Open Theism Discussion Board

Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > Let’s solve the problem of evil > On Being Attacked

Forum Quick Jump

59 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page : 1 2 3

[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

brandi
Registered Member

Date Joined Jun 2002
Total Posts : 118

Posted 7/14/2002 3:09 AM (GMT -6)

Shine

quote:
I don't know Writerdad, but I do care for him. I just want him to know that there is Spiritaul warefare going on and to be aware of this.

Bless your sweetheart, Shine! Your concern and care are very obvious in your posts.

Watch out for the website addiction

~Brandi~

writerdad
Registered Member

Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 448

Posted 7/14/2002 5:38 PM (GMT -6)

Springs and Shine: first off, the Great Awakening was just that: an awakening. Name some of the people there who could heal at will, raise the dead at will, etc., like Jesus did. Second, Springs, I have heard of people being raised from the dead. Yes, and I have heard of Elvis being spotted downtown at our local MacD's, but unless I get a little more proof I ain't buying it.
The truly miraculous is just that. Supernatural. If it was everyday, it would not SUPER natural. It would be natural.
Oh, Rick Joyner, one of the Kansas City Prophets. Ask CRI about him. Pretty out of it dude.
Shine: I would love to hear about some of the miracles you have seen, but let me give you the ground rules: I'm not interested in things that cannot be checked out. I am interested in the following: a raising from the dead by someone who called someone to "get up," who was verified dead by a doctor. Someone who was crippled, verified by a doctor, and then healed and reverified by a doctor (I think you get the idea).
Yes, God changes lives every day. But God also put this world into orbit in a certain way and I think he likes the way it runs. So, as Phillip Yancey said about Jesus dealing his temptation: "Beginning with the Temptation, Jesus showed a reluctance to bend the rules on earth."
Finally, Shine, why would I need to have my heart open to the miracles you have seen, if they can be documented. The Pharisees never denied Jesus' miracles...

writerdad
Registered Member

Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 448

Posted 7/14/2002 5:41 PM (GMT -6)

Have I seen a miracle: the miracle of love, the miracle of changed lives, the miracle of my wife giving birth...

writerdad
Registered Member

Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 448

Posted 7/14/2002 6:04 PM (GMT -6)

Springs: "you don't have to fear." I would beg to differ. I think it is the nature of humans to fear new things, to fear the unknown, to fear many things. I see nothing wrong with that. In fact, you would be hardpressed to find anyone (including Jesus, in the Garden) who did not fear something. Fear is healthy. It is a protection device. It is not sinful to fear, for fear is an alarm. In fact, in many cases, it would be sinful not to feel fear. So please do not be offended if I disagree with you.
An excellant book in this regard is "If you Want To Walk On Water, You HAve to Get Out Of The Boat." The author makes the point that what God calls you to you will afraid of. Period.
As far as spiritual warfare, i surely believe in it. I simply believe it is more important to concentrate on Jesus and my walk with him. to be aware of Satan is one thing...to be overly concerned about him is another. I am sure God will deal with Satan in his own way...

Shine
Registered Member

Date Joined Jun 2002
Total Posts : 24

Posted 7/14/2002 6:25 PM (GMT -6)

Writerdad,

Hi, I just want to say that your last post was beautiful, I couldn't agree with you more. Also, the miracles of which you speak of in your first post are not governed by the rules and laws of mankind; miracles are an act of God's mercy and grace.

I do have three cases concerning myself and two of my children in regards to the doctors saying: "I cannot explain this," but whether it was document, I am not sure.

Thanks for your post, Writerdad

Shine

"Life is to short to fight"

Springs
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 636

Posted 7/14/2002 7:17 PM (GMT -6)

Writer,
I think we have more in common than you think. I hope that doesn’t scare you. Ha.
I said in Christ we needn't fear the demonic.
I didn’t say fear was a sin, or something we should never feel.
That’s why I made the comment about being startled, but God says perfect love casts out fear.

Thanks for the book title, it sounds good. I can see your point about fear being a useful emotion. Other common reactions to God asking us to do things might be reluctance due to lack of faith, lack of discipline, or pride etc.

A couple of things, first of all,
I believe that demonization is rare. Sure temptation is common, but our flesh usually doesn’t need much help to find sin. And if Woodland is coming under attack then the best defense is as you say, abiding in Christ. For instance if a spirit of disunity seems evident then people overcome with divisiveness should hit their knees, and pray.

I’ll add the following just to see if you can find anything else we can mix it up over.

Eliminating the fear factor – abiding in love
What are the capabilities of demons?
1. Communicating or interacting with humans via the mind.
2. Communicating or interacting with humans via others humans.
3. Communicating or interacting with humans directly in the form of
physical manifestations.
4. Communicating or interacting with humans via the environment.

1. Via the mind: This form includes instances of temptation, deception, accusation, oppression etc.
This battle field exists in the mind, the best defense is to abide in Christ, taking thoughts captive by working together with the power of the holy spirit, thereby defeating the enemy, and standing in the victory of Christ. Doesn’t strike me as particularly scary. J

When does this become a battle that is very difficult to win on ones own? When temptation, deception, accusation or oppression is entered into by the individual, and a stronghold is created. Could be described as bondage, captivity, or demonization. Deliverance on one’s own, in one’s own behalf, is possible through repentance and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Taking every thought captive to Christ. Abiding in Christ.
I don’t think the fear factor should be too high on this one in most cases.

If this is too difficult for an individual, for any of various reasons, assistance in entering the presence of God and receiving his deliverance can be offered through the ministry of others if the oppressed person lacks the faith or ability to connect with God on their own. But the result of this collaboration must first be the strengthening of the individuals faith and identity in Christ so that they are able to go forward resisting temptation etc on their own after deliverance. Could be scary for those unsure of their standing in Christ.

2. Via other humans.
Through other human beings, under direct control of the enemy i.e. demonization., or merely under the influence i.e. they haven’t taken enough thoughts captive lately.

Is this a reason for fear? I think to an extent fear is a healthy emotion if it elicits a fight or flight response action.(an alarm as you say) But fear should not be entered into for any extended period of time, at a level more than warranted for the situation, or to the point of debilitation in any case.
For example being startled when thinking you are about to be attacked by muggers is warranted, but remembering that you are armed and protected should eliminate the initial fear reaction.
I think emotions of anger, or vengeance are most often felt in these situations which takes us back to the battle field of the mind, where victory comes through abiding in Christ.

3. Spiritual manifestations can be initially startling, however
sustained fear is unnecessary. See above.

4. Hearing voices, crashes in the night, or experiencing violent
storms should again, only be initially startling.

We have nothing to fear but the Lord,
Springs

...but I have called you friends... Jn 15:15

GregBoyd
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 1818

Posted 7/14/2002 9:04 PM (GMT -6)

I think this thread has succeeded in producing some mutual understanding.

Let me go on record (if this is any kind of "record") that I agree with Writerdad completely about not focusing on Satan. I am always "aware" of the war going on, but I don't fixate on the enemy. I fixate on Jesus, receiving his abundant life and dispensing his abundant life to others. I don't worry a lot about what principalities and powers do. Our domain is PEOPLE.

At the same time, I realize that there is a spirit dimension to all our struggles. "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and rulers and authorities " ('Eph 6). And when I witness and outbreak of very unexpected, largely unexplainable, life damaging stuff that is far beyond what coincidence would account for, I feel compelled to tell troops "there's an assault going on -- be on extra alert."

In 10 years of pastoring Woodland Hills, this is the first time I've ever done this (perhaps to my fault). But the circumstances were such that it had to be done.

And it has helped. A lot.

Enough for now.

Doc

"In Christ...the ONLY THING that matters is faith energized by love." Galatians 5:6

Tiggers
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 219

Posted 7/15/2002 6:14 AM (GMT -6)

AUGHHHHHHH!!!

Sorry, just had to get that out! I double posted again, but truly, I don't try. I guess I'm technologically challenged

!!!

Warmly in Christ,
Tiggers

Edited by - Tiggers on 07/15/2002 1:17:52 PM

Tiggers
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 219

Posted 7/15/2002 6:15 AM (GMT -6)

[quote]
I think this thread has succeeded in producing some mutual understanding.

I feel compelled to tell troops "there's an assault going on -- be on extra alert."

In 10 years of pastoring Woodland Hills, this is the first time I've ever done this (perhaps to my fault). But the circumstances were such that it had to be done.

And it has helped. A lot.

Enough for now.

Doc

Tigger's Reply,
Hey Doc, I'm not living in the B.G.C. world anymore, so I guess I don't know what is going on with regards to being attacked at Woodland Hills. Sooo, care to bring an old cat back into the loop, hey, the least I could do is pray, right

?

Warmly in Christ,
Tiggers

“The notion that God uses evils as a means to such higher goods is, … incompatible with the doctrine that he is omnipotent, and therefore does not need to use deplorable means to achieve his ends” (J.L. Mackie).

59 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page : 1 2 3

Forum Information

Currently it is Monday, November 09, 2026 4:41 PM (GMT -6)
There are a total of 97,718 posts in 6,040 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 0 new threads and 0 reply posts. View Active Threads

Need Support? | Forum Help Manual