Liberty in Christ

[J.D.]

Scripture. If someone can show me a scripture, or a scriptural principle, then we can consider and discuss and see if we come to an agreement. If they can't show me scripture or a scriptural principle, then someone's created a man-made rule.

As you pointed out in an earlier response, use Galatians 5 and the fruits of the spirit; and test your own motivations for those fruits (i.e., am I being truthful because of some thought that I'll be rewarded for it in some way, or simply because it's the right thing to do?). Look at the other portions of scripture mentioned (Eph 4 and 5, for example) and test your own motivations again (am I striving for unity because I expect to be rewarded for doing so, or because it's the right thing to do? And/or simply because I'm obeying scripture?).

The nit-noys we get wrapped around (smoking, movie theaters, etc.) are the things that we need to discuss whether there are scriptural principles that apply or not...whether there's a biblical principle that can actually be applied to them. For example, going to the theater in and of and by itself can be classified as harmless. If the theater is showing a movie which is identified as a comedy (and elicits laughter and "fun") about teen-agers attempting to have pre-marital sex, then what does scripture have to say about pre-marital sex? From there, what does scripture say about identifying pre-marital sex or attempting to have pre-marital sex as fun and deserving of laughter? From there, what does scripture say about those that support pre-marital sex (i.e., showing the film and accepting money to show the film that )? And so on.

--- Edited to add ---
As a further example, I myself am not persuaded that drinking is sinful. However, I read in Romans 14 that Paul says he won't eat or drink or anything else that causes another to stumble or be weakened; so I choose not to drink.

Your edited addition is a good example of mature christian behavior.

 

[menageriekeeper]

In the end, it is all the grace of God. I do believe in raising children with equal parts of love and strict protection from the snares of the Lord.

And I believe in high standards of behavior. But those standards and/or rules are useless without equal parts of love and without teaching the child to think through their own standards. I think this is where many of my fellow independent Baptists go wrong. They forget to teach the child to think things through. We always had our son give his own reasons for standards, not just parrot ours.

I think we have reached agreement!

 

[dcorbett]

And I believe in high standards of behavior. But those standards and/or rules are useless without equal parts of love and without teaching the child to think through their own standards. I think this is where many of my fellow independent Baptists go wrong. They forget to teach the child to think things through. We always had our son give his own reasons for standards, not just parrot ours.

Not just IFBs, brother...parents in general do not teach their kids to think through their standards and behavior and the consequences thereof. ( I have learned this after 25 years in law enforcement)

I, as an IFB, attempted to teach my kids that their actions could cause harm if not wisely chosen. "Yes, you have choices, but remember that your choices result in either good or bad....which is better?"

 

[John of Japan]

I think we have reached agreement!

Excellent! :thumbs:

 

[John of Japan]

Not just IFBs, brother...parents in general do not teach their kids to think through their standards and behavior and the consequences thereof. ( I have learned this after 25 years in law enforcement)

I, as an IFB, attempted to teach my kids that their actions could cause harm if not wisely chosen. "Yes, you have choices, but remember that your choices result in either good or bad....which is better?"

Well said. Teaching the child the consequences of their choices is very important.

I think we are losing this generation of young Baptists. Some of the surveys I've seen are very sad. Kids don't know what they believe, what to believe or why they believe it.

 

[dcorbett]

Well said. Teaching the child the consequences of their choices is very important.

I think we are losing this generation of young Baptists. Some of the surveys I've seen are very sad. Kids don't know what they believe, what to believe or why they believe it.

I hate to say this, brother, but liberalism in our churches has a lot to do with that....allowance of worldly things that wasn't allowed or tolerated in the past. Leeway on doctrine.....hell,fire, and brimstone wasn't all bad!!!

 

[John of Japan]

I hate to say this, brother, but liberalism in our churches has a lot to do with that....allowance of worldly things that wasn't allowed or tolerated in the past. Leeway on doctrine.....hell,fire, and brimstone wasn't all bad!!!

As the parents, so go the children.

 

[michael-acts17:11]

As the children go, so goes the church. That is why they should be trained in Biblical interpretation & discernment from an early age; not just in how to defend denominational doctrines.

 

[dcorbett]

As the children go, so goes the church. That is why they should be trained in Biblical interpretation & discernment from an early age; not just in how to defend denominational doctrines.

That's why we have a school as a ministry of our church - The students get Bible lessons along with Science, Math, English Grammar, Penmanship, Music, Library, and P.E. - and they are taught to respect their fellow students, teachers and elders...something rarely seen in public schools nowadays.

 

[michael-acts17:11]

That's why we have a school as a ministry of our church - The students get Bible lessons along with Science, Math, English Grammar, Penmanship, Music, Library, and P.E. - and they are taught to respect their fellow students, teachers and elders...something rarely seen in public schools nowadays.

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs: