I have been discussing some things on Studylight.org forums for several years, went through the transition to the new forums and it is such a great place to study the Bible, bounce thoughts off brothers and sisters in Christ. I had to be so very careful which discussions I entered because some of them went into phaser blast mode where no one would learn anything.
Now, it seems that everyone has an agenda.
Why is that?
Why can't everyone have patience with their siblings in Christ? I do not understand where some people get their interpretations, either. I know we are reading the same Book, but I do not think we are reading the Whole Book and taking into consideration the Whole of Scripture. That must be the case and why we have such a time agreeing.
Some want just the OT without the inconvenience of obeying the commands of Jesus-all 1001 of them.
Some want just the warm fuzzy God, who will let everyone into Heaven just because He is so good and loving.
Some insist that only a very few will get into Heaven because God predestined them.
Some do not know what the resurrection means.
Some do not believe in the Triune God, even though Jesus speaks of the Triune.
Some are content with half-truths.
Some are content with half-lies.
Some would judge rather than love.
I find it very exhausting.
Come Lord Jesus, come quickly and settle this unsettlement.
8 comments:
Oh my dear sister Gina...it does get tiring doesn't it?
I don't miss the bickering of forums and chat rooms. I do miss the opportunity to build up each other in Christ Jesus.
So I may not be around much for the next couple of weeks. The move got pushed up by my hubby's bosses. We pack up the moving truck this weekend and move out.
When I get to Nothern California I will give you a call or email dear sister! Just think, if it was not for Christian forums...I would have never met you, one of my dearest and sweetest sisters in Christ and a wonderful prayer partner!
Sending you a hug and many blessings!
Julianne, I am oh so happy for you. I know that you will be so relieved to get in one place with your family, and everyone being close together again.
I will be praying that all goes well!
I love you very much.
As you likely well know, I understand exactly what you're feeling.
I need to point out, for your sake and others, that there are some dangerous conclusions possible from this perspective.
1. "Since there are so many varying interpretations, all of them are likely right." (Post-modern)
2. "Since there are so many varying interpretations, none of them are likely right." (Skeptic)
3. "Sure, there are many varying interpretations, but I know I'm studying Scripture for all it's worth, so anyone who disagrees with me is wrong."
4. "There are so many interpretations, how can we ever think we get anything?"
5. "The Catholics have it right. Take biblical interpretation out of the hands of the masses and put it in the hands of the select few."
Me? I prefer Paul's conclusion: "There must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you" (1 Cor. 11:19). So I will assume that I may be wrong and seek the Lord with all my heart, expecting to be confirmed in some cases and corrected in others, recognizing that the exercise demonstrates "those who are approved."
Of course, you are right, Stan.
Actually the problem isn't that there are so many views. The problem is that everyone has an agenda.
What's wrong with an agenda? I mean, as an example, you meet a non-believer, and you had better have an agenda of giving them the Gospel. You won't have an agenda of teaching them to pray or delving into prophecy or explaining the deeper meanings of Amos. They need the Gospel. So if you meet other Christians and you believe you have something they need that the Lord has laid on your heart, that would be "an agenda." That's not a bad thing, is it? If you meet other Christians and you are excited about x, whatever x is in Christianity, you'll want to talk about it. That's an agenda. That's not bad, is it?
Is it bad to have an agenda? Or are you just tired of their agendas?
Actually,I really like agendas. They keep us organized so the deviation from the topic isn't too wide, and rabbit trails don't pepper the conversation too much.
However, I am very tired of everyone having a different agenda.
If the agenda was, "I aim to learn something today." Then there wouldn't be so much sarcasm and there would be much more fun.
It just might be that I'm incredibly tired of the ones that have the heads of old mules and think no one could possibly teach them anything.
And...
It's the same conversations over and over and over without anyone learning anything.
Excuse me while I go waaaaa waaaaa and pout.
Oh, then you're tired of mulish, self-serving, narrow-minded, mean, arrogant people, not agendas. Hey, I'm right there with you ... except, of course, for those occasions that I find it's me in the mulish, self-serving, narrow-minded, arrogant mirror. =)
You, mulish? Nevah!
Actually, I'm tired of the agendas of the mulish, hard-hearted, stiff-necked, legalistic people who have no room in their brains for ideas and interpretations other than their own self-revelations.
They can be mulish and legalistic on their own time all they want. Is that too hard-hearted of me?
Sigh...
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