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Featured Arrogance or Contending for the Truth?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Reformed, Feb 8, 2015.

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  1. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    There is a fine line sometimes between an arrogant or belligerent attitude and taking a strong stand in contending for the truth. Often times we can misinterpret the words of another as arrogance, when in reality they are nothing more than strong debate. I heard someone once say that theological debate is not for the thin-skinned or those easily offended. I will accept that as an axiom.

    Webster's Dictionary defines arrogance as, "an insulting way of thinking or behaving that comes from believing that you are better, smarter, or more important than other people". If we use Webster's as an accurate definition of arrogance, then we really need to examine whether a direct post fits that definition. For instance, if one poster states that another person is wrong, does it immediately follow that the reason he is stating that is because he things he is better, smarter, or more important? Could it be that he actually believes the other person is wrong based on the facts? Instead of focusing on the facts (and adequately refuting them if necessary) the person on the receiving end will often take it as a personal attack and respond in kind.

    Now, if one party truly does believe they are better, smarter, or more important than the other person, arrogance is being displayed. But just because one party believes their position is right does not mean they believe they are personally better or superior to the other person, and that is the rub. We need to keep this in mind when we disagree; and oh, brother do we ever disagree! Baptists eat their young and shoot their wounded, so it is no secret that our theological debates can bring out emotions and reactions that belay our profession.

    I am not going to point fingers at anybody in particular in this post because I am an offender in this area. I do pray it gives all of us something to consider.
     
  2. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    I don't know whether you are pre-trib-dispensational or not but I live in the midst of them and debate them on this BB. I find that many have the attitude: "I know something you don't"!

    Barnes and Noble peddle the original Scofield as follows:

    **************************************************************************************************
     
  3. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    I am an amillennialist, covenant theologian. I left dispensationalism about 10 years ago. When I was a dispensationalist I was in that part of the fundamentalist crowd that thought non-dispensationalists were close to being unsaved.
     
  4. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

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  5. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

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    Some on this BB have come as close as they dared questioning my Salvation. It really doesn't bother me but the attitude behind it does.
     
  6. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    BLOCK is one of my favorite chat room options. It is made for those sorts.
     
  7. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    You are pulling your punches a bit aren't you???
     
  8. The American Dream

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    IMO, essential doctrine is made clear by Scripture for all to know, the nature of Jesus Christ, the Gospel, the Trinity, salvation only by grace through faith, Inspiration of Scripture and many more. The issues of a lesser nature, well we all have the Holy Spirit to guide us. It is not worth the time or effort to argue over them, because most of them will not be settled this side of eternity. The Bible is the final word from the Lord.
     
  9. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    Me? Since when do I mince words?
     
  10. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    It is possible to be a Calvinist Dispensationalist as so many are these days.
     
  11. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    What is ironic with the premill system is that it is taught as the only viable option and those holding it are almost totally 'schooled' that any one not in the camp is on the edge of Apostasy.

    If someone holds the system having studied the other systems they might temper their view of the other positions a bit more.
    just to sort of learn the one system...pre mill...you are not even in position to make a correct judgement as we see here. These are the most caustic exchanges.
     
  12. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    This is a lie either made out of pure ignorance or pure acrimony.
     
  13. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    And for that you must be destroyed.
     
  14. robustheologian

    robustheologian Well-Known Member
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    A lot of times, arrogance is shown by the fact that one thinks they are better than someone else because they think they are right or have been "divinely enabled".

    A strong argument is shown by how you treat ideas. Arrogance is shown by how you treat people.
     
  15. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    Sure. IMHO it is inconsistent with Reformed theology, but there are plenty of dispensational Calvinists.
     
  16. Reformed

    Reformed Well-Known Member
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    Good point.
     
  17. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    It is no lie.If you want to see for yourself , fly into Pennsylvania to Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit PA. In the bookstore they have tracts and booklets teaching this very thing. When I unpack some of my books , I will see if I still have a couple that I had bought and save you a bus ticket, or plane ticket...I will post the material online and you can see it and read it for yourself.
    So before you speak about what you do not know ...maybe look into it first.:thumbs:
     
  18. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

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    Dr. Charles Erdman was born in 1866 and became a professor at Princeton Theological University. He was also a pastor of the Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. One of his essays is on "The Second Coming."
    It is published in Feinberg's classic "The Fundamentals."
    One can find at least part of that book and its table of contents here:

    http://eaec.org/bookstore/the_fundamentals.htm
    His work is found in chapter 85.
    The Coming of Christ
    by Prof. Charles R. Erdman, D.D.

    I will quote some excerpts for you from this article:
    All the Scriptures are thoroughly explained but I don't have the space to do that. Suffice it to say, that in the mid-1800's premillennialism was not uncommon. And this man was Presbyterian in his theology.
     
  19. Sapper Woody

    Sapper Woody Well-Known Member

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    I have to soundly disagree with you there. You probably can find people teaching that, but I've attended pre-trib, pre-mil churches my entire life and never once heard a statement even close to this.
     
  20. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    You should have said that instead of painting every premill in the light. Kind of like your cohort who paints everyone who is not a cal as believing God cannot save us unless. The caricatures of cals has reached epic levels of dishonesty on this board.
     
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