Neener 
Neener
Neener
Posted on 07/03/2004 5:42:36 AM PDT by xzins
William Hinson, president of a major renewal organization, dropped a bombshell during May's United Methodist General Conference: "I believe the time has come when we must begin to explore an amicable and just separation that will free us both from our cycle of pain and conflict".
We find in large sections of mainline churches a sub-Christian religion with alternate doctrines of biblical authority, the church, and even salvation.
Most Methodists, left and right, responded with shock, rallied around the flag of unity, and declared their dismay. This is an understandable reaction and shows a good instinct for one's church. But Hinson's idea is one worth considering—and for more than just United Methodists.
Since liberals gained control of key national posts in the 1960s, mainline Protestants have spent increasing amounts of time and money on leftist politics instead of classic evangelism and discipleship. Since the 1970s, we've seen a slow but steady pressure to change each church's traditional sexual ethics—especially in the area of homosexuality.
It was charitable and wise at first to "study the issue," as each denomination did. And did again. And again. Conservatives were convinced that such studies would reveal the lack of support in Scripture and church history for such a move. Liberals believed conservatives would eventually empathize with the plight of homosexuals. Indeed, conservatives have become more sensitized to the nuances of homosexuality, and many liberals have become increasingly aware that the Bible, as such, doesn't justify homoeroticism. No matter: Revisionists have simply drifted toward new theological ground.
Theologian Leander S. Harding says, "The quintessential American Religion is the quest for the true and original self. Finding the true self requires absolute and complete freedom of choice unconstrained by any sources of authority outside the self. … When the self determining self finds 'the real me' salvation is achieved and the ultimate self has achieved contact with the ultimate reality."
Harding notes how perfectly the homosexual agenda in the church fits the pattern. "A person who discovers that he or she is Gay has recovered his or her true self and 'come out. ' "
This exaltation of the self first blossomed in the values-clarification sex education curriculum used by many denominations in the 1970s—in which teenagers' self-chosen value systems became the authority for their sexual ethics. We now see its flowering in the Christian gay culture, in which gays feel they will "wither and die" (as one homoerotic bishop recently put it) if they cannot express their sexuality.
Though this extreme theology is not universal, it is clearly widespread, if only informally. After 40 years of study and dialogue, then, we find in large sections of mainline churches a sub-Christian religion with alternate doctrines of biblical authority, the church, and even salvation.
A proactive separation, involving leadership of both the left and right, would keep anger to a minimum, minimize ugly property disputes, and, in a perverse way, demonstrate to the world that Christians can act civilly toward each other even in the midst of profound disagreements. Then each church can get on with its own version of the faith, and, to paraphrase Gamaliel (Acts 5), see if one or both will prosper.
We too quickly forget that Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17 is accompanied by this prayer, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." Genuine church unity, according to Jesus, is grounded in truth. All that remains in the mainline is a sentimental unity. It may be best to face that reality and move on. It is, in the tradition of the mainline, at least an idea worth dialogue and study.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
Noooo....
The witches float like wood part. :>)
Cool....sort of a Saul, Samuel, and the Witch of Endor moment.
We're considering roasting a few apostates. It's much easier than mass evangelism and much cheaper than protracted litigation.
P-M, I fear that Corin FORGOT for a bit that he is a duly dubbed Knight of the Eternal Time Table (Koett) and that he is in the Exalted Order of the Exclamation Point {!!} and is FULLY authorized to say "Neener, Neener,Neener."
I'm sad to report that he must undergo some form of trial to demonstrate his fidelity to the order.
I recommend the dreaded TRIAL BY GeRPiL. (Please consult Richard Gere handbook on this one.)
small rocks, apples and children as well
n,n,n...
You need to fire your historian. Corin chose not to be inducted, therefore no trial shall be needed.
Too bad though, I really like s'mores...
Sorry to disillusion you, dude, but it wasn't a matter of your choice.
You were ELECTED!
Nominations, of course, are IRRESISTIBLE! :>)
Now to the important point: does wood (like wiccans) FLOAT?
Sorry corin, you can't refuse induction. It has been irresisbly thrust upon you. You have not chosen us, but we have chosen you. You have been elected a member of the KOETT against your free will. Any more of this nonsense about choosing not to be inducted and we will forcibly grant you a shiny new medal against your will and pin it on you while you have your back turned.
Now grab your shield and say your neeners.
{!}
Marlowe
Did you hear about the new movie biography of Natalie Wood?
It's called "Driftwood"....
Neener
Neener
Neener
Interesting shield corin. Combine that shield with a bowl full of beans and that should keep the GRPL at a safe distance.
Now stop that, or the thought police will be along to tell you how crude, unbalanced and immature I am.
Not that there's anything wrong with that...
:>)
Sequel being filmed by Scott Peterson.
Since yesterday was 4th of July, let me tell you about baked beans...
read later.
You're dealing with one of the troublesome ones.
I don't want them to let me leave. I want to overthrow them and then let THEM leave.
I agree that that would be best. that's what we did in the SBC. The "moderates" started their own convention afterwards. Yet they will counsel conservatives to stay and fight for what they believe in, and, oh yes, keep those tithes and offerings coming. They always want us to stay, check out the liberal Episcopalians wanting to "work thorough" their problems with the conservatives. Problems they caused themselves. When a denomination is that thouroughly corrupted, best to follow the advice of Numbers 16:21
Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.
And in fact, I like the 3th verse of the same chapter
3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them,] and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD
But in the end, the decision should be strategic and tactical. Each person must make up his own mind.
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