Opinions on separate teachings?

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zaoman32

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So, I think I'd be safe in assuming many of us here are pretty set in our ways on what are beliefs are, be they the core beliefs of our christian faith, or our opinions and view points on separate scripture. One of the beauties of the church is the numerous denominational faiths that hold separate views on scripture (just shows our individuality), but some views are much more extreme than others. So as always, I'm seeking opinions and thoughts on something. What are your thoughts on calling a genuine christian teaching heresy? Should we, as brothers and sisters in Christ accept the good of the teaching and quietly pray to ourselves about what makes us uncomfortable? Again, as always, thoughts and opinions?
 
I think the whole Matthew 18:15-17 thing applies here. Try to correct them gently. If that doesn't work, take someone with you, etc. If that doesn't work, they should be removed. I don't think that wolves should be allowed to mingle with sheep.
 
What if the teachings aren't so much heresy, as in not the bible, they're just different interpretations, or view points of verses?
 
I think we are called to stand for truth, in love. I did a study once on how Jesus did this. To those who were truly seeking, He patiently and lovingly explained. To those who were believers, but didn't quite see the whole picture, He corrected and directed (He is still doing that with me today :) ). To those who mocked, He said what He had to say and went on His way.

The cool thing is that we are all works in progress. Still learning. Still growing. Still changing. I, for one, pray that God WILL correct me when I'm wrong and point me in the right direction....in love. :)

Arguing and being ugly with one another only hardens hearts and closes minds. No one learns anything under those circumstances. Sharing truth that will change hearts and minds must be more important to us than making points of our own.
 
Jullianna said:
I think we are called to stand for truth, in love. I did a study once on how Jesus did this. To those who were truly seeking, He patiently and lovingly explained. To those who were believers, but didn't quite see the whole picture, He corrected and directed (He is still doing that with me today :) ). To those who mocked, He said what He had to say and went on His way.

The cool thing is that we are all works in progress. Still learning. Still growing. Still changing. I, for one, pray that God WILL correct me when I'm wrong and point me in the right direction....in love. :)

Arguing and being ugly with one another only hardens hearts and closes minds. No one learns anything under those circumstances. Sharing truth that will change hearts and minds must be more important to us than making points of our own.
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As always appreciated and valued :)
 
Well, what we say should still be backed up by scripture. But then again, scripture leaves some gray areas. Have you seen the bible forums? They argue over nothing most of the time! I can't even go in to read the forum posts unless I want to get angry.

I think as long as the core belief is held, the surrounding fluff is probably up to God to judge.

Then again, I could be wrong.


As for the stories not in the bible (like allegories and the like) as long as they don't claim the stories are from the bible, it's probably okay. When you start to claim something is biblical and it's not... a problem has arisen.
 
DuchessAimee said:
Well, what we say should still be backed up by scripture. But then again, scripture leaves some gray areas. Have you seen the bible forums? They argue over nothing most of the time! I can't even go in to read the forum posts unless I want to get angry.

I think as long as the core belief is held, the surrounding fluff is probably up to God to judge.

Then again, I could be wrong.


As for the stories not in the bible (like allegories and the like) as long as they don't claim the stories are from the bible, it's probably okay. When you start to claim something is biblical and it's not... a problem has arisen.
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Grey areas are really what I'm referring to. A lot of people have their minds made up on them already, I know I do, on a lot of them at least, but does it really hurt to recognize them for what they are and have an open mind? I try to be open minded and questioning of these things just to get people's opinion, but instead of people seeing that for what it is, they see the questions and open mindedness as an easy target for influence and the next thing I know, two sides of the issue are arguing with each other as if I'm actually going to side with one or the other based on what they say about their own side and against the other. First of all, I am not easy target for influence. I was born and raised in a christian home, my values and convictions have developed strongly over the past few years and they are deeply rooted, the only one that can change my mind is God. And Secondly, all it does is make me angry, especially if I already agree with one side, because they make me want to defect just so they don't get the idea I was swayed by their arguing.
 
I can speak for me. I was "baptised" catholic...went to catholic school from K-8,but stopped going to catholic mass when I was around 10. During this time,as far back as I know (hence the reason my Mom & biological Dad divorced) my Mom was "saved". Gave her life to Jesus while my Dad was over in 'Nam. He did not like the Jesus stuff one bit,plus he was messed up from the war mentally. She would have been considered "pentecostal" or "born again",even though she still went to catholic mass once & awhile. I guess a lot of catholics were getting "born again" in the 70's. Anyways...I understand & appreciate the reverence factor that the catholics have of God,but they seem to be trapped in some strange mixed up idolatry that I can't get my head around. We have Jesus. I'm not gonna pray to his mother Mary,nor confess my sins to a priest. To me,by partaking in either of those is to negate what Jesus did for me via his life-death & resurrection. If I still need a priest with a bell on his ankle tied to a rope to enter the Holy of Holys on behalf of me to make sacrifice for my sins...then what the heck do I need Jesus for. None of my catholic friends can answer this for me. I love them all,but we agree to disagree.
 
I think it boils down to one's relationship and one's intent. If we're dealing with someone we care about, it's easier to be patient. And if we feel a person is genuinely seeking the Truth, it's easier to be patient. Of course, it's not always easy to tell if someone is being genuine. The thing is, even Jesus got upset. I'm not saying we should strike out at each other. But there are bound to be some harsh disagreements.

I sometimes feel a bit bad about saying something that seems a bit harsh. But I feel some situations call for a more stern response. Most of the time, I can pull it off with some sarcasm and a smiley face, but not always. :)

What makes things even more difficult online is that you can't read people's body language. If I speak with someone face to face and I can see they are offended, I try to adjust my mannerism or offer up an apology if I feel it is called for. Here, you don't have that luxury. And I don't always check to see if someone responds to a post I make on a particular thread. So I may have caused offense without knowing about it.

If someone sends me a PM expressing offense taken at a remark of mine, I'd offer up an apology to them, both privately and publicly, if I feel it is warranted. In any case, whether I'm the offender or the one feeling offended, I don't hold grudges. I don't think that does anybody any good. But I can't control how others might feel about me.
 
You can try calling out false teachings.....I've done it myself and seen others do it. I've never seen it have an effect on what anybody believes though. I wish it were different, but people believe what they want to believe. If a person isn't led by the Holy Spirit and/or you aren't led by the Holy Spirit when trying to correct a person.......it's unlikely your going to get anyone to change their point of view.
 
This is a subjective question. A person calling a teaching heresy doesn't believe it is a 'genuine' Christian teaching. I consider Word of Faith teaching heresy. Because i don't believe it is Christian at all. Other Christians disagree and think it is Christian. So no real way to answer this, unless you're asking 'what do you think when someone calls your beliefs heresy?'
 
Romans 14:1-10, 13 NASB:

"Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way."
 
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First, Ugly, you're right. Word of Faith teaching isn't Christian. It's basic Wiccan rede. I would know, I was a witch for 12 years.

Zero, we're supposed to judge in a way. Otherwise Matthew 18 wouldn't have a place. When it comes to gray areas, that's up to God to judge. However, we must judge that particular "truth" for ourselves.


My relationship is between me and the Lord. That includes what I believe about God and what He's teaching me at the moment. People may disagree, and that's okay. I'm secure enough in myself to not worry about whether or not everyone agrees with me. I think people fight about the gray areas because they feel the need to be right. It aids their self esteem.
 
Some people argue because they believe in a thing. Some people argue because they want to.
 
Hmmm...I appreciate the responses, but I think I'd get more the response and the idea I'm trying to get across if I share the actual experience I have in mind, but I'm going to avoid this out in the open. A couple of you can expect PM's later, others, if your interested just shoot me one yourself.
 
We are all gathered around Jesus, but there are so many of us, we must all stand in a different spot. Now if I am on the right and you are on the left, and you say Jesus has a zit under His ear, what right do I have to say you are wrong? You are looking at a different ear.

We could be so much more powerful as a body, if we'd stop trying to cut off our left hand because it's backwards to our right, or our left eye because it looks down at the wrong side of our nose.

Condemn ideas as against Scripture, or not right for you, but don't condemn hearts.
 
I think everyone just about summed it up for me ..

a thought came as I was reading everything ..

It is written God is always the same and never changes.. The same yesterday , today and always .. In love.. Abounding..
He is not a respecter of persons yet has the same love for all men .
I must continually remind myself that we are " all coming" to Christ "from different places" .
This song I've posted below reminds me of this.. I ask that before anyone listens to it .. To think upon each person you see in this video , coming from their range of "distance and travel" instead of the poor state they are in.. I pray that God sends me back into the darkness "the furthest distance out " with my lamp post lit.. To stand as a beacon to those whose paths I cross on their way in.. this is what I see as true members in a body .. If we went the furthest distance "out" like this, standing aide by side "together".. Can you imagine how much quicker people would come? I often thin " what if" ..
What if the person I've just disagreed with is one of these? Instead of me "sharing what Christ has done in my life" as this person passes by.. I'm tripping them instead..
YouTube
 
Sorry I got a little side tracked with what came
.. I like what zoaman Said.. I hope I never keep
Looking through the same lenses I have on .. I want to see everything through all the lenses available .. Putting mine down so someone coming from another place Can look, as well as try theirs on, so I don't miss anything.. we have a HUGE assortment of lenses before us .. Are we so
Prideful and selfish that we want to keep the ones we have without Sharing? so stubborn that our knowledge of Him in all His facets are bound in chains ? Father I pray, this is never so ...
 
kenisyes said:
We are all gathered around Jesus, but there are so many of us, we must all stand in a different spot. Now if I am on the right and you are on the left, and you say Jesus has a zit under His ear, what right do I have to say you are wrong? You are looking at a different ear.

We could be so much more powerful as a body, if we'd stop trying to cut off our left hand because it's backwards to our right, or our left eye because it looks down at the wrong side of our nose.

Condemn ideas as against Scripture, or not right for you, but don't condemn hearts.
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This is exactly what I'm looking for, thank you! I'll still be PMing some of you just to get your opinions too, since it would probably be helpful to know specifics. But yes, thank you kenisyes
 
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