Serendiptious Effects

[TrmptPraise]

Let me just preface this with a couple of thoughts. I want it perfectly clear that I am not posting these thoughts out of malice or anger. These emotions are the farthest from my heart as I type this. This post may offend some and for that, please accept my extended virtual arm as an olive branch. If you take the time to read this entire post, God bless you.

I have heard the argument made that no one would possibly change their mind or reform their beliefs due to a forum post or thread. In simple review of that statement, I can concede initially that should be the case. But we must admit that we now live in a world in which the predominately most powerful tool used to gather information is where we are abiding right now, the internet. People are searching for information; people are seeking answers. And we here on AFF are just one portal out of millions that someone may stumble across. Does that make us insignificant? Does that make our opinions and arguments for certain beliefs, established or otherwise, have less weight. I think not. If one person’s faith is uplifted or conversely, undermined by a word or statement, how monumental is that influence?

I have been troubled in the last few days, as I have observed people asking genuine questions regarding certain beliefs, “traditions” or “standards.” You can place your own word there if you feel those are inappropriate. Then I see a rush of posters eager to weigh in with their opinion, either for or against the issue. I have been guilty of this myself. I have been convicted of it. This may surprise some because I usually stand on the more conservative or hard line of things, but most would be equally surprised that I hold some moderate views on issues as well.

God has burdened me with this thought: If I sway someone to a point of view that I feel absolutely biblically correct in, and it shatters their faith in not just their view on that issue, but causes them to question multiple things from whence they received their teaching and instruction, have I done the right thing? If my interpretation of scripture causes someone to review their stance on a certain standard that they have followed by tradition or admonition from another, is it possible that I have caused them to question not just peripheral issues of their upbringing and learning, but also influenced them to look at the core of their beliefs because I provoked in them new thinking? Is it valid that I could debate something that is not salvational and cause someone to lose their soul?

God forgive me if I have ever done so. God forgive me if I ever point someone in the wrong direction by arguing my personal convictions. I realize that this may go against some of “usual” ways we go about discussing issues here, but I have laid my heart out today thinking about this and wept as I have typed. I am disturbed when I see us, as a body of believers in the revelation of Jesus Christ, point those to articles whose content chooses to destroy a belief, however correct we may think it to be, but those who are asking for the info run to it for confirmation. I am concerned when we point people to websites that have no edifying qualities for the body, but rather give examples of how the faithful have been trampled or abused. These areas that we point people into may even be factually correct, but ultimately spiritually demoralizing.

So, there you have it. I am not sure how this will be received here. I am certainly not a “top” poster here. I may be chastised or some may want to put my head on the chopping block. Whether you and I see eye to eye on everything from cut hair to clear nail polish; whether we are miles apart on TV to tube tops, I hope that I can always remember that we are leading people to Christ and His likeness and not our own.

[berkeley]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Kudos

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by TrmptPraise

Let me just preface this with a couple of thoughts. I want it perfectly clear that I am not posting these thoughts out of malice or anger. These emotions are the farthest from my heart as I type this. This post may offend some and for that, please accept my extended virtual arm as an olive branch. If you take the time to read this entire post, God bless you.

I have heard the argument made that no one would possibly change their mind or reform their beliefs due to a forum post or thread. In simple review of that statement, I can concede initially that should be the case. But we must admit that we now live in a world in which the predominately most powerful tool used to gather information is where we are abiding right now, the internet. People are searching for information; people are seeking answers. And we here on AFF are just one portal out of millions that someone may stumble across. Does that make us insignificant? Does that make our opinions and arguments for certain beliefs, established or otherwise, have less weight. I think not. If one person’s faith is uplifted or conversely, undermined by a word or statement, how monumental is that influence?

I have been troubled in the last few days, as I have about people asking genuine questions regarding certain beliefs, “traditions” or “standards.” You can place your own word there if you feel those are inappropriate. Then I see a rush of posters eager to weigh in with their opinion, either for or against the issue. I have been guilty of this myself. I have been convicted of it. This may surprise some because I usually stand on the more conservative or hard line of things, but most would be equally surprised that I hold some moderate views on issues as well.

God has burdened me with this thought: If I sway someone to a point of view that I feel absolutely biblically correct in, and it shatters their faith in not just their view on that issue, but causes them to question multiple things from whence they received their teaching and instruction, have I done the right thing? If my interpretation of scripture causes someone to review their stance on a certain standard that they have followed by tradition or admonition from another, is it possible that I have caused them to question not just peripheral issues of their upbringing and learning, but also influenced them to look at the core of their beliefs because I provoked in them new thinking? Is it valid that I could debate something that is not salvational and cause someone to lose their soul?

God forgive me if I have ever done so. God forgive me if I ever point someone in the wrong direction by arguing my personal convictions. I realize that this may go against some of “usual” ways we go about discussing issues here, but I have laid my heart out today thinking about this and wept as I have typed. I am disturbed when I see us, as a body of believers in the revelation of Jesus Christ, point those to articles whose content chooses to destroy a belief, however correct we may think it to be, but those who are asking for the info run to it for confirmation. I am concerned when we point people to websites that have no edifying qualities for the body, but rather give examples of how the faithful have been trampled or abused. These areas that we point people into may even be factually correct, but ultimately spiritually demoralizing.

So, there you have it. I am not sure how this will be received here. I am certainly not a “top” poster here. I may be chastised or some may want to put my head on the chopping block. Whether you and I see eye to eye on everything from cut hair to clear nail polish; whether we are miles apart on TV to tube tops, I hope that I can always remember that we are leading people to Christ and his likeness and not our own.

Great post, and I recieve it fully.

It is not just on the internet - but everywhere in every place that we must show Christ. We have no clue who is watching our words and deeds.

"Is it valid that I could debate something that is not salvational and cause someone to lose their soul?"

I think it is highly unlikely. While they may move away from their former positions, we really have no way of knowing their state in Christ prior to them inquiring and debating.

The one thing we do not need to discourage is critical thinking. We have a dire need for Christians who are willing to move beyond their feelings (which are very often unreliable) and reason with God given intellect.

[Sweet Pea]

Thanks, TrmptPraise! - Great post!

[ManOfWord]

I believe it is true that we must be careful how we influence others. But there is a ditch on both sides of the road. For, me, the most dangerous thing there is in regards to the word is requiring something of someone FOR salvation that God does NOT require. I personally believe that is heresy of the worst kind.

There is nothing wrong with personal convictions. We all have them and we all have standards in our lives which we live by. But the real danger is requiring something of God's people that He does not require. I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with an Ultra-Con living out an Ultra-Con lifestyle. More power to them!!! But when they state that it is required for salvation, then I have a problem with it. I fully and completely respect someone with "strict" standards. But when they try to state that I MUST do the same or I am going to hell, then I have a real problem with that, and I believe God does as well.

When we tell people that unless they speak with tongues, they are going to hell, I believe that grieves the heart of God. Speaking in tongues is a biblical experience promised to ALL, but when we state that we have to flap our lips to escape the flames of hell, I believe that is heresy.

So, yes, we must be careful, but we also need to be careful about what we're careful about!

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by TrmptPraise

Let me just preface this with a couple of thoughts. I want it perfectly clear that I am not posting these thoughts out of malice or anger. These emotions are the farthest from my heart as I type this. This post may offend some and for that, please accept my extended virtual arm as an olive branch. If you take the time to read this entire post, God bless you.

I have heard the argument made that no one would possibly change their mind or reform their beliefs due to a forum post or thread. In simple review of that statement, I can concede initially that should be the case. But we must admit that we now live in a world in which the predominately most powerful tool used to gather information is where we are abiding right now, the internet. People are searching for information; people are seeking answers. And we here on AFF are just one portal out of millions that someone may stumble across. Does that make us insignificant? Does that make our opinions and arguments for certain beliefs, established or otherwise, have less weight. I think not. If one person’s faith is uplifted or conversely, undermined by a word or statement, how monumental is that influence?

I have been troubled in the last few days, as I have observed people asking genuine questions regarding certain beliefs, “traditions” or “standards.” You can place your own word there if you feel those are inappropriate. Then I see a rush of posters eager to weigh in with their opinion, either for or against the issue. I have been guilty of this myself. I have been convicted of it. This may surprise some because I usually stand on the more conservative or hard line of things, but most would be equally surprised that I hold some moderate views on issues as well.

God has burdened me with this thought: If I sway someone to a point of view that I feel absolutely biblically correct in, and it shatters their faith in not just their view on that issue, but causes them to question multiple things from whence they received their teaching and instruction, have I done the right thing? If my interpretation of scripture causes someone to review their stance on a certain standard that they have followed by tradition or admonition from another, is it possible that I have caused them to question not just peripheral issues of their upbringing and learning, but also influenced them to look at the core of their beliefs because I provoked in them new thinking? Is it valid that I could debate something that is not salvational and cause someone to lose their soul?

God forgive me if I have ever done so. God forgive me if I ever point someone in the wrong direction by arguing my personal convictions. I realize that this may go against some of “usual” ways we go about discussing issues here, but I have laid my heart out today thinking about this and wept as I have typed. I am disturbed when I see us, as a body of believers in the revelation of Jesus Christ, point those to articles whose content chooses to destroy a belief, however correct we may think it to be, but those who are asking for the info run to it for confirmation. I am concerned when we point people to websites that have no edifying qualities for the body, but rather give examples of how the faithful have been trampled or abused. These areas that we point people into may even be factually correct, but ultimately spiritually demoralizing.

So, there you have it. I am not sure how this will be received here. I am certainly not a “top” poster here. I may be chastised or some may want to put my head on the chopping block. Whether you and I see eye to eye on everything from cut hair to clear nail polish; whether we are miles apart on TV to tube tops, I hope that I can always remember that we are leading people to Christ and His likeness and not our own.

I appreciate your heart T-praise. I'd have to agree with what MOW posted.

and would also point out the highlighted part of your post.

Are you saying we should not leadi people to factuaL correctness in scripture. Just let them continue to wander in false doctrine,so that they can continueto know Jesus the way they know him???

[TrmptPraise]

Originally Posted by freeatlast

I appreciate your heart T-praise. I'd have to agree with what MOW posted.

and would also point out the highlighted part of your post.

Are you saying we should not leadi people to factuaL correctness in scripture. Just let them continue to wander in false doctrine,so that they can continueto know Jesus the way they know him???

I am not saying that doctrinally, we do not have the responsibility to point people in the right direction. What I meant was that though the failure of a particular person or church may be factually correct, we may not be edifying a person's (and certainly not encouraging) faith by directing them to a place of reference that intends strictly to point out those failures.

[A_PoMo]

I understand and appreciate your concern. I am inspired by your honesty and your integrity. But if a person has questions about stuff then perhaps God is leading them and we're part of the 'watering' process. It's not as if we're accosting them at the doorway of the church, or at the altar and trying to push stuff on them. If it's something they're thinking about already and they took the time to find the site and type in the question then I don't have a problem dialoging w/them. I do agree that we should be reasonable and not be overly aggressive. After all, most of it is Christian liberty stuff and much of that is determined by individual conscience more than it is anything else, imo. So I don't have prob w/people giving their opinions and let the people chew on it. JMO.

[TrmptPraise]

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

I understand and appreciate your concern. I am inspired by your honesty and your integrity. But if a person has questions about stuff then perhaps God is leading them and we're part of the 'watering' process. It's not as if we're accosting them at the doorway of the church, or at the altar and trying to push stuff on them. If it's something they're thinking about already and they took the time to find the site and type in the question then I don't have a problem dialoging w/them. I do agree that we should be reasonable and not be overly aggressive. After all, most of it is Christian liberty stuff and much of that is determined by individual conscience more than it is anything else, imo. So I don't have prob w/people giving their opinions and let the people chew on it. JMO.

Thanks for you kind words. I agree. I am not discouraging conversations that may include, "This is what I believe and why." Its more of, "This is what YOU should believe and why." Then we point them in a direction that truly is not a faith builder. This could be the case when talking to a established individual or one who has just found God.

[A_PoMo]

Originally Posted by TrmptPraise

Thanks for you kind words. I agree. I am not discouraging conversations that may include, "This is what I believe and why." Its more of, "This is what YOU should believe and why." Then we point them in a direction that truly is not a faith builder. This could be the case when talking to a established individual or one who has just found God.

Ya, I hear ya. In these cases it's mostly and individual matter and what's right for one isn't necessarily right for the other. Each should be led by the Holy Spirit.

I like your attitude. I think we can be friends.