The Narrow Path Ministries

Just curious.

What all do you folks do on the internet? Me? Since I got my first computer in 2000 -- though I couldn't afford it and still can't really, lol -- I've been very (very) active on it.

I'm single (never married), no girlfriend or kids, am deep in financial debt, and cheap dialup gives me something to do!!! This was a primary reason I finally got a computer (really, I can't afford much of a social-life).

I found Beliefnet almost immediately after I got my computer. I looked around for other forums but Beliefnet was not only "busy" but I got exposed to just about every kind of belief -- and unbelief -- that exists, it seems. I quit posting at Beliefnet after 13,000 (yes, thousand) posts about two years ago because my posts were getting mysteriously "We're sorry but we cannot find your thread" (they censored me folks, as they do others who are conservative on moral issues, namely on homosexuality).

But Beliefnet was such a great experience for one reason: this wide exposure to many beliefs; not just beliefs, but the in-depth theology of these beliefs; church history stuff too. We used to have threads that went to 1,000 posts fairly often, at which point they became archived. The average time I spent on just one post was probably about 45 minutes up to an hour or two (it was often "scholarly" in nature, though we had "fun" and less in-depth threads).

About two years ago I discovered chatrooms. I used to go to one that was primarily people in AA (or Alanon) as I am an ex-drunk and mostly an ex-AAer as well.

Later I found Paltalk Messenger and went to the TTP rooms (The Theology Program) headed up by C. Michael Patton. He is Chuck Swindoll's Singles Ministries Pastor and is working on his M.Th. at DTS, I believe. They have this featured program called "Converse With Scholars" and have had guests like John Frame, Alvin Plantinga, J.P. Moreland, Greg Koukl, Scott McKnight, and several other "famous" theologians and/or apologists. You can actually ask them stuff live! C. Michael Patton is the friendliest Calvinist I have ever "met," lol Not kidding though, he's a good man! (btw, you can participate in online classes even if you aren't enrolled). I haven't been able to go to TTP for some time because I had a second shift job. Now I'm back on days and hope to go back to TTP soon.

Btw, I used to have a room in Paltalk and I played Steve's lectures in it (on the stuff I agree with him on, which is more than most). Not many people came but we had good discussion!

I joined this forum a couple of years ago but didn't post much for over a year. FBFF is good but I'm used to more "action" from my Beliefnet days. We would go very in-depth, doing exegesis, discussing and debating many different topics (just about any you can think of)!

I don't go to any church regularly. Many people tell me I should be teaching Sunday School or something like that. I almost got a B.A. in theology a long time ago but dropped out & backslid (for about 18 years). I only had 11 hours to go for my degree.

But I've learned as much or more online than I did in Bible college! And, frankly, the internet provides almost all of my "fellowship." I recently met some new Christian people and have gone to their church some. Yet I find it hard to get locked into a church because I just, well, I know so much theology; I just get bored easily in church (and seldom hear a preacher I agree with on details, and always think "I could do better than that" ... maybe this is pride?)... But I know I don't have any excuses not to go to church. Also, I know I would be considered a heretic to some people if I told them some things I believe (and of course, I don't go "public" with that in church. However, I do online to some extent) ....

Anyways, I've made some posts here and it seems like folks aren't interested in what I say ... or maybe I'm going over their heads? I don't mean to, if that is what is happening.

I'm rambling and need to get ready to watch PBS: Secrets of the Dead (program). Tonite is "Battle for the Bible" ... about how the English Bible came into being.

Anyway, I was just curious ....

Hi Rick,

Rick_C wrote:Just curious.

What all do you folks do on the internet? Me? Since I got my first computer in 2000 -- though I couldn't afford it and still can't really, lol -- I've been very (very) active on it.

I'm curious what you consider "very (very) active." How many minutes or hours per day are you online? (If you don't mind telling.) I think I spend a couple of hours a day ... or maybe a little more.

I'm single (never married), no girlfriend or kids, am deep in financial debt, and cheap dialup gives me something to do!!! This was a primary reason I finally got a computer (really, I can't afford much of a social-life).

Okay...

I found Beliefnet almost immediately after I got my computer. I looked around for other forums but Beliefnet was not only "busy" but I got exposed to just about every kind of belief -- and unbelief -- that exists, it seems. I quit posting at Beliefnet after 13,000 (yes, thousand) posts about two years ago because my posts were getting mysteriously "We're sorry but we cannot find your thread" (they censored me folks, as they do others who are conservative on moral issues, namely on homosexuality).

I've heard of Beliefnet. I somehow got on their email list and received their thought-for-the-day type emails for awhile. I didn't like it too much and asked to be removed from the list.

But Beliefnet was such a great experience for one reason: this wide exposure to many beliefs; not just beliefs, but the in-depth theology of these beliefs; church history stuff too. We used to have threads that went to 1,000 posts fairly often, at which point they became archived. The average time I spent on just one post was probably about 45 minutes up to an hour or two (it was often "scholarly" in nature, though we had "fun" and less in-depth threads).

I don't like it when threads get too long. It seems to me that the conversation begins to go round in circles after awhile, or a new person enters the conversations and brings up a point that was already discussed pages back. I always try to read every post in a thread before I enter, but 1,000 posts seems nearly impossible! I think it would take a long, long time and by the time I finished, more people would have posted and I would have more to read. *sigh*

About two years ago I discovered chatrooms. I used to go to one that was primarily people in AA (or Alanon) as I am an ex-drunk and mostly an ex-AAer as well.

I don't care for chat rooms or instant messaging very much. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I'm old.

Later I found Paltalk Messenger and went to the TTP rooms (The Theology Program) headed up by C. Michael Patton. He is Chuck Swindoll's Singles Ministries Pastor and is working on his M.Th. at DTS, I believe. They have this featured program called "Converse With Scholars" and have had guests like John Frame, Alvin Plantinga, J.P. Moreland, Greg Koukl, Scott McKnight, and several other "famous" theologians. You can actually ask them stuff live! C. Michael Patton is the friendliest Calvinist I have ever "met," lol Not kidding though, he's a good man! (btw, you can participate in online classes even if you aren't enrolled). I haven't been able to go to TTP for some time because I had a second shift job. Now I'm back on days and hope to go back to TTP soon.

That sounds interesting. I have Paltalk on my desktop...maybe I'll check into it sometime.

I joined this forum a couple of years ago but didn't post much for over a year. FBFF is good but I'm used to more "action" from my Beliefnet days. We would go very in-depth, doing exegesis, discussing and debating many different topics (just about any you can think of)!

Yeah...this forum can be a little quiet sometimes, but usually it picks up after a couple of days. I also read a lot (but only post a little) at Theologyweb. I think some of the people there might be insane, but they do discuss a wide variety of topics.

I don't go to any church regularly. Many people tell me I should be teaching Sunday School or something like that. I almost got a B.A. in theology a long time ago but dropped out & backslid (for about 18 years). I only had 11 hours to go for my degree.

Wow.

But I've learned as much or more online than I did in Bible college!

Well, I didn't go to Bible college, but I've learned more during a few years online than I did in 20 years in church.

And, frankly, the internet provides almost all of my "fellowship." I recently met some new Christian people and have gone to their church some. Yet I find it hard to get locked into a church because I just, well, I know so much theology; I just get bored easily in church (and seldom hear a preacher I agree with on details, and always think "I could do better than that" ... maybe this is pride?)...

Well...hmm. Pride? What do you think?

But I know I don't have any excuses not to go to church. Also, I know I would be considered a heretic to some people if I told them some things I believe (and of course, I don't go "public" with that in church. However, I do online to some extent) ....

I bet there are other heretics out there you could fellowship with.

Anyways, I've made some posts here and it seems like folks aren't interested in what I say ... or maybe I'm going over their heads? I don't mean to, if that is what is happening.

What makes you think "folks aren't interested in what I say?" It seems to me that people here have engaged you on several of the threads you've started or posted on. Maybe you are just too used to the rapid replies on that other forum where you posted 13,000 times.

I'm rambling and need to get ready to watch PBS: Secrets of the Dead (program). Tonite is "Battle for the Bible" ... about how the English Bible came into being.

Anyway, I was just curious ....

Here's what I do online:

1. 1. I pay my bills
   2. I read the local newspaper
   3. I read here, at Theologyweb, and at a private forum where 15 women discuss their jobs, kids, husbands, and how funny men can be.
   4. I read 8 blogs regularly
   5. I download or listen online to podcasts/mp3 files like Steve's and other teachers.
   6. I pick out movies to see at Netflix.
   7. I buy books and clothes.
   8. I email friends for fun and coworkers because I have to.
   9. I google stuff that enters my mind to find out more about.
   10. I do Sudoku puzzles

Michelle

i pretty much do the same types of things that Michelle does, except i dont do sudokus (i hate math) but rather crossword puzzles. i read a lot of worldnetdaily.com vs cnn.com and the like because it is more "christian friendly." sometimes if i am feeling nostalgic i will watch some of the old 80's new wave music videos on "youtube." i remember when MTV played only videos. now i am not sure what its purpose is; havent watched it in years.

i debate my pastor on various theological issues via email; right now i am trying to get him to at least acknowledge that the eternal torment view of hell may not be correct. i think he may be cracking a little.

Rick C-- i agree with michelle- we are interested in what you have to say, but the "pool" of potential responders is much smaller than beliefnet, and quite frankly i dont have hours and hours to spend cooking up scholarly responses. 9 times out of 10 i respond from the gut and from memory. and to be frank once again, when i start reading a bunch of exegesis about greek words, etc, i lose interest fairly quickly. not that i underestimate the importance of greek scholarship in understanding the NT, but i find it, well, boring. someday when i have time i may learn ancient greek. then I will be doing the greek interpretations.

TK

TK (replying to you first coz it's shorter), lol

Hey Bro, isn't where you live: Northwest Ohio?

Anyway, I think you & Michelle both keep up with the News more than I do. I watch PBS on Friday nites for the week's news. 'Only online news I get comes from sermonaudio's weekly letter. I just see what they have high-lighted for the week, "top stories in Christian news." I also use this newsletter as a "divider" (like a bookmark) in my emails week by week and go back & delete un-needed emails every Sunday nite.

I've never gotten into debating or really discussing much theological by email. I'd rather post it "publicly" so others can chime in. I know a couple people who I would like to discuss & debate with by email (my 5-Point Calvinist cousin is one but he doesn't like the internet)....

Oh yes, Beliefnet is lots & lots busier than this forum! While there have been great threads there, you get "spammers" (posts resembling what you see in Yahoo chatrooms)! I debated an "evangelical left" lady, who had been a pastor and was working on her theological doctorate, on many topics. The least controversial issue we debated was "Is Romans 7 before or after salvation?" (It is before! -- one area I don't go along with Brother Gregg and this lady at all), lol

Re: Greek, etc. Recently, while listening to James White's "critiques" of Steve Gregg; White was "quoting the Greek" (tense, case, gender, and so on) saying they were "proofs" of Calvinism. Unfortunately, specifics such as these on Greek words may or may not have bearing or relevance in theological debate. I'm still looking into what White was saying but, thus far, haven't found that the Greek word properties he was "quoting" are valid. Put another way, the Greek word properties themselves don't seem to have anything to do with either Calvinism or Arminianism!

Unlike you, though I don't really know Greek, I just have to find out! what Greek means (if I'm studying it for a specific purpose) and don't find it boring in the least.

Have I put you to sleep yet? lol
Anyways....

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for your reply. Um, let me see if I can figure out how to reply in kind without quoting you who quoted me who...... lol

I'm curious what you consider "very (very) active." How many minutes or hours per day are you online? (If you don't mind telling.) I think I spend a couple of hours a day ... or maybe a little more.

Till recently I chatted (in Yahoo) with one person about an hour or more a day. My average now? Oh, about 4.5 hours.

Okay...

The internet helps me to keep from feeling, and probably being, too lonely. I know "I need to get out more" but ... don't.

I've heard of Beliefnet. I somehow got on their email list and received their thought-for-the-day type emails for awhile. I didn't like it too much and asked to be removed from the list.

Hmmm......got on there somehow (?). If you have a lot of spare time and are willing to look around Beliefnet's, perhaps, hundreds of boards; you can find some of the best theological discussion on the internet! This works best or is easiest to do if you are a "regular."

I don't like it when threads get too long. It seems to me that the conversation begins to go round in circles after awhile, or a new person enters the conversations and brings up a point that was already discussed pages back. I always try to read every post in a thread before I enter, but 1,000 posts seems nearly impossible! I think it would take a long, long time and by the time I finished, more people would have posted and I would have more to read. *sigh*

Some of these 1,000 post threads were like a couple weeks long, others up to several months. I've seen threads go all the way to the end and stay on-topic. These threads were ones where we covered like, every nuance, and related sub-topics. Also, there are always the "spammers." All you really do with them is just don't even read their posts, pretend they aren't there & go on, np. Btw, I've read really long threads if they were good enough. Saved me a trip to the library.

I don't care for chat rooms or instant messaging very much. I don't know why. Maybe it's because I'm old.

I have an "ability" (for lack of vocab.) to be able to get "in-depth and personal" chatting. I chat with people as if they are sitting in my living room. I seldom use the phone but talk to folks on Yahoo. I don't know, I just like it.

That sounds interesting. I have Paltalk on my desktop...maybe I'll check into it sometime.

Talking in Paltalk about serious theological matters with theologians; like I say, I can enjoy that!

Yeah...this forum can be a little quiet sometimes, but usually it picks up after a couple of days. I also read a lot (but only post a little) at Theologyweb. I think some of the people there might be insane, but they do discuss a wide variety of topics.

Dee Dee Warren & some folks from T-web have a Paltalk room which is open fairly regular. (They often talk about and/or debate about Calvinism V. Arminianism, which is the "hot" topic of most Paltalk rooms; lots of extremists too; only thing they ever talk about, like every single day...and I thought I didn't have a life!!!). I joined T-web about the same time I joined FBFF but haven't made a post there yet, though. (Beliefnet spoiled me on the wide-interaction, I guess).

Wow.

Two hours of internship, two required classes, and one elective.... Philosophy 101 (the only required philosphy class "got me")....

Well...hmm. Pride? What do you think?

Knowing a lot of theology is a difficult thing to be humble about.

I bet there are other heretics out there you could fellowship with.

Yes! A Methodist church I visit some preaches tithing and dispensationalism (I literally believe disp. is a heresy, not kidding), anyways....

What makes you think "folks aren't interested in what I say?" It seems to me that people here have engaged you on several of the threads you've started or posted on. Maybe you are just too used to the rapid replies on that other forum where you posted 13,000 times.

I'm not getting replies on some of them...who knows? Now, at Beliefnet I could get New-Agers and pagans interested in Christ when I talked about the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Book of 1 Enoch, etc. (they loved it...and most Christians are like, unfamiliar and disinterested)... And you hear them say, "I believe we should do historical-grammatical hermeneutics"...*sigh* tsk tsk tsk

Here's what I do online:

1. 1. I pay my bills
   2. I read the local newspaper
   3. I read here, at Theologyweb, and at a private forum where 15 women discuss their jobs, kids, husbands, and how funny men can be.
   4. I read 8 blogs regularly
   5. I download or listen online to podcasts/mp3 files like Steve's and other teachers.
   6. I pick out movies to see at Netflix.
   7. I buy books and clothes.
   8. I email friends for fun and coworkers because I have to.
   9. I google stuff that enters my mind to find out more about.
   10. I do Sudoku puzzles

I do #9 a whole lot.
#5 the same...I listen to Steve or someone else daily!!!
There are a few #4's I do from time to time (biblical stuff).

Great reply, Michellle!

Hiya Rick,

Thanks for your response. Here are a couple of thoughts on what you posted to me:

you wrote:Hmmm......got on there somehow (?). If you have a lot of spare time and are willing to look around Beliefnet's, perhaps, hundreds of boards; you can find some of the best theological discussion on the internet! This works best or is easiest to do if you are a "regular."

I truly don't know how I started getting their emails, but I probably clicked on something or other. I would have appreciated their emails more if they were more substantial and gave me something to think about during the day. They were very light-weight, general feel-good messages. I haven't explored around the Beliefnet website, yet. Maybe I will soon.

you wrote:I have an "ability" (for lack of vocab.) to be able to get "in-depth and personal" chatting. I chat with people as if they are sitting in my living room. I seldom use the phone but talk to folks on Yahoo. I don't know, I just like it.

Actually I don't like talking on the phone very much, either. I DO like to talk, however. Maybe I'm just better when I can read the body language and facial expressions of the person I'm conversing with. I'm not really sure.

you wrote:Knowing a lot of theology is a difficult thing to be humble about.

...and yet so many are able to manage it...

I wrote: I bet there are other heretics out there you could fellowship with.

And you responded:

Yes! A Methodist church I visit some preaches tithing and dispensationalism (I literally believe disp. is a heresy, not kidding), anyways....

So do you mean that you find it possible to fellowship with people you consider heretics? Or do you mean that you need to keep looking for others with the same heretical ideas you have? That's what I meant...that there always seems to be more than one person who holds to any particular heresy. By the way, I watched the PBS program last night about translating the Bible into English. The program was interesting. Those men were considered heretics in their time, and there were a lot of them.

you wrote:Great reply, Michellle!

Why, thank you!

Michelle

i debate my pastor on various theological issues via email

Oh, I bet he LOVES that!

Lately, the amount of time I get to spend on the Internet at home has been severely curtailed, which is very frustrating. Life has just gotten very busy.

I use the Internet all day long at work for business purposes, but that's not very much fun.

My primary personal Internet usage consists of:

* Researching various topics that interest me (usually theology oriented), typically beginning with Google searches
* This forum.
* Other blogs & forums, such as:
http://www.allelon.org
http://www.nextreformation.com
* I used to spend a great deal of time debating atheists on The Raving Atheist, but the general lack of maturity and manners became tedious after a while. http://www.ravingatheist.com
* craigslist!
* The Dude Pit, which is not what it sounds like. It's a forum for bass players - http://www.thedudepit.com
* My blog, which I haven't been keeping up lately.
* Youtube. I killed my TV, but I love YouTube. My favorite thing to do is type in a random word and see what comes up. For example, I recently typed in "baliliaka" and came up with this gem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGJRTpgE0dY

Hmmm. Maybe it's a good thing that I don't have much time for the Internet!

Hey Mort

I don't debate atheists online or in person. Not saying you shouldn't....

I did post once at Beliefnet to an atheist guy:
"I've noticed that you spend a whole lot of time -- every single day -- proposing there is no God. If you are so convinced, then why bother? Imo, you are a believer, 'just don't want to admit it. 'Seems real apparent to me."

Needless to say, he was upset.

The only other argument I've proposed to atheists is: "Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead" (as this is what I see the Apostles saying). Paul did go into a few apologetics here and there, like on Mars Hill. But after he said his piece; he moved on....

Anyway, gtsy, Mort!

This is interesting to read because I have wondered how I compare to the norm. You guys are the norm aren't you?

Anyway I have found that I am spending less time on the internet then I ever did before, but I am still addicted to it.

Ususally my day begins at 5AM or 6AM. I usually fix a pot of coffee and take my first look at my email. Then I go get my self into my handsom look. After doing that I get a cup of coffee and then check out BibleForums, which btw has been taken over by Amil/partial pret people in the End Times section. I find the debate there to be educational, unnerving, reactionary and some other stuff all wrapped into one. It used to be a dispensational site but a few of us have presented such great arguements, it has become very hard for the others to support their view through Scripture.

Then I go to another small board where a few from the BibleForums meet to pump each other up.

I do websites as a paying hobby so that can keep me busy but mostly I get into the word and discuss meaty issues ( can't say I am all that good at discussions but I do enjoy it). I find it very hard to read the print in my Bible so I usually read online and listen to audio Bible while I read. I seem to absorb it better that way.

I have a day job as a selfemployed home remodeler so I am gone most of the day but when I get home I may spend an hour total at the internet. I am married and have a 20 year old daughter at home and they watch their favorite TV programs at night while I do internet stuff. I stay away from the evil side of the internet and thankfully I am not even tempted by it. I just have a small list of places I go and search Google occasionally.

Hmmm...what do i do on the internet

1. Run my blog. I post something everyday and try to keep in touch with my bible college friends who I link to.

2. Message boards. I use this one, bibleforums.org and buffalorange.com (sports)

3. Research. In preparation for teaching thru the bible

4. Fantasy sports. I use yahoo.com for that

5. IM. I like to chat with friends from college