What part of "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters" don't you understand?

[Ballaurena]

CC is a lot like the little girl in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem:

"When she was good,
She was very good indeed,
But when she was bad she was horrid."

It isn't an issue of the site designers, but of its inhabitants. I'm hoping I'm not the only one who stays largely out of most discussions on here since they are divisive and contentious. It is indeed frustrating to want to speak meaningful thoughts and have no appropriate tie-ins to work off of, but getting argumentative about non-essential issues is contrary to biblical directive. It also dilutes the healthy content on here so it isn't found.

Instead, I want to see more honest questions and respectful teaching - Teaching differs from arguing in that it is about the needs of the reader, it's about empowering the reader to decide for themself, it respects that the reader has their own journey and relationship with God, and the writer doesn't take any responsibility for the reader's choices. In teaching you present the lesson and then leave it to the student to accept or reject it without having to sell them on it beyond correcting misconceptions. Consider even in teaching, though, the warning in James 3:1-12 of a stricter standard of judgement for those who teach.

It is possible for there to be other healthy uses of this site beyond what I understand/am called to, but I believe I have enough discernment to recognize that a lot of what is going on isn't it.

And no post should be about harmfully bashing others. There is a place for cutting to the heart, but like a physical knife, it is violently abusive to brandish such words about without consideration for the wounds one is causing to others.

In addition to the titular verse from Romans 14, please consider:

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

1 Cor 1:10-17

 

[Lynx]

You been hanging out in Bible Discussion Forum again? Tch! Girl, that stuff gonna rot your brain.

A friend of mine has a theory about why it's like this on the forum. I ain't saying her name unless she wants to take credit for the theory. She said a lot of the people on the forum are probably here because they ain't so good at talking to people in realtime. So they come here, but because they ain't so good at talking to people, they shoot off their mouths a lot here.

Basically, an online forum is the internet conversation version of London's slums, circa 1900. Lots of people here cause they can't make it out there.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Instead, I want to see more honest questions and respectful teaching - Teaching differs from arguing in that it is about the needs of the reader, it's about empowering the reader to decide for themself, it respects that the reader has their own journey and relationship with God, and the writer doesn't take any responsibility for the reader's choices. In teaching you present the lesson and then leave it to the student to accept or reject it without having to sell them on it beyond correcting misconceptions. Consider even in teaching, though, the warning in James 3:1-12 of a stricter standard of judgement for those who teach.

Very well said.

 

[Eli1]

This kinda stuff exists in real life and online @Ballaurena but the internet has caused the language to be more extreme because the village idiot is on the same footing with everyone else.
In real life, we avoid the village idiot.
Or we try to, because you have to work with some of them.

With one of them i drew the line between professional work and hanging out for a coffee.
I told him that he can call me for anything involving work but i am not interested in having a coffee during break or outside work.
So you have to deal with all the negative stuff while appreciating all the good. That's what life is all about.
Thank God for all the blessings, all the good people that come your way and spread the blessings. Give some money to the poor, spend some time by helping others with your skills and enjoy all the good things.

 

[seoulsearch]

You been hanging out in Bible Discussion Forum again? Tch! Girl, that stuff gonna rot your brain.

A friend of mine has a theory about why it's like this on the forum. I ain't saying her name unless she wants to take credit for the theory. She said a lot of the people on the forum are probably here because they ain't so good at talking to people in realtime. So they come here, but because they ain't so good at talking to people, they shoot off their mouths a lot here.

Basically, an online forum is the internet conversation version of London's slums, circa 1900. Lots of people here cause they can't make it out there.

Just to clarify, said friend is NOT me, because I'm pretty sure some might automatically assume that!

Rather, I can assure you, it was someone much wiser than me, and also much better at saying things straight to the point.

 

[Lynx]

Just to clarify, said friend is NOT me, because I'm pretty sure some might automatically assume that!

Rather, I can assure you, it was someone much wiser than me, and also much better at saying things straight to the point.

No, it wasn't seoulsearch, although it DOES sound like the kind of observation her friend Holla might make.

 

[Ballaurena]

You been hanging out in Bible Discussion Forum again? Tch! Girl, that stuff gonna rot your brain.

Actually, a lot of it was political too. (Big surprise.) Page after page after page last night of the "Latest activity" was arguing with each other and disrespectfulness. I wanted to engage somewhere but apart from one question about angels, I could feel in my spirit that I shouldn't dare to touch anything that was coming up due primarily to the contentiousness of the people. That was when I realized the issue that really needed teaching on (rebuking even) was the very one in my face.

I understand that the internet concentrates the voices of the bad actors, but the fact that they are here in our community and claiming to be Christians means they need to be called out for their sinful behavior. If they are genuinely who they claim to be (followers of God) they are deserving of correction (a blessing when rightly done) and will listen to the body of Christ in as much as we speak with God.

Verses of note on this topic include:
Matthew 18:15-18
1 Corinthians 5
1 John 4:6

 

[Ballaurena]

Also Galatians 5:16-21

 

[HeIsHere]

Actually, a lot of it was political too. (Big surprise.) Page after page after page last night of the "Latest activity" was arguing with each other and disrespectfulness. I wanted to engage somewhere but apart from one question about angels, I could feel in my spirit that I shouldn't dare to touch anything that was coming up due primarily to the contentiousness of the people. That was when I realized the issue that really needed teaching on (rebuking even) was the very one in my face.

I understand that the internet concentrates the voices of the bad actors, but the fact that they are here in our community and claiming to be Christians means they need to be called out for their sinful behavior. If they are genuinely who they claim to be (followers of God) they are deserving of correction (a blessing when rightly done) and will listen to the body of Christ in as much as we speak with God.

Verses of note on this topic include:
Matthew 18:15-18
1 Corinthians 5
1 John 4:6

This is not church.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Honestly, I think it's a bit unrealistic to think that any online community will ever measure up to Biblical standards. Christian fellowship was meant from the get-go to be in person. Internet Christian communities can never replace in-person fellowship in my opinion; they're unnatural and in many ways antithetical to face-to-face Christian fellowship. But I do agree people should either try to be civil or else be quiet; arguing and bickering is unproductive no matter how you slice it. I don't really consider giving my opinion arguing. Everyone is free to do so and I think that's what many people are here for. To me, arguing is going back and forth with someone and getting personal; I really hate that and try to avoid it.

 

[Ballaurena]

This is not church.

I don't think I agree with where you are going but I'm willing to discuss. Biblically, church is the body of believers, yet Paul had guidelines for the gathering of said individuals. This website is a gathering of such people so why do you see it as different?

I will preface this by noting that if you limit 'church' to the regular gathering for a sermon that most Christians practice, we aren't in agreement enough on the basics to get very far since God blew-up the traditional definition of 'church' for me more than a decade ago.

 

[Lynx]

I don't think I agree with where you are going but I'm willing to discuss. Biblically, church is the body of believers, yet Paul had guidelines for the gathering of said individuals. This website is a gathering of such people so why do you see it as different?

I will preface this by noting that if you limit 'church' to the regular gathering for a sermon that most Christians practice, we aren't in agreement enough on the basics to get very far since God blew-up the traditional definition of 'church' for me more than a decade ago.

Yeah, no, this ain't no church. No appointed or elected pastor, no deacons, no board of directors, no tithes, no helping the poor and widows, no nothing.

This is more like the church bathroom stall. We leave notes for the next person who comes through to read.

 

[Ballaurena]

Honestly, I think it's a bit unrealistic to think that any online community will ever measure up to Biblical standards. Christian fellowship was meant from the get-go to be in person. Internet Christian communities can never replace in-person fellowship in my opinion; they're unnatural and in many ways antithetical to face-to-face Christian fellowship. But I do agree people should either try to be civil or else be quiet; arguing and bickering is unproductive no matter how you slice it. I don't really consider giving my opinion arguing. Everyone is free to do so and I think that's what many people are here for. To me, arguing is going back and forth with someone and getting personal; I really hate that and try to avoid it.

You have some thoughtful things to say, and I agree that just giving you opinion isn't necessarily arguing (I am at this moment most certainly giving mine), though I think it can be that at times or become that.

Your first comment makes me wonder, though, if the real reason "it's a bit unrealistic to think that any online community will ever measure up to Biblical standards" is because we don't practice biblical standards like giving the divinely appointed shepherds the power to put out the wolves, an elevation of honor to spiritual elders, or truly practicing the so-called "priesthood of all believers," etc. In saying this I mean no disrespect to the site owners, as I think they are working very hard to find the right balance, but any time man's structure impedes God's design, the result will be lesser. And honestly, I believe the physical "churches" themselves don't practice this well enough (might I recommend the book "Pagan Christianity" to anyone interested in that subject), so then what chance is there of Christians getting it right in the virtual world?

 

[Ballaurena]

Yeah, no, this ain't no church. No appointed or elected pastor, no deacons, no board of directors, no tithes, no helping the poor and widows, no nothing.

This is more like the church bathroom stall. We leave notes for the next person who comes through to read.

See to me, even the bathroom notes would be considered part of church, though I agree that online community alone isn't sufficient for a healthy spiritual walk.

 

[Lynx]

See to me, even the bathroom notes would be considered part of church, though I agree that online community alone isn't sufficient for a healthy spiritual walk.

Please excuse the pun, but your concept of church stinks!

 

[SomeDisciple]

Putting Romans 14 into context; I don't believe I've seen a whole lot of arguments about food &drink or holidays. I'm pretty sure SS's thread about abomination casseroles or whatever, was a joke. (or was it? Dun dun DUNNN!!!) And the discussions we do have about holidays are usually tethered to concerns about idolatry, which is... pretty essential.

I've also never seen anyone boast about being baptized by a certain person. That would probably get a lot of eyerolls.

 

[gb9]

Putting Romans 14 into context; I don't believe I've seen a whole lot of arguments about food &drink or holidays. I'm pretty sure SS's thread about abomination casseroles or whatever, was a joke. (or was it? Dun dun DUNNN!!!) And the discussions we do have about holidays are usually tethered to concerns about idolatry, which is... pretty essential.

I've also never seen anyone boast about being baptized by a certain person. That would probably get a lot of eyerolls.

yes it would!

 

[Ballaurena]

Please excuse the pun, but your concept of church stinks!

Jesus said "Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you" (Matt. 18:20). He made no exceptions for stinky bathrooms.

 

[HeIsHere]

See to me, even the bathroom notes would be considered part of church, though I agree that online community alone isn't sufficient for a healthy spiritual walk.

I am pretty sure where scripture states "gathered together" it meant in real time.

I think @Lynx 's points are sufficient counter argument to why this online discussion board is not and cannot be regarded as "ekklesia."

Now, if Christian Chat was an online course with a lead pastor with follow-up discussion and moderation it may approximate a Bible study.

I understand your concern regarding how discussions devolve and become combative.

I mind that much less, cause at least they are forthright and not filled with guile they just often believe strongly even if they are wrong (lol) what I have always found more a challenge on CC are the snakes in the grass, and I will leave it there.

For this to be what you are describing it would have to be a private members only type of forum with a lead teacher, which is fine but that is not CC.

 

[JaumeJ]

Our Father will use things that are not in order to bring down things which are so there is no reason why He will not use the sharing of His Word online for many. Do not be discouraged in coming here to share and partake of the understanding given to many.