Well, as with everything else, balance is a matter of perspective. Which is why I tend to stay away from these discussions, for reasons that I have previously stated.
That being said, I probably could get the file and post it, but I am not sure how that works within the copyright laws and I CERTAINLY don't want to break any rules. Maybe someone who knows more than I do could enlighten me to the legalities of that?
No violation with author's permission, unless he sold rights to the Herald in which case it would be prudent to get their written permission beforehand.
No violation with author's permission, unless he sold rights to the Herald in which case it would be prudent to get their written permission beforehand.
Thanks JG, I knew I could count on one of you smart guys! I'll have to work on the authors permission thing, I don't think any rights were sold, it isn't that big of a deal (I don't think)...
No, I did not. I was asking Pastor Poster how he defined balance (given that I hadn't seen the issue) and didn't know if it was the normal stuff about standards or if there was a mixture of issues pertaining to the heart.
I am unaware that anything but the status quo has been allowed in the Herald for many years now.
My post about the Texas Chronicle had to do with being linked to polygamists not about how the pastor responded.
I probably shouldn't be posting now that I am here so infrequently. My posts may come across too harshly because there hasn't been time for positive and/or fluffy ones to balance what I take issue with.
Hope the Hoover family continues to be blessed.... You all are wonderful!
Quote:
Originally Posted by CC1
Newman,
I for one am thrilled to see you posting. I have really missed your intellect and writing ability on here.
CC1, Amen! She has been an inspiration to me. I find it interesting that she does not fit the typical "liberal" mold.
So Newman, please do stop by more often, I enjoy your contribution and Bro Devito needs a sparring partner!
PS I also miss seeing others - like Advocate4veracity and Thirdgeneration
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
Biblical Standards or Personal Preferences?
By Ron Mullings
When we look at the subject of holiness, the first requisite is that we understand it is not optional. The scripture is very specific when it commands us to be holy. (Romans 12:1, Psalms 29:2) Our holiness is to accomplish two things. It first separates us into God as detailed in Romans 12:1 and Ephesians 1:4. It then serves to witness to God’s life changing power to those that are without. (Hebrews 12:4 and Matthew 5:16) This is reinforced in God’s conversation with Samuel while choosing a new king. In 1Samuel 16:7, he says although God looks on the heart, man can only see the outward and since it is man that is our mission field this scripture underscores the importance of an outward witness.
In the pursuit of holiness, the New Testament provides us with basic standards of conduct that should be regarded as the minimum. We are not granted the privilege to pick or choose which to believe. Beyond those minimum commands the scriptures then tell us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12 KJV) In this quest God searches the heart of every man, discerning those aspects of each life where things are present that could impede their spiritual health. God uses His findings to give those individuals “conviction.” These become very relevant to your personal walk with God. “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.” (1 John 3:20 KJV) This is illustrated by the rich young ruler. Jesus discerned something in his heart regarding wealth. The result was the “conviction” to sell all he had and give to the poor. There was not a blanket commandment. He did not tell this to Nicodemas or Zacheaus. It was for the young man. The danger is that these “convicting” experiences with God are so powerful that is easy to begin to feel they must apply to everyone. Very probably if we could call the young ruler back today and ask him what a man must do to be saved, he would tell us to sell all we had and give to the poor. He would be wrong. That is not our “conviction,” it was his.
It is the devil’s business to disunite. I must guard against the temptation to place my “conviction” on a level with the eternally settled word of God. That was Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees. They taught as “doctrine” the commandments of men. They put their convictions on the same level as scripture. I have no more right to demand my brother embrace my “conviction” than he does to demand the same of me. My “convictions” are not only good, they are essential to “my salvation.” The important thing is to realize that God gave the “conviction” to meet a need in my life. I am privileged to take a stronger personal position than the scriptures require but I am not permitted to take a lesser one. While I should never be apologetic for my “conviction” I must guard against the temptations to judge my brother by them.
Biblical Standards or Personal Preferences?
By Ron Mullings
When we look at the subject of holiness, the first requisite is that we understand it is not optional. The scripture is very specific when it commands us to be holy. (Romans 12:1, Psalms 29:2) Our holiness is to accomplish two things. It first separates us into God as detailed in Romans 12:1 and Ephesians 1:4. It then serves to witness to God’s life changing power to those that are without. (Hebrews 12:4 and Matthew 5:16) This is reinforced in God’s conversation with Samuel while choosing a new king. In 1Samuel 16:7, he says although God looks on the heart, man can only see the outward and since it is man that is our mission field this scripture underscores the importance of an outward witness.
In the pursuit of holiness, the New Testament provides us with basic standards of conduct that should be regarded as the minimum. We are not granted the privilege to pick or choose which to believe. Beyond those minimum commands the scriptures then tell us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12 KJV) In this quest God searches the heart of every man, discerning those aspects of each life where things are present that could impede their spiritual health. God uses His findings to give those individuals “conviction.” These become very relevant to your personal walk with God. “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.” (1 John 3:20 KJV) This is illustrated by the rich young ruler. Jesus discerned something in his heart regarding wealth. The result was the “conviction” to sell all he had and give to the poor. There was not a blanket commandment. He did not tell this to Nicodemas or Zacheaus. It was for the young man. The danger is that these “convicting” experiences with God are so powerful that is easy to begin to feel they must apply to everyone. Very probably if we could call the young ruler back today and ask him what a man must do to be saved, he would tell us to sell all we had and give to the poor. He would be wrong. That is not our “conviction,” it was his.
It is the devil’s business to disunite. I must guard against the temptation to place my “conviction” on a level with the eternally settled word of God. That was Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees. They taught as “doctrine” the commandments of men. They put their convictions on the same level as scripture. I have no more right to demand my brother embrace my “conviction” than he does to demand the same of me. My “convictions” are not only good, they are essential to “my salvation.” The important thing is to realize that God gave the “conviction” to meet a need in my life. I am privileged to take a stronger personal position than the scriptures require but I am not permitted to take a lesser one. While I should never be apologetic for my “conviction” I must guard against the temptations to judge my brother by them.
**This is not an attack on Bro. Mullings, I have nothing but good things to say about him.**
The bolded part is what I wish to address. I have no idea what Hebrews 12:4 has to do with outward standards, maybe someone can enlighten me on this. Maybe it was a typo. The next verse, Matthew 5:16 talks about letting our light shine through our works. I don't know how we get to holiness dress standards from this verse. (Yes I am assuming that is what is meant because of the next verse that is used about outward appearances)
The main verse being used is I Samuel 16:7, where Samuel is told man looks on the outward and god on the inward. This verse is turned on its ear to mean that man is right for looking on the outward and we should accommodate that with a peculiar style of dress, because after all that’s who we are reaching for. The entire second pillar of "to witness to God’s life changing power to those that are without" is based on an assumption that the current dress standards somehow show God’s life changing power. If I am a sinner and I see someone who dresses a certain way, yes I do make judgments about them, but this is based on my views of society. Do I see the FLDS ladies and think, “oh wow they are holy I want to be like them.” No, I think they are a little whacky however they dress and their throwback dresses only multiply it.
We don’t reach the world by the way we dress. Jesus said if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me John 12:32. the most important way to show the world that we belong to Jesus is if we have love one for another. John 13:35
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." It's not in the dress it's in the conduct.
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