Greetings,
Steve wrote:It definitely appears to be going through a slump. Perhaps, after 75,000 posts, everything has been said that can be said?
Definitely, a LOT has been said on the Bible forums (old & new). Just about every topic, I'd imagine. Or at least peripherally related.
Speaking for myself, it seems I've come to a place of 'general learning' w/r/t Bible & theology that's kind of complete. Not saying I don't have more to learn (FOR SURE).
It's something like, name a topic: I can give you all views & which one I pick; something in the style of Steve's teaching (you have to understand your opponents' views in order to try to refute them).
In any event, I still "View Active Topics" fairly regularly. Topics tend to repeat. Same on all forums.
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I joined Facebook about 7 years ago & it takes up most of my web time. I'm in a few theological groups there (mostly full preterist), which by the way, I've found out there are AT LEAST 25 major camps of FPs!!!
I don't 'fit' ANY of them, but whatever.
I WILL say that Doug ("dwilkins" here) has helped me a LOT on this forum w/r/t eschatology & full preterism.
I touch base with Doug, Matt, Ian & "backwoodsman" on Facebook from time to time & see Steve's posts. Hi guys.
Anyways, Facebook Groups (and there are MANY) just aren't the same as forum posting. FB Groups usually have maybe 4 replies -- EVERYONE KNOWS EVERYTHING & THAT SETTLES IT!!!
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Something of an aside on universalism.
I recently saw Phil Keaggy in concert (for the 5th time, AWESOME)! It was a dinner type arrangement. Nice meal in a church hall, then the concert. PAUL CLARK showed up & jammed a few tunes with Phil! I talked with Paul for quite a while afterwards (the church staff saved him some chow & I bought his last CD: "Branching Roots")!
I met Phil at the post-concert "meet & greet". I asked him about a song he did with a keyboardist (forget who). The song was dedicated to George MacDonald, the Scottish universalist.
"Hi Phil! I'm Rick."
"Hi Rick!"
Then I asked him about the song, saying "I was raised fundmentalist to believe people burn in hell forever." I also added, "You play George Harrison's 'Here Comes the Sun' which is actually a Hindu song. Do you think George went to heaven?"
Phil seemed somewhat taken aback and said, "Yes. Isn't Jesus the savior of all men?" and then began talking about the Pharisees and I couldn't really make sense of what he was getting at. So I sort of nodded and said, "Thanks for the show, Brother Phil!" (There were a lot of people in line to meet him, still).
I doubt he'd want it broadcasted, but Phil is probably a universalist. Which, to each his own. People are going to believe what they want regardless. I'm OK with that.
Y'all take care!!!!