How Teachable Are You?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#1
Mar 1, 2022
20,075
6,882
113
62
#1
I ask this question because as I enjoy going through all the different posts on this site I find that threads often deteriorate to the point where opposing views are polarized and the participants seem to be less concerned with the opposing viewpoint and more focused on what one already believes. Being right seems more important than ministering truth in love. Iron no longer sharpens iron but seems to sever unity. What are your thoughts?
 
J

Jesusfollower

Active member
#2
Oct 21, 2021
352
197
43
jamaica
#2
Cameron143 said:
I ask this question because as I enjoy going through all the different posts on this site I find that threads often deteriorate to the point where opposing views are polarized and the participants seem to be less concerned with the opposing viewpoint and more focused on what one already believes. Being right seems more important than ministering truth in love. Iron no longer sharpens iron but seems to sever unity. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Brother, your observations are correct, most people stick with what they know and learned and are not willing to grow in the truth, a shame really, as truthful and peaceful discussions would be to the benefit of all. Personally i do take in what other say in these post here, many wise people here.

Blessings and Peace,

JF
 
Subhumanoidal

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
#3
Sep 17, 2018
4,094
3,196
113
#3
Cameron143 said:
I ask this question because as I enjoy going through all the different posts on this site I find that threads often deteriorate to the point where opposing views are polarized and the participants seem to be less concerned with the opposing viewpoint and more focused on what one already believes. Being right seems more important than ministering truth in love. Iron no longer sharpens iron but seems to sever unity. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Been using this site since 2011 and that's always been how it is here (it was mostly the BDF originally, but has since spread around the site as more BDF haunters started circulating).
 
Pilgrimshope

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
#4
Sep 2, 2020
14,652
5,908
113
#4
Cameron143 said:
I ask this question because as I enjoy going through all the different posts on this site I find that threads often deteriorate to the point where opposing views are polarized and the participants seem to be less concerned with the opposing viewpoint and more focused on what one already believes. Being right seems more important than ministering truth in love. Iron no longer sharpens iron but seems to sever unity. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
sometimes the flashing of iron at first , doesn’t seem to make a difference , but then when you draw your sword again you notice it’s shape was changed a little bit through the clashing and banging

sometimes seeds take time to root before they bloom , and for iron to sharpen iron it has to clash and bang against itself and it’s shaped and hardened and formed with time

sometimes it needs time to sink in to hard headed folks like myself , skull
Made of oak fer sure , but clanging and clashing is how that iron is able to sharpen and reshape itself

notice how much discussion and contending ideas questions and discussions and arguments and everything was happening in the New Testament it’s the same now
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#5
Mar 1, 2022
20,075
6,882
113
62
#5
Jesusfollower said:
Brother, your observations are correct, most people stick with what they know and learned and are not willing to grow in the truth, a shame really, as truthful and peaceful discussions would be to the benefit of all. Personally i do take in what other say in these post here, many wise people here.

Blessings and Peace,

JF
Click to expand...
Appreciate the input
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#6
Mar 1, 2022
20,075
6,882
113
62
#6
Subhumanoidal said:
Been using this site since 2011 and that's always been how it is here (it was mostly the BDF originally, but has since spread around the site as more BDF haunters started circulating).
Click to expand...
Appreciate your input. Any ideas what can be done when this situation arises?
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#7
Mar 1, 2022
20,075
6,882
113
62
#7
Pilgrimshope said:
sometimes the flashing of iron at first , doesn’t seem to make a difference , but then when you draw your sword again you notice it’s shape was changed a little bit through the clashing and banging

sometimes seeds take time to root before they bloom , and for iron to sharpen iron it has to clash and bang against itself and it’s shaped and hardened and formed with time

sometimes it needs time to sink in to hard headed folks like myself , skull
Made of oak fer sure , but clanging and clashing is how that iron is able to sharpen and reshape itself

notice how much discussion and contending ideas questions and discussions and arguments and everything was happening in the New Testament it’s the same now
Click to expand...
Those are good observations
 
A

arthurfleminger

Well-known member
#8
Aug 18, 2021
1,405
780
113
#8
Cameron143 said:
I ask this question because as I enjoy going through all the different posts on this site I find that threads often deteriorate to the point where opposing views are polarized and the participants seem to be less concerned with the opposing viewpoint and more focused on what one already believes. Being right seems more important than ministering truth in love. Iron no longer sharpens iron but seems to sever unity. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
I must admit that, I too, am disturbed at how many posters on this board are not here to learn/discuss with one another. Instead they are here for the purpose of expounding their 'fixed' viewpoints on Christian beliefs. What is really bothersome is that many 'search the Scriptures' so that they find and 'pull out of context' Scripture readings to support their viewpoints.

Pulling Scripture out of context, for the purpose of supporting one's viewpoint, is basically dishonest. Firstly, it manipulates the Word of God. Secondly, pulling Scripture out of context misleads others. And thirdly, by pulling Scripture out of context in order to support one's own viewpoint, Scripture thereby ceases to be God's Word, but your word instead.
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#9
Mar 1, 2022
20,075
6,882
113
62
#9
arthurfleminger said:
I must admit that, I too, am disturbed at how many posters on this board are not here to learn/discuss with one another. Instead they are here for the purpose of expounding their 'fixed' viewpoints on Christian beliefs. What is really bothersome is that many 'search the Scriptures' so that they find and 'pull out of context' Scripture readings to support their viewpoints.

Pulling Scripture out of context, for the purpose of supporting one's viewpoint, is basically dishonest. Firstly, it manipulates the Word of God. Secondly, pulling Scripture out of context misleads others. And thirdly, by pulling Scripture out of context in order to support one's own viewpoint, Scripture thereby ceases to be God's Word, but your word instead.
Click to expand...
Really appreciate the info
 
G

gb9

Senior Member
#10
Jan 18, 2011
12,397
6,737
113
#10
arthurfleminger said:
I must admit that, I too, am disturbed at how many posters on this board are not here to learn/discuss with one another. Instead they are here for the purpose of expounding their 'fixed' viewpoints on Christian beliefs. What is really bothersome is that many 'search the Scriptures' so that they find and 'pull out of context' Scripture readings to support their viewpoints.

Pulling Scripture out of context, for the purpose of supporting one's viewpoint, is basically dishonest. Firstly, it manipulates the Word of God. Secondly, pulling Scripture out of context misleads others. And thirdly, by pulling Scripture out of context in order to support one's own viewpoint, Scripture thereby ceases to be God's Word, but your word instead.
Click to expand...
yes, that happens quite a bit here.

using the Bible to create theology instead of using It as theology.
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#11
Apr 21, 2021
8,423
3,680
113
#11
Cameron143 said:
I ask this question because as I enjoy going through all the different posts on this site I find that threads often deteriorate to the point where opposing views are polarized and the participants seem to be less concerned with the opposing viewpoint and more focused on what one already believes. Being right seems more important than ministering truth in love. Iron no longer sharpens iron but seems to sever unity. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Online discussion boards deliver exactly what they advertise: Virtual reality. Some people start confusing virtual reality with actual reality. In my opinion, nothing said here should be taken too seriously. If people start taking themselves, or platforms like this, too seriously everything they post takes on a life or death urgency. My advice to people would be to just chill and get a hobby that doesn't include a keyboard and a mouse.
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#12
Mar 1, 2022
20,075
6,882
113
62
#12
ResidentAlien said:
Online discussion boards deliver exactly what they advertise: Virtual reality. Some people start confusing virtual reality with actual reality. In my opinion, nothing said here should be taken too seriously. If people start taking themselves, or platforms like this, too seriously everything they post takes on a life or death urgency. My advice to people would be to just chill and get a hobby that doesn't include a keyboard and a mouse.
Click to expand...
I appreciate you sharing your perspective.
 
Eli1

Eli1

Well-known member
#13
Apr 5, 2022
5,012
2,173
113
46
#13
Yes good observation but this is how things go in real life too on ANY group. The point is that those we think they disagree with us, must have their own reasons so it’s between them and God.
So just do your part in sharing your thoughts in peace and move on.
 
Mofastus

Mofastus

Active member
#14
May 23, 2019
400
225
43
#14
Cameron143 said:
I ask this question because as I enjoy going through all the different posts on this site I find that threads often deteriorate to the point where opposing views are polarized and the participants seem to be less concerned with the opposing viewpoint and more focused on what one already believes. Being right seems more important than ministering truth in love. Iron no longer sharpens iron but seems to sever unity. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
It's God that is pleased through the foolishness of preaching, men want to be right more than doing right. 1 Cor 1:21, John 10:27, James 1:22, Isaiah 64:7, Eph 4:14, Matthew 7:22-23, 15:8-9, 23:13
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#16
Mar 1, 2022
20,075
6,882
113
62
#16
Eli1 said:
Yes good observation but this is how things go in real life too on ANY group. The point is that those we think they disagree with us, must have their own reasons so it’s between them and God.
So just do your part in sharing your thoughts in peace and move on.
Click to expand...
Good advice. Thanks.
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#17
Mar 1, 2022
20,075
6,882
113
62
#17
Mofastus said:
It's God that is pleased through the foolishness of preaching, men want to be right more than doing right. 1 Cor 1:21, John 10:27, James 1:22, Isaiah 64:7, Eph 4:14, Matthew 7:22-23, 15:8-9, 23:13
Click to expand...
Good observation.
 
Cameron143

Cameron143

Well-known member
#18
Mar 1, 2022
20,075
6,882
113
62
#18
Lucy-Pevensie said:
The threads without arguments are usually very short aren't they? :coffee:;)
Click to expand...
I agree but contending for the faith provokes thought. Arguments just lead to ill feelings. One can persuade. The other just entrenches one deeper in their beliefs. One at least attempts to promote unity. The other leads to division.
 
ResidentAlien

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
#19
Apr 21, 2021
8,423
3,680
113
#19
Cameron143 said:
I agree but contending for the faith provokes thought. Arguments just lead to ill feelings. One can persuade. The other just entrenches one deeper in their beliefs. One at least attempts to promote unity. The other leads to division.
Click to expand...
Unity isn't always a good thing and division isn't always bad. Unity that isn't based on truth is false unity. Nowadays a lot of people have the idea that everyone can and should be in unity regardless of whether they teach and preach the truth of the gospel or not.

In my experience a place like this isn't the place to resolve our differences. Some people think the louder they yell and the more walls of scripture they post the more they will change people's opinions. They've forgotten it's the Holy Spirit who teaches, not us.
 
Lucy-Pevensie

Lucy-Pevensie

Senior Member
#20
Dec 20, 2017
9,388
5,729
113
#20
Cameron143 said:
I agree but contending for the faith provokes thought. Arguments just lead to ill feelings. One can persuade. The other just entrenches one deeper in their beliefs. One at least attempts to promote unity. The other leads to division.
Click to expand...
I think of contending for the faith as interaction with those outside The Church.

What we have here is more about internal discussion.
It does breakdown into differences & disputes more often than it should perhaps. I'm not sure there is any way around that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.