A message from the moderator

[Guest]

This is directed to some of our Calvinist friends who may not know the purpose of this forum, and anyone else to whom this information may apply.

First, this forum is for dialogue between real people. Posting long articles or sermons by other people who do not themselves show up here to interact is not desired here. John Piper, and others, may have very edifying things to say, but if they do not choose to visit us here (so as to interact and hear feedback from others), then their words can remain at their own websites, or at those message boards where people like to read books and articles on-line. It is quite acceptable to post links to these other websites, if you wish.

If you are not able to state your case yourself, without posting other people's published works, then you are not yet ready to participate on the level that we are seeking to maintain here. We would like to hear from any Calvinists, Arminians, or Open Theists who actually know their own position well enough to defend it in their own words. If you do not know your own position this well, please don't waste the time of the thinking people who wish to interact with each other man-to-man (or to-woman, as the case may be).

Second, this forum is not a competition to see who can soonest prove that they know nothing of the Spirit of Christ, by hurling unwarranted insults at brethren with whom they do not agree, and whose opinions they obviously have never considered objectively. Lovers of truth, not idealogues, are the ones we want to interact with. This is a forum for Christian interaction. Such has more to do with the presence of the Spirit of Christ than it has to do with dividing the Body over issues that the scriptures never make defining issues of.


Even non-Calvinists are capable of violating these principles, but I can't think of any but Calvinists who recently have done so.

Here is fair warning:

From this point on, I will delete posts that are primarily cut-and-paste jobs, as well as those that have nothing to indicate that the poster has any love for Christ or His body. Granted, this will be a judgment call on my part. It is one I am entitled to make as the forum moderator. No one who has a modicum of civility should have any difficulty avoiding the ban.

[Guest]

Thanks for the clarification Steve.

[Guest]

Thank goodness.

Discussing Christian theology should bring out the best in us, not the worst.

TK

[Guest]

Well, since it is aimed my way, and yet I claim to have honestly and passionately interacted here with Godly intentions and for the good of Christians, I cannot continue to do so when my posts are edited or deleted as Steve has decided to do.
There was nothing inaccurate in the post that was deleted. (Post contained well respected contemporary and well known Theologians who are calling Open Theology Heresy!)

I was accused of being inflammatory and offending person(s), when in fact I have only called out one person at this board of teaching heresy, and when challenged to prove the charge, I was attempting to do so, and as I was quoting evidence to back it up, (which Steve has called, “Your post consisted of nothing but long cut-and-paste pieces, mixed with your unsubstantiated use of the word "heretic" directed toward other board members.)

I can no longer post with that type of editing and limit placed upon so called “open” discussion and or providing a response to a challenge given to me.
Make no mistake about it. I posted at least 30 or so very well known Theologians who would agree with my charge of Heresy, and it concerns me that Steve Gregg would censor their views under the cover of my post being a cut and paste job.
It is almost cultic to throw out so much good Christian scholarship. That was the bulk of the post that was deleted.

How can I prove my charges without quoting from others within the Church? Men studied in this area. Men who have written books upon Open Theism as heresy, debated the subject etc.
If I only used my own opinion, how far does that get me here?, and if I give the opinion of others, who Pastor Churches, study these movements etc I am deleted without warning? How can I win?

Absolutely absurd. What is wrong with this picture?

The rest of you should admonish Mr Gregg for these actions. Disagree with me for sure, ask me to substantiate my assertions by all means, but do not delete me when I do exactly what I am being asked to provide!

Mark

[Guest]

Tartanarmy wrote:

"If I only used my own opinion, how far does that get me here?"

About the same distance as quoting other theologians. The authority that carries weight here is scripture. Theologians can be cited espousing any number of positions, but what is proved, if the scriptures are not exegeted?

The individual you have been maligning actually uses scripture to make his points. He may not be correct, but he is saying nothing that the Bible identifies as heresy. At least he does not rely on quotes from people who agree with him, though plenty could be presented. Go ahead and take apart his scriptural points, if you can. That's what we expect people to do here.

You were warned that such posts as you posted will be deleted. You should not have been surprised.

[Guest]

Soaring Eagle, the resident open-theist, almost always posts long, huge, cut and paste jobs from open-theists (Sanders, etc.) Is he included in this warning?

[Guest]

See above.

[Guest]

See above.

Thanks!