Bible Discussion Thread

Something to pray about

I had an elder brother in the faith; who I respect very much challenge me today in regard to always trying to understand certain concepts; today the issue specifically was in regard to the passages that state "I never knew you" after all the self proclaimed actions of the individuals only showed they did things in their own power or God worked despite that. I was told not to focus on WHY so much and concentrate on my own walk; devotions; evangelism; etc. It was brought to my attention that he knew someone who was downcast after hoarding an entire room of perhaps hundreds of books (I assume not Bibles per se) to get certain answers.

I thought but after a couple attempts to explain I gave up (and the service was about to start) that I was genuinely seeking answers to scripture; and did note that he had a bad experience with the Charismatic and Pentacostal crowd in the past (who I was busy explaining had a differing view on the Trinity). I was bringing up a point which I tried to explore here; as to why those who are into the Oneness Gospel often have a couple other traits. I bring this up because perhaps he was warning me of hanging out with that crowd and not trying to figure out what goes on there. It seems from what I could gather that he was saying that emotionalism wasn't something to be counted upon in general.

In regard to this site and my postings; I am concerned of my own motives as well as the time spent discussing various doctrinal issues primarily as being something I am doing for my own entertainment or just to get attention. I certainly enjoy the company here albeit there is usually only a few who respond at least regularly. I do have a desire to warn against the subtle devices of the enemy; as well as how news especially internationally is skewed and attempt to present it from a Biblical viewpoint not just what necessarily is accepted as "Christian".

Should my focus change on what I discuss here? Insight?

Agape

Hi Richard. I sense from your comment, that you are in 'a strait betwixt two', having a desire to impart what you have learned from the Word that would be helpful to readers, yet being introspective as to the reasons for doing so. Before proceeding, you well know that I have refrained from commenting on your posts, though you might recall that I did initially respond at your very first posts (was it about two years ago?) & received no response from you. From that I gathered that your desire was simply to share your understanding from the Word on various important subjects, but did not want to further engage in discussion or possibly a lengthy debate. Hence, I refrained from writing, though have always read your offerings & have been in agreement & blessed by them; as I'm quite sure many others have as well, though not responding. Gigi too, has undertaken a similar program of sharing from the OT, and those too have been very worthwhile to gaining deeper insights, but for me, this type of input has never been my intention. I just prefer to deal with enquirers' questions about the Word or Christian living, or even to respond to those wanting to query my answers to enquirers.

That said, and with your desire to share from the Word in the manner you're doing presently, is very commendable, even though eliciting very few comments to your presentations. Personally, my view (and not to say, an accurate one), is that these lessons are very likely those you have already shared or planning to share with your study/prayer group, and now given here for our knowledge & encouragement, with hopefully, comments that might be also useful to you. I sense this because of the references you've made to your ministry to others, particularly the aged home you visit. Your genuine faith & love for the Lord, His Word & His people clearly comes through your posts, so I perceive no ulterior motive on your part in what you believe is a necessary & encouraging ministry. GBU brother.

Richard,

It is sad that this has been the case for the past 200 years in America and England, too. The Holy Spirit is not the source of much of these happenings or teachings or "manifestations". We do need to be watchful and skeptical so we will question what come out as the "newest thing" in Christian circles.

If we follow the wisdom we read in the Epistles we will spare ourselves a lot of deception. I hope you will continue to post on this. There are those who may reconsider how they view the teachings of these aberrant viewpoints and free themselves from its hold on them.

I am glad you are my friend here. And I am glad you are willing to tackle some topics that may cause others to be uncomfortable. Have a blessed night. Still waiting for baby Rosie to arrive. Should be any day. Hope some day this week!

Dear Sister , it is true that there are a few of these kind of congregations in the UK but , they are very much in the minority . The UK has a long history of Christianity going back to the Romans who brought it to them , how ironic is that ? The personality of the UK is generally practical and stoic , not given to flights if fancy so these kind of congregations are few and far between , thankfully .They are mostly either protestant denominations of varying degrees of left wing conservatism or catholics but lacking in the Mediterranean attitudes , such as in Mediterranean catholicism , people would spend a fortune on a funeral and paying for all kinds of bizarre priestly services . Not so in the UK . One of there favourite mottos is , a fool and his money are soon parted ! People in the UK tend to be practical , tolerant and slightly left wing . This doesn't give much space for the type that tries to part them from their cash . There Christian traditions and long history of Christian worship and doctrine had kept them mostly out of that kind of thing . I have lived in England and Scotland and still have family and friends there , Christians and not .

Hello Jaz, I was not meaning that the prosperity preaching is prevalent in UK but that there have been some movements were the teaching was brought to America by English preachers such as Quakerism, Dispensationalism, and I believe Adventists all originated in England.

Well; I'm only half intruding on your comment since it came later on a thread associated with my commentary.

Again; as always impressed with your knowledge; it seems after double checking Adventism and Mary Ellen White started in New England in the 1830s and 40's.

As to Dispensationalism; I'm afraid to start any controversy on the subject. I personally believe in Dispensationalism and Covenants as concepts; although with anything else I would agree that we can't totally sever different time periods as we find evidences of grace in the O.T. and law in the New; for instance. If that makes me errant; I suppose you can straighten me out if you wish (if it makes you feel any better I have been associated in recent years more with Reformed churches but not currently).

Okay maybe you can set me straight; hope this doesn't mess up our friendship...

Agape; Rich P

Richard, I know you and others on here are dispensationalists and we have discussed this in depth before. I do not feel any move by the Spirit to discuss this and I certainly do not need to set you straight. God will do that to all of us in time.

Our friendship is stronger than this one difference between us.

Hi Richard, I was merely listing some of the sects that originated in England and in the U.S. during the 1800's.

I do not wish to start a discussion on these either at this time.

Good evening Richard.

We each should regularly ask the Lord to search us as to our motives and to have any sinful way brought to our attention by the Holy Spirit. Your transparency here is refreshing. This forum is a blessing and a source of not only biblical information but also conversations that can make us think deeply about matters and revisit Scriptures on the matter to see if one must change their own viewpoint. So I always wish to be like the Bereans.

I have been reading what you have posted concerning the prosperity teachings that have become so dominant in many circles. You are correct that this teaching grew out of the pentecostal movement beginning in the turn of the last century (1900's) being an extension of the Wesleyan holiness movement of the 1800's. It branched out in the 1930's and 1940's with Branham and Hagan faith-healing emphasis. The movement went full force in the 1980's and onward from there. I remember when Casey Treat began his pastoring in the Seattle area in the 1980's. Christian's were easily seduced into this teaching as I recall, among people I knew in "charismatic" churches then.

The movement was birthed from the Faith Healing sector to become the Word of Faith movement and soon forked into the "We are Little gods" movement. Then it morphed into the New Apostolic Apostle movement with self-proclaimed prophets and apostles from so many mega-church/prosperity circles to draw in leaders from across the globe. This ever-branching deception has been going on for 100+ years now and the Oneness Pentecostal movement is another child of this movement.

Unfortunately, the U.S.A. has been the source of many deceptive organizations, including Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, and the Word of Faith/Faith-Healing/and others mentioned. America's independent spirit, interest in novel religious beliefs, and ready acceptance of what is termed "revival", "outpouring" "blessing" that is equated with the work of the Holy Spirit.