> General Discussions
How do we handle the hard truths?
YellowStone:
Tim wrote:
I just do not know how to answer a new, struggling Christian who has the same questions as Sorin had. If the bible tells us that God ordered children killed, then it is not blasphemy for us to repeat that GOd ordered children killed. I also do not think that it is blasphemy to question why He would do such a thing. It is, in my opinion, our duty as fellow Christians to have an answer for the questions though. If we have no answer, God may lose another follower because of our inability to defend our belief. Not defend God. He needs no defense. But defend our reasoning for not feeling the same as the person asking the question.
Tim, well spoken; for I too would not know how to answer such questions and I would feel as if I have no basis for my faith. :(
As I posted earlier, and as you did, it cannot be blasphemy for us to repeat that GOd ordered children killed or women killed and raped. There MUST be sound reasoning behind such actions, for it is God who ordered such actions. That sound reasoning may be difficult to discern or comprehend, but there MUST be a TRUTHFUL way to answer such questions, other than shrugging ones shoulders and looking dumb. :)
Kat, do you know of any emails, papers in which Ray speaks on this subject. I for one would very much like to learn more on it.
Your brother in Christ,
Darren
dogcombat:
This happened to me yesterday when I was discussing the latest paper series on Hell that Ray posted. The person I was talking to, happened to ask a serious question about translation errors in bibles. It was along the lines of "Why wouldn't there be one PERFECTLY translated bible?" I couldn't recite the link to "Which Bible translation is best", so I told him I couldn't honestly answer his question.
This brother is one who questions a lot of things, and lately organized religion (which both he and I equate to a syndicate) is the thing that he has raised a ton of questions about. I could only assure him that when it was time, God would reveal His truths to him. He wanted me to show how God planned everything from the beginning and that nothing happened without Him knowing it (Isaiah 46:10), also how God works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11). He also let me know that our conversation was the 3rd he had regarding scripture (he had watched John Hagee earlier in the day preaching about the end times in Revelation, and I told him to read Ray's critique of Hagee damnable "Seven Wonders Of Hell" sermon).
He also wondered if Ray is a false prophet. I reminded him that only God can open his eyes to the truth. And that (truth) was not something the Church world gets but God gives. He's beginning to see that the scriptures tell a 180 degree story that what the traditional chuch has been saying. But all we can do is give what the Spirit leads us to say to someone who is having a hard time digesting God's truths and ways. Sometimes "Silence Is Golden" because as Artucus noted those whom the Lord calls will "Hear my whisper".
Ches
Kat:
Hi Tim,
--- Quote ---It is, in my opinion, our duty as fellow Christians to have an answer for the questions though.
If we have no answer, God may lose another follower because of our inability to defend our belief.
--- End quote ---
I don't think 'our' ability to answer someone question will cause that person to fail or not.
I do believe that God leads the person who has a question, as well as a person who gives an answer. "... all things according to the counsel of his will," (Eph 1:11). So it is not up to us, He will bring a person to understanding, when He so chooses.
It is not blasphemy to ask a question about something you do not understand, it is blasphemy to show disrespect for God in any way, I would think saying what He is doing is evil is very disrespectful to Him. That's not asking a question, that's a brazen opinion or blasphemy.
Darren, you suggest deleting posts.
I know that I only do this if I see a post that is blatantly teaching heresy or very rude to another member.
At this time, I just don't feel like I need to make the decision to lock a thread or ban a member. We have guys that have been doing this a lot longer than I have and can discern when this should be done. You don't see a lot of posts from the other mods, they have jobs and families and things to deal with. But they come in every day pretty much and check things out, if they see a problem they take care of it.
I am in a situation that I can spend time here to fellowship and share, that is a blessing for me. I love to read what others have to say and help out any way I can :)
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
YellowStone:
Kat,
You are doing a wonderful job :)
Please do not stop popping in and posting, because you are such a vital part of this (our) family.
Please forgive me if I offended you in anyway.
Love in Christ,
Your brother,
Darren
TimothyVI:
--- Quote from: Kat on March 28, 2007, 10:51:00 AM ---Hi Tim,
--- Quote ---It is, in my opinion, our duty as fellow Christians to have an answer for the questions though.
If we have no answer, God may lose another follower because of our inability to defend our belief.
--- End quote ---
I don't think 'our' ability to answer someone question will cause that person to fail or not.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
--- End quote ---
This may very well be true Kat. In fact, I believe that everything is of God myself.
But what if it was God's will, that it was supposed to be our answer, that caused the person
to NOT fail?
If I am unable to supply the answer, then I failed what Peter required of us.
1Pe 3:15 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:
We should not expect God to accomplish all through devine interaction.
Some of what He wants to happen, He does through us.
Tim
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