My wife and I are in the midst of downsizing as we will be moving to a smaller place soon. Today I ran across a short piece I wrote on June 8th, 1978:
Christianity is not a religion where all my questions must have answers set in concrete. Rather Christianity is a base from which I can venture forth with my questions, doubts and dissatisfaction's in search of Him and eternal truth. I do not have to be satisfied with things as they are.
It is much better to honestly doubt and to be a pilgrim on the journey than to be a pious and smug person full of self-assurance. For as such stuff as doubt coupled with search is a deeper knowledge of God possible. The eternal search for the eternal.
Christianity is not .......
Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by Crabtownboy, Aug 20, 2014.
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
So you don't think assurance comes from the Holy Spirit ? Of course you don't. You most likely think those who obey the bible do it out of ignorance.
Your post is nothing but an excuse hid behind pseudo-intellectualism to doubt scripture, and look down your nose at those who don't. You are definitely the pious, and smug one. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
What does that even mean that Christianity is not about concrete answers? Hey! I have something contrete for ya:
Act_4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
There is no greater concrete propositional truth than that one right there. That is a truth and a set standard by which all men must and will answer too. It is in fact what Christianity is all about.
Anyone who wants to believe that Christianity is all about a journey and not about the set concrete propositional truths that determine what Christianity is are liberals and an apostate. Doubting the relevance and the need for the word of God and its concrete propositional truths is the exact opposite of what Jesus said:
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If you want to be free stop focusing on the journey and start focusing on the word of God. The hyper focus on the so called "journey" will only pull you away from God and His word. -
You all are piling on unfairly. CTB never said he doubts scripture and I believe he would say the Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God. And RevM, I will guarantee you are not at the same level of maturity you were when you first became a Christian. One day you are a rank sinner, next day you are a fully mature Christian. You know that’s not the way it works. Either of you go back to 1978, which is when CTB wrote this, and compare your 1978 selves with today. If you don’t think you’ve been on a journey you are either a fool or a liar.
And something else, not all of life's answers are found in the Bible. If they were we wouldn't have discussion and debate boards such as this. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
You're wrong. In fact the op questions the authority of scripture and whether or not we actually need it.
If you think that the op is simply about growing as a Christian than you do not know what you are talking about. I have had these conversations. When we refuse set propositional truths and lift up the "journey" which is code word for "I cannot know anything for sure and neither can you and don't you insist to me otherwise".
It is the purest form of liberalism and it is ungodly. -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Your interpretation of the OP is completely in error.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
So if you are going to talk about how we disagree then you need to include the level of the issue being disagreed over. Do not try to paint my disagreement as being this strong every time I disagree with anyone. It is just not honest.
If you were in my church and tried to use the language in the op that trivializes scripture and in fact almost dismisses its relevance then I can assure you, that you would not last here. This church like many stand very strong on the need and the relevance of the word of God. Trying to down play its importance to the Christian walk is not tolerated. That is as it should be.
Paul wrote to young Timothy:
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
And that is what we are seeing in the op. Our response to this thing is to preach the word, not go on a journey.
Our response to this type of teaching in the church is to put them out of the church.
You go ahead and stand by your journey. I will stand by the word of God. -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
It is baffling to me that Rev M says the OP is about scripture. It isn't. Scripture isn't mentioned. The OP is about Christianity being a base where a person can journey forward finding a deeper understanding of God. It is a safe base from which to complete a person's journey inward and also that person's journey outward. It is a safe base from which to conduct a person's life Scripture certainly is a big part of that journey as is the Holy Spirit. It is a safe base from which to ask questions, to read, to pray, to meditate, from which to grow into maturity in Christ, to grow into the person that God intended us to be.
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InTheLight Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Replace the phrase "a safe base" with "the only base" and I can agree with you.
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Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
There are other bases that people rest their lives upon, such as materialism, a particular political philosophy, a particular economic philosophy, etc. But those are false bases upon which to base one's life.
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Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
There's also the false base of "New Insights" that contradict the word of God.
If I am truly in error on how I read your O/P, then please, tell me how it differs from your signature line and I'll apologize. -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Do you agree that as we grow, study, pray, read scripture, submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit that God shows us new truths, new insights ... truths that we would not have understood when we were younger and more immature? -
Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter
I don't believe in new insights period. And I don't believe the Holy Spirit reveals to us anything contradictory to scripture.
Why do you use the word "insights" instead of "revelations" ? Does God tell you things he doesn't tell others ? -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
But contradict scripture according to whose interpretation? What language? What translation?
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Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>Site Supporter