I feel sad that online assemblies are a place of arguments instead of healing. Some people cant attend church and they have nothing but the contentions online. Its not joyful navigating through contentions and divisions. Sometimes I just want to be by myself.
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Sometimes I wonder if im actually welcome here. Ive been cast out so many times that i expect the worst.
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Bruce–
I haven’t really seen anyone attacking you here. I must remind you also: This board usually isn’t a place filled with “arguments”. What causes an argument is someone coming in and attacking the basic tenants that 95% of the believers here hold to: The Deity of Christ, the Trinity and the Person of the Holy Spirit. I have seen someone come in and start SEVERAL threads that do one thing alone: Attack belief in the Trinity. He is doing it to CAUSE an argument. Especially when using a mocking tone in every post. I don’t come to the board to “argue” with people—I come to fellowship. But lately it seems all I’m doing is posting in response to mocking commercials, etc. that are MEANT to IRK people. I’m hoping he leaves of his own volition soon. I’d rather talk about how wonderful Jesus is rather than “arguing” about the Trinity. Seriously.
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@Fish153 I understand what you’re saying and im not referring to that. Ill just keep it to myself. I dont see how it would make matters any better.
People think when Paul said that the natural man cannot discern the things of God that he means mysterious things like trinity. But I think he referred to things like love, gentleness, weakness, tenderheartedness, meekness. People think that arguing theology is spiritually discerned and saying otherwise is foolishness to them. They fail to keep the body in peace and love. They stir up contention instead. They cant discern God’s ways.
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise”
1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all [d]speak the same thing, and that there be no [e]divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the [g]message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the [h]disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a [i]stumbling block and to the [j]Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Glory Only in the Lord
26 For [k]you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many [l]noble, are called. 27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the [m]base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”
Continued…
1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the [a]testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of [b]human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Spiritual Wisdom
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God [c]ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written:
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the [d]Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ..
1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
Continued…
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart”
God’s wisdom is not theology but it weakness, meekness, gentleness, peace and love. Thats part of our cross and part of the message of the cross that some theologians dont seem to grasp. Theology quenches that spirit with debate and contentions.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [f]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
The verb exomologoumai (‘I praise, I thank, I confess’) introduces a prayer of startling intimacy after the preceding judgment oracles. Jesus addresses God as pater (‘Father’) and kyrie tou ouranou kai tēs gēs (‘Lord of heaven and earth’). The paradox is that divine revelation bypasses the sophōn kai synetōn (‘wise and intelligent’) -those with religious expertise — and is given to nēpiois (‘infants, little children’) — those without status or credentials. This is not anti-intellectualism but a statement about the posture required to receive revelation.
Hast revealed them unto babes - To the poor, the ignorant, and the obscure; the teachable, the simple, the humble. By the wise and prudent here he had reference probably to the proud and haughty scribes and Pharisees in Capernaum. They rejected his gospel, but it was the pleasure of God to reveal it to obscure and more humble people. The reason given, the only satisfactory reason, is, that it so seemed good in the sight of God. In this the Saviour acquiesced, saying, “Even so, Father;” and in the dealings of God it is proper that all should acquiesce. “Such is the will of God” is often the only explanation which can be offered in regard to the various events which happen to us on earth. “Such is the will of God” is the only account which can be given of the reason of the dispensations of his grace. Our understanding is often confounded. We are unsuccessful in all our efforts at explanation. Our philosophy fails, and all that we can say is, “Even so, Father; for so it seems good to thee.” And this is enough. That God does a thing, is, after all, the best reason which we “can” have that it is right. It is a “security” that nothing wrong is done; and though now mysterious, yet light will hereafter shine upon it like the light of noonday. I have more certainty that a thing is right if I can say that I know such is the will of God, than I could have by depending on my own reason. In the one case I confide in the infallible and most perfect God; in the other I rely on the reason of a frail and erring man. God never errs; but nothing is more common than for people to err.
J.
@Johann You say that Paul was only talking to jews but he was talking to Greeks who seek wisdom too, and he was rebuking the church not just the unbeleving Pharisees. Paul would likely rebuke your church i think.
This is what im talking about. People care more for theology than keeping peace with love, gentleness, tenderheartedness, meekness and humility. You could have just said “amen brother, let us all become fools and be gentle, loving, merciful, kind, meek and humble” but you dont. Should I just flee this place to find peace? I will if I have to. Im not in the mood for theology. I just want love.
I cant even understand your language. I have no problem understanding Paul. Why is that?
You are a very emotional individual, you can stay in the circle of likeminded emotional people.
What would humans be like if we never became emotional, if we were capable of controlling emotions at all times? Perhaps we would be like Mr. Spock on Star Trek, as his responses to all situations seem to be purely logical, never emotional. But God created us in His image, and God’s emotions are revealed in the Scriptures; therefore, God created us as emotional beings. We feel love, joy, happiness, guilt, anger, disappointment, fear, etc. Sometimes our emotions are pleasant to experience and sometimes not. Sometimes our emotions are grounded in truth, and sometimes they are “false” in that they are based upon false premises. For example, if we falsely believe that God is not in control of the circumstances of our lives, we may experience the emotions of fear or despair or anger based on that false belief. Regardless, emotions are powerful and real to the one feeling them. And emotions can be helpful indicators of what is going on in our hearts.
That being said, it is important that we learn about managing emotions rather than allowing our emotions to manage us. For example, when we feel angry, it is important to be able to stop, identify that we are angry, examine our hearts to determine why we are angry, and then proceed in a biblical manner. Out-of-control emotions tend not to produce God-honoring results: “Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20).
Our emotions, like our minds and bodies, are influenced greatly by the fall of mankind into sin. In other words, our emotions are tainted by our sin nature, and that is why they need controlling. The Bible tells us we are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit (Romans 6; Ephesians 5:15–18; 1 Peter 5:6–11), not by our emotions. If we recognize our emotions and bring them to God, we can then submit our hearts to Him and allow Him to do His work in our hearts and direct our actions. At times, this may mean God simply comforts us, reassures us, and reminds us we need not fear. Other times, He may prompt us to forgive or to ask for forgiveness. The psalms are an excellent example of managing emotions and bringing our emotions to God. Many psalms are filled with raw emotion, but the emotion is poured out to God in an attempt to seek His truth and righteousness.
Sharing our feelings with others is also helpful in managing emotions. The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. God has given us the gift of other believers who can share our burdens and whose burdens we share (Romans 12; Galatians 6:1–10; 2 Corinthians 1:3–5; Hebrews 3:13). Fellow believers can also remind us of God’s truth and offer new perspective. When we are feeling discouraged or afraid, we can benefit from the encouragement, exhortation, and reassurance other believers provide. Often, when we encourage others, we ourselves are encouraged. Likewise, when we are joyful, our joy usually increases when we share it.
Allowing our emotions to control us is not godly. Denying or vilifying our emotions is not godly, either. We should thank God for our ability to feel emotion and steward our emotions as a gift from God. The way to manage our emotions is to grow in our walk with God. We are transformed through the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:1–2) and the power of the Holy Spirit—the One who produces in us self-control (Galatians 5:23). We need daily input of scriptural principles, a desire to grow in the knowledge of God, and time spent meditating on God’s attributes. We should seek to know more of God and share more of our hearts with God through prayer. Christian fellowship is another important part of spiritual growth. We journey with fellow believers and help one another grow in faith as well as in emotional maturity.
Shalom.
J.
@Johann love is emotional. Jesus and paul wept. They were men of sorrows and acquainted with grief. I prefer the term spiritual though.
Im done here. I seek love (God’s wisdom) not intellectuals.(Man’s wisdom) I dont belong anywhere around churchianity. I love Jesus and want to love people but this theological contention quenches that spirit. I may be lonely but at least I had peace.
Before I go I just want to say that there is nothing wrong with being emotional. Its not ungodly at all. Im sorry for the disagreement but I just cant be around you. I need people who edify me. I suppose only the Lord can do that. We are in the end times and people no longer endure sound doctrine. This contention hurts me like it probably grieves the holy spirit.
Keep casting brother. 
You keep saying this, Bruce. Do what you feel is best for you. You keep saying that you want to learn, but you do not seem to truly want to. Anyone who disagrees with you or tries to teach you someone that you reject, you simply ask the same questions, say the same things, and call people names, and label this site as something it is not. So Godspeed. May you find what you are looking for elsewhere. May God be with you.
Peter
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With respect I never said I wanted to learn from people I dissagree with. I did once say I hoped to learn something about a particular subject but I was hoping to learn from scripture posted not from people’s argumentative opinions.
I came here looking for like-minded people but I didn’t find any so im leaving. I believe division is sin and that theology creates divisions. So im going to go be by myself.
I believe that love is what matters most but theological debates cause strife which isn’t love. And a lot of it is man made and not supported by scripture. Jesus loves me and thats enough.
Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
When im alone I feel peace but online I feel horrible. It will take some time for me to feel peace again but I trust the Lord will get me there. I really need to stop desiring fellowship. All it does is hurt me. I dont know why I keep trying. I feel like a fool.