Me and someone have a difference of opinion in a certain area. This person has not really been to any church besides IFB and I am afraid that the Fundamentalist have burdened this person down into thinking things that are not a sin are, etc.. For example when I first went to BJU it was a sin to have a beard, women to wear pants, mix swim, go to movies theaters, and the like. The Fundamentalist would have had a big problem with Ray Comfort and many other Way of the Master evangelists because they have beards, wear shorts when doing evangelism, listen to Contemporary worship, and have fellowship with Southern Baptists, Calvary Chapel, and others..So after having that experience at BJU and in those IFB churches I am confused as to what the "appearance of evil" means because some will bear one with guilt into thinking something is sin when it is not. Oftentimes the Fundamentalist want to play the role of the Holy Spirit in ones life and do not want people to think for themselves or to have a conscience.
This is not saying that the Fundamentalist do not have qualities as they do in certain areas, however they also have a number of weaknesses. But regardless so do we all, including myself. So what do you say?
I am not sure I should bow to their wishes as I am not convinced I am in sin in my situation, nor have I seen hard evidence that I am leading anyone else into sin. Leading one into sin would be doing the following. Drinking a alcoholic beverage and the other person going back to being a drunk, etc.. I am not doing this but this would be leading someone into sin.
While we are concerned with weaker brethren (that's what fundamentalists are) we cannot let them "stupid up" the whole church.
When we are in THEIR territories (their homes, churches, etc...) we abide by their rules- regardless of how dumb and unbiblical they may be.
But otherwise we try to counter that stupidity because stupidity is bondage.
Anybody's rules are stupid and unbiblical if they don't have BIBLE for them.
Hello?
The rules that Evangelist pointed out have no roots in Scripture at all.
So, yes, they are stupid and unbiblical.
Anybody who has the audacity to say that God is against something when God himself has not said he is against it is stupid.
What could be more blasphemous than to think you can speak for God where God has not spoken?
They would give you scriptures to support their opinion on these things (hello!)
Perhaps you should spend some time understanding someones position before just calling them names.
I did not call THEM stupid- I called their thinking along these lines stupid.
A man can be a super genius in many areas of his life and be a total fool in other areas.
So I choose to call ideas stupid- not people.
Perhaps you should read more closely and seek better comprehension before you get all emotional and pick a fight with me.
They don't have Bible for it.
I know.
I used to be one of them.
I have spent countless hours in the fellowship of such people, listening to the preaching of such people, attending their camp meetings and Bible conferences.
Most of them don't even TRY to give Bible for these idiotic standards.
The preachers in these movements are often so arrogant that they think it must be so just because it came out of their mouths.
I try to have Bible, rightly divided, in its context for what I preach.
Im far from emotionally invested you, don't be so high on yourself please.
And they do have Bible verses, someone like Dr. Don Sisk for example would plow through you with scripture on why he sets his church the way it is, plus there are tons of resources on why they stand to the values they stand on. You are free to disagree, but don't mock them for their convictions or the convictions themselves just because you don't happen to like it, its called respect sir. My church doesn't agree with everything on the far side of the fundamentalists but still treating them and their churches with respect is important. You have shown nothing but to mock any belief or conviction that doesn't align with what YOU think is biblical in countless threads. I ask that you please start providing scripture to your claims especially if your going to be going after someone elses convictions, and do it with tact please.
But then perhaps the uncomfortability is self-generated and not Biblical. What if the Fundamentalist were uncomfortable with The Way of the Master and open air preaching? Should I cease from doing it????
I am not sure I would call the Fundamentalist names as they are the weaker brethren. I just spent a bit of time looking at the scripture, reading some Jerry Bridges books, and even he suggests that verses out of context is wrong, and that we must be Bereans. I notice a lack of that attitude and many have the attitude of what the pastor says is what the Bible says, and people are just not Bereans in the church. Many perhaps seem more interested in the pastor and his opinions. I mean all teachers should be tested.
I'll mock their ideas as vociferously as God gives me the ability to do so.
Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal.
Jesus mocked the Pharisees.
I've never even heard of Don Sisk, I reckon.
But if he purports the kind of standards Evangelist outlined in the OP, not only could I, but a CHILD could obliterate him.
Convictions that have no roots in Scripture but pretend to are wicked, Phariseical, vile and evil.
If you'll study Paul, Paul is very patient with weaker brethren who don't go about spewing their ignorance and infecting the rest of the church and world with it.
But Paul is vicious in condemnation of those who are both weak and arrogant and thus DO rather pompously preach their ideals.
This church is not as bad as many IFB ones in SC. However the IFB spirit does exist there, and its noticeable. I need patience.. Trying to reason with the pastor was difficult as he is not willing to look at the views of others, and could not tell me why he is right and evangelicals that disagree are wrong. He cannot answer that question.
And you JUST said you didnt mock them but their convictions and here you are, comparing them to the prophets of baal.
Oh im sure. Your such an intellectual with these amazing responses thus far.
Where are your scriptural references against Fundamentalists? waiting for these.
Them being who? Fundamentalists?
Is this the Love that the "Elect" show others? Is this the Christianity you are showing the unbeliever? All this love, I'm sure they are just DYING to hear more from you.
Im sorry to Evangelist for derailing his thread, Ill leave this part alone at this time and let the OP resume. Im just shocked at the responses given.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9
If you understood the fundamental rules of reading comprehension you would know that the "them" of the latter statement refers to the "convictions" of the previous statement.
I should not have to explain that to someone bold enough to debate on a public forum like this.