Well....I'm having second thoughts.

[Michie]

I did some Googling on Moderate Christians & Christianity. After looking at the definitions it seems most people are confused by the term. And those who aren't have their own definition. While I understand what is trying to be done here. I'm not sure I can label myself a Moderate Christian. I'm not liberal. I'm not conservative. I'm just a Christian. A Catholic Christian.

I'm thinking where most of us part ways with some brethern is the judgementalism. Other brethern trying to fit people into their mold. If you don't fit then your not really Christian or not a good enough Christian. I guess it boils down to not agreeing with the representation of Christians in many ways when interacting with others.

I believe in being honest but respectful. Treating others as you would like to be treated.

I dunno....*wringing hands*

The term problematic to say the very least. And not really defined in any true sense.

[Criada]

Maybe we should relabel it "Just Christians"... :)

[Michie]

I mentioned in a post the new forum thread something about being Christian first & foremost. One poster liked it. I'd like something where it does not call my Christianity into question.

Because I am a Christian first & foremost.

After Googling, the whole moderate title makes me nervous.

[Criada]

:hug: :hug:

Well, perhaps when we have decided on the new name , we can lose the moderate bit!
I understand your issues - not keen on being labelled as 'moderate' or anything else....
But the important thing is that we love God, and love one another. It doesn't matter what we are called, as long as we are shining Christ's light. Because that is what is so badly needed - here and in the world.

Please don't leave because of a word - look at what we *are* not what we are called!
:hug:

[Joykins]

Michie, what makes you nervous about it?

[PreachersWife2004]

I looked at some of the ways "moderate" is defined, and none of them really fit what we're trying to do here. Or at least what I'm trying to do here.

I'm definitely a conservative Christian, but I can't belong to the Conservative Christian forum right now for personal reasons. I don't wish to be a member at WWMC even though I have friends that post there, so this is a good spot for me to come and hang out with both sides.

I'm hoping that with a new name, there will be no branding of Christianity here. I think a liberal Christian is as much a Christian as a conservative Christian, in so far as they believe in Jesus Christ, our redeemer.

:hug:

[chaoschristian]

I think 'moderate' was a term of convenience that was grabbed onto in a time of need in order to get a forum organized.

I think what we have here is a group of Christians who are attempting to transcend attitudes and cultures of divisiveness, who want to find ways to relate and talk to one another despite differences we may have, and who are less concerned about rules and rightness than making an honest effort at community.

We come from a lot of different backgrounds, and a lot of different experiences, but something I think we all have in common is a desire to get past acromony and antagony.

I am here because there are many folks here who do not feel comfortable in either CCF or WWMC. I am here because I want to learn from those folks. Folks like you Michie.

Let's not allow the label to define us. We've already moved past that. Let's get a new forum name up and get on with the art of being together. That's what we need to focus on the most.

[Joykins]

I'm definitely moderate...but! What chaos said.

[Macrina]

Maybe we should relabel it "Just Christians"... :)

This made me think of the following for a forum title: "Got Christ?"

I think 'moderate' was a term of convenience that was grabbed onto in a time of need in order to get a forum organized.

I think what we have here is a group of Christians who are attempting to transcend attitudes and cultures of divisiveness, who want to find ways to relate and talk to one another despite differences we may have, and who are less concerned about rules and rightness than making an honest effort at community.

We come from a lot of different backgrounds, and a lot of different experiences, but something I think we all have in common is a desire to get past acromony and antagony.

I am here because there are many folks here who do not feel comfortable in either CCF or WWMC. I am here because I want to learn from those folks. Folks like you Michie.

Let's not allow the label to define us. We've already moved past that. Let's get a new forum name up and get on with the art of being together. That's what we need to focus on the most.

This made me think of this one (which I would actually like to throw out there):

KOINONIA -- the ecumenical community

[Michie]

Michie, what makes you nervous about it?
Being seen as lukewarm. I know. I know.

But I can't help it.

I have quite a diverse background & some things just never leave you completely.

[Michie]

:hug: :hug:

Well, perhaps when we have decided on the new name , we can lose the moderate bit!
I understand your issues - not keen on being labelled as 'moderate' or anything else....
But the important thing is that we love God, and love one another. It doesn't matter what we are called, as long as we are shining Christ's light. Because that is what is so badly needed - here and in the world.

Please don't leave because of a word - look at what we *are* not what we are called!
:hug:
I'm not taking my marbles & goin home.
What little I have. ;)

I just think moderate obviously causes too much confusion to others.

I know what I mean by it but you know...

[Michie]

I think 'moderate' was a term of convenience that was grabbed onto in a time of need in order to get a forum organized.

I think what we have here is a group of Christians who are attempting to transcend attitudes and cultures of divisiveness, who want to find ways to relate and talk to one another despite differences we may have, and who are less concerned about rules and rightness than making an honest effort at community.

We come from a lot of different backgrounds, and a lot of different experiences, but something I think we all have in common is a desire to get past acromony and antagony.

I am here because there are many folks here who do not feel comfortable in either CCF or WWMC. I am here because I want to learn from those folks. Folks like you Michie.

Let's not allow the label to define us. We've already moved past that. Let's get a new forum name up and get on with the art of being together. That's what we need to focus on the most.
Brilliantly put.

Thank you CC.

[RobNJ]

Being seen as lukewarm. I know. I know.

But I can't help it.

I have quite a diverse background & some things just never leave you completely.

Not lukewarm, call it being firm enough in your beliefs NOT to say "anything goes" & sensible enough NOT to say that if someone's beliefs aren't EXACTLY like yours, they aren't real Christians.

[PreachersWife2004]

I think Michie took my marbles...

^_^

[Michie]

I think Michie took my marbles...

^_^
:P

Surely you have more I can swipe???;)

[Tenebrae]

Not lukewarm, call it being firm enough in your beliefs NOT to say "anything goes" & sensible enough NOT to say that if someone's beliefs aren't EXACTLY like yours, they aren't real Christians.

I lost my marbles this morning. One of those days when its like "Do I have to be here" the one consolation was getting to go home earlier

Good, post

For me, I am most definately the conservative end of the spectrum, didnt realise how much so till a couple of weeks ago, and some awesome people that helped me to see that Conservative christian could mean something other than the negative conotations I understood it as

[Michie]

Not lukewarm, call it being firm enough in your beliefs NOT to say "anything goes" & sensible enough NOT to say that if someone's beliefs aren't EXACTLY like yours, they aren't real Christians.
Well that is how I feel.

I guess I need to get over it.

I feel better just for having said something though.

[Tenebrae]

Well that is how I feel.

I guess I need to get over it.

I feel better just for having said something though.
I dont know whether we are planning to keep the name of go for one of the options in the poll. Personally I'd be quite happy if the name "moderate christians" was changed

Open and honest discussion always good. :thumbsup:

I think the problems come when we feel unable to put across our POV
(Make sense?)

[Michie]

I dont know whether we are planning to keep the name of go for one of the options in the poll. Personally I'd be quite happy if the name "moderate christians" was changed

Open and honest discussion always good. :thumbsup:

I think the problems come when we feel unable to put across our POV
(Make sense?)
Yeah it does.

Alot of folks tend to think of Marvin Milktoast= moderate.

Which tends to shoot you in the foot running out of the gate.

[PreachersWife2004]

Because I was taught to share:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/PezGirl1973/thousand_marble3.jpg


And freitag, I LOVE YOU!! :hug:

[Michie]

Because I was taught to share:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/PezGirl1973/thousand_marble3.jpg


And freitag, I LOVE YOU!! :hug:

I'm impressed! You have lots of marbles! :P

[PreachersWife2004]

I'm impressed! You have lots of marbles! :P

Not for long, unless I go to bed soon!

I also have three children and one on the way. I'm sure I'll have lost ALL my marbles by then! ^_^

[Michie]

Get some sleep! :)

You have your hands full!

[meh]

I think 'moderate' was a term of convenience that was grabbed onto in a time of need in order to get a forum organized.

I think what we have here is a group of Christians who are attempting to transcend attitudes and cultures of divisiveness, who want to find ways to relate and talk to one another despite differences we may have, and who are less concerned about rules and rightness than making an honest effort at community.

We come from a lot of different backgrounds, and a lot of different experiences, but something I think we all have in common is a desire to get past acromony and antagony.

I am here because there are many folks here who do not feel comfortable in either CCF or WWMC. I am here because I want to learn from those folks. Folks like you Michie.

Let's not allow the label to define us. We've already moved past that. Let's get a new forum name up and get on with the art of being together. That's what we need to focus on the most.
Absolutely fabulous and more spot on than I could ever try to come up with. Speaks for me completely.

[porterross]

Not lukewarm, call it being firm enough in your beliefs NOT to say "anything goes" & sensible enough NOT to say that if someone's beliefs aren't EXACTLY like yours, they aren't real Christians.



That really pins the tail on the donkey, now, doesn't it? :thumbsup:

[Criada]

This made me think of the following for a forum title: "Got Christ?"



This made me think of this one (which I would actually like to throw out there):

KOINONIA -- the ecumenical community
Hey, you're here! :hug: :hug:
Computer being good?

[Albion]

I agree to what a lot of you have written. The term Moderate or Moderate Christian will never work and, as with CCC, will only cause endless problems. If there is another way of saying what everyone seems to find appealing about this forum, we'd better come up with it soon.

[RadicallyTransformedMom]

Michie,
Don't worry about what others think or what others will call you, only God's opinion is what matters. All labels stink..but hey..we still continue to label anyway..oh well.

[invisible trousers]

I don't know, I always thought a better definition of 'lukewarm' was a lack of desire to further your faith. Using lukewarm to describe uncertainty is kind of ridiculous, since this is faith we're talking about, which is not something that can be quantitatively described.

Are you trying (via whatever method) to further your faith? Then you're not lukewarm, in my book at least.

[edb19]

subscribing to the thread - not because I have anything to add right now but because there's been a lot of wisdom expressed here.:ebil::clap::ebil:

Michie - I do hope you stick around and fellowship with everyone:thumbsup:

edie:hug:

[Michie]

subscribing to the thread - not because I have anything to add right now but because there's been a lot of wisdom expressed here.

Michie - I do hope you stick around and fellowship with everyone

edie:hug:
I will. :)

[JimfromOhio]

We live in a fallen world and this is what is to be expected. Naming a label brings us false assumptions about that person's beliefs. They remind me of Job's friends: Elphazs, Bildads, and Zophars. Many of us also have identified some of our fellow Christians as Elphazs, Bildads, and Zophars. Job's friends were obstacles to his relationship with God when they were assuming why Job why things are happening to Job.

In the beginning of the Book of Job, Job's innocence is established so that people won't interpret Job's friends opinions as judgemental. The very first verse explains that Job was blameless and a man of complete integrity. Job's faith was very strong and feared (loved) God. Job knew in his own heart that his friends were wrong. Finally, after listening to his friends for so long (20 plus chapters), in Job 21:27, Job said, "Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me." In other words, "You know, I've had it with you guys. All you do is think what I lacked against God." And that their comments just proved that they didn't love him. “Oh, Job. You’ve got a lot of sin in your life. We know, we’ve got a good theology. Our theology is that if you’ve got problems, you’ve got sin.” Job's friends ran through weeks of his personal inventory and they came up with nothing.

Reading Job 42:7-9 explains of God's rebukes to Eliphaz and his friends for judging Job wrongly. I do NOT want to be in that position if I ever wrongly accuse somebody without knowing the facts. :sigh:

I am having hard times now because I have finally learned (or discovered) that the lukewarm ones are professing Christians who play games, causing problems and creating strife. After learning in the past few weeks, I like who I am, that I am a person desires to be well-balanced, calm, careful, steady, and sane.

I am very conservative but this place is probably is the best place for me now.

[porterross]

We live in a fallen world and this is what is to be expected. Naming a label brings us false assumptions about that person's beliefs. They remind me of Job's friends: Elphazs, Bildads, and Zophars. Many of us also have identified some of our fellow Christians as Elphazs, Bildads, and Zophars. Job's friends were obstacles to his relationship with God when they were assuming why Job why things are happening to Job.

In the beginning of the Book of Job, Job's innocence is established so that people won't interpret Job's friends opinions as judgemental. The very first verse explains that Job was blameless and a man of complete integrity. Job's faith was very strong and feared (loved) God. Job knew in his own heart that his friends were wrong. Finally, after listening to his friends for so long (20 plus chapters), in Job 21:27, Job said, "Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me." In other words, "You know, I've had it with you guys. All you do is think what I lacked against God." And that their comments just proved that they didn't love him. “Oh, Job. You’ve got a lot of sin in your life. We know, we’ve got a good theology. Our theology is that if you’ve got problems, you’ve got sin.” Job's friends ran through weeks of his personal inventory and they came up with nothing.

Reading Job 42:7-9 explains of God's rebukes to Eliphaz and his friends for judging Job wrongly. I do NOT want to be in that position if I ever wrongly accuse somebody without knowing the facts. :sigh:

I am having hard times now because I have finally learned (or discovered) that the lukewarm ones are professing Christians who play games, causing problems and creating strife. After learning in the past few weeks, I like who I am, that I am a person desires to be well-balanced, calm, careful, steady, and sane.

I am very conservative but this place is probably is the best place for me now.


You're not alone, brother. :hug:

[JimfromOhio]

You're not alone, brother. :hug:

Thank you sister. :hug:

[Rhamiel]

there is not really a better word then moderate, if people think I am lukewarm that is their business. I seem to be on the conservative end of the spectrum theologicly and I can not think of a better name for this place

[Macrina]

Hey, you're here! :hug: :hug:
Computer being good?

Nope. :sigh:

But I am getting a new one soon! :clap:

So you'll all have to put up with me more often. :ebil:

[Joykins]

It seems to me that this forum actually serves 2 or 3 groups, groups which tend to to interact very well. I think perhaps a descriptive forum-specific guidelines should be forthcoming that takes that into account.

[porterross]

It seems to me that this forum actually serves 2 or 3 groups, groups which tend to to interact very well. I think perhaps a descriptive forum-specific guidelines should be forthcoming that takes that into account.


We play well with others. ^_^

[shrewdsnake]

I'm not taking my marbles & goin home.
What little I have. ;)

I just think moderate obviously causes too much confusion to others.

I know what I mean by it but you know...
I'm not real keen on moderate. It's not a word I would use to describe what I personally think. I'm registered politically as Independent and an Independent Baptist so maybe Independent is a better word or on a better track?

[Criada]

Nope. :sigh:

But I am getting a new one soon! :clap:

So you'll all have to put up with me more often. :ebil:
:clap: :clap:

Good!
You are missed very much. :hug: :hug;

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

We live in a fallen world and this is what is to be expected. Naming a label brings us false assumptions about that person's beliefs. They remind me of Job's friends: Elphazs, Bildads, and Zophars. Many of us also have identified some of our fellow Christians as Elphazs, Bildads, and Zophars. Job's friends were obstacles to his relationship with God when they were assuming why Job why things are happening to Job.

In the beginning of the Book of Job, Job's innocence is established so that people won't interpret Job's friends opinions as judgemental. The very first verse explains that Job was blameless and a man of complete integrity. Job's faith was very strong and feared (loved) God. Job knew in his own heart that his friends were wrong. Finally, after listening to his friends for so long (20 plus chapters), in Job 21:27, Job said, "Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me." In other words, "You know, I've had it with you guys. All you do is think what I lacked against God." And that their comments just proved that they didn't love him. “Oh, Job. You’ve got a lot of sin in your life. We know, we’ve got a good theology. Our theology is that if you’ve got problems, you’ve got sin.” Job's friends ran through weeks of his personal inventory and they came up with nothing.

Reading Job 42:7-9 explains of God's rebukes to Eliphaz and his friends for judging Job wrongly. I do NOT want to be in that position if I ever wrongly accuse somebody without knowing the facts. :sigh:

I am having hard times now because I have finally learned (or discovered) that the lukewarm ones are professing Christians who play games, causing problems and creating strife. After learning in the past few weeks, I like who I am, that I am a person desires to be well-balanced, calm, careful, steady, and sane.

I am very conservative but this place is probably is the best place for me now.
:hug: :hug: :hug:

[~*Lady Trekki*~]

I don't know, I always thought a better definition of 'lukewarm' was a lack of desire to further your faith. Using lukewarm to describe uncertainty is kind of ridiculous, since this is faith we're talking about, which is not something that can be quantitatively described.

Are you trying (via whatever method) to further your faith? Then you're not lukewarm, in my book at least.

That's interesting IT...

[JimfromOhio]

I don't know, I always thought a better definition of 'lukewarm' was a lack of desire to further your faith. Using lukewarm to describe uncertainty is kind of ridiculous, since this is faith we're talking about, which is not something that can be quantitatively described.

Are you trying (via whatever method) to further your faith? Then you're not lukewarm, in my book at least.

The method is in measure of faith is listed in 2 Peter, Chapter 1, verses 5 through 9: "make every effort to add to your faith...."

I like what John Piper said in his quote:
Yes, we want people to see us with approval when we are displaying that Jesus is infinitely valuable to us, but we dare not make the opinion of others the measure of our faithfulness. They may be blind and resistant to truth. Then the reproach we bear is no sign of our unfaithfulness or lack of love.