As I reflect on it, I think the reason for my starting this thread was because in the BDF I saw a lot of self-presumed "spiritual authority" without any sign of what I would call spiritual maturity.
Anyone (including long term intelligent believers) can presume to have "perfect" doctrine. They can then justify their abusive attitude toward others by saying that even Jesus insulted the Pharisees and drove the money changers from the temple. (But Jesus didn't use the whip on the money changers. He used it on the animals.)
But Jesus Himself said that the greatest commandment was to love God, and the second was to love others.
I believe that if one truly loves God, he will love what God loves and therefore will naturally love others the way God does. But we're so dull that Jesus had to spell out the result of loving God, otherwise we would argue about it and never do it.
The BDF proves that far too many Christians presume to be so spiritually mature that they self designate themselves to teach others the error of their ways with all the arrogance of the Pharisees.
This is not spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is to be like Jesus. Jesus rarely argued doctrine with anyone. Instead, He demonstrated God's love for those around Him.
I am convinced that, once one is truly saved, it is more important to reflect Jesus' love to others than argue doctrine. This is not to say that there is not to be a fundamental passion for the truth of things. That is the second characteristic I consider to be most important for a growing Christian.
It is the observation of myself and others who have posted on the subject, that the hallmark of a spiritually mature Christian - demonstrating the love of God toward others, - is too often neglected by self righteous abusive posters.
I regret this and wish there were some way they (we all) could be encouraged to love God and others more than to be abusive to those who disagree with their doctrine.
But this is a characteristic of us fallen humans and I was one of the ignorant abusive people just not too long, and still am in some ways.
Lord have mercy on us all, please.
Anyone (including long term intelligent believers) can presume to have "perfect" doctrine. They can then justify their abusive attitude toward others by saying that even Jesus insulted the Pharisees and drove the money changers from the temple. (But Jesus didn't use the whip on the money changers. He used it on the animals.)
But Jesus Himself said that the greatest commandment was to love God, and the second was to love others.
I believe that if one truly loves God, he will love what God loves and therefore will naturally love others the way God does. But we're so dull that Jesus had to spell out the result of loving God, otherwise we would argue about it and never do it.
The BDF proves that far too many Christians presume to be so spiritually mature that they self designate themselves to teach others the error of their ways with all the arrogance of the Pharisees.
This is not spiritual maturity. Spiritual maturity is to be like Jesus. Jesus rarely argued doctrine with anyone. Instead, He demonstrated God's love for those around Him.
I am convinced that, once one is truly saved, it is more important to reflect Jesus' love to others than argue doctrine. This is not to say that there is not to be a fundamental passion for the truth of things. That is the second characteristic I consider to be most important for a growing Christian.
It is the observation of myself and others who have posted on the subject, that the hallmark of a spiritually mature Christian - demonstrating the love of God toward others, - is too often neglected by self righteous abusive posters.
I regret this and wish there were some way they (we all) could be encouraged to love God and others more than to be abusive to those who disagree with their doctrine.
But this is a characteristic of us fallen humans and I was one of the ignorant abusive people just not too long, and still am in some ways.
Lord have mercy on us all, please.