"Spiritual Formation"

[ReformedBaptist]

Because you can't list a single thing my church does that is heretical.

That's not what I said. I said that emergent isn't necessarily exclusively Christian. Your condemning any church that is emergent is like condemning all cristian hymns simply because there are Mormon and Jewish hymns. Giving a benediction or blessing isn't exclusively Christian. Let's ban that. Using the word "God" isn't exclusively Christian. Let's ban that as well.

Your church burns incense. But your church operatates, obviously, under the normative princple of worship rather than the regulative. I would say your offering worship together not prescribed by the Word of God.

Again, like Mitchell says, this is more confusion. We are talking about the emergent church...which emergent isn't exclusively Christian? What does that mean?

Your church you claim to be emergent. WHen we look for that out there and what it means, and who its leaders are, we find heresy and denial of truth itself. You have chosen to be a part of a church that identifies itself with that. ANd its a shame to see.

Here are some guesses about your beliefs and your churches:

1. The Roman Catholic Church is a Christian church.
2. There is much to learn from Christian mystics such as Brother Lawrence.
3. Clearing of the mind in our candle lit prayers rooms is good.
4. Truth can be found through private meditation from within.

 

[Jerome]

SBTS Introduces First Protestant Ph.D. Degree in Spirituality in United States

“Spirituality is one of the fastest-growing areas of theological education. If someone — regardless of background — wants a terminal degree in spirituality so they can teach in this fast-growing field, Southern will now become the top choice for most doctoral students. It is exciting to think of influencing such a great percentage of the next generation of those who plan to teach what you yourself teach.” ---Professor Don Whitney

“Don Whitney and Michael Haykin are the two preeminent evangelical leaders on spiritual formation and the spiritual disciplines. I can think of no two scholars I would rather see training up a new generation of scholars and leaders in this field.” ---Dean Russell Moore

 

[FlyForFun]

SBTS Introduces First Protestant Ph.D. Degree in Spirituality in United States

“Spirituality is one of the fastest-growing areas of theological education. If someone — regardless of background — wants a terminal degree in spirituality so they can teach in this fast-growing field, Southern will now become the top choice for most doctoral students. It is exciting to think of influencing such a great percentage of the next generation of those who plan to teach what you yourself teach.” ---Professor Don Whitney

“Don Whitney and Michael Haykin are the two preeminent evangelical leaders on spiritual formation and the spiritual disciplines. I can think of no two scholars I would rather see training up a new generation of scholars and leaders in this field.” ---Dean Russell Moore

Selective quotes... later on in the same article we read:

“Then, there is the fascination with piety that is now gripping evangelicals and we need to tap into two key sources (to inform this fascination): the Scriptures, lest we lose what has made evangelicals unique. Second, our historical roots in the piety of the long 18th century, Puritanism, the Reformation and also the ancient church. None of the latter can be read uncritically, but needs to be tested against Scripture.”

 

[Johnv]

Your church burns incense.

Yeah, and? Burning incense isn't unbiblical. I also burn incense in my home from time to time. I happen to live the grape incense. Makes me hungry, though.

Again, like Mitchell says, this is more confusion.

Only to those who categorically condemn emergent churches. Doesn't seem to be a problem for others.

...emergent isn't exclusively Christian? What does that mean?

Hymns aren't exclusively Christian, yet you sing hymns. Praying isn't exclusively Christian, yet you pray. Closing your eyes isn't exclusively Christian, yet you do it when praying. You're condeming a church for being emergent, but you're not condemning hymns, praying, or closing yoru eyes when you pray.

You have chosen to be a part of a church that identifies itself with that.

Actually, we're Reformed Baptist. But again, you fail in being able to list anything in our faith or practice that is unscriptural.

 

[FlyForFun]

Actually, we're Reformed Baptist. But again, you fail in being able to list anything in our faith or practice that is unscriptural.

IF you are "reformed baptist," why on earth would you be "emergent"?

What's the advantage of using that term -- as ripe with problems as it is?

 

[Jerome]

Youth for Christ's Virtual Labyrinth

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Yeah, and? Burning incense isn't unbiblical. I also burn incense in my home from time to time. I happen to live the grape incense. Makes me hungry, though.

Only to those who categorically condemn emergent churches. Doesn't seem to be a problem for others.

Hymns aren't exclusively Christian, yet you sing hymns. Praying isn't exclusively Christian, yet you pray. Closing your eyes isn't exclusively Christian, yet you do it when praying. You're condeming a church for being emergent, but you're not condemning hymns, praying, or closing yoru eyes when you pray.

Actually, we're Reformed Baptist. But again, you fail in being able to list anything in our faith or practice that is unscriptural.

Well, sounds like we have both said our peace and now its resulting in bantering back and forth.

Your congregation isn't Reformed Baptist unless it holds to a Reformed Baptist Confession of Faith.

Nice chatting with you.

 

[Johnv]

IF you are "reformed baptist," why on earth would you be "emergent"?

SOmeone once asked me a similar question: If we are "baptist", why would we be "reformed"?

We have some reformed beliefs, and we have some emergent practices. But we hold first and foremost to Scripture in all matters of faith and practice.

Your congregation isn't Reformed Baptist unless it holds to a Reformed Baptist Confession of Faith.

We do. We adhere to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

We do. We adhere to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith.

Your failing. lol Seriously...your congregation has moved away from it core teaching on the regulative principle of worship.

Is your congregation affiliated with ARBCA?

SOmeone once asked me a similar question: If we are "baptist", why would we be "reformed"?

We have some reformed beliefs, and we have some emergent practices. But we hold first and foremost to Scripture in all matters of faith and practice.

Then your not holding to the creed. Creeds are good if they are used. Sounds like your congregation is using it very haphazardly.

1. Is your congregation Calvinist in its soteriology?
2. Does your church teach Covenant Theology?
3. Are you practicing the regulative principle of worship?
4. Does your church confess the papacy is very Antichrist, that Man of Sin foretold in the Scriptures?

 

[Johnv]

your congregation has moved away from it core teaching on the regulative principle of worship.

There's nothing in our organized worship that is contrary to the 1689 Confession.

Is your congregation affiliated with ARBCA?

No. The ARBCA has only been around since 1997. We argued whether or not to joint the ARBCA when we were forming our government. The board, including myself, voted not to at this time.

Then your not holding to the creed. Creeds are good if they are used. Sounds like your congregation is using it very haphazardly.

This fishing expedition of yours is getting ridiculous. Obvioulsly, you can't find any support for your ridiculous claim that my church practices "heresy".

 

[ReformedBaptist]

There's nothing in our organized worship that is contrary to the 1689 Confession.

Where does the Bible intruct you to burn incence?

Are you singing Pslams?

How do the men admonish one another in the congregation?

Why didn't you answer my other questions? lol

 

[Marcia]

The contemplative prayer movement does not have a monopoly on its verbage or usage. What often happens is we hear that a church is "emergent" so we automatically condemn it based on the word alone. My church is emergent, but not unbiblical in the slightest.

My concerns on contemplative spirituality began long before the emergent movement and have nothing to do with it.

 

[FlyForFun]

My concerns on contemplative spirituality began long before the emergent movement and have nothing to do with it.

The connection is that the emergents have grasped at whatever straw may be floating by in the winds of doctrine.

 

[Johnv]

Where does the Bible intruct you to burn incence?

It's in the same place in scripture that instructs churches on the use of microphones, flourescent lighting, video screens, air conditioning, pew cushions, and offering plates.

Why didn't you answer my other questions? lol

They're clearly stupid.

My concerns on contemplative spirituality began long before the emergent movement and have nothing to do with it.

Point taken. It should be noted that "emergent" and "contemplative prayer" and "contemplative spirituality" are not necessarily synonymous with each other. Each church which has emergent customs should be judged on its own merit, just like each church that uses any other customs or practices should be judges on its own merit.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

It's in the same place in scripture that instructs churches on the use of microphones, flourescent lighting, video screens, air conditioning, pew cushions, and offering plates.

They're clearly stupid.

Wow. So, when someone questions the doctrine of yoru church directly...then the questions are stupid? :laugh:

Nuff said.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

The connection is that the emergents have grasped at whatever straw may be floating by in the winds of doctrine.

Check out what happens when you ask direct doctrinal questions! Imagine calling one of the elders and asking direct theological positions and he says, "I am not answering those questions because they are stupid!"

Bwahahahaha

 

[Johnv]

So, when someone questions the doctrine of yoru church directly...then the questions are stupid? :laugh:

Nice dodge. You keep asking questions because you accused me of heresy without proof. Since you lack proof, you're just fishing, which is just stupid.

Next time you accuse someone of heresy, have proof first.

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Nice dodge. You keep asking questions because you accused me of heresy without proof. Since you lack proof, you're just fishing, which is just stupid.

Next time you accuse someone of heresy, have proof first.

Oh, the modis operandi the slippery...I should have put in my post you would next accuse me of a dodge.

You have set yourself up as my adversary, but I have not fought you. Perhaps your into the debate thing and trying to win arguments. I enjoy the discussions for a season, and when they degenerate into sounding like my children do when they been around each other too long...

I exit the door. lol

May the Lord have mercy on you.

 

[Johnv]

Oh, the modis operandi the slippery...

Yes, your m.o. definitely proves to be slippery.... accusing someone of heresy despite the lack of evidence, and then fishing for evidence under the guise of "asking doctrinal questions".

 

[ReformedBaptist]

Yes, your m.o. definitely proves to be slippery.

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

Peace be yours in Christ.