I know a week is a long time in blogging, but every now and then, especially after a few heated debates, we probably ought to clear the air and show a little Christian brotherhood by actually being friendly on an entire thread.
I’m not sure how you want to approach this, or even if you think it’s a good idea, but to start things off I’d like to say how much I appreciate the passion of people who comment here on a regular basis.
Maybe you could come up with some Scripture which is positive towards people, or a kind word given in a heartfelt way.
Who knows, it might even catch on as a Christian principle!
So, I hope you and your families are all well and you will all prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers.
Signposts 02 
haha. What brought this on?
Anyway. like that last scripture!
The nature of my posts will change from now on.
One thing that has caused it is the super radical, groundbreaking concept that everyone thinks they are right. So disagreeing in a harsh way will probably just make them more determined to prove themselves right and you wrong.
How did I come up with this startling revelation? My wife.
How come you two editors haven’t commented on the big religious news.
The pope stating atheists can go to heaven.
I’ll put a positive spin on it (showing how conciliatory and open hearted I can be).
He said that if they can’t believe they can enter heaven by living according to their conscience. (I think that’s the gist of what he said – correct me if I’m wrong)
The positive side is, perhaps there will be those who come to Christ after realizing that with all their good intentions, they haven’t been able to live according to their own principles.
(I think that’s the heart of problem for every honest man – we can’t live up to even our own standards, let alone societies or an ancient biblical code).
The question for the Pope is whether he thinks a person who deliberately ignores his won conscience and honestly decides to be evil for the heck of it and rebel against any concept of goodness and fairness (religious or humanistic) will go to heaven.
btw I like the old John Wimber when complimented too much. “I7m just a fat man who wants to go to heaven”.
Anyway, good post. Nice is nice.
I think this is a very nice post
Just noticed that it was Steve’s post….
I thought it was Gregs!
Good lord no, I’ll never promote being nice to each other!
When you look at the Early Church, it would be just the same if they had the technology.
Peter would be calling Paul, dopey.
Barnabas would sulk off after being offended by Paul and threaten to have nothing more to do with S02.
The Judaizers would be there telling them to do it their way or else no way.
Paul would be telling everyone else they were wrong.
Matthew would be taking scripture out of context.
Thomas would be the doubting Wazza type.
John the Seer would be on some sort of weed which Ian William’s smokes and having his posts edited by Peter and Paul.
I bags being Peter
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Cor 1:10-13)
“Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men. And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” (John 2:23-25)
Also though: http://www.honorofkings.org/transcending-cult-nice/
@Bones Excellent comment.
Except for your disgraceful attack on Matty.
There are astonishing numbers of Christians who get on really well with each other. I don’t think ‘discernment’ blogs are typical of the Body by a very long stretch.
I think its an honour to discuss all these issues with you guys. I think you are all deep thinking and passionate people who really want to bring your understanding in line with God.
I appreciate the combative nature of some of the discussions too. Thats something I liked about the original Signposts and how its continued here. I dont think this is a ‘discernment’ blog as such – it has evolved more into a Conservative-Progressive Christian discussion.
How come you two editors haven’t commented on the big religious news.
The pope stating atheists can go to heaven.
I like atheists.
I think God created them for a reason.
Do you think God’s nice?
“There are astonishing numbers of Christians who get on really well with each other. I don’t think ‘discernment’ blogs are typical of the Body by a very long stretch.”
To be honest I have not seen any more ‘disagreements’ or falling out in comments on discernment blogs than anywhere else.
This seems a little like scapegoating discernment blogs which may not have flourished to the extent that they have were it not for the number of Christians who are blatantly distorting and/or subtly tweaking the gospel of Jesus Christ to create their own versions. Hence there are upwards of 40,000 denominations when there is supposed to be one fold and one shepherd.
Watch God TV and look at the viewing figures and it’s pretty evident that Christians do need to cultivate more discernment and what better to help them do that than discernment blogs?
Were we told not to say anything when we see people “Heaping up teachers to tickle their ears….”. What about the watchman on the wall?
When looking up Bible passages for an article “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing” it was very easy to fill seven pages, much of it from the Old Testament. I realised I couldn’t possibly have put it better than God had, so the article is just that, seven pages of KJV scripture on the subject. And when read together it is very telling too. It doesn’t need to be re-told or put another way.
True to say though that in an ideal world, Instead of arguing amongst ourselves, surely it is our duty to study what God has said on the matter and aim to settle with that?
Bones, I love how nice God is…God does lots of nice stuff; and I do love stuff!
Wazza, I agree, I love the combatant nature of this blog, and I would hardly call our little community a discernment blog either.
I have a deep respect for Steve and his love for and respect of the scriptures. Q is also a very thoughtful and thought provoking commenter.
I love Bones’ way of thinking, and yours too wazza. I do think the 5 of us would get on and be good friends were we in one church together. Obviously we wouldn’t be able to let Steve preach, he’d frighten the newbies away. I couldn’t preach either as I’d offend the faithful long term members of our church. Q couldn’t preach as he’d turn the gay members into a crazed rabble out to murder us all.
If we could all agree on having love as the frame for all our words and actions, this blog, and the entire world would be a much better place.
Hi TiR, you’ve commenter twice now…that makes you a member of our community! Welcome.
I agree with your comments about watchmen and tickling-ear-preachers. I feel however that the greater majority of do called ‘discernmen’ blogs are simply un-Christian, and un-loving excuses for narrow minded vitriol.
“Q couldn’t preach as he’d turn the gay members into a crazed rabble out to murder us all.”
I” probably get on better with gay people than anyone. Just don’t believe in gay marriage. But neither did most gay people a few years back either.
I never really talked about gay people or gayness or homosexual sexual activity until it came that everyday people kept raving on about it.
I think people here make huge assumptions. I don’t believe in Buddhism but have more Buddhist friends and associates than any of you. I don’t believe in people living together and having sex before marriage, but most of the people I know do that. And I get on fine with them.
I don’t even meet many Christians.
As for the 40,000 denominations – a lot of them get on just fine and believe the same things.
As for discernment blogs, they are the guys who can’t stand each other.
And this may not be a discernment blog, but it’s the most critical website I know.
I get along with Catholics, Pentecostals, Baptists – you name it.
I don’t even hate the US and Israel or Murdoch.
so I’m basically – just a fun-loving swell guy…
Actually, I don’t like the combatative nature of this place. Don’t even like arguing. I wish Christians never had a cause to argue about anything.
In theory, I don’t think there should be a need for it at all.
I never really talked about gay people or gayness or homosexual sexual activity until it came that everyday people kept raving on about it.
I never really talked about it all.
It’s just that everyday Christians keep raving about the ‘gay agenda’.
Thank you Greg.
Actually I really like the tone of the debate here which is informed and intelligent and neither too angry nor too bland. In fact I would say it is the best I have come across so far.
I believe it’s a sign of immaturity and other things we don’t want when people ‘fight dirty’ or slam others for discussing at all, which naturally could get heated – and are we not sinful? – which surely ought to be healthy and a helpful way to help people arrive at the truth?
God has said it best again: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” (1 Peter 3:15)
I’m off to finish reading the interesting Rick Warren post and comments…. I can’t believe that they changed the Lord’s Prayer to include one of THE best known occult expressions “As above, so below.” Astonishing, but does confirm what I have found out about Bible versions, some of which is shocking. The more I find out about the 250+ versions in the last 130 years, the more I think they ought to be avoided like the plague. Anyway I’m typing up what he said in the video and it’s turned out to be interesting. I will post it as a comment.
Truth in Reality, do you read Greek, Hebrew or Aramaic?
Well my third great grandfather was a professional Hebrew Arabic interpreter, but as for me, school French and the
I dread to think what’s coming next…
But go on, do your worst…
Unleash the hounds!!
I don’t know what happened to the rest of that sentence (I am doing about five things at once at the mo) which was after school French then I learnt Spanish, got the French and Spanish confused and gave up with either….
Milton Green – a humble carpet cleaner – was known to say in his sermons: “What is the Greek for… (using an example) falling away?” And the audience would shout in one accord: “Falling Away!”
Milton although not really educated was quite witty with good timing and would come out with quips such as: “Were all Greeks saved?”
I know it is useful to know the translation sometimes, such as “avodah” being the Hebrew word for work and worship which connects to “serving” – then who are we serving (working for, worshipping) as the Bible talks about different types of “avodah.”
Everyday raving about the gay agenda?
Not sure who you’re listening to.
btw where is our Kiwi friend?
I kept deleting his posts so i think he’s pissed off. I got sick to death of his rambling on with bullshit everytime he posted
Greg, I think it’s normal for people to be upset if their posts are deleted.
I’m about the only person I know who doesn’t care.
Which means I have no self-esteem perhaps?
Or am smart enough to know that my posts aren’t very good…?
Probably both.
(btw, I won’t be fighting anyone here anymore over anything so I’m not having a go at ya). Just that maybe letting posts stand isn’t such a bad idea.
If you think about it, if posts are really that bad if you leave them stand then everyone will see how ridiculous they are and it will make you look smarter.
I liked his rambling.
Maybe in all the rambling there will be a gem?
I have a soft spot for eccentric people.
Hmmm…Q, you’re too nice.
Let’s continue this for 70 weeks..
Which depending on your biblical interpretation could mean different things.