Admonishment to fellow Protestants [Neener Hijack] - Open Thread

5/15/08 | Fichori

[Fichori]

I have been following and participating in these Protestant/Catholic debates for a while now, and there is something that is bothering me.

Time after time, we get into dogfights with the people we are trying to debate.

What is bothering me is the fact that we (myself included) are, more often that I would like to admit, responsible for starting these dogfights.

While the official rules may not prohibit little snide comments, they only harm our cause.

If we are going to speak the truth of Christ, it would be expedient of us to behave in a manor that is consistent with the Bible.

¶ Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.

And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Colossians 3:12-14

And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Yet count [him] not as an enemy, but admonish [him] as a brother.

2nd Thessalonians 3:14-15

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:2, 14, 17, 18

¶ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Romans 14:19

This is something that I felt needed to be said, you may make of it what you wish.

Fichori

[Fichori]

Rules:

This is to Protestants from a non-denominational 'Protestant'

No flames directed at anyone other than myself.

People who identify themselves as protestants are welcome to discuss the topic with each other in a courteous and Christ like manner.

[Past Your Eyes]

I see people using the word “admonishment”. Isn’t the correct word “admonition”? As far as I’m concerned, “admonishment” isn’t even a word. Sort of like “humbleness”. The correct word would be “humility”.

[Fichori]

IIRC, it passed spell check.

Your welcome to have the Admin Moderator change the spelling.
(I really don’t care.)

[Tennessee Nana]

(I really don’t care.)
_______________________________________

I thought the reason for this vanity was because you do care ???

Which is it ???

However, if your concern is genuine, do you feel that Christians should not proclaim the Truth ????

As in “I am the Way, the TRUTH and the Life. No man cometh to the Father except by me”...John 14:6

[P-Marlowe]

I have been following and participating in these Protestant/Catholic debates for a while now, ....

Fichori
Since Mar 22, 2008

[P-Marlowe]

While the official rules may not prohibit little snide comments...

No comment.

[blue-duncan]

“No comment.”

That comment was just dripping with snide. You have been chosen to be among the listless in the “dog-fighting caucus” seeing that the “no comment” comment meets the requirement of lack of maturity and restraint. You can now post without having to go through the restrictive protocols of washing, shaving, brushing teeth, burping (that’s not a potty word),scratching, and stuff like that.

[blue-duncan]

““No comment.”

After thinking about this a little further, not only was your “no comment” comment dripping with snide, but it had a lot of sardon in it too. For that, not only are you not listed among the listless “dog-fighting caucus”, you will be henceforth adored but not worshipped as the not quite ready to be assumed, LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*.

[blue-duncan]

“No comment.”

After thinking about this a little further, not only was your “no comment” comment dripping with snide, but it had a lot of sardon in it too. For that, not only are you not listed among the listless “dog-fighting caucus”, you will be henceforth adored but not worshipped as the not quite ready to be assumed, LPFOKETT GAHCOEEP-w/o*.

[xzins]

I generally don’t listen to advice from a freeper whose been around for about a month.

As far as I’m concerned, you don’t have a clue.

You’re like the guy from the “Police Association” who calls for a donation.

I have no idea who they are. They could be anyone.

[AppyPappy]

You are smarter than me. I honestly had no idea what he was saying.

[Politicalmom]

He’s saying “Keep Sweet”.

[xzins]

...for a while now, .... Fichori Since Mar 22, 2008

The impression one gives by saying "for a while now" is that one is an old hand.

If one finds that this "old hand" is actually an extremely "new hand," then one has to wonder if a bit of misrepresentation was taking place.

Or, as in the movie "Josie Wales" from Fletcher to the Senator --

Senator: There's a saying, Fletcher: To the victor belongs the spoils.

Fletcher: There's another saying, Senator: Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.

[greyfoxx39]

The impression one gives by saying "for a while now" is that one is an old hand. If one finds that this "old hand" is actually an extremely "new hand," then one has to wonder if a bit of misrepresentation was taking place.

On the issue of sign-up dates, when a recent member jumps in with both feet and starts with "admonishments" on all and sundry, it behooves the all and sundry to wonder if the recent is really "recent", or a disgruntled admonisher who didn't or doesn't get away with said admonishments prior to the recent resurrection.

Or, xzins, as you so eloquently state: "Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining."

[Ottofire]

Hmm. So you are suggesting that these verses sent to the Christians by those who wrote the letters should pertain to dealing with false teachers, wolves, anti-christs, false brethren and those that slaughter us daily like sheep?

I don’ tink day mean wha’ choo tink day means...

I am pretty sure all of these pertain to dealings of Christians with other Christians, and not those that are leading away souls to hell in churches with images of God of their own making.

Did Jesus treat the moneylenders in the Temple with love and understanding, or rather was the right boot of fellowship applied liberally? Was Paul really into the ecumenical spirit when he wrote the letter to Galatians?

Strong words and actions in the face of heresy and false teachings are biblical and encouraged.

Can we be strong in our arguments without being hateful? Yes. Should we, not those being challenged, be the ones to judge? Of course.

Should we as a Christian body pull back those that are getting so emotionally charged that they are no longer able to proclaim the Gospel? Yes. Should this be done in front of the entire religious community? No. (Freepmail the person.)

If it comes down to it, who gets to judge whether someone overstepped the line? The Religious Mod (here in this forum), the individuals elders from their church and the individuals conscience.

[Religion Moderator]

Please do not use potty language on the Religion Forum.

[xzins]

the right boot of fellowship

LOL!

That's a new one for me. I love it.

[greyfoxx39]

OOOPS! Sorry RM...forgot.

[xzins]

It's a widely quoted, direct quotation from a classic movie, "The Outlaw Josie Wales."

As are these:

1Sa 25:22 - So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

1Sa 25:34 - For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

1Ki 14:10 - Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.

1Ki 16:11 - And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.

1Ki 21:21 - Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,

2Ki 9:8 - For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:

2Ki 18:27 - But Rabshakeh said unto them, Hath my master sent me to thy master, and to thee, to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men which sit on the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?

Isa 36:12 - But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?

[blue-duncan]

“it behooves the all and sundry to wonder if the recent is really “recent”, or a disgruntled admonisher who didn’t or doesn’t get away with said admonishments prior to the recent resurrection.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself. We need a “designated admonisher” to admonish a disgruntled admonisher who didn’t or doesn’t get away with said admonishments before any admonishee is hurt by misguided admonishments from unseasoned admonishers.

[Religion Moderator]

I realize that, that is why the posts were not pulled. Nor would I pull a post simply because the poster has a potty language term as part of his Freeper handle. Nor would I pull quotes from Scriptures such as you have posted.

Gratuitous potty language is my target (any youngster should be able to read these threads without being embarrassed).

But I am hair-triggered on the Religion Forum while the new "ecumenic" thread type is being tested. Sorry.

[P-Marlowe]

“it behooves the all and sundry to wonder if the recent is really “recent”, or a disgruntled admonisher who didn’t or doesn’t get away with said admonishments prior to the recent resurrection.”

Less than two weeks ago our "Self Appointed Thread Attack Nanny"* didn't even know what a "Caucus Thread" was, and ended up getting his head handed to him by the Catholics.

Now after himself being admonished by the Catholics for interrupting their Caucus and admonishing THEM about the use of the term "Father" in referring to the Pope, he comes on here to tell all the Protestants how to behave.

FWIW, the ritual for newbies in the religion forum is often a Baptism by fire. So if you can't stand the heat.... don't hit the post button.

If you want to stay above the fray, don't jump into the middle of it.

*Acronym S.A.T.A.N. attributable to 1000 Silverlings.

[greyfoxx39]

FWIW, the ritual for newbies in the religion forum is often a Baptism by fire. So if you can't stand the heat.... don't hit the post button.

LOL, I lurked for over a year before signing up because I was leery of being flamed..I finally had to sign up during the Florida mess in 2000 and take my chances.

[P-Marlowe]

Recent Tag Lines by the "newby".

FreeRepublic.com: Watch your step!

FreeRepublic.com: Full speed ahead on the road to Wikipediaism

Pretty bold for a Newby.

[greyfoxx39]

Exactly..thus my post at #14.

[1000 silverlings]

Your astuteness is acknowledged. Old habits die hard. Being a nanny one place could lead to being one another. Also the name ends in "i". Coincidence? I think not (humor)

[henrygreen]

I am an avid Religion Forum lurker with a varied Protestant background. I have been involved in Presbyterian, Lutheran, Christian/Missionary Alliance and home churches during my adult life. I have wanted to respond to posts in the Catholic/Protestant debates but was reluctant because of the same reason you give. Why subject myself to such treatment?

I am posting now because you inspired me not because I have something in particular to say to you.

I read the Protestant/Catholic threads with curiosity at first. Now I read with a very serious theological interest. I think the forum is a great resource for revealing what the division between Catholics and Protestants actually is about. The differing doctrines are the result of the differences. They aren’t the real difference. We are divided over the basic theology of how God relates to humans. All the squabbles...scripture/tradition....Mary....authority of the Pope...stem from our assumptions about God. I think that’s the reason the debates get stuck in the mud. We argue about the conclusions when it’s really the premise that we disagree about.

Off topic, I know. I retreat back to my cautious reluctance on the topic of who is more at fault in the Forum Wars.

[greyfoxx39]

I am posting now because you inspired me not because I have something in particular to say to you.

I am glad to see you took the plunge.

One thing I have learned, is that there is one thing I keep uppermost in my mind on these threads...that is, NONE of these FReepers who disagree with me, (and there are plenty of those) can actually reach through my monitor and choke the life out of me.

We are all, to a certain extent and within forum rules, given the same privilege to explore our own minds, form opinions and state those opinions on FR. We are also free to bring sources to the open threads to either dispute a post or to affirm one.

There are those who would deny us those privileges, but they cannot deny us the ability to think, research, PRAY and reach our own conclusions.

[Fichori]

I was saying I really didn't care about the spelling of the title.

See post #2

[Fichori]

I generally don’t listen to advice from a freeper whose been around for about a month.

As far as I’m concerned, you don’t have a clue.

You’re like the guy from the “Police Association” who calls for a donation.

I have no idea who they are. They could be anyone.

Does that make the scriptures I posted meaningless?

[Fichori]

"On the issue of sign-up dates, when a recent member jumps in with both feet and starts with "admonishments" on all and sundry, it behooves the all and sundry to wonder if the recent is really "recent", or a disgruntled admonisher who didn't or doesn't get away with said admonishments prior to the recent resurrection." [excerpt]

Does that fact that I'm not chicken make me a retread?


Was Saul (later Paul) a retread?

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

Acts 9:29

You must keep in mind, I cut my teeth on Creation/Evolution debates.

Those threads make you grow up quick.

[Fichori]

I was only suggesting that as Christians, we should read the scripture and apply it to our lives.

Yes, those scriptures do apply to how Christians should treat each other.
And just look how people are treating me. ;)

I believe that Acts 19:8-9 covers how Christians should debate people of other faiths.

[Between the Lines]

God knows what is in our hearts. So if in a debate a dogfight breaks out so what. As long as we do not sin in our anger. It is the ones that enter into debate with intentions of creating a dogfight that are the problem here in this forum. They stifle a lot of good debate and create havoc among God’s Kingdom just as if Satan were directing them himself. But again God knows what is in our hearts and He will judge us accordingly.

[Fichori]

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matthew 5:39

That does not happen enough.

[Between the Lines]

FWIW, the ritual for newbies in the religion forum is often a Baptism by fire. So if you can't stand the heat.... don't hit the post button.

What a sad comment. Kinda like greeting one with a unholy kiss of hellfire.

[Between the Lines]

NONE of these FReepers who disagree with me, can actually reach through my monitor and choke the life out of me.

It has saved my life more than once. But I have probably died many virtual deaths at some other FReepers hands.

[invoman]

2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Jude 3: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

1 Cor 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

And finally (although not exhaustively), Jesus own words, speaking to the religious leaders of His day:

Matthew 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

[Fichori]

I believe strong words are the order of the day.

What I am speaking against is petty bickering and snide comments, etc.

Yes, speak the truth with as much force as is necessary, just don’t make it personal, ignoring any personal jabs from a debate opponent, etc.

[P-Marlowe]

What a sad comment. Kinda like greeting one with a unholy kiss of hellfire.

I suspect we are all adults here and if we take the risk of posting, with it comes the risk of being flamed. There are devotional threads here and there are members only discussion boards where you will never hear an unkind remark about your faith or your pope or your prophet.

The reason most of us like this particular forum is that we meet and have discussions with people who are willing to go toe to toe on theological issues and are willing to defend their positions, or die trying.

Personally what I cannot stomach are the constant complaints by people who get offended every time they post something stupid and somebody challenges them on it and they push the abuse button or ping the RM to the post.

The fact of the matter is that the problem is not those of us who are (at times) sarcastic or contentious, but those who simply can't handle sarcasm or contention. Those people should just stay off the boards and let the ones who aren't afraid to mix it up a little do their fighting for them.

Sheesh. Sometimes I can't believe how many whiney crybabies we have on FREE REPUBLIC. Hey People, this forum is not for sissies. Grow a spine or stop typing.

FWIW that rant was not directed at you personally.

[greyfoxx39]

You must keep in mind, I cut my teeth on Creation/Evolution debates.

Where??

Those threads make you grow up quick.

That may be a matter of opinion in this case. I have my own opinion of adult behavior and admonishments.

In your original post you say:"This is something that I felt needed to be said, you may make of it what you wish."

Obviously, some of us are making of it what we wish. Thanks for the offer.

PM does this not sound reminiscent of a discussion on a recent post of yours?

[Past Your Eyes]

Sorry, but religion tends to be rather personal.

[xzins]

Yes, in the same way that any misapplied or out-of-context scripture becomes meaningless.

[Fichori]

If you go a few pages back in my posting history, you will start finding Creation/Evolution debate threads.

Just a quick question.

Do you believe that your behavior on these Protestant/Catholic threads been 100% in line with what is taught in the bible?

[invoman]

Fichori,

I have a fantastic article I could post here, but the content of it would probably invalidate your "caucus" designation of this thread.

It is a very relevant article, the best I've read, about "Religious Debate".

[Fichori]

I provided references.

I never intended that what I posted would be the last word.

I am merely calling fellow protestants to read and apply the word of God.

[Fichori]

PM it to me.

If its good, I will ask the Mod to change the designation.

[greyfoxx39]

Do you believe that your behavior on these Protestant/Catholic threads been 100% in line with what is taught in the bible?

Oh, MY! Wasn't that what your original post was all about? TELLING us about our behavior?

"While the official rules may not prohibit little snide comments, they only harm our cause. "If we are going to speak the truth of Christ, it would be expedient of us to behave in a manor that is consistent with the Bible."

Do YOU believe that your rebuke is justified against those that you don't even know? BTW I believe that ONLY Christ is the 100 percenter. I certainly don't claim it for myself.

[Fichori]

My admonition was directed towards those (myself include) who were not being a good example.

If you didn’t need to be told to try a little harder to behave in a Christ like manner, why the flames?

Should you be flaming someone who is admonishing people to live like Christ would have them live?

[greyfoxx39]

Do YOU believe that your rebuke is justified against those that you don’t even know?

[Fichori]

I am only trying to repeat what is in the bible, but applied to the current situation.

The bible is full of admonitions and exhortations to people who were not known by the authors.

I stand only by what the bible says.

Read the bible and apply it, your beef is not with me.