A member at a Christmas fucntion said something to me, and I was really offended. I told her how I had taken a job offer to return to Brasil, and would be living there with my family. She told me I was turly making a mistake, because "God truly loves two countries above all others, USA and Israel". She went on to say that turning down the opportunity to live here would anger the Lord, for turning my back on his gift of living here. Does she realy expect me to believe American Christians are more loved than those elsewhere? What about Israel? I do not know how many Christians are there, but I am sure they are outnumbered by Jews and Muslims. It's been days and this still bothers me. Is this a opinion held by many? Was I just taking it wrong?
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Was I over sensitive?
- Thread starter Vasco
- Start date
Had she been drinking a little too much egg nog?
Seriously, she was obviously very wrong. But she was only expressing a view that many people believe in their hearts.
Many Americans believe that God "favors" us above the rest of the world and that is plain rubbish. He has blessed us greatly, that is true, but we are also in a pathetic state of rebellion and He has virtually turned us over to our own sin and we a reaping the consequences of own national unGodliness.
I would say that you should not dwell any more on her ignorant statement and move on, both literally and figuratively, with your life.
If you just can't let this go without saying something to her, don't belittle her nor act superior to her but ask her to think about this.
What about Lottie Moon? She left the U.S. to live with in China. Did she anger the Lord?
And if she says that Lottie Moon was different because she was a missionary, then tell her God has a variety of mission fields for all Christians and yours just happens to be in Brazil.
Then smile and tell her to have a wonderful New Year and talk about something else.
Peace and Good Luck in Brazil-
Scarlett O.
<><
Seriously, she was obviously very wrong. But she was only expressing a view that many people believe in their hearts.
Many Americans believe that God "favors" us above the rest of the world and that is plain rubbish. He has blessed us greatly, that is true, but we are also in a pathetic state of rebellion and He has virtually turned us over to our own sin and we a reaping the consequences of own national unGodliness.
I would say that you should not dwell any more on her ignorant statement and move on, both literally and figuratively, with your life.
If you just can't let this go without saying something to her, don't belittle her nor act superior to her but ask her to think about this.
What about Lottie Moon? She left the U.S. to live with in China. Did she anger the Lord?
And if she says that Lottie Moon was different because she was a missionary, then tell her God has a variety of mission fields for all Christians and yours just happens to be in Brazil.
Then smile and tell her to have a wonderful New Year and talk about something else.
Peace and Good Luck in Brazil-
Scarlett O.
<><
I'm gonna "ditto" Sister Scarlett here, Viceroy!!! I once made the comment while preaching a message on the Rapture and on leaving here and going to Heaven---"One of these days----ohhhhhhhhh, one of these days---I'm gonna turn my back on the "Good ole U S of A" and head for another country!!!"
I got the stangest looks and stares!!!!
But if I were you---and God has opened the doors for ME to do exactly what YOU plan---buddy---I would't think twice about my decision!! I'd be "outta here" before the door hit my . . . !!
God bless your heart!!!
Bro. David
As a Canadian, I quite agree with Scarlett and David, excpet I would simply forget wot was said and get on with your own life. Let her live with her own ignorance....you can't change her one iota.
Quantity is not wot counts, but quality, and quality is something both you and I can handle. The Lord bless you in your move, and God bless richly.
Cheers,
Jim
A stranger to this world, the whole world, but not a stranger to my Lord.
Quantity is not wot counts, but quality, and quality is something both you and I can handle. The Lord bless you in your move, and God bless richly.
Cheers,
Jim
A stranger to this world, the whole world, but not a stranger to my Lord.
It's just kind of disappointing to hear those things from a Christian, that one believes God "play favorites". As if American Christians are better than others. I see it as a gift from God, to be able to work in a field (literally) I love, a futebol (soccer) team, and be with my family there.
"I'm gonna turn my back on the "Good ole U S of A" and head for another country!!!""
That is probably all they heard - you woke them up
"What she believes is often the result of the teachings of dispensationalism."
On first thought I'd say HOGWASH, but then why not give you a chance to quote some dispies that hold that - not the charismatic radical one's someone in the main stream.
To the point of the original post: You stand before your maker alone, not with the other person. Your decision is yours to make, not theirs, sounds like others have told you good
That is probably all they heard - you woke them up
"What she believes is often the result of the teachings of dispensationalism."
On first thought I'd say HOGWASH, but then why not give you a chance to quote some dispies that hold that - not the charismatic radical one's someone in the main stream.
To the point of the original post: You stand before your maker alone, not with the other person. Your decision is yours to make, not theirs, sounds like others have told you good
Would you elaborate a bit, please?
Agree with the first part of the quote (--agree with Scarlett and David--), but not the second part(--I would simply forget wot was said and get on with your own life. Let her live with her own ignorance....you can't change her one iota.)
If it really bothers you, God may be using you to open her eyes. Talk to her as mentioned in earlier posts, and leave the results to God.
Whether she accepts that God does not necessarily lead you through her is open to question, but that's her problem; not yours!
Brother Ian
Active Member
I wouldn't give her another thought. She is obviously wrong and doesn't know the what she is talking about. Don't let it bother you.
Go to Brazil. Speak the Truth to them.
Go to Brazil. Speak the Truth to them.
Joseph_Botwinick
<img src=/532.jpg>Banned
Agreed.
Joseph Botwinick
I'm a student of dispensationalism. I do not believe for one nano second that God has chosen to bless us more than some other countries by any merit of our own. In His sovereign plan for man our nation has been blessed materially etc... We have been the most evangelical nation in history. However; the USA is not promised anything in Scripture.
Personally, I believe we are on the way out as a nation. You cannot read the OT and believe for a second that God is not fully aware of what is going on in our country and the judgment of God will come. It has to or God is inconsistant with what He has done in the past to other nations which have had like passions,lusts and vices.
God raised up Nebachanezzar and his nation and He also sent ole Neb out to pasture. Who knows in the great plan of God why our nation has been blessed? I know our founders honored God but we have long since strayed from that foundation.
As far as Israel goes I believe personally as I have read through the Bible that as a nation God has special plans for those people.
I do believe that jews must be saved like anybodyelse on the planet which is by accepting Christ as Savior.
It is unfair to lump all dispies into one pile just like it is unfair to lump all calvinists or armenians into one pile. There are those individuals or groups within the pail of orthodoxy that are "fringe" but are still within the pail.
I hold to a dispensational view in my eschatology as well as my church doctrine. Yet, I find alot of reform theology to be wonderful.
So just because some fruit loop makes a retarded statement due to ignorance let us not impart that ignorance upon all who have a particular view.
Friend go to Brasil, have a nice life. Your never gonna please everybody in your life.
Personally, I believe we are on the way out as a nation. You cannot read the OT and believe for a second that God is not fully aware of what is going on in our country and the judgment of God will come. It has to or God is inconsistant with what He has done in the past to other nations which have had like passions,lusts and vices.
God raised up Nebachanezzar and his nation and He also sent ole Neb out to pasture. Who knows in the great plan of God why our nation has been blessed? I know our founders honored God but we have long since strayed from that foundation.
As far as Israel goes I believe personally as I have read through the Bible that as a nation God has special plans for those people.
I do believe that jews must be saved like anybodyelse on the planet which is by accepting Christ as Savior.
It is unfair to lump all dispies into one pile just like it is unfair to lump all calvinists or armenians into one pile. There are those individuals or groups within the pail of orthodoxy that are "fringe" but are still within the pail.
I hold to a dispensational view in my eschatology as well as my church doctrine. Yet, I find alot of reform theology to be wonderful.
So just because some fruit loop makes a retarded statement due to ignorance let us not impart that ignorance upon all who have a particular view.
Friend go to Brasil, have a nice life. Your never gonna please everybody in your life.
Joseph_Botwinick
<img src=/532.jpg>Banned
Shannon,
For the record, Neither gb nor I lumped all dispies into one pile. We did make a personal observation of what we have noticed as a trend of most dispies we have met.
Joseph Botwinick
For the record, Neither gb nor I lumped all dispies into one pile. We did make a personal observation of what we have noticed as a trend of most dispies we have met.
Joseph Botwinick
Joseph, I find this "most dispies" statement very strange. I've never talked to a dispensationalist who believes that America is some kind of chosen country. Israel of course is another question. But I really don't believe that serious dispensationalists who have studied the theology really believe the USA is special dispensationally.
Paul of Eugene
New Member
Well a lot of people believe that England, the USA and Canada are actually the lost tribes of Israel in disguise and therfore inheriting the favor of God in a special way.
That's the only connection I know of between theology and claiming we are specially blessed here in the USA.
That's the only connection I know of between theology and claiming we are specially blessed here in the USA.
Joseph_Botwinick
<img src=/532.jpg>Banned
Joseph, I find this "most dispies" statement very strange. I've never talked to a dispensationalist who believes that America is some kind of chosen country. Israel of course is another question. But I really don't believe that serious dispensationalists who have studied the theology really believe the USA is special dispensationally. </font>[/QUOTE]Again,
This is not objective data based on an objective poll of all dispies. It is based on my subjective experienced with the dispies I have met.
Joseph Botwinick
IveyLeaguer
New Member
Agreed. We should be expecting God's wrath, not His blessing.
Plain Old Bill
New Member
A new wrinkle on the Baptist Board. Outside of Israel I never thought of dispensatioalism in geographical terms.
Wouldn't that kind of thinking render missionaries the most wicked people on the earth?
Furthermore, this theoretical "dispensation of america" seems to be contrary to the idea that even in the first century it was the "last days," or that there would be no change in the state of things or the function of the church until the apocalypse.
Furthermore, this theoretical "dispensation of america" seems to be contrary to the idea that even in the first century it was the "last days," or that there would be no change in the state of things or the function of the church until the apocalypse.
Ooooooooh, ouch!
Actually, America is still very blessed, but only based on its Judeo-Christian way of life. The more it strays from that, the less blessed it will be.
Japan is not blessed because of Buddhism or Shintoism. Until Protestant missionaries came in the 1860's due to the "black ships" of Commodore Perry from America opening the country, the Japanese were radical isolationists. There was a rigid caste system in effect, and the samurai (riddled with homosexuality) could kill a commoner with no punishment (as long as he had a good reason, like being jostled). So much for the silly propaganda of "The Last Samurai."
The first modern schools and medical clinics in Japan were started by missionaries, the "rickshaw" was invented by Nathan Brown, an independent Baptist (in about 1870, I believe). The entire modern educational system owes it's genius to a Japanese Christian named Inazo Nitobe, whose face was on the 5000 yen bill until recently. Then MacArthur's constitution (still in effect) gave the Japanese freedom and democracy.
And there you have it--modern, prosperous Japan. And why is Japan now going downhill? They are replacing their grafted Judeo-Christian ethic with humanism. There is twice the abortion per capita as the US with no voice raised against it in society. The schools are rampant with violence and crime since corporal punishment was forbidden. Public drunkenness and spousal and child abuse are rarely prosecuted (there were virtually no laws against these until very recently.)
I sincerely hope you folks in America know what you have. I also sincerely hope you on the Baptist Board who read this are willing to give up everything for Christ (unlike the foolish woman in the OP), leave your comfy homeland and serve God overseas.