What is Your Baseline? - Page 3

Pressing-On · #21 03-11-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzyde

This is becoming more and more of an issue with me. And the inconsistencies are HUGE. Especially since it is very clear to me that most of the times, the variations that are seen clearly lead back to personal preference.

I am not totally opposed (so far) to a pastor setting up a code of "standards" for his particular church, as long as it is made clear that these are guidelines and not scriptural mandates (in the instances where they are not.)

However, it is becoming harder for me to swallow this concept when I see so many times that the guidelins that different pastors put forth tie in closely with what their interests and likes are. That speaks to personality, not God led convictions.

Case in point: we had a speaker at our church last week who, for the most part I didn't hate...

His background is in psychology, and I like to hear those ideas intersecting scripture. BUT, he spent an inordinate amount of time talking about online activity (facebook, forums, twitter, etc.) one of the nights.

I understand clearly the dangers of these pursuits, that is one of the reasons that I limit my time on the computer on nights and weekends, so that I can spend time cultivating my "real" life. His take on it though was basically that it is all bad and we should spend our times with our families and God. Great concept, except we all have different lives, and different circumstances.

The biggest sticking point for me was that he is several generations ahead of me and it obviously wasn't his idea of a good time. That doesn't really jive with me, and when you are supposed to be spending time as a minister leading me in spiritual matters, I'm not really interested in hearing your personal opinions...

That is just one instance of what I am talking about, and I am more and more coming to the point in my walk with God that if you cannot show me the principle in scripture or at the very least, the idea leading your principle in scripture, I don't really have that much interest in what you are saying.

Blast away!

Preach!!!!!!!

*AQuietPlace* · #22 03-11-2010, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzyde

This is becoming more and more of an issue with me. And the inconsistencies are HUGE. Especially since it is very clear to me that most of the times, the variations that are seen clearly lead back to personal preference.

I am not totally opposed (so far) to a pastor setting up a code of "standards" for his particular church, as long as it is made clear that these are guidelines and not scriptural mandates (in the instances where they are not.)

However, it is becoming harder for me to swallow this concept when I see so many times that the guidelins that different pastors put forth tie in closely with what their interests and likes are. That speaks to personality, not God led convictions.

Case in point: we had a speaker at our church last week who, for the most part I didn't hate...

His background is in psychology, and I like to hear those ideas intersecting scripture. BUT, he spent an inordinate amount of time talking about online activity (facebook, forums, twitter, etc.) one of the nights.

I understand clearly the dangers of these pursuits, that is one of the reasons that I limit my time on the computer on nights and weekends, so that I can spend time cultivating my "real" life. His take on it though was basically that it is all bad and we should spend our times with our families and God. Great concept, except we all have different lives, and different circumstances.

The biggest sticking point for me was that he is several generations ahead of me and it obviously wasn't his idea of a good time. That doesn't really jive with me, and when you are supposed to be spending time as a minister leading me in spiritual matters, I'm not really interested in hearing your personal opinions...

That is just one instance of what I am talking about, and I am more and more coming to the point in my walk with God that if you cannot show me the principle in scripture or at the very least, the idea leading your principle in scripture, I don't really have that much interest in what you are saying.

Blast away!

No blasting - I agree with you.

*AQuietPlace* · #23 03-11-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works

What "scripture" was he referring to here?

dizzyde · #24 03-11-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Great post!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron1710

Hear, hear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Preach!!!!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

No blasting - I agree with you.

Thanks guys!!

dizzyde · #25 03-11-2010, 04:35 PM

The other point that keeps popping into my head, so I am going to go ahead and write it down; It drives me bonkers that when you (insert, anyone) get to this point and start asking questions and wanting accountability and consistency, all of the sudden you are wanting to "compromise" and "trying to find out how little you can do to get to heaven."

If that is the best that you can come up with when asked serious questions, I.... well, I really do not understand it and actually have a huge problem with it.

Asking for legitimate reasons and answers for why things are the way they are, is not a huge leap in "working out your salvation with fear and trembling" IMO.

As my daughter would say.."weak sauce."

BeenThinkin · #26 03-11-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dizzyde

The other point that keeps popping into my head, so I am going to go ahead and write it down; It drives me bonkers that when you (insert, anyone) get to this point and start asking questions and wanting accountability and consistency, all of the sudden you are wanting to "compromise" and "trying to find out how little you can do to get to heaven."

If that is the best that you can come up with when asked serious questions, I.... well, I really do not understand it and actually have a huge problem with it.

Asking for legitimate reasons and answers for why things are the way they are, is not a huge leap in "working out your salvation with fear and trembling" IMO.

As my daughter would say.."weak sauce."

dizzyde... don't know you, .... but you don't sound "dizzy" to me!

BeenThinkin

dizzyde · #27 03-11-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

dizzyde... don't know you, .... but you don't sound "dizzy" to me!

BeenThinkin

LOL, just hang around a while longer, it will all become clear! Seriously, I can be a little goofy!

As far as not knowing me, well, I wouldn't take any bets on that either. The longer that I am on this forum, the more times that it turns out that I actually DO know some of these people, or at least their family or friends, it is kind of crazy! The world is very, very small especially when it it comes to the Apostolic/post Apostolic world!

mizpeh · #28 03-11-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Anglin

Amen!

Mizpeh, what of the idea that "the letter killeth?" How does that kosher with this passage?

I can tell you how my pastor teaches it. He teaches we need the Spirit and the word. If we live only by the word we will dry up and if we live only by the Spirit, we will blow up. We need the balance.

I agree with my pastor! If it's all about keeping the rules and knowing the scriptures and not a relationship with God, we dry up. IMO, the Spirit gives understanding of his word and more importantly, guides us in having right attitudes. The presence and personal guiding of the Spirit of God in the lives of his children enrich this walk. To try to do it on our own is a recipe for failure. Romans 7 + 8