Why Do Certain Elements On This Forum Just Attack And Criticize?

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reneweddaybyday said:
And sometimes we may need to hear a few times (or more) concerning the Scriptural truth of a matter ... so, while it might be exasperating having to repeat something more than a few times, and we might wonder "why doesn't this person 'get it'?", we just need to be patient. Let God work in the heart of the believer once we have spoken truth. And also let God work in our own heart if it turns out that we are in error and another believer is speaking truth to us.
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This is great. I'm not sure if you agree, but I've found that when a person (myself included) finally comes to a conclusion, the people that asserted it in the first place encourages and strengthens this realization.

Like when the Lord opens your eyes to something, the past wisdom of others comes to mind and I find myself much more secure in that new insight due to prior confirmation from others.

Sometimes it takes the Lord opening a person's eyes directly to something is what I have to remember. It could be 10 years until that happens, and your impact was actually much smaller in that process that it seemed at the time but still important. Although likely, if you are a seed planter you don't often get to see the plants if you are busy planting. That's hard for me personally although I thank you for posting as it allowed me to remember that, it's been a while that I've thought about seed planting :)
 
Renewal said:
I'm guessing your so used to being attacked on here all you see is offence in everything. Professing Christians on the prowl for the slightest thing to jump on, to put down, to criticize, to belittle, to attack, to grieve others of Christian belief. And then saying they are led by the Spirit, which Spirit is that? WAKE UP if you are Christians because this is not how Christians behave. Clearly many of you are not showing fruits of repentance or fruits of the Spirit. Christian forums should be a place of learning and development for GOD's Honour and Glory, a place for gaining knowledge and understanding to help in our walk. Elements on here don't even care about other Christians so the lost have no chance at all. I was hoping to find at least some unity and fellowship to help me grow and share gifts with one another. Peace be with you all who are in Christ and may you continue developing the fruits in your lives and take care from a servant of GOD the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to the end of my days.
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Sometimes interaction may not so much change a person's mind as it will help to understand the other's viewpoint. CC is a great place to discuss differences and learn to understand different facets of God's Word. At the same time, there are constantly people with very heretical views coming on here, and those must be pointed out. Sometimes you have to be kindly harsh with these.
 
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reneweddaybyday said:
I think we need to understand that we're discussing "faith" issues. When folks have been brought up believing a certain way and someone points out an error in their understanding, that can result in shaking up deep-seated beliefs. A person may feel threatened ... even if they are in error in their understanding.

While I do not condone poor behavior (name-calling ... poor debate tactics, etc.), I do understand where it's coming from.

And sometimes we may need to hear a few times (or more) concerning the Scriptural truth of a matter ... so, while it might be exasperating having to repeat something more than a few times, and we might wonder "why doesn't this person 'get it'?", we just need to be patient. Let God work in the heart of the believer once we have spoken truth. And also let God work in our own heart if it turns out that we are in error and another believer is speaking truth to us.

The whole point is to learn and grow and walk more firmly and steadfastly in faith. If someone can help me to do this, thank you. If I can help someone else do this, praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
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If our objective is to help our brother as it should be we must learn ourselves how to present a clear case for interpretation that is based on rules of hermeneutics. I myself am convinced when I see things in context and see other scriptures that back up that interpretation.

I am still learning how to approach those that are open to hearing a different interpretation than what they think is correct, and when to not even try. I think the normal rule is that if I think they are open (and often I am wrong in thinking that) I can try once or twice, but as soon as I see resistance to something that is obvious that should not require explanation, or if I perceive what the scripture calls "opposing ones self" i.e. their attitude is "even if that is the right interpretation I will not concede" then I shake off the dust and move on to someone who is more honest.
 
Mii said:
One of the largest issues I see is being unable to discern "tone" as well as not engaging things in prayer before posting. Mindfulness is important.


Reading your own emotion into text is also a possibility. Like if something strikes you in a way that produces anger you are more inclined to read the person's response in a negative cast. It could be they bear you no ill will, but for whatever reason something is read into their post that is not there.

I find it helpful to presume that the first way a post struck me is not accurate and step away when it impassions me negatively and then if still in 30 minutes or so (overnight sometimes) it still does, then perhaps I will calmly as possible respond.

I have deleted many a post that I simply cannot discern my own motives for posting and while frustrating, there are certain topics that I cannot speak on in response to certain people and represent my Lord to the best of my ability.

Or if I am in a hasty mood and quick to take offense because I am sensitive about something, I am inclined not to post at all.


It is true that some of the vitriol in BDF is surprising for fellow believers, but I find it cools me down to pretend it's not there before responding or that perhaps a modulated response can dissipate some of that. Not to mention that perhaps it "may" not be as bad as it seems after a brief away period. Or that emotion and tone can be projected from our own internal conditions like I said...like reading between the lines when nothing is there, or if something is there, you can only see part of it and as a result it would be wise to clarify first if possible.

Has anyone seen this type of behavior in personal interactions with believers? Or at least with the same frequency? If not, it is possible that being online and behind a keyboard may be part of the issue.


I can't say it enough. Step away from the keyboard, get a drink of water or some food. Walk outside for a bit or take a shower before posting something likely to cause offense.
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Mii,
your self-analysis and honesty are always so re-freshing...
:):)
 
Mii said:
This is great. I'm not sure if you agree, but I've found that when a person (myself included) finally comes to a conclusion, the people that asserted it in the first place encourages and strengthens this realization.

Like when the Lord opens your eyes to something, the past wisdom of others comes to mind and I find myself much more secure in that new insight due to prior confirmation from others.

Sometimes it takes the Lord opening a person's eyes directly to something is what I have to remember. It could be 10 years until that happens, and your impact was actually much smaller in that process that it seemed at the time but still important. Although likely, if you are a seed planter you don't often get to see the plants if you are busy planting. That's hard for me personally although I thank you for posting as it allowed me to remember that, it's been a while that I've thought about seed planting :)
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I believe God works in our hearts to bring increase to our understanding of Scripture. And I love that section in 1 Corinthians 3 where we're told Paul planted ... Apollos watered ... but God gives the increase.

1 Corinthians 3:5-7 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.


You may plant the seed in someone's heart if/when you tell them Scripture and they may or may not believe. I may come along at some point later and tell that person the same thing you told them ... which would be watering ... and they may or may not believe. It is when God gives increase that the person believes.

You and I do not have to make someone believe the truth of Scripture. What we must do, though, is speak the truth of Scripture and not mix God's Word with our own understanding. So, we are encouraged to study and rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15).

Now why doesn't Give give increase the first time a person hears Scripture? I've thought about this and sometimes it is the person just being stubborn and self-willed. Sometimes we get in our own way when it comes to understanding God's Word. I also believe there are other issues being worked on by God in the heart of the believer and at the right time the understanding will come. All I know is that I am completely amazed at how after all the many years I have studied Scripture, something clicks and I "get it" ... even though, as you pointed out, it could be 10 years (or more) that I've been reading that section and pondering over it.

I just love the way God works with us. He is so patient with us. :cool:
 
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Scribe said:
If our objective is to help our brother as it should be we must learn ourselves how to present a clear case for interpretation that is based on rules of hermeneutics. I myself am convinced when I see things in context and see other scriptures that back up that interpretation.

I am still learning how to approach those that are open to hearing a different interpretation than what they think is correct, and when to not even try. I think the normal rule is that if I think they are open (and often I am wrong in thinking that) I can try once or twice, but as soon as I see resistance to something that is obvious that should not require explanation, or if I perceive what the scripture calls "opposing ones self" i.e. their attitude is "even if that is the right interpretation I will not concede" then I shake off the dust and move on to someone who is more honest.
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Yeah, I hear you. I think it's much easier to discuss Scripture face-to-face than online. When we're dealing with someone in person, we can see their body language and facial expression and it's easier to see if they are interested in receiving truth. In an online forum, all we see are words on a page and we cannot see the person and get the non-verbal cues.

I just love Scripture and I love learning from others. There are a lot of great believers on this forum and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge. To me, God's Word is a treasure chest and I do not believe anyone has ever fully reached the end of the depth of wealth contained in God's Word.



 
dcontroversal said:
Maybe because this is war and within the field one finds wheat and tares......!!!
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yep ... that's the truth. And God takes care of those tares when all is said and done.

Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
 
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reneweddaybyday said:
yep ... that's the truth. And God takes care of those tares when all is said and done.

Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
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Yep he does for sure and at the same time Paul was fully set for the defense of the Gospel, told TIMOTHY to fight as a good soldier for the Gospel and God through JUDE said to stand prepared to battle for the Gospel.....there is one and only one correct message concerning everything and when it comes to the gospel, there are 57 Baskin Robbin's flavors of the gospel on this site...and all 57 will take people straight to hell.....the only one that has power to save is the one that is found in the truth!!!!
 
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Scribe said:
If our objective is to help our brother as it should be we must learn ourselves how to present a clear case for interpretation that is based on rules of hermeneutics. I myself am convinced when I see things in context and see other scriptures that back up that interpretation.

or if I perceive what the scripture calls "opposing ones self" i.e. their attitude is "even if that is the right interpretation I will not concede" then I shake off the dust and move on to someone who is more honest.
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Case and point, I am in a "scanning" mood and didn't read the part of your post that was cut out until until someone quoted your post and responded to it. I rather liked it and it is a challenge to practice discernment with "texts". It is far different (easier in a way) with face-to-face interactions. The pearls before swine element appears to come up more often online than my face-to-face interactions. I suppose because people are seemingly more approachable online (on a surface level).

Granted, I am inclined to re-read a post if I am actually going to respond to it but perhaps others scan and respond without fully reading a post and this is where some disparity occurs...being hasty or quick to take offense when if a post is fully read and sincerely considered it would be far less inclined to do so.

I will admit that I even feel guilty when I haven't read an entire thread before responding to an individual to understand the larger context of the responses and how the discussion has progressed and endeavor not to do so, but when it's 10+ pages and I "want" to respond after scanning? I have done so, and more than a few times I've had to scrap my post.

I'm not suggesting that "every" time a thread has to be thoroughly understood but that, if time allows, it is a good practice and something I've felt guilty about and while I practice discernment between guilt and conviction...at times I am less-disciplined and less "submitted" and this affects my interactions. Something for me to work on for sure.
 
dcontroversal said:
Yep he does for sure and at the same time Paul was fully set for the defense of the Gospel, told TIMOTHY to fight as a good soldier for the Gospel and God through JUDE said to stand prepared to battle for the Gospel.....there is one and only one correct message concerning everything and when it comes to the gospel, there are 57 Baskin Robbin's flavors of the gospel on this site...and all 57 will take people straight to hell.....the only one that has power to save is the one that is found in the truth!!!!
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yes ... and that is why we are warned to take heed when it comes to our working together with God in sharing the gospel:

1 Corinthians 3:

9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.



I'll tell you one thing, when I see God face-to-face, I want to hear "well done" ... and at the end of my time here on this earth, I want to be able to say I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.



 
reneweddaybyday said:
yes ... and that is why we are warned to take heed when it comes to our working together with God in sharing the gospel:

1 Corinthians 3:
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

I'll tell you one thing, when I see God face-to-face, I want to hear "well done" ... and at the end of my time here on this earth, I want to be able to say I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
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Working with God, take heed indeed..........all the more reason to be preaching, teaching and defending the correct Gospel.
 
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Not sure.
Its a FORUM, not a courtroom. I think some people forget that.

In a forum, you are meant to rationally and calmly discuss things openly. Certainly the Romans did this when they had it in the open air (and it was always sunny, and they were wearing togas).

Nobody is on trial here.
 
I think people forget this is a bible DISCUSSION forum, not a DEFEND MY TRUTH forum

its easy to get caught up in defending our truth, I know I was there, but we have to remind ourselves where we are
 
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