Unity or Purity?

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I kindly say something like, "Well, it seems that the bible says God chose us, so I believe it...it also says I must choose God, so I believe that too...I'd love to talk more about it with you." I try very hard not to prove them right on the mean-spirited remark.

But isn't their comment mean spirited and rude

Sorry ....Double Post.... HAPPY FRIDAY!

 

[Mexdeaf]

Your silence

Sometimes silence is the best response to ignorance and hate. Jesus seems to have used it quite often.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Sometimes silence is the best response to ignorance and hate. Jesus seems to have used it quite often.

Then how does the offensive person learn to have respect....who teaches them that? I just see this brother as rewarding offensive & bad behavior.

 

[12strings]

But isn't their comment mean spirited and rude ..I certainly view it as an assault!

Probably, or maybe they are just repeating what they have heard. It is likely based on simple ignorance of reformed theology and not actually knowing any real Calvinists...or maybe they have known 1 or 2 and those people actually ARE MEAN. Or they have had Calvinism explained to them as "God created sin and punishes people for doing the sins he makes them commit." If you heard Calvinism explained that way, you might think it was absurd too.

Remember that all of us are rude and mean spirited at times, remember how you referred to their "ridiculous rituals"? Would that be considered rude if you said that to a Lutheran?

Then how does the offensive person learn to have respect....who teaches them that? I just see this brother as rewarding offensive & bad behavior.

"A soft answer turns away wrath." Most people who are that argumentative are used to being argued with, or responded to in anger...its the only way they know how to communicate. Usually, being rude in return to a rude person teaches them nothing.

I would not necessarily advocate simply staring at them in silence, that would be kind of weird, but being intentionally kind in a response would be a good start.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Probably, or maybe they are just repeating what they have heard. It is likely based on simple ignorance of reformed theology and not actually knowing any real Calvinists...or maybe they have known 1 or 2 and those people actually ARE MEAN. Or they have had Calvinism explained to them as "God created sin and punishes people for doing the sins he makes them commit." If you heard Calvinism explained that way, you might think it was absurd too.

Remember that all of us are rude and mean spirited at times, remember how you referred to their "ridiculous rituals"? Would that be considered rude if you said that to a Lutheran?



"A soft answer turns away wrath." Most people who are that argumentative are used to being argued with, or responded to in anger...its the only way they know how to communicate. Usually, being rude in return to a rude person teaches them nothing.

I would not necessarily advocate simply staring at them in silence, that would be kind of weird, but being intentionally kind in a response would be a good start.

Then they will think you a Milksop. (I cleaned that up a bit)

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

As Dean Wormer said "A priori presupposition" is no way to go through son!:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Mexdeaf]

I would not necessarily advocate simply staring at them in silence, that would be kind of weird,

It may be "weird", but it is effective.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

It may be "weird", but it is effective.

Please explain your understanding of the word "effective"

 

[12strings]

Then they will think you a Milksop. (I cleaned that up a bit)

While I don't really know what a milksop is (I assume it means "pansy," or "whimp")...If so...I'm sorry that you disagree with the methods the bible gives for answering those who confront us, even when they are wrong.

 

[12strings]

Please explain your understanding of the word "effective"

I think it would mean, if you just stare at people when they speak to you instead of answering them, they will very quickly learn never to speak to you again...I'm not sure that is the effect I aim for in conversation...but to each his own.:laugh:

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

While I don't really know what a milksop is (I assume it means "pansy," or "whimp")...If so...I'm sorry that you disagree with the methods the bible gives for answering those who confront us, even when they are wrong.

Are you assuming that I am? Apparently by your commentary.

 

[mont974x4]

The Bible does NOT teach that we are supposed to be silent in the face of opposition or ignorance. Jesus Himself made a whip and chased people from the temple. Paul openly confronted Peter, and even wrote a letter to throw someone out of the church. God Himself told Jonah to go to Nineveh to confront them. If you look at the command itself you will find that God was commanding him to actually go and really get in their face, and not this peaceful quiet "You know, you really ought not act that way" kind of talk. John the Baptist lost his head because he was not what we have come to think of today as humble.


The reason I started the thread on humility is because of this very common misunderstanding. Humility is not the absence of boldness.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

The Bible does NOT teach that we are supposed to be silent in the face of opposition or ignorance. Jesus Himself made a whip and chased people from the temple. Paul openly confronted Peter, and even wrote a letter to throw someone out of the church. God Himself told Jonah to go to Nineveh to confront them. If you look at the command itself you will find that God was commanding him to actually go and really get in their face, and not this peaceful quiet "You know, you really ought not act that way" kind of talk. John the Baptist lost his head because he was not what we have come to think of today as humble.


The reason I started the thread on humility is because of this very common misunderstanding. Humility is not the absence of boldness.

WELL SAID & TRUE! Now where did I put that bull whip :smilewinkgrin:?

 

[12strings]

Are you assuming that I am? Apparently by your commentary.

It sounded as though you were saying if one responded kindly to insults, then that would make him a milksop (whatever that is). If this is not what you are saying, I apologize...if it is what you were saying, then what do you do with:

-Love you enemies
-a soft answer turns away wrath
-correcting your opponents with gentleness

???

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

It sounded as though you were saying if one responded kindly to insults, then that would make him a milksop (whatever that is). If this is not what you are saying, I apologize...if it is what you were saying, then what do you do with:

-Love you enemies
-a soft answer turns away wrath
-correcting your opponents with gentleness

???

Nope...what I said is they would "APPEAR" to be Milksops in the eyes of the Miscreant.

As to definition: Related Words for : milksop
Milquetoast, pansy, pantywaist, sissy.

 

[12strings]

The Bible does NOT teach that we are supposed to be silent in the face of opposition or ignorance. Jesus Himself made a whip and chased people from the temple. Paul openly confronted Peter, and even wrote a letter to throw someone out of the church. God Himself told Jonah to go to Nineveh to confront them. If you look at the command itself you will find that God was commanding him to actually go and really get in their face, and not this peaceful quiet "You know, you really ought not act that way" kind of talk. John the Baptist lost his head because he was not what we have come to think of today as humble.

The reason I started the thread on humility is because of this very common misunderstanding. Humility is not the absence of boldness.

So, how does that fit with statements like:
-Correcting your opponents with gentleness
-a soft answer turns away wrath
-love your enemies (yes, I know, love can be tought...what about the first two?)

 

[mont974x4]

So, how does that fit with statements like:
-Correcting your opponents with gentleness
-a soft answer turns away wrath
-love your enemies (yes, I know, love can be tought...what about the first two?)

To everything there is a season. Wisdom, through abiding in Christ, helps us to be sensitive to the leading of Spirit. Jesus wasn't always gentle and He wasn't always silent. Neither was Paul, or the prophets.