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cbluejays
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« on: January 24, 2005, 11:12:14 PM » |
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I read a very interesting article on this issue... http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=ragdeithoughts? Also, since Josh seems to be the only one posting in this forum, I thought I'd break up his monopoly |
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Vlad!
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« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2005, 02:35:09 PM » |
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I think that he is talking out of his ass, but maybe that's just me. And Josh isn't the only one who posts in this board  |
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If you don’t have freedom as a principle, you can never see a reason not to make an exception. There are constantly going to be times when for one reason or another there’s some practical convenience in making an exception.
rms
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cbluejays
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« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2005, 03:08:23 PM » |
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can you elaborate on that?
oh, and I meant Josh is the only one starting posts in this forum...my bad.
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Vlad!
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« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2005, 08:33:11 PM » |
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In attempts to be spiritual (filled with the Holy Spirit) and holy (set apart), young people are spending their time in unusual ways.They are "dating Jesus" to be spiritual even though God already lives inside them. They are being holy, setting themselves so far apart that either 1) the social horizon from which they have come becomes invisible to them and they are rendered incapable of relation to peers; or 2) they are in touch with the social fabric in which they exist but they are unable to share their innermost selves with the people around them. I've never seen this, and I went to a Christian school for fourteen years. Unless this guy lives in an enclave of hyper-fundamental Christians, I just don't think he's right. The problem with "heart-guarding" in its most common sense is this. Because our society is becoming increasingly materialistic and absolutely individualistic, and young people are expected to be naturally growing in their relationships with God, (excepting a certain predetermined church-time), the guarding of one's heart is interpreted as existing as "the blocking of one's innermost thoughts from people of the opposite sex, those who are not saved, or those who seem different at all. Again, where do we see this outside this guy's fever dreams? Godly erotic (ie men/women) relationships form dryly and have to be almost "justified as spiritual" before they are accepted by peers, but they cannot form realistically because both partners feel the strange compulsion to "guard their hearts" against . . . each other!!! Uhhh...I think a lot of times couples in a new relationship seek counseling because they are getting too erotic too quickly, not the other way around one may consider another text that was written by St. Paul O'Tarsus Yes, because Paul was really Irish. I don't disagree with the idea that Christians should be open, honest, and up-front with both fellow believers and non-believers. I don't disagree that Christians sometimes (often?) read way too much into a verse. But I don't think the problem he's "confronting" really exists; I have rarely seen Christians closing up and refusing to interact deeply with other people and citing "guarding the heart" as a reason for doing so. Did I say rarely? I mean never. |
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If you don’t have freedom as a principle, you can never see a reason not to make an exception. There are constantly going to be times when for one reason or another there’s some practical convenience in making an exception.
rms
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cbluejays
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« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2005, 10:10:02 PM » |
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« Last Edit: January 25, 2005, 10:10:24 PM by cbluejays »
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Vlad!
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« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2005, 11:03:24 PM » |
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Wow, some of the examples you gave are just really sad. I've known some people who are really sheltered and some people who believe some pretty absurd things, but I don't think I've ever heard anyone say stuff like that. I have heard about courtship and other "alternatives" to dating...I haven't really cared too much since I'm not active in the whole scene myself. If these people want to go about finding a mate in whatever way they want, it doesn't concern me...maybe it will help these people find like-minded individuals. The inability to share one's "innermost self" with others is not a uniquely Christian problem. I'm not even convinced it's a problem. Sometimes it's just hard to put things into words. I'm not saying the journal entry is completely pointless, but there is a false cause argument there (that this particular verse in Proverbs is the cause of the behavior this guy sees as bad) as well as taking a dysfunctional minority and acting as though the problem is endemic to Christianity as a whole. As for the part about those who are not saved or "seem different," I would say this isn't as bad as it is with those of the opposite sex. However, it seems people here are unwilling to truly befriend a non-Christian unless they first "save" them...sure, they're nice to the non-Christian, and they hang out with them, but only as a means to an end. People 'here' as in the phorum? Because I really haven't seen that attitude at all. Being at a large state university I have several friends who are non-Christians. I try to make my life an example of Christianity the way it should be, but I don't drag them to Campus Crusade for Christ meetings or anything like that. Moreover, they are my friends because I enjoy their company and like them as people, not because they are a means to an end. In fact, I don't think this unwillingness to have non-Christian friends is prevalent among Christians as a whole. Even very evangelical Christians (such as my brother) have non-Christian friends, and though they will not hide their faith or make a secret of the fact that they would be happy if these friends showed more interest in Christianity I don't think they aren't interested in these friends as people. |
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If you don’t have freedom as a principle, you can never see a reason not to make an exception. There are constantly going to be times when for one reason or another there’s some practical convenience in making an exception.
rms
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GusX:
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« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2005, 11:17:00 PM » |
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Matt Henry says the following on the verse from proverbs [in its context of course]
Verses 14-27 The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there they shall shine as the sun in his strength. The way of sin is as darkness. The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall into sin, but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble, but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor what will be in the end of it. This is the way we are bid to shun. Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all diseases of the soul. Keep thy heart with all diligence. We must set a strict guard upon our souls; keep our hearts from doing hurt, and getting hurt. A good reason is given; because out of it are the issues of life. Above all, we should seek from the Lord Jesus that living water, the sanctifying Spirit, issuing forth unto everlasting life. Thus we shall be enabled to put away a froward mouth and perverse lips; our eyes will be turned from beholding vanity, looking straight forward, and walking by the rule of God's word, treading in the steps of our Lord and Master. Lord, forgive the past, and enable us to follow thee more closely for the time to come.
Note the bolded words.. Cure for the soul - an Important thing to remember in this day of.. health and wealth gospel preaching..
Short of the matter, This guy I agree is kind of smoking some kind of rubber, and I don't mean his tires either ..
I feel sadly for him and what he has "thought himself into" and people who buy this stuf..
I would tend to say that one is to keep their heart with regards to those who are not interested in the wellbeing of an individual.. and that the verse was not meant to be a shield for hiding sin, but I think that this whole "Date Jesus" b.s. Yes B.S. is taking scripture where it was never meant to go.
Genuinely I don't see it in scripture and think it is partly "mans gospel"
But of course, I could be wrong... [ But I doubt it. ]
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« Last Edit: January 25, 2005, 11:19:03 PM by GusX: »
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But of course, I could be wrong... [ But I doubt it. ]
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cbluejays
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« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2005, 12:03:15 AM » |
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People 'here' as in the phorum? Because I really haven't seen that attitude at all. Being at a large state university I have several friends who are non-Christians. I try to make my life an example of Christianity the way it should be, but I don't drag them to Campus Crusade for Christ meetings or anything like that. Moreover, they are my friends because I enjoy their company and like them as people, not because they are a means to an end. In fact, I don't think this unwillingness to have non-Christian friends is prevalent among Christians as a whole. Even very evangelical Christians (such as my brother) have non-Christian friends, and though they will not hide their faith or make a secret of the fact that they would be happy if these friends showed more interest in Christianity I don't think they aren't interested in these friends as people. sorry, I meant "here" as in where I currently reside. I've seen no such thing at the phorum =D EDIT: Oh, and to Gux:X, good post. I agree, it's dangerous to add on to the gospel. I think, however, that what the guy is saying is not that we shouldn't guard our hearts, but that we are guarding it from the wrong things... all in all, I liked what he wrote, it made me think quite a bit...but I do agree with Vlad, the problem is probably minimal...and even then, it appears to be a bit of a stretch... |
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« Last Edit: January 26, 2005, 12:08:17 AM by cbluejays »
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ragdei
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« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2005, 10:56:59 AM » |
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What do you think of my "article" I posted? |
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standmanelsr
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« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2005, 10:37:48 PM » |
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I have often wandered about this undiscussed balance between openness to the people of the world and guarding the heart with other people of the church. I often struggle at where I should be. Am I too comfortable with the church and less inviting to non-Christians, or have accepted too many things without speaking up just to be cool with the crowd? Should I be spending more time in personal struggle or in fellowship? The current Christian movements, I do believe, focuses way too much on the word 'personal,' leaving out the bigger picture of the church as a whole.
(Note: I didn't read the xanga; I just read the posts)
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danny316
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« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2005, 04:38:20 PM » |
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What do you think of my "article" I posted? I'm in the minority when I say this, but I thought it was spot-on. I think it's funny that Paul posted it here - that type of issue (the something's wrong with the Christian community that most people don't notice or care about type) is usually the type of thing I post and get in trouble for. If you missed it, a good link is: http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=ragdei...s&uid=191766103 |
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Someday, Dan will make a site with nothing but pictures of amusing stolen avatars.
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PaulDA
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« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2005, 05:02:35 PM » |
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I think that he is talking out of his ass..... Sounds about right to me.....  |
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PaulDA
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« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2005, 05:05:26 PM » |
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Ok, now I'm a bit confused..... How does that guy's post on randomness have anything to do with Christian purity?  |
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