Alcohol & Welfare Programs: Topics on today's show

[brody196]

kaufmannphillips,

Wow -- that's a lot of writing! I have to admit, I didn't read it all. But I did read enough to get a pretty good idea of where you're coming from: You're a socialist with a rather large chip on your shoulder against "the church." But your idea of "the church" seems to have little or nothing to do with anyone here.

Yep. I was gonna go line by line and respond, but there were so many misunderstandings and rabbit trails.

[Bud]

It has been a long time since I've read "Revelation, Four Views" by Steve Gregg, (and I gave the book to a Bible teacher so I can't refer to it properly now) but since reading it I wonder sometimes if the "Historicists" aren't correct at least in some matters, and this discussion brings this "wonder" to the fore.
Perhaps we are at a stepping stone in our Lord's work in His church and the world in general, ie. God likes the poor to be taken care of. God hates injustice.

I see much of the world's laws stemming, if ineptly, from scripture.

Perhaps the next step will bring even more righteousness, heralding in the coming of our Savior.

[kaufmannphillips]

Perry wrote:
You seem kind of bitter.

"When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry." {Esther 4:1, ESV}

[kaufmannphillips]

backwoodsman wrote:
Wow -- that's a lot of writing! I have to admit, I didn't read it all. But I did read enough to get a pretty good idea of where you're coming from: You're a socialist with a rather large chip on your shoulder against "the church."

Yes, I am a socialist. And there are things in the church that anger and frustrate me. Those things do not comprise the entire picture; and at times, I can speak of other things in the church with some appreciation.

But so what? Are you only willing to consider the remarks of capitalists who extol the church?

backwoodsman wrote:
But your idea of "the church" seems to have little or nothing to do with anyone here.

My recent posts responded to remarks made by persons here. Perhaps their remarks were not highly revelatory about the persons themselves; perhaps their remarks were more revelatory than some parties appreciate.

That being said - persons who frequent this forum may tend to be relatively sterling in character and conduct. But that does not mean that they are indicative of the church at large. And social policy should be based on the demonstrated character and conduct of the church at large, and not just the character and conduct of this small group of people.

[kaufmannphillips]

brody196 wrote:
Yep. I was gonna go line by line and respond, but there were so many misunderstandings and rabbit trails.

Misunderstandings are a common occurrence in exchanges between different perspectives. And many times, dialogue takes work.

I have put in a certain amount of work here. The choice is yours, to do likewise or not.

[thrombomodulin]

KMF - I have not read through your lengthy promotion of socialism on this particular thread. As we had been working through the topic of socialism vs. capitialism on the "Usury" thread, I was wondering if you intending to reply to my most recent post there?

[kaufmannphillips]

Hi, Peter -

I already have a sizable start on a reply to that posting. It could be another week or two before I finish it up, though.

[kaufmannphillips]

Perry wrote:
Where there are people of limited means who wish to be charitable, there will be decisions about who does and who does not receive their charity.

Yes. The question is: should these decisions be based, preferably, upon who we think is "deserving" or who we think will be a "good investment"; or should these decisions be based, preferably, upon the leading of the holy spirit?

I see talk here about being a good steward. If a good steward has a great master, whose judgment they trust more than their own, mightn't they at least seek his input on how to handle a questionable matter, before resorting to their own sensibilities?

[Perry]

Perry wrote:
You seem kind of bitter.

"When Mordecai learned all that had been done, Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and he cried out with a loud and bitter cry." {Esther 4:1, ESV}

You're no Mordecai

[Perry]

If a good steward has a great master, whose judgment they trust more than their own, mightn't they at least seek his input on how to handle a questionable matter, before resorting to their own sensibilities?

Absolutely...

What do you suppose that input feels like?