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rossfadeinout
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 428
| Posted 6/17/2004 9:46 AM (GMT -6) |   | Since it was my idea I'll start. My name is Ross and I live in Nashville TN. I'm 23 years old and go to a Southern Baptist church, where I teach the singles Sunday School class. I recently got engaged to my best friend in the world, and we're planning to be married this September.
I have been a Christian since I can remember, I think that I "accepted Christ" at the age of 6. But I really started taking ownership of my faith when I went to college. I went to Union University here in Tennessee; it is a Southern Baptist school and the theology faculty was predominately Calvinistic. My Junior year I roomed with two 5 point Calvinists who tried to show me that theological determinism was the only biblical Christianity. Of course, the idea that God predestines all events, even evil that he says in Scripture he hates, was counter-intuitive at best and diabolical at worst in my mind. In fact, for a time I doubted the truth of Christianity because I equated a intellectually rigorous belief with Calvinism.
But then I came across "The Openness of God" ; my roommate was writing a critique of it for one of his theology classes. To make a long story short from there I realized that there were many scholarly Christians who believed in a God who desired the salvation of all, and who blessed man with the free will that is required to love.
I am still not certain that I would call myself an Open Theist, but I see it as an in-house debate amongst Arminians. I love to read whatever I can get my hands on in Christian philosophy; J P Moreland, Bill Craig, Dallas Willard, Peter Kreeft, Richard Swineburne, William Alston, etc. I also like to go kayaking and camping....
That about does it for me, but hopefully if I am ever in a discussion with someone here they will be able to know where I am coming from in life.
Peace, Ross
"Let us remember how common the folly is of going from one faulty extreme into the opposite." -Thomas Reid | | Back to Top | | |
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Tigress
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2003
Total Posts : 1252
| Posted 6/17/2004 11:07 AM (GMT -6) | | Hmmmmm.....I like to talk about myself.  (I guess that makes me a little self-absorbed. Sorry, but you wanted to get to know me better and that's a big part of it.  )
Anyway, I was raised in a Chicago suburb (Harrison Ford went to my high school! So, did Hillary Clinton for two years and Karen Black, but somehow I don't find that quite as exciting  ...) Anyway, I was raised in a Lutheran Missouri-Synod church by my mom. My dad is not a Christian. I personally accepted Jesus into my heart sometime after I was Confirmed in the Lutheran Church. (I guess it was around my first year of high school.) My friend who lived across the street from me and her mom were born-again Christians (formerly Buddhists, her dad never accepted Jesus though) and they went to a more charismatic church and her mom always asked everyone she knew for more than 5 minutes if they'd accept Jesus into their hearts by saying that prayer of repentance, or whatever it's called, that's often printed in Christian tracts. When I said that prayer I really meant it though. I was thinking in my mind that I really wanted to belong to Jesus and be committed to Him.
Unfortunately I didn't experience any real Christian fellowship until I started college when I joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. By the second year I was named president of our chapter but due to some issues in my own life at that time, I wanted leave that college. So, I went home for a year and attended a community college and joined a group called B.A.S.I.C. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ) which is affiliated with the Baptist General Conference, or some Baptist denomination - I forget which. Then, I transferred to Bethel College up here in Minnesota and started out majoring in Psychology but after about two weeks of that I switched it to Biblical and Theological Studies. (I didn't like the idea of not being able to tell people about Jesus during couseling.) I was an emotional wreck right before I graduated because I didn't want to work full-time and I all I really wanted to do was get married but there were no suitors. So, after a friend suggested it, I went for a counseling session with Professor Boyd and he lead me though a session of imaginative meditation and he also let me read a rough draft of a chapter of his book Seeing Jesus that he was working on at the time, which really helped me. After that I became intrigued with his ideas and wanted to check out his church, Woodland Hills, so I did and decided with like 3 weeks left before I graduated that I wanted to move up here so I could go to that church permanently. (Plus I was a little infatuated with Boydy, but don't worry, I came to my senses and I don't obsess over him anymore.)  
So, I've been living here for about seven years now and have been in several Covenant groups through the church over those seven years. I'm still not married but constantly hoping and praying. I'm a receptionist and can't figure out what else to do with my life right now. I'm also trying to figure out what type of ministry/service I should be doing for The Lord outside of work (or in), with the talents He gave me. But, I'm still trying to figure out what those talents are, so it's taking a while.
So, I guess that's about it. I hope that makes it a little easier to understand me.
Tigress 
"Name a shrub after me. Preferably one that's prickly and difficult to eradicate."
-Captain Jack Aubrey
"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" | | Back to Top | | |
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BBBCanada
Registered Member
Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 2763
| Posted 6/17/2004 12:19 PM (GMT -6) | | 39, male, 5'8", kinda stalky, dark hair, have some native in me, like to read, sing, take long walks along the beach. My favorite Bible verse is...oh...wait...this isn't "www.christianpersonals.com"??? I'mmmmmm soooorrry! I thought it waaaas!!! Oh boy, did I goof up.
Brandon
"Corporations are simply the kind of structure that rises when hordes of people need to be managed, and after spending some time in a large church, I've found that our spirituality does not exempt us from these inefficient and dehumanizing practices."--Steve Lansingh's review of "The Office" at The Film Form | | Back to Top | | |
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 6/17/2004 1:51 PM (GMT -6) | | Hi,
It is nice to know a little about who you are talking to. Ross, I was Southern Baptist for about 20 years, now part of an interdenominational church.
I guess I thought I put too much in my profile, and I certainly don't want to repeat that here. I actually thought that what Dr Boyd was saying was that we shouldn't know each other. However, I've seen nothing here that has caused me concern in that regard. No BBB, it's not a dating service.
I discovered the Open View about two years ago when a friend introduced me to "God of the Possible." I've been exploring ever since, and so far it makes the most sense to me, and has made a difference in my walk with the Father, and in how I pray!
I sing with our worship team, love writing, love editing, love discussing (even though what I write is probably pretty simplistic compared to most here).
I learned what a dispensationalist is this week.
Let's see, I think my profile says quite a bit. I'm a dreamer. It doesn't say that. I used to think that was a bad thing, until I realize that the Father is a dreamer as well. I'm writing a second book in my spare time.
If I think of anything else...I'll let you know.
Oh yeah...I believe in shepherding, and team ministry, and Cherry Garcia ice-cream
God Bless,
Jo-Anne
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 6/18/2004 9:40 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Laika
I'm not really a dog.
Darn  , I have been barking at the moon, here all the while thinking I was speaking in tongues. | | Back to Top | | |
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 6/18/2004 10:46 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Tigress
quote:
Originally posted by Laika
I'm not really a dog.
But I bet you wish you were one! 
Do dogs have shame? | | Back to Top | | |
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quest for truth
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479
| Posted 6/18/2004 1:34 PM (GMT -6) | | I am searching for the truth found in Jesus Christ despite all of my short-comings which include being an old, ugly female. I tend to be sensitive (as many have suggested) and sometimes take life too seriously. I am thankful that Jesus looks deep into my heart and past all of my ugliness. | | Back to Top | | |
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 6/18/2004 10:04 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by quest for truth
I am searching for the truth found in Jesus Christ despite all of my short-comings which include being an old, ugly female. I tend to be sensitive (as many have suggested) and sometimes take life too seriously. I am thankful that Jesus looks deep into my heart and past all of my ugliness.
He has seen your heart Quest and pronounced it "good." And you are beautiful beyond description and of infinite worth. That's how He sees you. He sings over you in delight. You are His passion and His prize.
Guess what? I'm the sensitive type too. I don't know if you guessed that or not, but being here has challenged me in that regard. When I read something that stings just a little (which has been rare), I remind myself that this really is about ideas, not people, and I am growing in that regard. I also determined when I came, that if it got to the point where I couldn't discuss here in love, or be an encouragement, that I should not be here.
I appreciate the light hearted humour and ribbing that takes place, but recognize that sometimes people come here with other needs or agendas, or have areas of their life that need healing (guess we all do). It is easy to reply quickly on this board, without really considering what those choices may mean to a real person, how it might affect them (I'm not talking about you by the way, or anyone in particular here). We are all capable of hurting with words.
I have found you to be sincere, humble and caring. Yes, character does shine through here. I appreciate that about the board, even though it's not meant to be about people...it's pretty hard to separate ideas and people. It's probably richer when it is a bit more personal, within healthy boundaries of course.
I'm rambling.
Being sensitive is a gift.
God Bless,
Jo-Anne
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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quest for truth
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479
| Posted 6/20/2004 2:40 AM (GMT -6) | | Thanks Jo-Anne and Jefscott. You are both very affirming.
Sensitivity (as with all gifts I suppose) can be a gift as well as a hinderance. Perhaps our strengths can also be our weak spots?
The more I age I am becoming aware of how God finds us beautiful and of infinite worth despite our physical and emotional blemishes. Thank you Jo-Anne for your words that He sees me (us) beautiful beyond description and of infinite worth. The older I get the more this really becomes a truth in my life. Thank you my web site friend. | | Back to Top | | |
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