What have you learned on Baptist Board?

[npetreley]

I'm looking only for positive things; knowledge that has edified you, whether it was new teaching or correcting/clarifying something you thought you knew.

I'll start the ball rolling with a couple things I can think of off the top of my head that I have learned here. I'll try to add more as they occur to me.

1. I learned that my gut feeling was right about the parable of the yeast and the dough, but that I was wrong about the parable of the mustard seed. I learned that both are about false teachers spreading throughout the kingdom.

2. I learned that, because of gender mismatch, I was wrong about "that" referring back to "faith" in Ephesians 2:8. It refers back to the entire phrase, "are having been saved by grace through faith".

 

[Brother Bob]

If I tell you I have to kill you.......

 

[christianyouth]

I've learned

1. That us Baptists are very diverse in our beliefs.
2. The vast majority of Christians are femmnists.

 

[Dale-c]

1. That us Baptists are very diverse in our beliefs.
2. The vast majority of Christians are femmnists.

Yeah, true.

I have learned more about the doctrines of Grace while on the board. mostly in the responses of fellow calvinists in debates with free willers.
THey have taught me a lot and I have learned that predestination is all through the bible.

Npet taught me a lot of interesting things about wine as well, such as the yeast content.

I will say though that I have learned a lot more from the reformed forums I post on, mostly theamericanview.com and hopefully the puritanboard.

 

[npetreley]

Positive things, okay?

By the way, the reason I didn't understand the mustard seed parable is because I simply assumed that a mustard seed really does grow into a huge tree. Someone on here (I forget who) mentioned that mustard plants are actually small herbs. I looked it up, and sure enough, mustard plants are small. That made the meaning of the parable rather obvious. The mustard seed grew into something it was not meant to be. Add to that the fact that the birds (bad guys in previous parables) perch in its branches, and the meaning becomes clear.

I've seen some web sites "reason" that the parable is referring to some unique strain of mustard plant that grows very large, but I think this is a big stretch (no pun intended). I have yet to see any substantial support for Jesus referring to this unique type of mustard tree.

 

[TCGreek]

I'm looking only for positive things; knowledge that has edified you, whether it was new teaching or correcting/clarifying something you thought you knew.

I'll start the ball rolling with a couple things I can think of off the top of my head that I have learned here. I'll try to add more as they occur to me.

1. I learned that my gut feeling was right about the parable of the yeast and the dough, but that I was wrong about the parable of the mustard seed. I learned that both are about false teachers spreading throughout the kingdom.

2. I learned that, because of gender mismatch, I was wrong about "that" referring back to "faith" in Ephesians 2:8. It refers back to the entire phrase, "are having been saved by grace through faith".

1. Recognizing and celebrating our diversities as Baptists.

2. Our Baptist sisters are courageous enough to take us to task on a male dominate Board.

3. That KJV is still revered.

4. That some folks are not afraid to call a spade a spade.

5. That I have so many Baptists who are Calvinistic as I am, while respecting our Arminian brethren.

6. That you have a forum to discuss important matters and even some stuff that we consider trivial are important to others.

 

[Paul1611]

1. I have learned quite a bit about colleges and seminaries. I really thought that a Bible College was just a Bible College, that they were all pretty much the same before coming to the BB. I have learned alot about accreditation and the difference between academically sound colleges/seminaries and degree mills.
2. I have learned that there are Baptist out there who do not use the KJV but are just as conservative and fundamental as anyone I go to church with. This was a shock to me because I have been taught my entire saved life (5yrs) that if you didnt use a KJV you were a liberal.
3. I have learned how to show more grace to my fellow brother/sister in Christ who disagrees with me.

 

[Jim1999]

I have learned that the same old questions crop up with each new generation, and often the same results, with some minor differences, and changes in terminology.

The question then arises in my mind; Are we growing in faith, or are we running on the spot, with the older folk looking back and the younger ones looking forward?

Have we become content with our salvation and lost sight of our expanding sanctification in Christ?

Just the musings of an old man. The Baptistboard has, in the main, caused me to contemplate my role in life, and am I actually thinking like Paul, in running the race and finishing the course and keeping my mind and heart focused on Him.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[J.D.]

Paul1611 said it well for me. Having spent many years with authoritarian pastors, I thought I could just speak strong words to people and change their minds. I found out that I better be able to back up what I say with facts and sound arguments. And when that doesn't work, I have to be charitable toward those that I think are in error. I can go back to some of my old posts and it embarasses me how unkind I was sometimes.

Of course since I've grown, I'm perfect now, and I'm never wrong. Please remember this fact in all future debates in which I participate.

 

[Hope of Glory]

Positive things, okay?

By the way, the reason I didn't understand the mustard seed parable is because I simply assumed that a mustard seed really does grow into a huge tree. Someone on here (I forget who) mentioned that mustard plants are actually small herbs.

Actually, in the Middle East (and South America, but that's not important here), there are mustard trees that are big enough for kids to climb, and are certainly big enough for birds to roost in. (They're not huge like oaks, but...)

I've learned that it's always worthwhile when looking at pictures and types to make sure that we are thinking of the right thing. For example, swine are mean and vicious (javelina), not fat and lazy. Goats have long, silky hair, which is often used to make wigs, not short and scruffy like the ones most of us are used to.

 

[LeBuick]

It took me a while but I learned that few come here to learn and most come to convert others to their view...

I was suprised to learn that not all baptist believe in OSAS. I thought it was our foundation?

Bro Bob tought me I can use a bath tub to baptize in an emergency situation.

I also learned you can't go to heaven unless you dress well at Church... :laugh:

 

[Scarlett O.]

I've been at the BB for 5 years and I've learned....

• to "dig" in the bible more and not just give it a cursery overview.
• to question things that I feel in my spiritual marrow aren't right.....no matter who says them
• to question my own traditions that I was raised with and to seek biblical evidence of their truth
• that other people have some pretty wise things to say in very brief messages
• that people can get mad at me, but they don't usually stay mad, and that's OK
• that having differing opinions doesn't make two people spiritual enemies
• that I will never know everything about life.....and I'm not supposed to

 

[tinytim]

I've been at the BB for 5 years and I've learned....

• to "dig" in the bible more and not just give it a cursery overview.
• to question things that I feel in my spiritual marrow aren't right.....no matter who says them
• to question my own traditions that I was raised with and to seek biblical evidence of their truth
• that other people have some pretty wise things to say in very brief messages
• that people can get mad at me, but they don't usually stay mad, and that's OK
• that having differing opinions doesn't make two people spiritual enemies
• that I will never know everything about life.....and I'm not supposed to

You must have been to the same BB classes I have!
These are also what i learned....
Along with...

Baptists are diverse.
The world of Christendom is shrinking.
The Southern USA is not the only place Good Christians are found.
I have learned how to forgive others... (even when they don't ask)
That it is OK to have various opinions.. none of us has it all right...(No matter what rbell says:laugh: )
Some Baptists are just lunaticks...
Racism and bigotry are not dead.
But I guess the main thing is, we are all one family.. we can disagree, get red hot mad at one another, and then the next day team up to win a debate....

Oh... one more thing... people are fickle!

 

[Mr.M]

I have learned that most of the questions asked are not genuine inquiries but solicitations for someone to respond in a way that validates what they want to believe.

 

[Scarlett O.]

You must have been to the same BB classes I have!

Yes....and I must have "accidentally" copied off of your paper! :laugh: :laugh:

 

[Amy.G]

I have learned:

1. There are many false doctrines out there, even among Baptists.

2. To be a Berean and search the scriptures to "see if these things are true".

3. I can be friends with people who believe differently than me.

4. To care about and pray for people that I've never met.

5. That I spend waaaayyy too much time on the BB! :laugh:

 

[Psalm 95]

1. Living in Sweden reading BB every day gives me a company of conservative American baptists that are a good fuel for thinking and also a reminder every day that I am not alone wanting to be serious about life and doctrine. (Many things are good in Sweden, but also many things are more discussed in the US and international than in Sweden).

2. BB has given me a stronger baptist identity.

3. I have learned a few things in theology, a few things about good books and good authors, a few things about colleges and Universities. For example, BB has changed my view on BJU and fundamentalism.

4. I have learned a few less important things, but may be useful, a example is that I have learned pro and cons for Christmas trees in a church, those things are useful at church meetings and so.

5. I have a good time reading posts, it gives my life more happiness and I also learn a few christian jokes.

6. BB helps me to try/test why I believe a part of doctrine and check in the Bible with the help of secondary resources I also learn that there are several views on many topics.

 

[npetreley]

Jim1999 recently posted this, and I learned from it.

(Job 33:23,24) "If there be a messenger (Christ) with him, an interpreter (Holy Spirit), one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to hell: I have found a ransom (atonement)." It is all of Christ. Law only shows me where I go wrong. It does not redeem me from the penalty of violating that law.