[betty boop]

The church's historical lineage comprises only Trinitarian believers in a truly resurrected Jesus Christ. When those children are at each others' throats, no good comes of it.

Agreed, times two, dear xzins!

Recently I read an absolutely wonderful book, C.S. Lewis & Francis Schaeffer: Lessons for a New Century from the Most Influential Apologists of Our Time, by Scott R. Burson and Jerry L. Walls. I admire Schaffer (a Calvinist) and Lewis (an Anglican) so very, very much. I wholly acknowledge both as truly my brethren, though I am neither Calvinist nor Anglican. They were both great evangelists. Although their views of scripture sometimes differed on points of interpretation, they both realized their mission of bringing suffering souls to Christ. Love — sometimes "tough love" — was their basic strategy for changing hearts and minds.

Burson & Walls point out certain logical inconsistencies in the strict predestination view of which Schaeffer himself seemed to be aware, but which remained unresolved for him. I see them, and find them troubling; but also see no reason to dwell on them. God is Truth and that's all that matters to me. Men try to grasp His truths, but they can only do so as men. And men are flawed. In any case, you can't get to God via reason alone.

And so my conclusion is that we ought in the first place to act charitably towards one another, Christian and non-Christian alike. This is clearly what God wants for us. Winning a debate with regard to theological points won't get you any closer to God. In the end, Christianity is not about the correctness of your theological knowledge; it's about how you live your life.

Who lives in love lives in God and God in Him.

To God be the glory!

[Alamo-Girl]

So very true, dearest sister in Christ, thank you for sharing your testimony!

And now of course, I have yet another "must read" book. LOLOL!

[xzins]

I attended seminary with and was ordained with Jerry Walls. Brilliant mind and a really down-to-earth human being.

We will all hang together or we’ll most assuredly hang separately.

[hosepipe]

[ And so my conclusion is that we ought in the first place to act charitably towards one another, Christian and non-Christian alike. This is clearly what God wants for us. Winning a debate with regard to theological points won't get you any closer to God. In the end, Christianity is not about the correctness of your theological knowledge; it's about how you live your life. ]

True.. We need to learn to tolerate each other.. as christians and otherwise..
We see what we see.. What is... IS.. and What ain't.... AIN'T..

Expecting someone to see what they do not see is silly..
In my life I've learned there are levels "of seeing".. I see more than I did at 20,30,etc..

Who sees "the most"?.. or the most/more accurately is mute..
What you see Now, is what you see now..

Must be WHY denominations are practical.. and..
Jesus did not forbid denominations(sheep pens).. but called them out of them.. (Jn ch 10)
also why the Holy Spirit is active and working and germane..
We all have our qualia.. adjusting our observer problem..

Being a christian is not about how accurate you think you are..
But about WHO you are.. even dumb christians can be christians..
There can be some dumb family members.. i.e. WHO you are not what you believe..
Who is the dumbest?.. Now there is an explosive subject..

We know who the smartest christians are... if not, JUST ask them..
However, they may not tolerate you..