What say ye? [Archive] - Christian Forums

DeaconDean

16th October 2006, 11:15 PM

Brethren and Sisters,

I have been asked to stop posting in the threads where Calvinism is attacked here in the Baptist area.

My brother arumna has called me Orthodox without being overly heavy on Calvinism. It took a while for that to sink in, but when I looked and considered what he said, I found out it was correct. I do take an Orthodox stand on traditional Baptist doctrines. When I see Orthodox Baptist doctrines being attacked and the grace of God being treaded under foot, I get upset. I'm sorry for being this way, but that is just how I am. I must contend for the faith. I know what one Sisters opinion of me is, because I study the theologies of men from Calvin up to Swindol, I'm accused of having no theology and only being able to state the "platitudes of others." Theology is my area, I want to know why we believe what we believe. That is why I plan on starting next year to enrole in Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminiary here in Charlotte N.C. I'm hoping to be accepted in the Masters of Theology program.

I have studied systematic theology for three years now. So I believe I can give a reasonable answer to any who ask. If I can't, I will research and see what I can find out and get back. I try to remain humble, but as I said before, when I see traditional Orthodox Baptist doctrines attacked, I tend to jump in feet first. I flaw on my part. So what I want to ask all my brethren and sisters here is this, if you would like for me to butt out, say so. If you want me to stop posting in threads which attack Calvinism, or the doctrines of grace, let me know and I'll be more than happy to watch who starts the threads and not post in threads they start.

I'm asking this as nicely, and as humbly as possible. I will keep this thread active for one(1) week to give as many as possible to respond.

So what say ye?

God Bless

Till all are one.

JacobHall86

16th October 2006, 11:16 PM

Dude, dont stop posting what you want to post. I may not agree with you or what you say, but Ill stand in front of a bullet to defend your right to say it. Say waht you want, when you want and where you want.

arunma

16th October 2006, 11:33 PM

Dean, I think you should continue posting in these threads. Orthodoxy is important, because Christians are defined by what we believe. You bring a much needed academic perspective to theological debates, and it would be a loss to the forum if you stopped providing this.

By the way, I'm glad to hear that you're going for a Masters. I pray that goes well!

mlqurgw

17th October 2006, 02:09 AM

Don't you dare quit posting in the defense of truth. If you do I will come to Charlette and hunt you down and make you. :) ;) :cool: This place can very well do without me but they need you. Stand firm and strong and give no heed to gainsayers. You are a blessing to more than you know.

HypoTypoSis

17th October 2006, 03:17 AM

All of us have a tendency to state what we believe as undeniable fact when, in truth, what we believe is so is no more than only our understanding up to that specific point in time.

None of us have a monopoly on perfectly understanding God's Word, will and purpose.

To say, "this is what I believe" or "this is how I understand it" is one thing. It is quite another to state, "this and only this is the truth of the matter and all must believe this way" sets one up not only as knowing completely and perfectly the innermost thoughts of God but also equal in understanding to Him.

Then tomorrow comes and new revelations are unfolded and yesterday's staunch pronouncements become nothing more than personal embarrassments.

It's not so much what is said but how it is said. We must believe what we say, say what we mean and mean what we say but leave ourselves-and others-some leeway for spiritual growth.

CooL_Genesis

17th October 2006, 06:16 AM

I enjoy your posts immensely, Dean. Anyone who can take the kind of time that you do to earnestly study the word of God, regardless of whether our views match or differ, gets my respect and admiration. You have a character trait that's rapidly disappearing in today's society... discipline.

Keep it up, buddy! Fight the good fight! :)

-Genesis

PETE_

17th October 2006, 07:28 AM

keep on posting...enjoy reading your stuff.

no one should try and silence another member. we have mods for that.

BBAS 64

17th October 2006, 07:34 AM

Good Day, Dean

Continue the work that you contribute to this fourm, I always enjoy your posts.

Peace to u,

Bill

christian73

17th October 2006, 10:33 AM

I enjoy your posts too. Keep posting. You can't please everybody. If you believe you're posting the truth (as I do), then you need to keep posting.

TwinCrier

17th October 2006, 01:49 PM

KEEP POSTING!
If anything the Calvinists should limit their posting to the reformed forum if they perfer not to debate this part of their theology. We need more opinions not fewer.

holdon

17th October 2006, 04:16 PM

What's up with these people asking others on this forum to give their opinion about them?
And all these posts about "I" and "me".

We accept everybody as we ourselves have been received by Christ, and that's something enormous.
Rom. 15:7.

For the rest, if someone is truly His, "I" no longer lives.... Gal 2:20 Is the "I" really crucified with Him?

HypoTypoSis

17th October 2006, 11:39 PM

Leaving the 'eyes' behind :cool: ...

It does, indeed, seem every week or two 'we' take offense :cry: at something 'we' say :preach: and 'we' start a new thread as 'we' threaten :mad: to leave asking 'us' for 'our' approval :confused: trying to get 'us' to :groupray: talk 'us' into staying for another week or two and then 'we' take offense :cry: at something 'we' say :preach: and 'we' start a new thread as 'we' threaten :mad: to leave asking 'us' for 'our' approval :confused: trying to get 'us' to :groupray: talk 'us' into staying for another week or two and then 'we' take offense :mad: at something 'we' say :preach: and 'we' start a new thread as 'we' threaten :mad: to leave asking 'us' for 'our' approval :confused: trying to get 'us' to :groupray: talk 'us' into staying for another week or two and then 'we' take offense :cry: at something 'we' say :preach: and 'we' start a new thread as 'we' threaten :mad: to leave asking 'us' for 'our' approval :confused: trying to get 'us' to :groupray: talk 'us' into staying for another week or two and then 'we' take offense :cry: at something 'we' say :preach: and 'we' start a new thread as 'we' threaten :mad: to leave asking 'us' for 'our' approval :confused: trying to get 'us' to :groupray: talk 'us' into staying for another week or two and then 'we' take offense :mad: at something 'we' say :preach: and 'we' start a new thread as 'we' threaten :mad: to leave asking 'us' for 'our' approval :confused: trying to get 'us' to :groupray: talk 'us' into staying for another week or two and then ....

sheeesh! All these threads really should be a part of the current addiction thread. :P

CooL_Genesis

18th October 2006, 03:38 AM

DeaconDean

18th October 2006, 03:56 AM

I simply look at Dean's post as someone seeking encouragement. What's wrong with that? Everyone needs a little lifting up from time to time, whether it's from the Lord or our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The real question is why is it necessary for folks to tear him down? :) The answer... it isn't.

-Genesis

Thank you so much for the kind words. I was pm-ed by a member of this area of the forum to quit posting in threads which attack the TULIP doctrine and Calvinism. Now I'm in no way a "hyper-calvinist." But I do believe there is scriptural truth behind the theory. I reject Arminianism in all it's forms because of the amount of ability they place in man's "free-will." When I see Orthodox Christian beliefs and doctrines being attacked, I'll jump in and defend them. And here we have one member who wants me to stop. Why?

Also, I have no idea what hypotyposis said in any of her posts. We do not get along. And rather than get into a heated argument and both say something we'd just as soon not, she is on my ignore list. I'd rather not get into an argument with her. So to keep the peace, I have not, and I will not, respond to her directly. I have no idea what she said in the previous posts as they are hid to me. So all I can say is God Bless her. And I'll leave it at that.

When a person is on the forums striving for the right, and people tell you how wrong you are, sooner or later your bound to get downhearted. Are we not supposed to edify one another?

God Bless

Till all are one.

HypoTypoSis

18th October 2006, 04:46 AM

hypotyposis...[]...is on my ignore list.

I have no idea what she said in the previous posts as they are hid to me.

Then how do you even know I said anything? :P

Gotcha!!! :D

DeaconDean

18th October 2006, 05:29 AM

So to keep the peace, I have not, and I will not, respond to her directly. I have no idea what she said in the previous posts as they are hid to me. So all I can say is God Bless her. And I'll leave it at that.

That was not altogether correct. Let me clairfy. Since my thread on what I believe about the bible, I have not, and I will not, respond to her directly.

So I say, God Bless her.

God Bless

Till all are one.

christian73

18th October 2006, 08:56 AM

BigNorsk

18th October 2006, 04:38 PM

Dean,

The only reason that I can see for someone asking you not to post isn't what you write as far as doctrines are concerned but your style of taking everything so personally when someone doesn't agree with you.

Your style doesn't really lend itself to helping people discuss and understand doctrines because it turns the threads into being about you. The whole "I've been told that I am wrong" thing that you do is just so overblown.

I would say in general, that if you can't discuss things without reacting in that way that it probably would be better for all concerned if you didn't post, but I would hope that you would continue to post, just not make it all about you, because it really isn't about you at all.

Marv

HypoTypoSis

18th October 2006, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by DeaconDean http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=28037370#post28037370)
I have no idea what she said in the previous posts as they are hid to me.
Then how do you even know I said anything? :P

Gotcha!!! :D

That was not altogether correct. Let me clairfy.
Back field, err..pedal in motion! :P

Gotcha'gin! :D

trinityisunity

18th October 2006, 08:43 PM

Post, but show respect for other people's beliefs. I personally do not subscribe to the Calvinists view but I wont debate them on it.

DeaconDean

19th October 2006, 01:20 AM

Then how do you even know I said anything? :P

Gotcha!!! :D

You are now off my ignore list. And just a little FYI sister, just because I couldn't see what you posted, does not mean that there isn't a record that you did post.

HypoTypoSis- Is on your ignore list. Response hid

So while I could not see what you posted, I could see that you did post something.

God Bless

Till all are one.

HypoTypoSis

19th October 2006, 01:34 AM

Then how did you know what to respond with if all there was was a "on the ignore list" message without peeking to see what was said.

Curiosity got the cat--a third time (actually, a 4th).

gotcha'gin and a'gin and 'gin! :D

DeaconDean

19th October 2006, 01:46 AM

When I posted tonight, post #21, before I posted, I took you off my ignore list so what you have posted since September, has been unblocked.

God Bless

Till all are one.

HypoTypoSis

19th October 2006, 02:09 AM

Still backpeddling in motion like crazy! :D

DeaconDean

19th October 2006, 03:53 AM

Still backpeddling in motion like crazy! :D

You know what? All I'm going to say is:

God Bless

Till all are one.

HypoTypoSis

19th October 2006, 05:54 AM

Careful there, them Calvinist skirts are slipping a wee might... ;)
Till all are one.
Sadly, from man's perspective, that Universalist thought will never happen.
Gladly, from God's perspective, those in Christ already are all in one.

BigNorsk

19th October 2006, 04:56 PM

I would add that taking posts such as in this thread personally would be pretty reasonable because they are clearly directed in a personal attack manner.

I have my first person to ignore, and it isn't you Dean.

Marv

JPPT1974

19th October 2006, 05:57 PM

Plus it is again't the rules on this forum
Or any other forum to personally attack people
You can agree to disagree with them
But don't personally attack them.

edb19

19th October 2006, 09:05 PM

Erinwilcox

19th October 2006, 10:47 PM

The many Baptists who are Calvinist/Reformed have as much right to post and/or debate in the Baptist forum as those Baptists who are Arminian or free will. There's absolutely no reason for you to quit posting here because one or two don't agree with your viewpoints.

edie

I agree with Edie. The Baptist forum is for Baptists--regardless of whether or not they are Calvinists.

Personally, I don't know why there needs to be such trouble over the matter--one of my very best and dearest friends, my cousin, is a Christian, but not a Calvinist. . .quick frankly, the topic of Reformed theology rarely comes up between us. We have perfect harmony and peace and love.

Perhaps part of the problem here in the Baptist forum is that there is not peace or unity. There is a difference between the two. Unity means to be united, of one mind. Peace means to be at peace and not at strife. While clearly there is not unity of theology here, I believe that there can be peace and that there should be peace. We are Christians. They will know us by our love. Obviously, we are to love eachother as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If there is love, then I believe that peace will come naturally. By loving eachother and seeking the good and encouragement of others, we will endeavor to keep peace--which would honor and glorify God more than strife and bickering.

That being said, I do NOT, I repeat DO NOT believe that this entails ending discussions of Calvinism and Arminianism or any other controversial topic. In the Bible, we are told that Christians are to be as iron sharpening iron. We are to encourage one another and spur eachother on to greater godliness, holiness, and good deeds. As a part of this process, doctrinal discussions are key to furthering our knowledge of God's truth. If our discussions of these controversial topics are done in love and with mind to keeping the peace, then I believe that many good things will come out of them. Therefore, by all means let us build eachother up--and while doing so, let us remember to love.

Erinwilcox

19th October 2006, 10:50 PM

Oops, I forgot to add. . .all that being said, don't leave, Dean! I always enjoy your posts and would hate to see you or anyone else leave for such reasons. :)

edb19

19th October 2006, 11:20 PM

I agree with Edie. The Baptist forum is for Baptists--regardless of whether or not they are Calvinists.

Personally, I don't know why there needs to be such trouble over the matter--one of my very best and dearest friends, my cousin, is a Christian, but not a Calvinist. . .quick frankly, the topic of Reformed theology rarely comes up between us. We have perfect harmony and peace and love.

Perhaps part of the problem here in the Baptist forum is that there is not peace or unity. There is a difference between the two. Unity means to be united, of one mind. Peace means to be at peace and not at strife. While clearly there is not unity of theology here, I believe that there can be peace and that there should be peace. We are Christians. They will know us by our love. Obviously, we are to love eachother as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If there is love, then I believe that peace will come naturally. By loving eachother and seeking the good and encouragement of others, we will endeavor to keep peace--which would honor and glorify God more than strife and bickering.

That being said, I do NOT, I repeat DO NOT believe that this entails ending discussions of Calvinism and Arminianism or any other controversial topic. In the Bible, we are told that Christians are to be as iron sharpening iron. We are to encourage one another and spur eachother on to greater godliness, holiness, and good deeds. As a part of this process, doctrinal discussions are key to furthering our knowledge of God's truth. If our discussions of these controversial topics are done in love and with mind to keeping the peace, then I believe that many good things will come out of them. Therefore, by all means let us build eachother up--and while doing so, let us remember to love.

and all God's children said AMEN:amen::amen:

mont974x4

20th October 2006, 11:11 AM

Yes, keep posting.

I did find a handly little tool on the site..an ignore feature. Instead of asking people to give up their right to post it is much better to simply ignore people as you want/need. I myself have used it for 2 people so far that aaprently had no other purpose to post than to stir up contention...on the same issue over and over and over again.

TwinCrier

20th October 2006, 05:00 PM

edb19

20th October 2006, 05:27 PM

I have 27 people on ignore. I used to get all kinds of official warnings and even got banned for many months on this forum from people baiting me. Since I started using this feature more liberally (I don't use that word much so you know this is important) I have not gotten any official action taken against me from moderators and I also have a profound decrease in my blood pressure and I sleep much better at night as well.

Maybe I should try that (hoping here I'm not one of the 27 and that you'll see this post) - I don't have anyone on ignore, although there are one or two posters that I simply don't respond to. You could say I mentally ignore them, except I do read their posts which results in me grinding my teeth and elevating my blood pressure.

edie

TwinCrier

20th October 2006, 05:59 PM

No Edie, I don't have ya on ignore.... yet. :P

mesue

22nd October 2006, 01:43 PM

... So what I want to ask all my brethren and sisters here is this, if you would like for me to butt out, say so. If you want me to stop posting in threads which attack Calvinism, or the doctrines of grace, let me know and I'll be more than happy to watch who starts the threads and not post in threads they start.
...

So what say ye?

God Bless

Till all are one.
I say, I'm not a Calvinist, in the truest sense of the term. Calvin was a well learned man and a good guy, but he was just that- a guy. He was not God, nor did he have a perfect handle on God's word. No one can, save Jesus. Paul came close ;) .
I'm a Bible believing, blood bought, forgiven child of The Most High God. When I read your posts, Dean, I see the same thing. Please do not stop posting on any subject.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

DeaconDean

22nd October 2006, 10:48 PM

I just want to say that for the most part, there are a bunch of sincere Christian brothers and sisters here, and I have been fortunate enough to converse with many of you. I'm truly sorry if sometimes I let the Calvinist side of me come through. I try not to but what gets my dandruff up is seeing the doctrines of grace being trampled under foot. I promise to try to be a little more "thick skined" as one dear brother said. And may God bless each and every one of you richly.

God Bless

Till all are one.