The "I" problem

[Luke2427]

We've all got it. "I" know "I" do.

But some people DON'T know they have an "I" problem.

Some people don't realize that they are constantly trying to paint themselves as super-spiritual people.

"I"M the kind of person that would give the shirt off his back..."

"I just hate to see Christians fussing and fighting..." (Implying that he does not condescend to this vile behavior. He has risen above it, and wishes that we poor immature people could rise to his level of spirituality)

But usually these are people who are as flawed in these very areas as the ones they lecture are.

But what makes these lecturers worse off than the people they criticize is that they really don't see themselves as flawed in that particular area.

I cannot recount the many times someone has attacked me for attacking someone. HELLO??? Do you not see a bit of inconsistency there??

I am amazed at the many times I have been called names while being lectured for calling people names!!!

It is HILARIOUS!

One guy goes around TROLLING for TROLLERS!

It is amazing how oblivious some people are to their own self-righteousness!

But it is also amazing how shallow some people are in swallowing their self-righteous lectures hook, line and sinker. With all kinds of smiley-face-thumbs-up icons.

This is because, in my opinion, they are as guilty of this self-aggrandizing, self-exalting mindset themselves.

I am guilty of this very thing. Perhaps even in this very POST I am doing the very thing that I criticize. But it is true nonetheless.

Paul said, "OH WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM!"

That spirit will take a lot of the wind from self-exalting sails.

 

[quantumfaith]

We've all got it. "I" know "I" do.

But some people DON'T know they have an "I" problem.

Some people don't realize that they are constantly trying to paint themselves as super-spiritual people.

"I"M the kind of person that would give the shirt off his back..."

"I just hate to see Christians fussing and fighting..." (Implying that he does not condescend to this vile behavior. He has risen above it, and wishes that we poor immature people could rise to his level of spirituality)

But usually these are people who are as flawed in these very areas as the ones they lecture are.

But what makes these lecturers worse off than the people they criticize is that they really don't see themselves as flawed in that particular area.

I cannot recount the many times someone has attacked me for attacking someone. HELLO??? Do you not see a bit of inconsistency there??

I am amazed at the many times I have been called names while being lectured for calling people names!!!

It is HILARIOUS!

One guy goes around TROLLING for TROLLERS!

It is amazing how oblivious some people are to their own self-righteousness!

But it is also amazing how shallow some people are in swallowing their self-righteous lectures hook, line and sinker. With all kinds of smiley-face-thumbs-up icons.

This is because, in my opinion, they are as guilty of this self-aggrandizing, self-exalting mindset themselves.

I am guilty of this very thing. Perhaps even in this very POST I am doing the very thing that I criticize. But it is true nonetheless.

Paul said, "OH WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM!"

That spirit will take a lot of the wind from self-exalting sails.

Careful Luke, you have shown vulnerability twice in one week. BTW, "I" counted 11 "I"'s

"I" could be wrong, because "I" am challenged with counting.

 

[Luke2427]

Careful Luke, you have shown vulnerability twice in one week. BTW, "I" counted 11 "I"'s

"I" could be wrong, because "I" am challenged with counting.

Hence the way I began the post. :thumbsup:

 

[quantumfaith]

My only though Luke....is why don't YOU take the lead. It does not mean you are less committed to your positions or theology. It does not mean you are weak or "milque toast". Take the lead in demonstrating proper attitudes and decorum. Be a leader not a "bull in a china shop". Persuade....when you can....disagree kindly and intellectually when you cannot. There is absolutely no malice in my words toward you.

 

[Luke2427]

My only though Luke....is why don't YOU take the lead. It does not mean you are less committed to your positions or theology. It does not mean you are weak or "milque toast". Take the lead in demonstrating proper attitudes and decorum. Be a leader not a "bull in a china shop". Persuade....when you can....disagree kindly and intellectually when you cannot. There is absolutely no malice in my words toward you.

I don't think there is any malice- none at all.


My point is that Christians OUGHT to be ABLE to debate things fiercely. They ought to be able to do this without lectures of self-aggrandizing, super-spiritual people looking down their noses and lecturing them on how unspiritual they are- particularly when most of these types are just as vicious when the topic touches something they regard highly.


It would be nice if we could abandon ad homenim and only attack ideas.

We ought to be able to say, "This is HORRIBLE!!! And here is why..."

We ought to be able to say, "This idea is terribly ill informed and the result of a tremendous lack education on this matter. Here is why I say that..."

And we ought to be able to have such conversations without "holier-than-thou" lectures from people no better in these areas than anyone else.

We ought to stop acting like it is unChristian to debate and dispute. It is the WAY Paul spread the Church.

 

[quantumfaith]

Well, in most cases, I would suggest not saying to someone "that is horrible", rather I would say.. 'I think you are wrong here, this is where I think you have this wrong or incorrect". It is undoubtedly true that the use of certain words and phrases will do nothing more than to raise the "ire" of the conversation. But that is just me. Persuasion comes from honesty, eloquence and mutual respect.

 

[Luke2427]

Well, in most cases, I would suggest not saying to someone "that is horrible",

But that is the language of the Bibl preachers, Apostles, prophets and Jesus himself.

I contend since the hippies we have fashioned an ideal of Christianity that it should be sissified.

No anger, no clinched fists, no raised voices, no squared shoulders, no calling a spade a spade (which is why you don't want to call something horrible when it is horrible).

But this is EXACTLY the type thing that we see characterizing the lives of Samuel, Elijah, Jesus, Paul, Peter, Stephen...


Will you not CONSIDER that you could be DEAD wrong on this version of Christianity that is so popular today?

 

[quantumfaith]

But that is the language of the Bibl preachers, Apostles, prophets and Jesus himself.

I contend since the hippies we have fashioned an ideal of Christianity that it should be sissified.

No anger, no clinched fists, no raised voices, no squared shoulders, no calling a spade a spade (which is why you don't want to call something horrible when it is horrible).

But this is EXACTLY the type thing that we see characterizing the lives of Samuel, Elijah, Jesus, Paul, Peter, Stephen...


Will you not CONSIDER that you could be DEAD wrong on this version of Christianity that is so popular today?

I always consider that I could be wrong...

 

[Arbo]

Fierce debate does not need to be impolite debate. It seems that many threads turn nasty because this is forgotten.

You know what Proverbs 15:1 says about a harsh word...

 

[Luke2427]

Fierce debate does not need to be impolite debate. It seems that many threads turn nasty because this is forgotten.

You know what Proverbs 15:1 says about a harsh word...

But you don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

You don't take one passage that encourages civility and use that to discount all other passages that call for outrage.

You don't get to cherry pick.

You have to figure out how each of these passages fit in the WHOLE of Scripture.

 

[Arbo]

You don't take one passage that encourages civility and use that to discount all other passages that call for outrage.

You don't get to cherry pick.

It goes both ways.

 

[Luke2427]

It goes both ways.

Yes, but the deficiency in this age is not softness in Chritendom. It is firmness that is severely lacking.

This is not the age of Jonathan Edwards.

It is the age of Joel Osteen.

 

[Arbo]

Persuasion comes from honesty, eloquence and mutual respect.

I think Quantumfaith makes a good point about respect. Most people will not be persuaded by an argument if they know that the other person holds them in contempt. Insults and rudeness communicate contempt.

It is not about having a pantywaist or a hippie faith. It's about common courtesy and respect toward the brethren as individuals, not about respect for a disagreed upon view.

 

[Arbo]

Yes, but the deficiency in this age is not softness in Chritendom. It is firmness that is severely lacking.

This is not the age of Jonathan Edwards.

It is the age of Joel Osteen.

Do you equate politeness with a soft faith?

 

[Luke2427]

Do you equate politeness with a soft faith?

Of course not.

I think there is a time for softness and that there is a time for firmness.

Some recipes call for powdered sugar. Others call for cayenne pepper.

But when you substitute powdered sugar for cayenne pepper when the recipe calls for cayenne pepper you make something NOBODY wants.

The deficiency in this age and religious culture is spice-not sugar.

Again, this is the age of Joel Osteen- not Jonathan Edwards.

 

[Salty]

This Vet was in the US Army, but this Former GI understands that a Marine recruit is not allowed allowed to use the letter between "H" and "J" during boot camp.

 

[Luke2427]

This Vet was in the US Army, but this Former GI understands that a Marine recruit is not allowed allowed to use the letter between "H" and "J" during boot camp.

I don't understand.

 

[Skandelon]

It is amazing how oblivious some people are to their own self-righteousness!

Yes it is... people are often very unaware of how they come across to others, especially via written forums.

 

[Luke2427]

Yes it is... people are often very unaware of how they come across to others, especially via written forums.

How do you mean?

How is this related to self-righteousness?

Self-righteousness is better identified by the act of people going around telling other people how bad they are, is it not??

 

[Don]

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Romans 15:2 Let every one of us please [his] neighbour for [his] good to edification.

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

And possibly the three verses that apply most to Baptist Board:
Proverbs 26:4-5
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject