Book burnings

No, AITB, it was a neutral statement adding perspective. Nothing more, nothing less.</font>[/QUOTE]Ok, fair enough. I wasn't sure how you intended it so I asked

 

Originally posted by mikesnedding:

He burn't down his business for insurance after we kicked him out.

Maybe he thought it was full of evil literature. A lot of people think insurance is evilly profit-making...anyway, if it was his, wasn't it his to do as he pleased with? Maybe he thinks that being jailed is persecution for the sake of Christ. For doing something in Jesus' name.

Some people do think that, when they do things that cause them to get into trouble with others.

Your answer is not satisfactory - the passage from Acts clearly implies God was pleased when he saw what these folks had done - "so mightily grew the word of God and prevailed".

Remember that Jesus Christ is the same - yesterday, today forever and by placing book burning into a cultural context you are denying a scriptural mandate.

Now you're saying that book-burning is a Scriptural mandate? I didn't know you believed that. So all Christians that don't do it are in violation of Scripture?

I believe your mistake is in thinking that anything believers did in the Bible, which didn't hurt the church and which maybe appears to have led to church growth at the time, in that culture is a Scriptural mandate.

Acts is a narrative. It is simply telling the story of the early church. There is no 'mandate'. It nowhere says in the Bible "you must copy what was done in the book of Acts, by believers, that had apparently good results". If it did I'd agree that we do have a Scriptural mandate to copy book-burning and other acts of the Apostles, recorded there.

But since it doesn't, I'd say there is no mandate and so, we are to seek God's will over whether such things are applicable today.

But, since you believe it's a mandate, are there other mandates in the book of Acts? In the gospels? I'd be interested to know what else you do at your church, Mike, based on that way of reading the Bible.

[ June 11, 2002, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: AITB ]

 

What a joy to see someone as Pinoy come to a life changeing confrontation with the God of the Bible throught the shed blood of Christ.

In America we have "Soul Liberty" which I understand means that Galatians 5:1 gives one the liberty to sin or some have alluded to on this very board. A close look, naw, not even a close look, it is plain that we are free from the bondage of the law which convicts of sin. A study of this chapter reveals what we were and what we are to be. We are in Christ if we have the fruit of the Spirit vs 22, and it is a joy to witness the transformation of a lost sinner to a save sinner.

Praise the Lord, Pinoy, in the RP salvation means a changed life, death to the old life, when a Filipino gets baptised they are truly burying their old life and living a new life for the Lord Jesus Christ. Maybe this verse explains it:

Luke 7:47 (KJV)
47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

I know when I got saved a great burden was lifted and it is a joy and comfort to know that the penelaty for sin has been paid, and that when we abide in Christ there is no more power of sin.

In America, in some there is little change in the life. Many wnat to live the same life, just reduce the sin, but not forsake it.

Ernie

 

Ernie

I do agree with you that some Christians don't let the work of Christ go nearly deep enough.

They essentially continue to live self-centered lives, dressed up in the trappings of Christianity.

I don't feel I could say they 'aren't saved' because only God knows that and His grace is amazing.

However, if they are saved, then imo they are sadly 'immature'.

 

Some people must feel guilty. I have never pointed a finger (figuretively) at anyone and You are not saved. I have stated that there is no evidence of salvation. For this I make no apology. Those who think they are saved and not need to be dealt just as those who have never acknowkledged Christ.

Study Acts 8:9-24 Paul questioned Simon's salvation for which Simon responded the way one should respond, not with a bitter attack saying you can't judge me.. No, he said Pray For Me.

Ernie

 

In 2,000 years, what hasnt changed?

I'm still waiting for you to tell me whether that link I posted is to your church so I can write and ask them when their next book-burning is scheduled to be.

 

Nothing wrong with burning books if they're you're own, nothing wrong with not burning them, especially if you're out of marshmallows, we don't call people's churches if we disagree with what they say on a message board because that's creepy and alludes to stalking-like behavior, and who'd've thought ideas on book burning would cause such disagreement? LOL
Gina

 

Maybe you don't...

I wouldn't want to say it's never happened, though

 

I agree, and reiterate what was said above. What you have a right to do, and what is right, are not always the same thing.

I would not burn religious articles of other religions. That is the way of cults, not Christianity.

 

I guess there is nothing wrong with burning items like the ones mentioned above. The problem to me is it looks like it's being treated as a work. To try & please God. If you are going to do it, maybe praying, or singing hymns while doing it.

Also, I'm scared that the "spirit filled christians" involved might be more likened to a mob mentality.

 

I daresay those who do it, do do such things.

But I shouldn't speak for them, perhaps.

 

For those who don't understand Mike and Pinoy....it is called a testimony. My old life is dead and I am ridding myself of the relics of the past. Why do some see this as harmful?

Ernie

 

I don't think anyone argues the power of someone publically testifying that they have made a decisive break with their old life.

But - going door to door and collecting someone else's stuff to burn - I mean, you might get "Roman" Bibles from ex-Catholics who are now atheists. Fine testimony that would be...

There are things we do and I really don't see that it's a clear presentation of the gospel as opposed to "we like to burn stuff" or "we love to get worked up in a crowd".

That is not the cross of Christ; that is not 'Meet the One who died on your behalf for your sins' etc. etc.

It should be crystal clear why we do what we do - imo.

Otherwise it will be a matter of "Gee, cool, a big bonfire - let's go!" And how is that different from watching an arsonist...?

 

Again, Ernie,

Testimonies are good and no one here is saying otherwise. The problem is that when MikeSnedding's church invites people to watch them burn the sacred texts of other religions or the works of gay authors, it ceases to be a testimony and becomes a political statement.

Mike

 

Do you know how many satnic things in this world?
The battle would never end by trying to remove "evil " things. The best way, is LOVE and witnessing to Christ so God plants the seed of Salvation and "spiritual change" in a person's life. The Saved don't think like us, and burning books and records will just say " they want to control us" when the sad reality is those that don't give the control to Christ and read the Word of God, are controlled by things that don't allow them to see, and they rebel to TRUTH. I was one of those, and the funny thing is the Rebels become passionate Christians, cause like the Scripture said those with the most debt that God paid for are the most grateful.