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| Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > General Chat > Where have some of the "old" members gone? | Forum Quick Jump
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Laika
Registered Member
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 2433
| Posted 6/13/2004 8:53 AM (GMT -6) |   | | | |
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Tom
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 10353
| Posted 6/13/2004 11:17 AM (GMT -6) | | Laika: You get to be the foreign, exotic one; Lebanon, Cohibas, the crazy, wild uncle who flys into town and turns it upside down once a year.
Tom: OK, I can live with that! Foreign and exotic. Wild and destructive (once a year).
Tom  | | Back to Top | | |
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quest for truth
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479
| Posted 6/14/2004 2:05 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Someone asked what it is I'm working on (which is partly why I've had to back down from the board).
That someone was me -- QuestforTruth. Thanks for filling us all in.
Dr. Boyd, are you still working on the book about "Three's and the Trinity"? Your books are great so I do not understand the rating???
BTW, Greg, I posted a question that you may not have seen on this thread. I will post it again in hopes of getting a response. Thank you.
quote:
Greg Boyd: The very universality of a web site concerns me. ANYONE can talk to ANYONE. There is a wonderful possibility in this, but there's also a real danger. Some of the people who have logged onto this site are scary, at least in terms of their demeanor. IN real life, we self-select our fellowship. Here, its a bit more difficult. Of course, people can choose simply not to respond. Once you're "hooked" in a discussion, its difficult.
This has been on my mind ever since I read it. I am concerned that people would feel a need to self-select who they will interact with. As far as a fellowship... I don't view my interaction here as a fellowship in the same way as one would in person. Anyway, the reason I am concerned is because we are to be about sharing the gospel message with ALL and the Internet is one possible means of doing just that. As Christians (unless you are a weary soldier for a time being) we are called to hang out with the down and out. The christian walk is not about comfort but love for ALL. The above comment didn't come off to me like a loving statement in fact it came off a little judgmental. Dr. Boyd, would you mind expanding? The comment has my heart very grieved but perhaps I am misunderstanding....
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 6/14/2004 3:43 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by quest for truth
quote:
Greg Boyd: The very universality of a web site concerns me. ANYONE can talk to ANYONE. There is a wonderful possibility in this, but there's also a real danger. Some of the people who have logged onto this site are scary, at least in terms of their demeanor. IN real life, we self-select our fellowship. Here, its a bit more difficult. Of course, people can choose simply not to respond. Once you're "hooked" in a discussion, its difficult.
This has been on my mind ever since I read it. I am concerned that people would feel a need to self-select who they will interact with. As far as a fellowship... I don't view my interaction here as a fellowship in the same way as one would in person. Anyway, the reason I am concerned is because we are to be about sharing the gospel message with ALL and the Internet is one possible means of doing just that. As Christians (unless you are a weary soldier for a time being) we are called to hang out with the down and out. The christian walk is not about comfort but love for ALL. The above comment didn't come off to me like a loving statement in fact it came off a little judgmental. Dr. Boyd, would you mind expanding? The comment has my heart very grieved but perhaps I am misunderstanding....
QFT,
I will speak for myself and say that I have backed down on this board in the past because some people have come off as being a little “scary”. Religious fanatics can be real scary  and some here are quite bent in their religious convictions of what they consider to be God’s law and their interpretation of Scripture. Of course they hear God’s voice talking to them and even instructing them to carry out His will. Couple this with people being anonymous and secretive with their profiles and it even becomes scarier since the enemy  is the father of deception.
Boo! 
Shalom,
Mark | | Back to Top | | |
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1way
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 299
| Posted 6/14/2004 8:11 AM (GMT -6) | | sparknheart - I assume that you have in mind believers that may be deceived, we typically don't have this shroud of ambiguity and doubt with those who are clearly not a believer.
God says to judge not __ by outward appearance (superficially), judge man obviously in a more godly and spiritual way, judge Him substantially. From the treasure of the heart one speaks/communicates. quote:
Lu 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Joh 13:35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
And it's not just any old kind of love, it's only a righteous (judge rightly) sort of love. The following starts out with AGAPE that is turned into the sin of moral hypocrisy if you do not abhor evil (and cling to good, both). A godly righteous love MUST be just, or it is unjust and the sin of hypocrisy. quote:
Ro 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
So the idea that some folks dare have strong and clear bible convictions, and may or may not describe themselves in a profile, does not lend well to charging them as being "scary", i.e. worthy of being personally rejected.
What are we to do
I'd say that a better response might be to be like the noble Bereans, and search these things out in scripture to see if they are true or not. Count it a blessing to have your otherwise comfortzone Christian beliefs objectively cross examined, always be willing to share the reason for your faith, encourage, exhort, edify one another.
Who is judging who
Do you really understand these so called scary people so well as to suggest treating them with personal rejection? You say "back down" your involvement on this forum, but by your contextual development, that implies, back away from the "scary" people, and perhaps remain in contact with those you are more "comfortable" with, after all, the devil is the father of deception, so we want to stay away from these scary, perhaps devilishly deceptive, people.
Nonspecific generalizations are specifically indefensible
Making such claims should be made known in specific terms, otherwise you may have half the board wondering if you are talking about them. Besides, so much generalization is not very helpful unless you have specific examples to substantiate your claims. Let us not work secretly, but openly expose and reprove such things.
I suggest that this may be acting in unmitigated fear, thus acting in the flesh. quote:
1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
So generally speaking, if brethren have strong convictions and consistently and respectfully present their faith by the word of God, I think we should see that as a sign of Christian maturity, especially if they are not teaching contrary things. The Christian faith has a very positive outlook and is a reasonable faith that should have no problem witnessing the truth to those in error.
It is the standard of conforming to, or being apostate from, God's word that should matter more than whether or not some may seem ,,, scary.
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feelinahole
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2004
Total Posts : 754
| Posted 6/14/2004 8:32 AM (GMT -6) | | Hmmm, sometimes our love is not as "accepting" as we would like it to be. Sometimes (as I have often stated) it needs to be "judgmental."  | | Back to Top | | |
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 6/14/2004 11:24 AM (GMT -6) | | Non-believers and so called believers can be equally scary, remember, even the devil believes in God. Historically, many so called believers (Christians) have been responsible for wars and murder. Some priest/pastors have been known to be quite scary. A few abortion doctors’ family might want to contest to the word scary. The truth is we don’t know who we are dealing with on the internet and that can be somewhat scary. It’s not judgmental to be cautions, to step back and ask who I’m I dealing with here.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself if you are wondering about being one of the “scary” ones.
1. Are you or have you ever been a member of a Religious Cult?
2. Do you think that God speaks to you directly?
3. Do you believe God sends evil messengers to do his work?
4. Are you bent on certain topics even when you find most people differ with your opinion?
5. Do you think the end always justifies the means?
6. Are you paranoid that someone else is stealing God’s glory?
7. Is it common for you to cling to certain interpretations of Scripture finding yourself holding a minority view?
8. Are you taking flight instruction and showing very little interest with the landing procedures?
9. Have you ever asked someone you’re witnessing to, “let’s keep this a little secret”?
10. Do you have inside knowledge of God’s mysteries that justifies some secret purpose for a greater good?
If you find yourself answering yes more often then not, well then maybe it was you that I was talking about! If so, could you please submit a complete and comprehensive profile of yourself? Thanks.
Peace,
Mark
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feelinahole
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2004
Total Posts : 754
| Posted 6/14/2004 11:47 AM (GMT -6) | | I try to take everything a person says about themselves with a grain of salt...scary, not scary, whatever. Its the ideas that count (if they are scary, I simply ignore them).
No one CAN steal God's glory when I'm around... | | Back to Top | | |
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Laika
Registered Member
Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 2433
| Posted 6/14/2004 12:28 PM (GMT -6) | | | | |
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 6/14/2004 12:51 PM (GMT -6) | | | | |
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 6/14/2004 5:34 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Laika
quote:
1. Are you or have you ever been a member of a Religious Cult?
0-point Calvinism.
hmmm, does Calvinism come with points?
quote:
2. Do you think that God speaks to you directly?
YES!!!! So does the neighbor's dog.
Thanks, I will sleep better tonight listening to my neighbor's barking dog.
quote:
3. Do you believe God sends evil messengers to do his work?
No, I'm the founder of M.A.D.D. and an honorary (ovaryless) member.
It is comforting to know you, and your shoulder.
quote:
4. Are you bent on certain topics even when you find most people differ with your opinion?
DID ADAM AND EVE HAVE BELLY BUTTONS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? 
You're not going to start up with that again are you?
quote:
5. Do you think the end always justifies the means?
My mere whim justifies the means.
Sure I know your type, top dog  until the wife (the master) gets home, then you run with your tail between your legs and go lay down by your dish.
quote:
6. Are you paranoid that someone else is stealing God’s glory?
There's another god?!?!
sssssh, it's a secret.
quote:
7. Is it common for you to cling to certain interpretations of Scripture finding yourself holding a minority view?
This other god has a book?!?!?!?
Yes, special editions.
quote:
8. Are you taking flight instruction and showing very little interest with the landing procedures?
LOL We're triplets separated at birth, me and you and me.
Wow you fly, do you have a color preference.
quote:
9. Have you ever asked someone you’re witnessing to, “let’s keep this a little secret”?
<hilarious joke pulled due to "questionable" content>
I hope it wasn't a little boy.
quote:
10. Do you have inside knowledge of God’s mysteries that justifies some secret purpose for a greater good?
If I can't explain it, it's a "mystery".
I also like a good mystery.
quote:
If you find yourself answering yes more often then not, well then maybe it was you that I was talking about! If so, could you please submit a complete and comprehensive profile of yourself? Thanks.
I would but can't, paper isn't allowed in here. Edges too sharp.
Good, that will keep your imagination sharp making toy paper planes.
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quest for truth
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 479
| Posted 6/14/2004 6:55 PM (GMT -6) | | Laika, Sparknheart, and Jo-Anne, you guys are so funny!
1wayquote:
Who is judging who
Do you really understand these so called scary people so well as to suggest treating them with personal rejection? You say "back down" your involvement on this forum, but by your contextual development, that implies, back away from the "scary" people, and perhaps remain in contact with those you are more "comfortable" with, after all, the devil is the father of deception, so we want to stay away from these scary, perhaps devilishly deceptive, people.
That is my concern. I am concerned that when Dr. Boyd said we "self-select" whom we will converse with.... I began to think this contrary to the teaching of Jesus. Jesus did NOT reject someone because they were "needy" or "scary" Jesus accepted people where they were at and lovingly entered into their world in order to lead them to truth. We are to reach out to ALL in love. There is nothing to fear if we are walking with Jesus Christ and holding to the truth.
I hope EVERYONE has a right to speak and freely express their views on this board. I do, however, believe people need to be respectful yet if someone is not respectful I do not see how this is "scary". If a poster is not respectful one has to wonder if the person is hurting inside and thus needs to be treated with patience and gentleness. We are to minister to the hurting not reject them because they are outside our comfort zone.
I believe that if the board is about secluding people then it inevitably will be a judgmental place to hang out. I am HOPING Dr. Boyd might expand on what he posted so that I can better understand what he meant by the statement. | | Back to Top | | |
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1way
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 299
| Posted 6/14/2004 7:27 PM (GMT -6) | | shewww, man, I just found out that I have a bio (it's been years since I entered it), however skimpy, so that is one piece of solid evidence that perhaps I am not part of the scary, potentially devilish deceptive, to be avoided, people/ogres.
I have a question for POW or those who know POW. Is he a sound bit poster, you know, does he tend to post very small posts or no? He has like about twice as many post
4157 = POW !
compared to the top contenders!
2529 = TGB
2407 = DLW
2109 = GregBoyd
2044 = Laika
1482 - John Earp
and so on.
Wow, now I feel even more special, I've been responded to by several of the top listed posters, John Earp, TGB, and POW (also Starkman too, but he just mysteriously stopped posting all of a sudden). | | Back to Top | | |
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John Earp
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2002
Total Posts : 1715
| Posted 6/14/2004 8:52 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by 1way
shewww, man, I just found out that I have a bio (it's been years since I entered it), however skimpy, so that is one piece of solid evidence that perhaps I am not part of the scary, potentially devilish deceptive, to be avoided, people/ogres.
I don't think Dr. Boyd's comments were directed at you, 1way. They obviously were directed at some people here. It is not clear precisely which people Dr. Boyd views as "scary," nor precisely what he means by that.
quote:
I have a question for POW or those who know POW. Is he a sound bit poster, you know, does he tend to post very small posts or no? He has like about twice as many post
4157 = POW !
compared to the top contenders!
PoW posts a lot. Many of his posts are just pictures he feels relate somehow to the topic. Many others of his posts consist of long quotes from various theologians (mainly Eastern Orthodox and Reformed theologians).
"The Discovery of new truth will modify old views and opinions, and there is perhaps no end to this process with finite minds in any world." Charles G. Finney, Systematic Theology.
revivaltheology.net
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1way
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 299
| Posted 6/14/2004 9:25 PM (GMT -6) | | quest for truth - Thanks for the mention, and I agree with your concerns, great posts. Here is that part of Mr Boyd's post that you quoted. quote:
Greg Boyd: The very universality of a web site concerns me. ANYONE can talk to ANYONE. There is a wonderful possibility in this, but there's also a real danger. Some of the people who have logged onto this site are scary, at least in terms of their demeanor. IN real life, we self-select our fellowship. Here, its a bit more difficult. Of course, people can choose simply not to respond. Once you're "hooked" in a discussion, its difficult.
I find it strange that Mr Boyd views written communication with so much open disdain. And that, coming from a successful author and pastor.
I find that in general, a person's beliefs and personality may be in some ways more thoughtfully (and thus accurately) represented by written communication as opposed to talking live in person, simply on the basis that you have so much more contemplation time to say exactly what you mean to say. What really counts is the content of our beliefs. So I think that writing should be viewed in great value in terms of valuable personal communications.
Why should the point of concern be how to eliminate communication in relationships? Why not look on the bright side and say that you are concerned to be able to find and establish new and/or better relationships? The glass is half full.
Should I consider myself as being one of the undesirable-elements that the inner circle has in mind?
Should most of the people who may not feel like a well-accepted part of this forum's grass roots feel like they are who is the problem at hand?
To me, from the outside looking in, this seems like a shady running rumor serving to generally attack some unspecified person or people for some unspecified reason or reasons. I join you in hoping specifically for less generalizations and more objective review over a written venue. I also vote for being able to get a full night's sleep in an hour instead of 8 hours, but that is simply not likely to happen. It's amazing that My Boyd has taken the time to post here at all as busy as I'm sure he is.
sparknheart - Thanks for the link tip!
John Earp - Thanks for the responses. Ok, ya, it is rather like a rumor issue about these undesirable elements, also, it seems obvious that it's not just Mr Boyd who feels this way. I commented about the profile because of sparknheart's comment on not having a profile as an indicator of being potentially a scary person. It is precisely this generalization aspect, coupled with the chosen few aspect, that makes us outsiders looking in, wonder who what and where is going on. Thanks for taking the time, much appreciated.
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 6/14/2004 9:57 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by 1way
quest for truth - Thanks for the mention, and I agree with your concerns, great posts. Here is that part of Mr Boyd's post that you quoted. quote:
Greg Boyd: The very universality of a web site concerns me. ANYONE can talk to ANYONE. There is a wonderful possibility in this, but there's also a real danger. Some of the people who have logged onto this site are scary, at least in terms of their demeanor. IN real life, we self-select our fellowship. Here, its a bit more difficult. Of course, people can choose simply not to respond. Once you're "hooked" in a discussion, its difficult.
I find it strange that Mr Boyd views written communication with so much open disdain. And that, coming from a successful author and pastor.
I find that in general, a person's beliefs and personality may be in some ways more thoughtfully (and thus accurately) represented by written communication as opposed to talking live in person, simply on the basis that you have so much more contemplation time to say exactly what you mean to say. What really counts is the content of our beliefs. So I think that writing should be viewed in great value in terms of valuable personal communications.
Why should the point of concern be how to eliminate communication in relationships? Why not look on the bright side and say that you are concerned to be able to find and establish new and/or better relationships? The glass is half full.
Should I consider myself as being one of the undesirable-elements that the inner circle has in mind?
Should most of the people who may not feel like a well-accepted part of this forum's grass roots feel like they are who is the problem at hand?
To me, from the outside looking in, this seems like a shady running rumor serving to generally attack some unspecified person or people for some unspecified reason or reasons. I join you in hoping specifically for less generalizations and more objective review over a written venue. I also vote for being able to get a full night's sleep in an hour instead of 8 hours, but that is simply not likely to happen. It's amazing that My Boyd has taken the time to post here at all as busy as I'm sure he is.
sparknheart - Thanks for the link tip!
John Earp - Thanks for the responses. Ok, ya, it is rather like a rumor issue about these undesirable elements, also, it seems obvious that it's not just Mr Boyd who feels this way. I commented about the profile because of sparknheart's comment on not having a profile as an indicator of being potentially a scary person. It is precisely this generalization aspect, coupled with the chosen few aspect, that makes us outsiders looking in, wonder who what and where is going on. Thanks for taking the time, much appreciated.
God just asks us to use what He has given us for Him - whatever that may be, and however small it may seem to us. I value being able to communicate this way with others. It is an opportunity to communicate thoughtfully, to encourage and to learn from others. That is how I see it. I have not, quite frankly, met anyone here that I would consider scary. I've met one or two wounded people, but they weren't scary either.
If we just remember who we are in Christ and confidently trust in Him with all that we are - then we can relate to others from a cup that is half full (at least) instead of half empty. Just kidding, our cups are more than half full.
If only we could see ourselves as He sees us, and not buy into the enemy and his tactics to cause us to doubt who we are and what we have in Christ. If only we could relate to others, see them the way Christ sees them. Come to think of it, it's possible. More than possible. Maybe we could do it, just one post at a time.
Night and God bless you all,
Jo-Anne
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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1way
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 299
| Posted 6/14/2004 10:34 PM (GMT -6) | | moon river j - Thanks much, very well stated.
...The grace is sufficient.
...We are more than conquerors.
...Our cup runuth over.
Perhaps (?) the perceived disdain against written
forums is not as bad as it at appears on the surface...
Blessings... | | Back to Top | | |
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