Bible Thumpers!!!

[Brandon777]

What is a Bible thumper and what makes it wrong to thump?

I loooove me some Scripture. I went to Bible college for almost 4 years so I can throw it around! My belief is simple. The Bible is the whole truth from where all Christ followers are to receive their understanding of their world-views. Soooo what say you that I carry around a pocket Bible where ever I go just so I have something to read when I have down time? And yes the Bible does say that we should correct our brothers if they are in error. Rebuke is actually the word.

1 Timothy 5:12 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

For those that love to make excuse for people this way without knowing it... I can't tell you how many people say "Don't judge lest you be judged" Or " who am I to Judge that job is for God."referencing Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, but then sidestep this.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. ...

Not judging is for those outside the church. Unfortunately I don't know too many people who have even heard of this passage. And here I put Acts 20 to support it.

Acts 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Titus 1:9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Romans 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
This, however is something different and while I love to reprove people I also give Scripture to those new in the faith without overwhelming them with my opinions.

Titus 3:10 might come as a shocker to some of you. "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him," What a freeing truth that is!

 

[Brandon777]

Of course one can't forget that gentleness is a fruit of the spirit and thumping sounds to be a bit violent and forceful, so I don't think that's an accurate way to communicate the Biblical principle of rebuking, exhortation, and expulsion from the church. Just sayin... here, but the church would be about 50x more healthy today if we actually kicked people out for causing division. Denominations came from divisive people in the church who weren't kicked out. We need to wake up and take back our churches!

 

[jamie26301]

Of course one can't forget that gentleness is a fruit of the spirit and thumping sounds to be a bit violent and forceful, so I don't think that's an accurate way to communicate the Biblical principle of rebuking, exhortation, and expulsion from the church. Just sayin... here, but the church would be about 50x more healthy today if we actually kicked people out for causing division. Denominations came from divisive people in the church who weren't kicked out. We need to wake up and take back our churches!

Divisive people are also those who leave a church because it teaches something they don't agree with.

 

[Brandon777]

Divisive people are also those who leave a church because it teaches something they don't agree with.

We are all in the body of Christ. We don't follow each other, but Jesus Christ. I think most divisions are caused by immaturity and the idolizing of self. It's all about US and not GOD, so if it's not "have it your way" then it's the highway. It's a play on ego. In the body of Christ we are all one and we need to solve problems through compromise. We have failed to do that in the last century in this culture. Yet God still holds that His church will prevail against the Kingdom of Darkness.

 

[jamie26301]

We are all in the body of Christ. We don't follow each other, but Jesus Christ. I think most divisions are caused by immaturity and the idolizing of self. It's all about US and not GOD, so if it's not "have it your way" then it's the highway. It's a play on ego. In the body of Christ we are all one and we need to solve problems through compromise. We have failed to do that in the last century in this culture. Yet God still holds that His church will prevail against the Kingdom of Darkness.

What do you have to say about splits over issues like homosexuaility, wheather the Holy Spirit procedes from Jesus or both Jesus and the Father, or Free Will vs Calvinism, or other conterverisal topics?

 

[Brandon777]

That's why I say most.

 

[jimmydiggs]

What do you have to say about splits over issues like homosexuaility

A church that dos not teach sin is sin, is one that if I cannot remedy, I will leave. I owe no oath of fealty to a religious organization.

 

[jamie26301]

That's why I say most.

I respect divisions over these subjeccts; I think conviction is a wonderful thing. I guess I attend a church not for it's doctrine but for its worship style. We don't have a conservative Lutheran or a conservative Epsicopal church around here, so if I want their style of worship I have to attend their church.

The Epsicopal chuch has a prayer book called the Book of Common Prayer. I not only use it in worship but in my private prayer time too. I love the prayers that are in there, and praying them in unity with the church.

A church that dos not teach sin is sin, is one that if I cannot remedy, I will leave. I owe no oath of fealty to a religious organization.

Again, I respect that conviction, but as I said before, if I want something distinicly Lutheran or Episcopal, the only churches here are liberal. Maybe the Catholic church would be conservative, but I don't want to go there because the people don't make me feel welcome. I feel like instead of being part of the body, I'm a part detached from the body, inside a church. That's a horrible feeling.

 

[Ugly]

utilizing the bible to support your beliefs , build others up, etc is a good thing. using your bible to attack, criticize, judge, and condemn is a thumper.

 

[Brandon777]

utilizing the bible to support your beliefs , build others up, etc is a good thing. using your bible to attack, criticize, judge, and condemn is a thumper.

I can tell you didn't read my post because if you did you would have addressed the Scripture I presented. We ARE to judge and even to the point of expelling people from the church if for a time. It's found in the Bible. It's a shocker to most today. To attack the Kingdom of Darkness is a good thing, to criticize erroneous doctrine is a good thing. And to condemn is only for God to do, I'll agree.

 

[Jullianna]

I don't mean to speak for you, Ugly, because I know you can certainly speak for yourself , but if I read your post correctly, it appears that you were talking more about motivation than anything, right?

It is the intent of our hearts that matters to God. If our motive for correction is loving concern, our motive is pure. If our motive for correction and judging is simply to build ourselves up at the sacrifice of our siblings in Christ...not so pure. And if by doing this we cause a sibling in Christ to stumble..yikes.

1 Corinthians 4:5 - Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.