Results 2381 - 2400 of 2487
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: stjohn Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
2381 | abide | 1 John 2:3 | stjohn | 217256 | ||
Hi MJH, That's exactly my point. When someone looks long and hard enough for something, that doesn't exist, they can find an argument that will favor the theory being promulgated. The text clearly and plainly says, "kill and eat" and God's word repeats this three times, so there would be no mistaking what was being said. There is nothing whatsoever ambiguous about that. Peter would have found it quite objectionable to go to the gentiles and eat with them if he would have to share in the kind of foods they ate. That is without God showing him that it was okay to eat these things. You know, MJH, I'm convicted by the Holy Spirit most every day, and quite often several times a day, for not doing things in a godly way. I d have to say in my case it usually has something to do with pride. I know many, very Godly men and women, that can attest to the same thing. They can barley get through a day, without the Spirits conviction. But I nor they ever felt even a twinge of guilt, for eating a pork chop, or perhaps some sweet, succulent scampi. And even though that's not found in the Scriptures, so it really doesn't hold much water around here, nonetheless, I find it rather convincing. Thanks again for your time. John |
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2382 | abide | 1 John 2:3 | stjohn | 217261 | ||
Hi MJH, I do appreciate the time you spent in your response, and always appreciate the fact you're gracious and polite in your responses to everyone. I thought it was understood that those from our camp are never ever saying that God's law concerning the moral law(s) is/are absolutely still in effect and always will be. That was never nailed to the Cross. We are not forcing the moral law into the text at all. you are reading that into what we are saying. We are always speaking of the ceremonial law when discussing this subject. Never do we say that we should live like heathens, living in lawlessness, or that Paul taught that, as I believe your explanation implies we are saying. I hope that clarifies my/our position a bit. John |
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2383 | abide | 1 John 2:3 | stjohn | 217297 | ||
Hi MJH, Peace and grace to you, my friend. I'd like to say again that I very much appreciate your grace and respectfulness. In it is a lesson and an honorable example to follow for all of us here at SBF. I take my hat off to you, sir. Lets first clarify once again that, when we are speaking of the 'law', in regard to this discussion, we are speaking of that part of the Mosaic Law that is 'temporal', and not, spiritual. In other words, the ceremonial law, (i.e. dietary restrictions, Feast Days, New Moons, ‘temporal’ Sabbath keeping, etc.) and not at all speaking of the ‘moral law’ given to Israel, by God, through Moses, (i.e. Mosaic Law) which part is the unchanging eternal law of God. Moses, ‘in no way’ established this part of the law, (i.e. moral law) by giving it to Israel. This part of the law (i.e. moral law) has been part of God's 'unchanging' character throughout eternity, i.e. 'do' love God, love thy neighbor, 'do not' murder, bear false witness, cheat, take things you have no right to, commit adultery, covetousness, etc. You wrote: -“Therefore, since you were called to live a special kind of life within God’s Kingdom, stop judging one another on disputable matters.”- I couldn’t agree more! Just imagine if we as Christians just kept all of the moral law! What kind of a witness would that be? Instead of the kind of debauchery and lawlessness we see coming from individuals in the Church today. You also wrote: -“One follows the Sabbath and one does not. Live in unity and remain in Jesus, but by all means stay away from those empty teachings based on human dogma.”- Again I couldn’t agree more! And that brings us to your questions. You wrote: -“That at least holds God’s teaching found in Deuteronomy with respect, while still providing an option that God’s Law can be divided up into parts, some we follow, and some we do not.”- Well said and I very much appreciate your thoughts and admire the fact you are respecting that part of the law; of course from my/our point of view, also respecting that that part of the law is no longer required for righteousness, justification or sanctification. (Acts 15:1-29, Eph. 2:15) And to say that it is still 'commanded' for us to do, goes against that we should not judge each other in regard to these things. Our words are very important and should be considered very carefully when we teach about the law (i.e. the whole law) and how it effects us today This then takes us back to your first question; you wrote: -“Okay, fine. We stop following those commands. But, (and this is my point), would God ever have His Spirit speak through Paul and say, “That part of the law is based on human tradition and empty philosophies of this world?” Would he ever declare that these parts of the law are “against you?” Or, the same as “the elemental spirits of this world?””- Yes, I believe He would. You see, that part of the law is temporal, not spiritual, and temporal things are indeed “the same as” and in regard to “the elemental spirits of the world” and those who insisted that new believers follow these teachings, were basing there teachings on “human tradition and empty philosophies of this world.” not on that which is spiritual, but temporal and worldly. And have no ‘corporate’ (i.e. the body of Christ as a whole) effect on our eternal soul, eternal security, or spiritual well-being. John |
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2384 | Priority of the Word | 1 John 2:5 | stjohn | 185422 | ||
Dear Doc, I humbly submit to your obviously far superior intellect and incredible spiritual desernment I bow to you sir. And I am sorry to appear so silly as to even mention the word love. But that was not my point. Please see my post to brother hobbs. There is nothing for you to learn, or need to say amen to a brother. Again, I am sorry for my rude and silly interruption. God bless, John p.s. I say amen to most of your post. |
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2385 | What about physical attraction? | 1 John 2:16 | stjohn | 184330 | ||
My dear friend; I indeed have much sympathy for you my heart goes out to you my friend; But consider this please; I know a man who has a wife that has no desire and if she did is physically unable to fulfill his needs at all, yet he is faithful to her, and to God, and has lived thus for 15 years. I know that this most likely is of little comfort, but my friend. if your wife is willing and able; I implore you to enjoy the wonderful comfort that God has given to the two of you. She is a gift from God. Please remember to keep eternity in mind always: This life, in this fading garment, is but a flash my friend. I know; if you remain faithful to her you will never regret it. If your eye wonders: Take it to the cross before it deceives you! God's peace stj |
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2386 | Actual bodies in heaven? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 213861 | ||
Hello Live4... Welcome to the forum! Good question. I must say it really got me thinking. "What is the significance of having actual bodies in Heaven?" In Genesis 1:26-27 we see that God, (The Almighty Creator of everything seen and unseen) has created us in His image. And we can, I think rightly imagine that, these first humans had bodies quite similar to the ones we will get when we receive our new ones in Heaven, (and those still alive at His coming will also receive, 1 Thess 4:14-17). But of course that all changed at the fall when they disobeyed God and sin came into the world. Nonetheless, though these bodies are no longer incorruptible we are still created in the image of God, as He reminds Cain in (Gen 9:6b) "For in the image of God He made man." And we can also see that God himself has a body in His Divine Son, Jesus Christ; who also had received an earthly corruptible body (Phil 2:6, Rom 1:23) until His resurrection where He came back in His glorified body, much like the ones we will receive. So, God himself has a body, and I think we can see by this that being created by God with a body (much like His) is indeed quite significant. Think of the all things we enjoy now; the wonderful taste of food we love to eat and share with our family and loved ones (Luke 24:39, 24:42), the warm glow we get from a hug, the touch of a familiar loving hand (John 20:27)... When we are with Him, In His marvelous, wonderfully glorious presence in Heaven; we will be able to share with Him all the splendors of a Heavenly existence. Just imagine sitting at His table, eating the feast He has prepared for us (Rev. 3:20). I don’t know, but I think we’d not be able to do that as disembodied spirits. Oh, how wonderful it will be to enjoy all the goodly godly things we enjoy now (1 Cor 2:9) but unimaginably better! Pretty significant don’t you think? God bless John |
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2387 | Actual bodies in heaven? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 213952 | ||
Dear MJH I was wondering if you could show some Scripture that would indicate that in time's eternal, our mobility from Earth to Heaven, will somehow be restricted or that somehow the gates of Heaven will be closed to us or even if there may be some good reason for that to be the case? John |
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2388 | Actual bodies in heaven? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 213971 | ||
Hi MJH You are of course correct in saying that Scripture says there will be a New Earth, that it will be our dwelling place, and that God's dwelling will be with mankind. But if we look at other teachings from His Word, we can see that we are also destined for Heaven as well. John 14:2-3 reads: "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." From the context of these verses it can be rightly assumed (I believe) that He (Jesus) is talking about Heaven. And, "in My Fathers house" (Heaven) in staying with this theme or image, the many dwelling places (Gk. mon?) are not meant to convey small rooms but simply places to live within the larger house, or Heaven. And though it says there will be a New Earth, it also says there will be a New Heaven... In reference to The New Jerusalem. The City of God Come down from Heaven, this can be taken as a literal city or it's meaning may be interpreted as a symbolic representation of things to come. The Gold the Jewels etc. may be literal as well, or they may also be a representation. We really don't know for sure. but just as it is written, "THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." 1 Cor 2:9 We can also see in Rev 21:22 "I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." Jesus, (The Lamb) is the temple in which God, lives in, and with, his people, the Church, or, "Body of Christ" (John 1:14, 2:19-21) so the Church, or, (Body of Christ) "having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." (Eph 2:20-22) Note: --"Rev. 21:19–21 The 12 jewels adorning the city's apostolic foundations correspond to those engraved with the names of Israelite tribes on the high priest's breastplate (Ex. 28:17–20)."-- ESV study notes From these Scriptures we see that God's dwelling place is not Earth. His dwelling place is and will be to a greater extent (I assume when we are made in an even closer likness to Him in our glorified bodies) in us, and not so much with us on a New Earth. In light of these verses and all else, I see no reason to hold fast to a literal interpretation of the New Jerusalem. Though I really don't know for sure. Nor do I see any reason to believe that mobility will in any way be restricted in moving from the New Earth to the New Heaven (whatever or wherever that is) :-) So, I guess what I'm saying is, I think my question is a fair one. I really don't see any reason from Scriptuer to believe that we will be restricted at all, in any way, fome viseting all of God's marvilous creations, for which we really have very little knowledge. John |
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2389 | Actual bodies in heaven? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 213974 | ||
MJH... Me too brother-!! I just am mind boggled to even think about how long eternity is! And I doubt if our Father will want us to get bored. :-) One thing I do know for sure is, that I'm not a little bit bored or not a little bit fed-up with this old Earth. And I so look forward, with great excitement and great anticipation to seeing the New one-!! :-) Shalom and God bless John |
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2390 | Actual bodies in heaven? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 213995 | ||
I haven't seen anyone espousing that we will be disembodied spirits my friend... I frankly don't see why you would accuse someone on this tread of doing that. :-( As for floating away... Well, there will be some that actually do that! It's called the rapture... :-) "Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." (1 Thess 4:17) By the way, welcome to the forum. John |
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2391 | Actual bodies in heaven? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214074 | ||
Hi MJH... I'm more then a little curious as to how someone can email you... Sorry, but, I have to ask... How on Earth can someone email someone who so carefully guard's his anonymity? Which is "a precious thing in this very public world" (your words, found in your profile): do you know him or something? Sorry for being so curious about this, but it seems very odd to me that you would forget that you haven't provided something that is so precious to you anyway. And something that (it would seem) you obviously would not make public according to your own words. So how does bill0624 even get, or have your email address? Do you guys have some kind of connection? Sorry... I'm just very confused about this. John |
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2392 | Can one pray after his/her death? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214076 | ||
Dear bibleman... Welcome to the forum. If I may, sir, I'd like to point to what prayer is, and is not. When we pray, we pray to God and to God alone. We do not pray to Abraham or anyone else, but God. He is the only one that can answer prayer. What the rich man was doing was not prayer any more then if I asked you for help for something I though you may be able to help me with. Nor could Abraham have done anything to change the rich man's fate. Only God can do that, and once we die, it's to late to change our fate. Heb 9:27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, John |
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2393 | Can one pray after his/her death? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214080 | ||
Dear bibleman... Sorry, you are technically right of course, but since this is a Christian Bible study, when we talk about prayer here, I think we can rightly assume we are talking about Christian prayer. At least I hope thats what we are talking about. :-) In the sense you are speaking though, you may be right, though I don't really see that scripture has a definitive answer. hmm, It is an interesting question, though I'm not sure how substantive or efficacious a discussion it would make. John |
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2394 | Can one pray after his/her death? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214084 | ||
Hi Cheri.. Good to see you here sis! :-) Good call, Cheri, but I still don't see a definite answer for the question because though it does look like it, we really don't know for sure that the seen in revelation is allegory or a real literal event. There is some disagreement about this among scholars as well as the story about the rich man. Some say it's a parable and some say it's a real story about a real man. I'm not sure enough to say one way or another. John |
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2395 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214097 | ||
Hi bibleman... First of all, I'd like to point out that I didn't say it was allegory, but only that some interpret it that way. I actually would tend to lean more toward a literal interpretation, but I really don't know for sure, thats just my humble opinion. As far as why it is sometimes interpreted that way (i.e. as allegory)... I don't think I could improve on sister Val's answer so I'll let it be as it is. (Thank you Val) Just musing a bit here if I may... And to get back to the original question. I would personally be hard pressed (again, just my opinion) to call what is going on with the soul's under the alter and the rich man as literal prayer. For the rich man to call out to Abraham, is, to me at least, just a call from someone, to someone, for help. I would not necessarily call that prayer. If I fell into a ditch, and called out to someone, to tell my brethren to be careful of the ditch; I wouldn't call that a prayer, but just a request for assistance to do something I was not able to do for myself. In the case of the souls under the alter, it would appear, (though it may be literal or allegorical) that they are having a face-to-face conversation. But thats a tough one too, because who's to say if a soul has a face. :-) So I don't think I could call that prayer for sure, though again, I would stress, that I don't know for sure. So my point is, we need to be careful when we make assertions, when we are answering questions. There are many who come here, looking for truth, and with a trusting heart. So, I think, it's better be very careful. We don't want to lead someone to believe something should be taken as doctrine, when we cannot really be sure about it ourselves. Those who are called to teach are held to a higher standard, and I believe we will have to account for every idol word, whether it be spoken or written. John |
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2396 | Actual bodies in heaven? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214099 | ||
Thanks for taking the time to clear that up for me, MJH. John |
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2397 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214106 | ||
bibleman... John said he saw souls. I have no idea what a soul looks like! I can speculate till the cows come home. But I seriously doubt that I can add to anyones intellect what the foggiest notion is of the image of a soul or what it may resemble at all. I just don't know. Nor does the Bible tell me. Evidently, sir, you missed my point. Let me please restate it... My point was, we need to be careful when we make assertions, when we are answering questions or issuing some kind of statement we may perceive as truth. There are many, many who come here, looking for truth, and with a trusting heart. So, I think, it's better be very careful. We don't want to lead someone to believe something should be taken as doctrine, when we cannot really be sure about it ourselves. Those who are called to teach are held to a higher standard, and I believe we will have to account for every idol word, whether it be spoken or written-!! Sorry, bibleman, but I can see nothing substantive or enlightening about continuing this discussion without deviling into subjective speculation. Thanks anyway. A personal note: I found out early on in my tenure here at SBF that speculation and subjective interpretation is not really very welcome. I'm not saying of course that you are not welcome. You are! But please be advised that this a serious Bible study forum. I do hope you don't take this the wrong way, it is not intended to put you down in any way. This is a truly wonderful place to learn and/or teach God's Holy Word, and I sincerely hope to see you continue to study with us. Thank you. Shalom and God bless John |
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2398 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214108 | ||
To the first, no... to the second, I am not saying that at all... to the last, yes! Let me just give you an edited quote from a man that I greatly love, respect, and admire, who has taught me a thing or two about what is is and is not important when it comes to studying the word of our gracious Father. And I echo these sentiments without equivocation, or any reservation, whatsoever. “I lay no claim whatever to any expertise on matters involving High Theology or anything of the kind, so I'm fairly well limited when it comes to trying to connect the dots. And that is good! It forces me to attempt to speak only where the Bible speaks and to keep my mouth shut where the Bible is silent. I have enough trouble learning and digesting what the Bible clearly reveals, and so it leaves me no time to speculate and ruminate on the things which our loving and all-wise Father chose not to elaborate. God's eternal and unchanging word will be around long after I'm gone. Few indeed are they who care about my opinions now and fewer still will remember them after I've gone. So my candid view about questions such as call for speculations is this: If God did not choose to reveal details, is it our business to worry very much about them? I really don't believe that God expects us to fill in the blanks ourselves nor needs man to take over where He left off, do you? Just how important is it to know about such things? The narrative has endured and imparted the message it was intended to impart for centuries as it is, without being gussied up with all these minute frills and details. Let's be content to learn from it all that it clearly reveals without tarnishing the sacred record by adding our worthless speculation and groundless guesses.” –Hank Hallmark |
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2399 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214109 | ||
bibleman... Here is something I hope will help you with your understanding of what a soul is. With some added note's on spirit. The line between Soul and Spirit is hardly a clear one: Soul; is sometimes said to be that part of us that is our consciousness, our wants/desires, our feelings, our very thoughts; that which we perceive as, ‘self’, is sometimes said to be our soul, it has been called, the seat of appetite. Spirit; sometimes is used to mean breath, so indicating that which is vital to life, also sometimes used in describing a tendency toward a particular behavior, (e.g. he has a lying spirit), or, a leaning toward, or, an untruthfulness in spirit. Spirit and soul have both been looked at as, that part of man that is unseen and sentient, yet consciously aware of the fact that we are alive, and, perhaps, even the very thing that is life itself. (Of course true life is found only in Jesus Christ) Just what are the tangible differences between the two? Scripture pants a pretty fuzzy line at best. And, while some commentary, tend to keep the line between them, though it remains quite unclear, others seem to wipe the line out altogether. John --"While outwardly man is a physical being, living and moving in a material universe, there is also a spiritual reality. Finite, physical creatures could never truly relate to an infinite, spiritual being so when God created man, he formed yet a third facet to our nature, a spirit. The soul, comprised of our thoughts, emotions and will, combined inextricably with this spirit to form a creature unlike all others, higher than the animals and a little lower than the angels; Unique in all Creation. It is this amalgamation of spirit and soul that survives our physical death. It is the essence of who we are as a person and will never cease to exist.” – gospel.htm: Part of http://www.tlogical.net Copyright ©2005 John M. Fritzius --“Scripture uses the word "soul" and "spirit" interchangeably. For example, in John 12:27, our Lord says, "now is my soul troubled." However, in a very similar context, in the next chapter, John tells us that Jesus was "troubled in spirit" (13:21). There are a number of places where it is used in Hebrew Parallelism; e.g., Luke 1:46-47. Dead people are both spoken of as "spirits" (Hebrew 12:23; 1 Peter 3:19) and "souls" (Revelation 6:9; 20:4). At death, Scripture says either that the "soul" departs or the "spirit" departs (cf Genesis 35:18; 1 Kings 17:21; Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46; Ecclesiastes 12:7; John 19:30; Acts 7:59; etc.). The Bible says that the "soul" can sin or the "spirit" can sin (cf 1 Peter 1:22; Revelation 18:14; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 7:34; etc.). Indeed, everything that the soul is said to do, the spirit is also said to do and vice versa. This includes thinking, feeling, choosing, and worshiping. In Jewish thinking human beings are not bipartite or tripartite creatures. Dividing of the various components is such a difficult thing, that no human can untangle the parts or even find the dividing lines. (Hence the surgical imagery of Hebrews 4:12.) Just as today we'd not be able to find the dividing line between our minds and our bodies. The trichotomy of man was an idea introduced by the Greeks -- Aristotle in particular. (Not that it isn't "true" -- only that it has its origins from extra-Biblical sources.) Later Gnostic thinking liked this idea, as they deemed that pure reason was higher, more noble, and distinct from baser attributes. Even later, Augustine argued that the image of God's triune nature was reflected in a triune nature of man. The Roman Church still holds to this perspective, although with a bit of a Gnostic twist. Even our language reflects some of our opinions regarding the components of a man. The ancient Hebrew thought of the heart the same way the average American thinks of the brain. The modern man does not expect to cut into a brain and find the real person. In the same way, the Hebrew would not have expected to cut into a heart and reveal the real person. Yet both understand that a blob of tissue exists, but both tend to think of it as somehow containing a person's essence. This is a deep and complex subject. Theologians and philosophers for multiple millennia have discussed it. The Scripture tells us things that we could not have known by introspection. However, it does not entirely settle all of the questions. What we can say definitively, though, is that man is a being who thinks, feels, acts, and communicates. Furthermore, we know that the soul/spirit can be separated from the body in death, but that that is an abnormal state -- one that won't exist when God restores creation, for every soul/spirit will be joined with their resurrected body.” -- DocTrinsograce |
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2400 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214121 | ||
Hi bibleman... No, I haven't read anything by, Watchman (Bell Ringer) Nee. After doing some research on him, I've rather shied away from his writings, though I'm sure he must have got some things right. Her is an excerpt from, (apologeticsindex.org) that you may find enlightening. John --"Many Christians uncritically accept the writings of Watchman Nee even though few know anything about his background. Many are impressed by the volume of his work and the dogmatism and feeling of deep spirituality that characterize his writings. His ideas and books still influence charismatics, fundamentalists and people in between. Space allows a listing of only a few of the problems in Nee's teachings: Nee outlines no method of Bible study and interpretation and appears to deny evangelical hermeneutics. In his book Spiritual Authority, he sets himself and his elders up as the unquestionable authorities. By all appearances, Nee saw himself not as a servant but as a guru. One gets the impression from Nee that the Bible was not nearly as important as Christians generally consider it. In his book The Ministry of God's Word, Nee says, "Words alone cannot be considered God's Word." In this book, Nee becomes very philosophical, mystical and incoherent. He says that only as we deliver the Word in terms of the "reality behind it," using what he calls "Holy Spirit memory" and "presenting the pictures as well as speaking the words" will the words be correct; otherwise they are not real. Nee overemphasizes emotions. In The Ministry of God's Word, he claims that the effectiveness of a preacher's delivery is a product of his emotions. If a preacher does not feel emotionally charged in delivery, "the Spirit is stuck" and the "Spirit is inevitably arrested," Nee says. He continues, "The Spirit flows through the channel of emotion." Then he arrives at a strange conclusion: "Nose in the Scripture stands for feeling. Smelling is a most delicate act, man's feeling is most delicate." Therefore, Nee says, a preacher in speaking needs to "mix feelings with the words spoken, else his words are dead. If our feeling lags behind, our words are stripped of the spirit." To say as Nee does, on page 210, that the Holy Spirit only rides on feeling is dangerous. Nee uses terms imprecisely. One example is his writing about a minister's receiving "revelations" in his "Holy Spirit memory" and those revelations being remembered in us by the Holy Spirit. This sort of metaphysical mumbo jumbo is impossible to understand, since there is no direct scriptural reference to a "Holy Spirit memory." When a Christian begins to see Nee as a guide in determining the value of other Christian writers, or sees Nee's writings as a key to spirituality, that person is headed for trouble. Nee's presuppositions are suspect in light of the Word of God. His books provide grist for cult groups such as The Way, The Alamo Foundation, the Children of God and other groups. The astute believer should watch out for Watchman Nee."-- http://www.apologeticsindex.org/n01.html |
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