Bible Question:
The title of this forum is “StudyBible” by Lockman Foundation. Lockman is a trusted name, with an outstanding reputation. As such, one would expect, if they went to a Lockman sponsored site, they would come away with correct answers about the Bible. You can look all through this forum and see unchallenged answers that are based on opinion, half truths and outright lies. I see that as a problem! If this was a Bible Study Forum hosted on some other website I wouldn’t see a problem, I also wouldn’t bother with it, because I would expect it to be full of junk. To me the Lockman name means we are “studying” the inspired Word of God, not Philosophy, not the opinions of man, but the true word of God. I also see it as a “study” not as a debate or an effort to 'one up' someone else. A study is more than just presenting new ideas and challenging each others thinking. A study should have a beginning and reach a conclusion. If not, aren’t we in danger of falling into the trap Paul talked about in 2 Tim. 3:7 “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Isn’t our action like those spoke about in Acts 17:21 Now all the Athenians and the strangers visiting there used to spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new. While I don’t advocate censoring, would limiting comments to those that have a Biblical basis be all wrong? Would it go to far to append to an entry the disclaimer, "this person's comments are based on opinions", or that "this answer was based on something other than the inspired Word of God"? When discussions enter realms that aren’t soon to be resolved, would it not be fair to state this subject has been a point of disagreement within the church for years? “Side one” make their stand on these Bible verses and “side two” basis their view on these Bible verses. Where answers are just not possible can that not be so stated with the forewarning that any response given will be the opinion of that person and not the inspired word of God? I think this Bible Study has the potential to become a virtual “Home Group” or “Sunday School Class”. In those environments isn’t there always a moderator or teacher? Isn’t that person's function to direct and lead the group or class in a study not to censor thought, and quench learning? Another function is getting the discussion back on track and to help the group come to some kind of conclusion. Again the stated purpose of this forum was “STUDY” not “debate” and all the things debating brings with it. A discussion doesn’t always have to end with someone wrong and someone right, it can end with people walking away having a better understanding of a differing position, new thoughts on subjects and a new hunger to learn more. I also think everyone that appends to this forum has a responsibility to insure what they are saying is based on the Word of God as written in the Bible. I further believe Lockman Foundation, since they have courageously decided to host this forum, has the added responsibility to insure this forum is not disseminating incorrect or misleading information. I really don't want to beat a dead horse, but I'm very concerned that someone could get a really lousy answer from this forum and believe it is true. I would hate to think someone was deceived maybe even to the point of effecting their salvation by a forum in which I participated. |
Bible Answer: Mr. EdB, before I attempt to post a response to anyone's question or concern, I always examine the previous postings (if any) of that person and read his or her profile if it exists. I have looked at your postings (would you consider doing a profile?) and you strike me as an honest, conscientious Christian (it should suffice to say Christian and leave off the adjectives, but these days perhaps the qualifiers are warranted) and someone worth knowing. What you have to say shows the earmarks of having been well thought out before you post it on the Forum. It is clear from your writings that you have concerns about the Forum and you are by no means alone. It can be improved and I believe in time it will be. This is an experimental enterprise for Lockman and for us, the users. The Forum is in but its second month and we are all of us trying to grope our way and find our stride, as it were. Some sort of monitoring may indeed be the way we should go. One does have the tendency on occasion to ask "Who's in charge here?" But a monitor, or leader, or moderator -- take you pick -- would face a serious problem of logistics, it seems to me. What I mean by that is this: We can never quite hope to duplicate on the Web the warm, close and immediate inter-action between human beings that is possible in a classroom or seminar setting. There may, for example, be a lapse time of several hours or even a couple of days between the asking of a question and a response to it. Moreover, we know next to nothing about each other on this Forum. There is little way to divine what may be behind a question, for example. Is the questioner posing an honest question or he is trying to be cute or funny or tricky. Is he seeking the truth of God's word or merely playing games? Similiar questions could be asked of the respondents. Do they know what they are talking about? Are their answers soundly based on Scripture and is their response a reasonable exegesis of the Biblical text, or is it indeed based on nothing more than their own "spin"? Is this Forum being used by some, not to promote the understanding of God's word, but to promote instead one's own bias or private agenda of some sort? These are tough questions but they need to be addressed and dealt with if this Forum matures to the status of becoming a source for sound, reliable information and exegesis on the Bible. The Lockman Foundation is a paradigm for accuracy in translating the Bible and for showing deep reverence for its Author. In like manner, all we say here should be as accurate as we can make it -- and as reverent. EdB, I am in your debt, sir. Your thought has indeed been a catalyst for mine. Hank. |