Tattooed reverend gets hate online as Canterbury Cathedral defends her

I agree. But people, IMHO, sometimes leave those Baptist churches for RC congregations because they have found out those Baptist churches are just as theologically void as you know your past RC church to be. At least there is an appeal towards ritual.

I've spoken to Mormons who left Baptist churches for the same reason. They don't necessarily find Mormonism theologically appealing, but at least they have something in the form of works to offer.

When we preach what cannot actually be found in God's Word as the gospel itself we present theories or philosophies that are damming by creating stumbling blocks to those truly seeking salvation.

My view is that God will save those He will save. But those who are the stumbling block will face consequences for misleading people.

 

We can be stumbling blocks (to the point Jesus warned us not to be).
I'm not saying those people will not be saved. But I am saying we are responsible for our part.

It is better not to provide an answer than to provide an answer that is not in the Bible as if it were.

 

That can be an issue. You need to move to Beaufort SC.

Here is an example of what I was talking about earlier.

A man goes to church and hears a sermon about how evil it is to drink a beer. The man goes home and reads a Bible. He does not find that it is evil and concludes the Christianity makes up rules and passes them off as God's Word. I believe that pastor is guilty of exceeding God's Word and if being a stumbling block. Perhaps that man gives another church a try years later and us saved (perhaps not). Either way the pastor is guilty of being a stumbling block to that man.

 

I'd say the answer should be biblical. If not offer an understanding but clarify it is your understanding.

Using the example I gave:

Somebody asks if it is ok to drink a beer. The pastor could say "The Bible does not prohibit it, but drunkenness is wrong. I believe it is wrong because of......, but others believe it is fine in moderation".

 

I'm not sure that NJ has any better a Governor.

The beer thing was just an example. Substitute it for any teaching that is not actually in the Bible.

 

Interesting question/thinking

Let me add just a bit
Suppose that pastor had said at the end of the sermon - that Scripture has many passages showing how drinking - can be a major problem in our life - and I believe that we should avoid such temptation

So he is not saying that drinking is directly a sin - but rather a personal decision.

Thoughts?

 

I think that is fine. Drinking can also damage ones witness (depending on culture).

The thing is we need to be very careful not to present our understanding as God's words.

I believe Paul's example is a good one to follow (when he gave his view but indicated it was not a command from God).