I am not an old timer on this site but I have been on similar ones. I have not ever seen anyone change their position on anything. Its hard for most to admit they are wrong about anything. One of the reasons I think is that people of a certain Christian background tend to group together and the site becomes a back patting society. Anyone who deviates from what they consider to be orthodox is given short shrift. Unfortunately they do tend to attract
religious loonies and for some unaccountable reason give them a lot of slack.

 

[ember]

Being naturally curious, I was wondering if you've ever witnessed someone on Christian Chat completely change their position?

Not on a little issue, but a major one - such as the Rapture, Sinless Perfectionism, Theistic Evolution, the Worldwide Flood, etc.

You know, the stuff that has been argued about for years here.

Everyone seems so entrenched - refusing to give an inch.

Am I asking for the equivalent of spotting a Unicorn?

I keep changing my position, but I find that two cushions helps.

OK, kidding aside...I must have grown up in a closet, because until I started attending Christian forums, I had no idea of some of these doctrines such as "I never sin" or "you are not saved if you have not been baptized".

I actually have seen a few people move from a position they held as sacrosanct, to a more understanding approach (not here have not been here too long) ... but honestly, I think it is rare.

In order to hold some of these positions or doctrines, there must be quite a bit of cherry picking and twisting scripture IMO.

The thing is, there is often not even an acknowledgment of the other side given in some cases. Makes for a very one sided conversation...seems more like preaching if you ask me

 

[VioletReigns]

Being naturally curious, I was wondering if you've ever witnessed someone on Christian Chat completely change their position?

Not on a little issue, but a major one - such as the Rapture, Sinless Perfectionism, Theistic Evolution, the Worldwide Flood, etc.

You know, the stuff that has been argued about for years here.

Everyone seems so entrenched - refusing to give an inch.

Am I asking for the equivalent of spotting a Unicorn?

No, we don't see too many folks recognizing their own error and coming to the truth about it. But there are some. I'm always blessed when I read posts from people who surrender their pride and admit they're wrong.

I'm mostly blessed that my belligerent pride has been pointed out several times by gracious, loving brothers and sisters. It didn't feel good. I was offended and hurt and humiliated. But afterwards, in the light of God's truth, it was the best thing for me. I matured spiritually, had more carnality burned away, and was more pliable in God's hands.

 

[purgedconscience]

Being naturally curious, I was wondering if you've ever witnessed someone on Christian Chat completely change their position?

Not on a little issue, but a major one - such as the Rapture, Sinless Perfectionism, Theistic Evolution, the Worldwide Flood, etc.

You know, the stuff that has been argued about for years here.

Everyone seems so entrenched - refusing to give an inch.

Am I asking for the equivalent of spotting a Unicorn?

I just checked my join date and I can't believe that I've only been here for 5 weeks. It seems like an eternity already. I don't know if most people here even consider what others present to them. One reason for that is the immediate response times to many posts. I guess that it's best not to worry about others, but to make sure that we're listening and considering ourselves.

 

[ember]

Whoah! I have just spotted a unicorn! literally and figuratively

 

[valiant]

I keep changing my position, but I find that two cushions helps.

OK, kidding aside...I must have grown up in a closet, because until I started attending Christian forums, I had no idea of some of these doctrines such as "I never sin" or "you are not saved if you have not been baptized".

I actually have seen a few people move from a position they held as sacrosanct, to a more understanding approach (not here have not been here too long) ... but honestly, I think it is rare.

In order to hold some of these positions or doctrines, there must be quite a bit of cherry picking and twisting scripture IMO.

The thing is, there is often not even an acknowledgment of the other side given in some cases. Makes for a very one sided conversation...seems more like preaching if you ask me

well most people come on here to tell others where they are wrong, or to pat each other on the back. But to change a deep rooted position takes years of thought. Words said on here may contribute a little towards it, but it will rarely be apparent. Few people on here really give consideration to what their opponents say. They rather misread what they say and fail to understand it. Its much easier attacking a straw man. If I came on hoping to change my opponents views I would give up. But my hope is to guide young watchers who are still fashioning their thoughts. Meanwhile possibly some are being blessed by defending their positions

 

[purgedconscience]

Whoah! I have just spotted a unicorn! literally and figuratively

Makes me want to ride a carousel and forget about life for a while.

 

[Hepzibah]

I have changed my position but not on here. I was once a Calvinist OSAS and did not believe in sinless perfection. I have changed those positions. No-one could change my mind back again and especially over perfection. After having those revealed to me l studied scripture in depth to confirm them. Previous to that l had not studied them on my own, l just accepted what l had been taught and in fact nearly lost my faith till l had further revelation and now my faith is very strong, strong enough to keep me secure despite extremely challenging circumstances including severe health problems and isolation.

 

[Joidevivre]

No, we don't see too many folks recognizing their own error and coming to the truth about it. But there are some. I'm always blessed when I read posts from people who surrender their pride and admit they're wrong.

I'm mostly blessed that my belligerent pride has been pointed out several times by gracious, loving brothers and sisters. It didn't feel good. I was offended and hurt and humiliated. But afterwards, in the light of God's truth, it was the best thing for me. I matured spiritually, had more carnality burned away, and was more pliable in God's hands.

Violet - You are precious. Pride is the main problem with so many who "know it all" and you are one that has a soft heart. Doctrines are so much stressed here - and yet pride is rarely dealt with.

Thank you for your humility and the graciousness of your post.

 

[atwhatcost]

Being naturally curious, I was wondering if you've ever witnessed someone on Christian Chat completely change their position?

Not on a little issue, but a major one - such as the Rapture, Sinless Perfectionism, Theistic Evolution, the Worldwide Flood, etc.

You know, the stuff that has been argued about for years here.

Everyone seems so entrenched - refusing to give an inch.

Am I asking for the equivalent of spotting a Unicorn?

Huh?

Job 39:9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?

 

[crossnote]

No. But in a postmodern world the dogmaticness is appreciated.
Iron sharpens iron, nevertheless iron doesn't bend.
I think the hope of some of us is to answer the questions that the 'lurkers' may have.

 

[oldhermit]

Yes. I know one member who came on here opposed to the trinity doctrine and now he is quite convinced of it.

 

[Willie-T]

Not really major, but I, myself, have altered and adjusted some of my fairly rigid thinking about the use of the word "repentance" due to Ladylynn's posts.

 

[Willie-T]

One thing though, if we say people cannot change, we perhaps missed where the Bible said God holds the heart of the king in his hand. Proverbs 21:1

 

[crossnote]

One thing though, if we say people cannot change, we perhaps missed where the Bible said God holds the heart of the king in his hand. Proverbs 21:1

I've changed quite a bit (not on CC) but after 35 years the cement hardened

 

[MarcR]

Because I like to think of myself as a scholar, my doctrinal positions on most things have been carefully thought out.

However I am far more interested in being right than in proving that I am right. Occasionally someone shows me something that I had overlooked or ignored; and I do change my position. This certainly doesn't happen often; but it does happen.

 

[Willie-T]

I've changed quite a bit (not on CC) but after 35 years the cement hardened

It was about the same length of time for me when I first began chipping away at that concrete someone else had poured. Still got a ways to go.

 

[psalm6819]

A wise man once said the only bar to learning is thinking you already know it all.