Subject: Possible Lockman Forum Improvements #2 |
Bible Note: Dear Reformer Joe and EdB, Thanks for your thoughts on these issues as well. If I understand correctly, you both agree with the second idea, that we should be more commited to staying focused on the topic of the original question in a thread. It also seems that you agree that we should be more selective in responding to "primary" questions. I completely agree with your ideas about how when we get to far away from the scripture itself, we move into very dangerous waters. The one disagreement that I picked up on was the idea of ending threads with a summary statement. I'm glad that you also see the value in this EdB, and would like to provoke a couple thoughts for you Reformer Joe. You mention that it is impossible to come to consensus when we have such different ideas about many subjects. However, let me give you an example of how it is possible. A recent thread asked whether one could lose their salvation. Those who agree mainly with Reformed theology said no, and those who agree mainly with the Arminian theology said yes. However, in the midst of all that there was a common idea held by both sides, and that was to not risk it. One poster said it best when they said, "This 'debate' is not about initial salvation it is about living after salvation. It comes down to a debate on what I can and can not do and still remain saved. All I'm saying is that is not how a Christian should approach salvation, A Christian should shoot for the best and let grace cover everything else." Therefore, if I was writing a consensus statement of that thread, I would focus on two things. The first would be the ideas that almost all of the posts agreed with (whether I agree with it or not). The second would be how that topic could be applied to our lives. Then as a final note, I would just mention any significant minority opinions. This would be in my opinion a fair, relatively unbiased (as much as possible), and most of all extremely helpful way to end a thread. The final point that I would like you to think about is that although you do not think there are many "seekers" who visit our forum, couldn't there be another explanation. Perhaps there are actually a large number of these visitors, who come, but because of the way that they observe us responding to people they decide to not post, or even leave completely. |