Is it Really Just About Having a Good Time?

[ByzantineDixie]

I remember when I first came to CF...a year ago last January. I was just about as liberal a Protestant Lutheran as one could find. I had Law and Gospel so twisted up in my understanding it is amazing I had any faith left. I had absolutely no use for the Liturgy, the Office of the Holy Ministry (I held an incorrect understanding of the "priesthood of believers"), closed communion...you name it. If it was a non-confessional position...it was mine.

Then ChiRho joined. He used to make me so angry. Everything I said he seemed to pick on. Once Lux Perpetua said she was going to toss out a topic for ChiRho and I and buy everyone else popcorn while ChiRho and I went at each other. :D

But I thought...I'll fix him. So everything he threw at me I researched. I studied. I read the Confessions. I read Luther. I was out to prove him wrong. And...look what happened! I found out he was (usually ;) ) right.

I am sorry that so many of you are upset by the disagreements we have regarding our faith. I remember being in those shoes...and they were not comfortable. But...they weren't comfortable for a reason.

My recommendation would be...don't get upset when people disagree with you...study, read, understand where they are coming from and see if your understandings are truly as right and as firm as you think they are. If they are...great. If not...seek to find the truth.

As it is right now the rules on this forum were written to welcome debate, not hinder it. If only fellowship is desired on this forum...well, then maybe the rules should be changed and those who are looking to broadened, enhance and discuss their understanding of confessional Lutheranism should just go elsewhere.

But I strongly discourage those on this forum from seeking that option. You can get fellowship at Emma's. Here you can learn and grow in your understanding of the faith. You can learn new things, firm up your present beliefs or embrace some correction. If you have a rock solid confidence in what you believe...it doesn't really matter what someone else says. It won't make you angry and it won't hurt you...but it may make you sigh. :sigh:

God bless you all as you grow in your understanding of Him.

Rose

[Phoebe]

We all have to be careful not to try to do the work for the Holy Spirit.
Translation:
Some people only require a gentle nudge, some need to be hit over the head with a brick.
It seems that many want to jump right in with the brick method. The brick method will make some dig their heels in.

Before throwing a brick, we need to ask ourselves, "Is this how God really intends for us to handle this situation?" Are we really listening to the Holy Spirit?

[Lutherrunner]

some people on this forum seem to be filled with anger and cannot seem to offer guidance without a negative, bitter, critical and cutting remark......the theology may be correct, but the deliverery is truly dysfunctional......this forum is vicious.....isn't that sinful?

[ByzantineDixie]

Lutherrunner...maybe you could expand a little on your observations. Specifically what viscious behavior have you experienced? Any examples of sinful behavior? (I agree...we all have 8th commandment obligations!)

Rose

[theologia crucis]

We should be proclaiming Christ and Him crucified. That is how the church has survived through the centuries.

The Lutheran church has been crumbling since 1517, or 1530, or 1580... The one, holy, apostolic and Christian church has been crumbling since the time of the apostles, even while they were still alive (see Paul & Peter)! What makes us special? She's gonna crumble due to original sin!!! However, the church still lives!!! And she'll live until the Parousia, when I hope to meet many of y'all face to face!

I do think that the historic, confessional Lutheran position is the best and clearest grasp of doctrine in all of Christendom, but Christians holding this position are all still, horrible, evil, nasty sinners in continual need of forgiveness, which we receive sola gratia, sola fide, propter Christum! They should NEVER claim to be better than anybody else (not that anyone here is making that claim).

I feel that those who have a good grasp on the Truth should do their best to present the facts and argue for the Truth as gently and understandly as possible, with humility (becuase we're no better than those who err), but unyieldingly, too.

Very few will be won by a swift kick in the butt (which is necessary at times!), but presenting the Truth and letting the Holy Spirit work on the reader is what we should striving for.

Hopefully, then, this can become the joyous (not happy, but joyous, in spite of our daily struggles) place it should be.

As the good Doctor said: "A Christian should and must be full of joy."

Why? Christ did it all for us!

Any, it's good to type again!

[Qoheleth]

but Christians holding this position are all still, horrible, evil, nasty sinners in continual need of forgiveness

Well, lets not forget that our great and merciful God loves us with an unimaginable love. He still feels we are all worth saving.

We are not evil, we are righteous, redeemed and being filled with grace.

Our Lord loves us, he does not look upon us, upon our sin and see evil creatures, he rejoices and desires our salvation and continued faith.

Q

[Jim47]

Rose!

You have a great way with words, a heart full of love and The Holy Spirit. You have echoed my sentiments very well. If this forum is only for friendship, you likley won't see me here very often. We are called to share the truthes of the scriptures, and I think that alone is our greatest calling to be here.

Col 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Col 4:3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Col 4:4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Col 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Col 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

[catzinjammies]

Rose, as a new person here I find your post encouraging! I'm glad I saw and read it.

CIJ