Results 1 - 4 of 4
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Do you forgive Judas? | John 13:11 | Mommapbs | 42749 | ||
Hank - Thanks for your prompt reply. Although not addressed to me, your criticism of others who pose questions on the Forum did upset me. It has been said, if you can't say something nice . . . and this has NOTHING to do with tolerance. I agree, we must be vigilant in defending the Faith and the Truth of God's Word. But there is a way to do it, with gentleness, respect and love. This appeared to be lacking (from my perspective) in your response. We are to told to esteem others more highly than ourselves and in the context of this command, I felt that you were being unfair to the the author of the original question. How does one discover the Truth unless one desires to know it? Discovery always involves questions. No question should be ever called inane or enept. To do so may discourage others from participation. If I harbor bitterness toward you or any other in my heart, the only one who will suffer is me. Therefore, it is better to forgive the offense than to become an offender. Please don't get your hackles up - this has been a good exercize in recognizing my own critical spirit and what I evoke in others! If I have offended you in any way, please accept my sincere apologies! Mommapbs |
||||||
2 | Do you forgive Judas? | John 13:11 | Hank | 42763 | ||
Mommapbs, to you and others who seem to be persuaded that reproof must always be accompanied with gentleness, I invite you to examine some examples that the Bible provides in abundance. Consider, for example, how 'gentle' Jesus was in many of His dealings with the religious leaders of His day. Read Matthew 23: "woe to you, hypocrites ... fools and blind ... serpents, brood of vipers ..." -- how gentle do this words of Jesus sound to you, Mommapbs? Read Paul's letters, and Peter's, and John's. You will find strong words of rebuke, chastisement and denunciation of falsehood, of frivolous behavior, of idle chatter and speculation, of vain philosophy -- and these words are more likely than not to be served up with vigor and strong condemnation than with namby-pamby 'gentleness.' Yes, the ear-marks of a true disciple of Jesus Christ are -- among others -- love, humility, patience, kindness, and a forgiving spirit. Yet the examples for our behavior that the Bible sets before us for emulation do not suggest that gentleness should be synonymous with a passive and spineless acquiescence that leads us to allow ourselves to be blown about by every wind of doctrine. In saying that you felt I was being unfair to the original questioner, you failed to give reasons for your feelings. You say that questions are a prerequisite to discovery, and to a limited degree I agree with you that this can be true in certain situations, but discovery of truth is not always, without exemption, dependent upon questions. You further state that no question should ever be called inane or inept, and with this statement I disagree with vigor. As there can be foolish answers so can there be foolish questions. Our system of jurisprudence, in recognition of this fact, routinely prohibits improper questioning of witnesses in a court of law. Clearly a proper question should be given at least a measure of care and thought and so should the answer. One sees today, not only on this forum, but elsewhere in religious circles, a woeful lack of care and thought being given to either. --Hank | ||||||
3 | Do you forgive Judas? | John 13:11 | Mommapbs | 42787 | ||
Hank, how is the question, "Do you forgive Judas?" akin to the self righteous attitude of the Pharisees confronted by Jesus? Perhaps if you suggested that this questions was "frivolous, idle chatter or speculation" it would not have had the same "punch" of your original characterization. My primary concern was and is that when you cast disparaging remarks (as opposed to a Biblical rebuke) upon another's posting, (you referred to Love Fountain's question as "inane and inept") others may also experience a sense of inadequacy and become discouraged from future Forum participation. If you are concerned about the propriety of a question or the direction of a thread, may I suggest that you call it to the attention of the Lockman Foundation for review. Mommapbs |
||||||
4 | Do you forgive Judas? | John 13:11 | Radioman | 42791 | ||
If anyone's postings result in Love Fountain becoming discouraged from future Forum participation, then that one's writings will not have been in vain. Be assured: reporting abusive or innappropriate postings to the Lockman Foundation has been done and shall continue to be done whenever necessary. |
||||||