I think it important to draw a couple of clear distinctions, between debating / having “spirited discussions” about secondary or non-essential teachings / doctrines / traditions etc. of the church on the one hand, vs. very much needed rebukes and / or corrections with respect to flagrant departures from critical Core Tenets of the Christian Faith.
And that's where much strife can come in very very quickly. For example - WHAT ARE CORE TENETS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH?
Following is a list that I feel is good, (although NOT necessarily exhaustive) list of Core Tenets of the Christian Faith:
i. Virgin birth of Jesus (Yeshua Ha Mashiach)
ii. Jesus is the Son of God
iii. Jesus is God
iv. Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to the father
v. We Are Saved by Grace Through Faith – Not by Works
vi. The INCARNATION of Jesus Christ (Word made Flesh)
vii. The Bodily Resurrection of Christ
viii. The Ascension of Christ
ix. The Holy Bible is the Inspired and Infallible Word of God (Christ)
x. The Trinity
xi. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah / Yeshuah Ha Mashiach
For more information on the above list, including detailed explanations and scriptural backings for these basic Tenets of Faith, please see this website.
Should someone begin posting on a Facebook Group Page, or elsewhere in a Blog or by way of Tweets, that 'Jesus was NOT born of a virgin', or that 'Jesus is Lucifer's half-brother' (a common Mormon teaching) I would wholeheartedly agree that he or she needs correcting.
The next part is HOW? Is it appropriate to humiliate him or her, by publicly decimating their beliefs? Or should someone, an Administrator or other authority figure, first try to reach out to the person in err, and attempt correction in private? (FIRST step).... And of course the rebuke / correction needs to be WORD of GOD based – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” [2 Timothy 3:16] NIV {notice that of the four things Paul says Scripture is useful for, one half is rebuking / correcting, and the other half is training / teaching...}!
All too often otherwise well meaning Christians neglect the teaching / training part, in favour of rebukes & corrections... and sometimes they also lose sight of the fact that God's Word is a SWORD, yes... “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” [Hebrews 4:12] NIV BUT, God's Word is NOT to be used as a “club”, as it were, to lord it over people; accusing folk who hold a slightly different belief (unless it's a Core Tenet) of 'Not Being Real Christians'...
On the other hand, should someone post a few comments about whether or not Christians ought to wear Jewellery or make-up (ladies) or whether Christians can have a glass of wine... these are all (in my understanding) very much secondary or non-essential beliefs (***).
They are beliefs certainly, and there may be some very GOOD reasons / rationale for believing them, but one may hardly say “he / she is NOT a real Christian, because he / she wears Jewellery (Canada ) / Jewelry (USA
May secondary (NON-ESSENTIAL to Salvation) beliefs be debated, or becomes the subject(s) of spirited discussions... again, in my understanding sure...
Although one has to ask: “Is this debate / ‘spirited discussion’ serving any higher purpose? “ "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive.” [1 Corinthians 10:23] NIV
Although such discussions may be fun, entertaining and even lively, I can't help but think our efforts may be better placed elsewhere. After all with the Satanic influence, and rapid proliferation of Islam in this world we Christians might well better serve our Lord / Lord’s purpose by ministering Christ's Love, and Mercy and Compassion to a dying (already spiritually dead) people!
United we stand a much greater chance of accomplishing such a task. God Bless and Shalom.
“Know Jesus, know peace whereas no Jesus, no peace”
How does one get to “know” Jesus? Simple, invite Him into your heart, as Jesus says: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” [Revelation 3:20 NIV] How can we be assured that this Jesus stuff means anything, well because the Bible tells us so, as the Apostle Paul wrote:
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” [Romans 10:9-10 NIV]
And for those of you who say to me, I can’t be bothered reading the Bible, “it’s confusing” or “it’s a waste of my time”, may I draw your attention to what the Bible says about wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” [Proverbs 9:10]
If nothing else, PLEASE read two chapters from the Bible – (don’t own one, sorry NO excuse, if you’re reading this, you can access this: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV) John 3 and John 14!
John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
And John 14:6 says: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Well that’s it, that’s Da Bauz’s take on, Spirited Discussions, Rebukes, Swords and Clubs – this 7th day of January 2012 © 2012, All Rights Reserved. wr (Da Bauz, Christian Zionist)
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