Bible Question:
Dear Forumites, I think that there has been a slight frustration building for quite some time regarding our forum here. Reformer Joe has recently articulated it well. There are many threads which are either of minimal value (see Kalos' questionable question post), or which leave little room for discussion (like where is such-and-such). Then there are the neverending discussions on issues such as Calvinism vs. Arminianism (with the recent additionof Amyraldianism). While these are still threads that need to be addressed on the forum, I believe that some of the most regular members (especially who have been here for a while) could lose interest. I wonder if this partially explains a trend that I discovered while looking at the history of the forum. There are some members who have been here forever like Kalos, Charis, and Hank. However, there are also many people who are very active and supportive for a time and then just kind of disappear. Some of these RCScroll, RElderCascade, Brent Douglass, Xapis, Heir of God, KBurgee, Melchizedekau, Reformedreader, Jim, InHzsvc, and GMsmith101. And there's also our most prolific poster Nolan Keck, who has been on sabatical for over a month. I think that it is worth addressing to discover a way that we could continue to improve the forum so that people will want to stay. Their experience and valuable input is sorely missed when they leave. What does everyone think? For those of you who have been here a long time, do you remember why some people left? Why have you stayed? Are people really frustrated, or do I interpret Reformer Joe and others incorrectly? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Sir Pent! EdB had a wonderful and excellent answer to this question, where he skillfully stated all of the "known" reasons why people leave or find this website tiresome and troublesome rather than edifying as it should be.. As for me personally, I sympathize and concur with his Third, Fourth, and Fifth reasons that best explain why I have not spent more time here recently. Those were: "Third many question the worth since there never seems to be a conclusion of a discussion, debates just seem to run out of steam and die. Read through the threads as someone looking for answers, rarely will you find an overall census of opinion or a conclusion. Most threads lie in limbo until someone comes along and breaths new life into them. The lack of finality has caused many to ask, “to what purpose?” and they have left. Forth many of the questions are answered by opinion rather than Biblical truths. Therefore there is much falsehood contained in the forum. Some people felt uncomfortable with being a part of that and left. Fifth which sort of goes along with the third and fourth, many ask themselves is this time well spent? What is being accomplished? Opinions rarely get changed and ideas remain as dogmatic after the debate as before. I had one person refer to this as what Paul witnessed with the Athenians always seeking new ideas, but for no purpose other than past time." And I am also "turned away" by constantly having to defend my idea of 'what the Forum should be'.. I do not want to be a part of this Forum if I constantly have to defend the Bible or those "truths" that we hold so dear that are central to our faith as Christians. So these reasons, combined with a growing "lack of interest" have aided in my exile from the Forum. After awhile, I did not find it spiritually uplifting or benefitial to my Christian walk at all, and it only could produce a sigh of discontent for me. However, as I spend my time away from the Forum, I become "recharged" and my enthusiasm begins to grow again. Then, when I return, I may post, but more often than not I find the same old questions being asked, the same old ground being rehashed that has already been rehashed many times over already.. So I hope that I have made the reasons for my exile a little clearer. But the one thing that keeps drawing me back, over and over again, is the fact that I can find all of my friends here, and there are many friendships that I have made here that are so much greater and more meaningful than this Forum itself! That, my friend, is this Forum's greatest reward! It is the TRUE treasure that one can gain from being a part of this Forum, and I am grateful to Lockman for it, regardless of the state of dialogue that is being presented. I plan on returning, just because of the fellowship. But I might not stay for long.. I liked your idea, of taking a book and doing an exegetical study throughout the entire book. I'm not sure which book I would choose, but I do believe that it is a good idea to try. Your friend, Nolan |