I'm too dogmatic!

[evangelist6589]

Met with the pastor the other week and he said he received two complaints about me and therefore cannot let me teach, because the complaints claim I am too dogmatic. He did say however that I am a gifted teacher.

I can trace the complaints about me to several areas.

1. I take the position that Joel Osteen is a false teacher and that the author of that Jesus calling book has deceived people.

- Since I openly spoke on both issues in Sunday school when I did have a voice no doubt I angered some people.

2. I take the Lordship Salvation position

- I am probably the only Calvinist in the entire church and the only one affirming Lordship Salvation.

3. I am a The Way of the Master evangelist

So what shall I do? I believe I have been treated unfairly by the Arminian in this church whom despise Calvinists. Calvinists need to treat them the same way and despise them as well. However this would be acting in the flesh, no matter what I feel about them.

So I am just going to follow the advice in James and to be slow to speak, slow to respond, and quick to listen. The Arminian are looking for a way to accuse me and no need to give them bullets.

I would like to teach again and like the pastor said I am a gifted teacher, but they cannot handle my convictions.

 

[Zaac]

I honestly wouldn't let you teach just because you're here now talking about Arminians and Calvinists.

Seriously, who cares? Why do people continue to let this mess seep into the church?

Preach the word and stop with all this Calvin vs Arminian stuff. You're an EVANGELIST.

Calvin and Arminia aren't mentioned in the word of God.

Preach the word and if folks have got a problem with the word, let them take it up with God and not you over some foolish Calvin vs Arminian silliness.

Now get back to teaching. :laugh:

 

[McCree79]

Evan,
I can see the dogmatic charge being leveled against you. You are very passionate. Perhaps too passionate when it doesn't matter that much.

From what I have seen in your posts....passion is your greatest strength, but it also your weakness. Learn to control that passion....learn to be kind, gentle and patient. Of course I am assuming you teach Sunday School similar to how you present your beliefs here. If I am wrong, I apologize.

From 2 Timothy chapter 2
"....charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.".......

"And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,"

 

[Inspector Javert]

Met with the pastor the other week and he said he received two complaints about me and therefore cannot let me teach, because the complaints claim I am too dogmatic.

You are very dogmatic.
They won't like it and they won't respond to your dogmatism. Even if you were allowed to teach you would be wasting your time.

2. I take the Lordship Salvation position
- I am probably the only Calvinist in the entire church and the only one affirming Lordship Salvation.

I'd be willing to bet that it isn't "THAT" you are a Calvinist that really bothers them, it's that you are dogmatic about it. People don't respond well to dogmatism about convictions they do not share.

3. I am a The Way of the Master evangelist

I don't think that is what bothers them.

So what shall I do?

Learn and grow.

I believe I have been treated unfairly by the Arminian in this church whom despise Calvinists.

Being permitted to teach or not teach is not an issue of "fairness". They do not have any responsibility to give you a "fair" shot at teaching.

Calvinists need to treat them the same way and despise them as well. However this would be acting in the flesh, no matter what I feel about them.

Yeah, see, you can kinda' smell a little dogmatism. It's usually not well received.

So I am just going to follow the advice in James and to be slow to speak, slow to respond, and quick to listen.

Yes, and perhaps consider attending a Church which suits you more.

The Arminian are looking for a way to accuse me and no need to give them bullets.

No, see, they aren't. They really aren't.
That you think they are, is a problem.

I would like to teach again and like the pastor said I am a gifted teacher,

I don't know if it be the case, but, he MAY have been softening the blow a little, by throwing you a bone. A dogmatist isn't usually a gifted teacher (or at least a seasoned one). He may have just been saying something nice.

but they cannot handle my convictions.

They can "handle" your convictions (whatever that means).....they dislike your dogmatism.

 

[Revmitchell]

Somehow I think if we heard this directly from the pastor the coomplaints would be much different.

 

[evangelist6589]

Evan,
I can see the dogmatic charge being leveled against you. You are very passionate. Perhaps too passionate when it doesn't matter that much.

From what I have seen in your posts....passion is your greatest strength, but it also your weakness. Learn to control that passion....learn to be kind, gentle and patient. Of course I am assuming you teach Sunday School similar to how you present your beliefs here. If I am wrong, I apologize.

From 2 Timothy chapter 2
"....charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.".......

"And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,"

I am learning to be more patient. Thanks for the post.

 

[kyredneck]

I'm too dogmatic!

You're too much into you. It's the big 'I'.

 

[quantumfaith]

Somehow I think if we heard this directly from the pastor the coomplaints would be much different.

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Yep. My best guest is that the pastor is attempting to display love and diplomacy with carefully chosen words.

 

[evangelist6589]

Somehow I think if we heard this directly from the pastor the coomplaints would be much different.

Did you ever find the four rabbits on your church lawn?

 

[Tom Bryant]

Did you ever find the four rabbits on your church lawn?

And that's precisely the problem. You go into attack mode with this ongoing nonsense about rabbits.

People here have said it. Now your pastor says it. This kind of reaction will limit your usefulness in God's kingdom.

A great preacher once said, "I don't care who doesn't like what I say because of my positions, but I do care who doesn't like what I say because of my disposition."

 

[Darrell C]

Met with the pastor the other week and he said he received two complaints about me and therefore cannot let me teach, because the complaints claim I am too dogmatic. He did say however that I am a gifted teacher.

I can trace the complaints about me to several areas.

1. I take the position that Joel Osteen is a false teacher and that the author of that Jesus calling book has deceived people.

- Since I openly spoke on both issues in Sunday school when I did have a voice no doubt I angered some people.

2. I take the Lordship Salvation position

- I am probably the only Calvinist in the entire church and the only one affirming Lordship Salvation.

3. I am a The Way of the Master evangelist

So what shall I do? I believe I have been treated unfairly by the Arminian in this church whom despise Calvinists. Calvinists need to treat them the same way and despise them as well. However this would be acting in the flesh, no matter what I feel about them.

So I am just going to follow the advice in James and to be slow to speak, slow to respond, and quick to listen. The Arminian are looking for a way to accuse me and no need to give them bullets.

I would like to teach again and like the pastor said I am a gifted teacher, but they cannot handle my convictions.

Just from reading this it seems you may be in the wrong fellowship. Just my opinion but a fellowship should have a decidedly defined Statement of Faith, the congregation should be familiar with it, and if there is something that is irreconcilable for the member they should move on.

That doesn't mean one cannot attend a fellowship they are not in full agreement with everything the leadership teaches, but at the least it leaves no room for complaining on our part, if there is something we cannot agree with.

My only advice to any teacher is never try to teach a System of Theology, simply stick with Scripture. When teaching has the views of men imposed into them, there is always going to be someone that is going to disagree with the teaching. When the teaching has the perspective of the Word of God, no-one can argue with it.


God bless.

 

[Revmitchell]

Just from reading this it seems you may be in the wrong fellowship. Just my opinion but a fellowship should have a decidedly defined Statement of Faith, the congregation should be familiar with it, and if there is something that is irreconcilable for the member they should move on.

That doesn't mean one cannot attend a fellowship they are not in full agreement with everything the leadership teaches, but at the least it leaves no room for complaining on our part, if there is something we cannot agree with.

My only advice to any teacher is never try to teach a System of Theology, simply stick with Scripture. When teaching has the views of men imposed into them, there is always going to be someone that is going to disagree with the teaching. When the teaching has the perspective of the Word of God, no-one can argue with it.


God bless.

Well you are a newbie. Most everyone else already knows the back story on why he is in that church.

 

[Darrell C]

Well you are a newbie. Most everyone else already knows the back story on why he is in that church.

Actually, I am not a newbie, lol, though my post count is low on this particular forum.

So does the back story make what I said in error?


God bless.

 

[salzer mtn]

Met with the pastor the other week and he said he received two complaints about me and therefore cannot let me teach, because the complaints claim I am too dogmatic. He did say however that I am a gifted teacher.

I can trace the complaints about me to several areas.

1. I take the position that Joel Osteen is a false teacher and that the author of that Jesus calling book has deceived people.

- Since I openly spoke on both issues in Sunday school when I did have a voice no doubt I angered some people.

2. I take the Lordship Salvation position

- I am probably the only Calvinist in the entire church and the only one affirming Lordship Salvation.

3. I am a The Way of the Master evangelist

So what shall I do? I believe I have been treated unfairly by the Arminian in this church whom despise Calvinists. Calvinists need to treat them the same way and despise them as well. However this would be acting in the flesh, no matter what I feel about them.

So I am just going to follow the advice in James and to be slow to speak, slow to respond, and quick to listen. The Arminian are looking for a way to accuse me and no need to give them bullets.

I would like to teach again and like the pastor said I am a gifted teacher, but they cannot handle my convictions.

You say you are Calvinist, but you have much to learn. You have to much pride to be a Calvinist. The swine in your free will church are ready to rend you. If you knew scripture you would have expected it to happen sooner or later.

 

[PreachTony]

Met with the pastor the other week and he said he received two complaints about me and therefore cannot let me teach, because the complaints claim I am too dogmatic. He did say however that I am a gifted teacher.

I can trace the complaints about me to several areas.

1. I take the position that Joel Osteen is a false teacher and that the author of that Jesus calling book has deceived people.

- Since I openly spoke on both issues in Sunday school when I did have a voice no doubt I angered some people.

You told us quite proudly in the past that you are intentionally confrontational. This attitude will not allow you to grow in grace and knowledge. Now, I agree with you about Osteen; he is a false teacher bringing a false gospel. I'm not familiar with the Jesus Calling thing, though.

2. I take the Lordship Salvation position

- I am probably the only Calvinist in the entire church and the only one affirming Lordship Salvation.

And as we've discussed int he past, not everyone holds to Lordship Salvation. If the LS doctrine is not a part of your church's statement of faith then you shouldn't be teaching it. If your church is not Calvinistic, then you should not teach Calvinistic doctrine when you stand. You can teach the word without forcing your doctrine on the listener.

3. I am a The Way of the Master evangelist

We know. Sometimes I fear you put more stock in the words of Ray Comfort, Kirk Cameron, John MacArthur, and Paul Washer than you do in the words of Jesus, Paul, Peter, and James.

So what shall I do? I believe I have been treated unfairly by the Arminian in this church whom despise Calvinists. Calvinists need to treat them the same way and despise them as well. However this would be acting in the flesh, no matter what I feel about them.

You're already adopting a victim mentality. Also, you yourself have demonstrated a stout disapproval of non-Calvinists. I've noted before that you always seem to place Calvinists in higher regard than non-Cals, and you heap more praise on Calvinists than on non-Cals.

To respond facetiously: Why are you getting upset about non-Calvinists? Did not God predestine them not to be Calvinist? :smilewinkgrin:

So I am just going to follow the advice in James and to be slow to speak, slow to respond, and quick to listen. The Arminian are looking for a way to accuse me and no need to give them bullets.

More victimhood and paranoia. The Arminians are not out to get you, Evan. If there is disagreement in the church, it it probably because you are teaching a doctrine contrary to the stated doctrine and theology of the church proper. That falls on you; not the Arminians. If you are so enamored with Calvinism and Lordship Salvation that you feel you have to teach it somewhere, then find a church that believes the same way you do. Do not try to force a doctrine on your church that your church does not agree with. (And yeah, I know the background of why you are at your church...)

I would like to teach again and like the pastor said I am a gifted teacher, but they cannot handle my convictions.

It's not that they cannot handle your convictions, Evan. It sounds like you are trying to force doctrine on your church that your church does not accept.

 

[JonC]

Actually, I am not a newbie, lol, though my post count is low on this particular forum.

So does the back story make what I said in error?


God bless.

He doesn't share his church's soteriology, argues against their not teaching Lordship Salvation, and wants them to teach the Law convicting of sin (a position that they don't seem to hold). He would rather go to another church but his wife will not change churches.

I don't watch Soap Operas....except sometimes this one. :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Darrell C]

He doesn't share his church's soteriology, argues against their not teaching Lordship Salvation, and wants them to teach the Law convicting of sin (a position that they don't seem to hold). He would rather go to another church but his wife will not change churches.

I don't watch Soap Operas....except sometimes this one. :smilewinkgrin:

"Lordship Salvation" is not a legalistic view (though there may be some that teach it thus).

And there is no question the Law not only convicted of sin when people were under the Law, it is still doing that.

It is the Word of God, after all. And it the closest that the natural man will get to knowing the will of God apart from the Ministry of the Comforter.


God bless.

 

[Tom Bryant]

You say you are Calvinist, but you have much to learn. You have to much pride to be a Calvinist. The swine in your free will church are ready to rend you. If you knew scripture you would have expected it to happen sooner or later.

Pardon me??? So this pastor is swine because he is not a Calvinist?

 

[Greektim]

Evan... though your demeanor is probably not the noblest, you have been casting pearls before swine for long enough. Be a leader and take your family to a church where you can all serve. If your wife is so fundie-gung-ho, then remind her of submission. Or better, maybe it is time you start a house church that can grow into something more legitimate (lack of a better word).

 

[Greektim]

Pardon me??? So this pastor is swine because he is not a Calvinist?

Don't make the metaphor walk on all fours, dude.