One defines tolerance based upon what they have been taught and indoctrinated to be tolerant of. The Pharisees had incredible intolerance but it was due in large part ot being raised and trained in a system that promoted exclusivity in the name of a relationship with God. They had the right God but the wrong approach. When the approach is wrong the relationship with God will never stay right.
Even the most rigid of standards need some tolerance built into them. Doctrine is not a standard. It is a doctrine. Doctrines need not allow for tolerance because they come from God and are set for time and eternity. Lifestyle, practice and interraction really do not rise to the level of doctrine per se, and therefore need tolerances built into them.
Engineers have what they call "acceptable tolerances" built into what they design and manufacture. So long as the tolerance does not endanger the safety of the consumer then it is an acceptable tolerance. So, redefining our tolerances is a good thing. So long as the difference does not endanger the spiritual well-being of the believer then I have a good bit of room for tolerance. But if our differences affect eternity, then the tolerance has left it's acceptable level and I move on for the sake of safety.
Good thoughts there RRFORD!
I think many get confused with the line between doctrine and standard, personal convictions and corporate tolerances.
Would you agree that standards are not necessarily salvationial, but doctrine is?
A body of believers should have individual personal convictions while tolerating others convictions that don't match up as long as it doesn't oppose sound scriptural doctrine.
The Church is not the Church without the Blood, the Water, and The Word. And they all are encompassed in that matchless name of Jesus the Christ. There is no salvation in any other and no other name under heaven that can save us.
I consider myself to live in moderation. Don't want to be extreme to either side of the "political' church spectrum. I like to give a lot of leeway in dealing with others as that is how I want others to deal with me.
__________________
Psa 119:165 (KJV) 165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
"Do not believe everthing you read on the internet" - Abe Lincoln
Sister Sherri
Sad! But what you said is very true. Your post should give us all something to pray about for many days to come.
Raven
I understand Sherri's feelings and the emotions on how & why she feels about this topic, but she either fails to realize or did not mention the fact that many UPCers believe that the things she no longer teaches asre salvational. It is believed that she has turned her back on truth,her roots, and therefore rejecting the people that she is connected with.
Let's face it, it's all very emotional on all sides(understandably).
Strange how it just isn't that easy for some folks, isn't it? Again, I don't think a man that claims to be Apostolic has to believe just like me in various areas... just the major ones like Jesus Name baptism and one God.
Here's a strange thing: We can be friends with a Baptist man or Lutheran woman and never think a thing about being their friend in spite of our vital and distinctive differences... but can't often fellowship people down the road over things so silly as someone having a projector in their Church.
Although there may be a correlation there is no validity to your statement. Liberals, like Conservatives & Moderates, come in all different personality types.
I agree with Steadfast about some things. I do not respect the liberals who use the analogy that they have been delivered from legalism and promote the harrassing of those more conservative for their stand in holiness dress or their dogmaticism on the New Birth experience.
Pianoman knows of two churches in one city in which one has been consistently conservative and the other has had a dramatic change to the liberal side. My only issue with this conservative gone liberal church is that those who uphold a more conservative dress are often left out or teased about their continued adherence to the letter of the law.
One cannot be too holy, but one can be too arrogant and proud. Take the scribes & Pharisees for instance. I'd take the side of the publican and sinner any day and confess that I am a woman who is a sinner and I thank God for his mercy and grace. The one who prays and thanks God he isn't like myself [sinner] is the person I least want to be like.
Blessings,
Rhoni
This is what bothers me. I don't really care what anyone else believes as far as standards go, it doesn't bother me in the least if some believe more strongly, or less strongly than I do when it comes to "standards".
But the mocking that I see on this forum towards those who choose to follow more conservative standards bothers me. I will fight to the end against anyone who would mock or criticize those living a more liberal lifestyle, but I don't see a lot of outrage when you hear the relentless mocking references to hair buns, etc. JMHO
This is what bothers me. I don't really care what anyone else believes as far as standards go, it doesn't bother me in the least if some believe more strongly, or less strongly than I do when it comes to "standards".
But the mocking that I see on this forum towards those who choose to follow more conservative standards bothers me. I will fight to the end against anyone who would mock or criticize those living a more liberal lifestyle, but I don't see a lot of outrage when you hear the relentless mocking references to hair buns, etc. JMHO
This is what bothers me. I don't really care what anyone else believes as far as standards go, it doesn't bother me in the least if some believe more strongly, or less strongly than I do when it comes to "standards".
But the mocking that I see on this forum towards those who choose to follow more conservative standards bothers me. I will fight to the end against anyone who would mock or criticize those living a more liberal lifestyle, but I don't see a lot of outrage when you hear the relentless mocking references to hair buns, etc. JMHO
And you don't hear many of us crying about it when it happens usually.
At times when it has gotten more relentless than I am comfortable with, I have just drifted away for a while.
And you don't hear many of us crying about it when it happens usually.
At times when it has gotten more relentless than I am comfortable with, I have just drifted away for a while.
Well, I agree, I usually don't at least, some do, but usually in such a combative, hateful manner, that it turns me off as much as the original post.
I generally avoid these discussions, because I don't see a whole lot of productivity coming out of them, just a lot of of finger pointing and name calling.
I do appreciate this discussion, I think the ones like these where people are trying to talk things out in love have a lot more impact.
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