WELCOME; and a Gentle Encouragement

Welcome to this forum of theological discussions. We hope that this place can be a medium for cordial conversations on controversial as well as consensual topics, for the purpose of enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ and the truth of His Word.

I would just like to remind everyone that we are to continuously keep our beliefs »subject to Scripture.« Read 2Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work." All Scripture is the Word of the infallible, immutable (unchangeable) God. It is the only rule for our faith and practice. We can not and must not believe anything that contradicts Scripture.

As a caution, see 1 Corinthians 2:4-5: "My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Let us not be wise in our own wisdom, even though sometimes wise but godless thoughts may seem plausible, but let us instead seek the wisdom of the Spirit as we prayerfully and graciously discuss these various topics, with an open mind to growing into the full truth of Scripture. NONE of us are fully enlightened while on earth–therefore, my brothers and sisters, be humble and open to further reformation for God's glory.

As to our attitude while discussing these things, let us keep these verses in mind.
James 1:19-20 – Know this, my brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
1 Peter 3:8-9 – Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
Let us always be examining our hearts for self-righteousness and pride. "Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall" (1Cor 10.12). Again, let us never cease to be humble as our Savior was, keeping in mind Philippians 2:1-8.

With reference to 1Peter above– We must have unity of mind as to the essential doctrines of Scripture; sympathy with those who differ from us as to the non-essential doctrines, those doctrines which are 'less than clear'; brotherly love toward all; a tender heart, not dogmatically holding onto 'less Scriptural' doctrines, but soft toward the Spirit who works in us to bring us to a fuller knowledge of the entire truth of Scripture,; and a humble mind as we both defend our view and react toward others' views. As Richard Baxter, the eminent English Puritan, said, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity (love)."

Remember that it should be a joyful, willing desire of each one of us to grow more and more into the full truth of the Bible, even if that means a radical adjustment of our own convictions because the Spirit has used another brother to show us where we can reform. This is what Paul meant when he said in Philippians 3.12-16, "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained." The Greatest Apostle, Paul, recognized that he was not perfect–he was still pressing on and straining forward toward the goal for the prize of enjoying God's glory eternally. He knew that he was not completely mature and had not attained the full knowledge of the Scriptures. So how can we think that we are right in all that we believe? Let us instead always examine our beliefs against God's true Word while pleading that He will increasingly reveal His truth to us as He has promised to do in the verse just quoted.

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."

Warmly,
A servant of the servants of my Lord Jesus,
River La Belle

Thank you very much for this post, River. :) I'll try to keep this in mind as I debate over essential and non-essential doctrines on this, and other, forums. :)

Thank you for this post. When I first started reading the forums, I found it a breath of fresh air. To be able to share what you believe with other Christians and sharpen your swords and have a debate, and in so doing, learn different views and perspectives, even though it was not necessary to agree with everything that was said.

A great place where you can share what you have learned without fear of condemnation and harsh judgment.
The fact that there are different denominations here and different schools of thought, should foster within ourselves tolerance and respect for our fellow laborers in the Lord, whether they're doing it 'our ' way or not.

I think as it should be with any debate: Go in there with all you got, make your point, and when all is said and done, come out shaking hands.

Don't resort to name calling or try to humiliate or belittle one another.

I find the folks here, young and old, supremely intelligent and gifted. The cream of the crop, and above all, highly motivated for Christ, and dearly beloved or our Lord and savior.

Thank you Jesus for you all!

As in any battle or game with competition involved, we can get carried away and forget that there are real people on the other end of that computer screen and that they have feelings and can be affected by our words.

Words can either build up or they can tear down. and as we all know, James had a lot to say on the power of the Tongue.

I know I got down and out, when someone I had a lot of respect for, and still do, offended me. And in defending myself I reacted harshly, and then said to myself that I would quit reading and posting in the forums.

And I would like to say to that person that I have offended, that I sincerely apologize, and it would be great to see you back in the forums again.

Thank you and God bless you!