Comments on: In Defense of the Faith http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/in-defense-of-the-faith/ Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:24:04 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Speaking Truth http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/in-defense-of-the-faith/#comment-25 Speaking Truth Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:14:27 +0000 http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-25 @ katrice0321 - I agree, we have to always seek God first before doing anything. This ensures that we're being led of the Spirit and not of ourselves. And yes, I'm trying to get better at speaking the truth in love :-) @ gcmwatch - Thanks for responding Pastor Foster. You're right, such a passionate plea must be hiding some pain. Come back again... @ katrice0321 –

I agree, we have to always seek God first before doing anything. This ensures that we’re being led of the Spirit and not of ourselves. And yes, I’m trying to get better at speaking the truth in love :-)

@ gcmwatch –

Thanks for responding Pastor Foster. You’re right, such a passionate plea must be hiding some pain. Come back again…

]]> By: gcmwatch http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/in-defense-of-the-faith/#comment-21 gcmwatch Wed, 05 Mar 2008 21:14:10 +0000 http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-21 This is an excellent counterpoint to the article. I dont feel obliged to refute it as I have done so several times before (with the BIG PICTURE in mind). The writer is being somewhat hypocritical by labeling everyone "heresy hunters" and falsely (intentional?) stating that our goal is fight against those who step past the "accepted boundaries of conservative evangelicalism". "Conservative Evangelicalism" is much different from the word of God, its standards and God holiness. Or better put the faith once delivered to the saints. It seems the writer was a little miffed a being labeled a heretic by someone. He didnt say who, but instead of writing and article ---and putting it in worldwide media--- he should have just confronted the individuals. Thats why his article lacks credibility. He engages in the same things he emphatically declares are bringing division to the church. This is an excellent counterpoint to the article. I dont feel obliged to refute it as I have done so several times before (with the BIG PICTURE in mind).

The writer is being somewhat hypocritical by labeling everyone “heresy hunters” and falsely (intentional?) stating that our goal is fight against those who step past the “accepted boundaries of conservative evangelicalism”.

“Conservative Evangelicalism” is much different from the word of God, its standards and God holiness. Or better put the faith once delivered to the saints.

It seems the writer was a little miffed a being labeled a heretic by someone. He didnt say who, but instead of writing and article —and putting it in worldwide media— he should have just confronted the individuals.

Thats why his article lacks credibility. He engages in the same things he emphatically declares are bringing division to the church.

]]> By: katrice0321 http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/in-defense-of-the-faith/#comment-20 katrice0321 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:41:27 +0000 http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-20 I'm glad you brought this up. The church does seem to be polarized on the issue of truth. The fact that people are waking up and daring to challenge the status quo based on truth is definitely stirring up trouble. However, some trouble is going to get stirred up when light meets darkness. Refer to Jesus' turning over of the money changers' tables. He didn't do it quietly or gingerly. He made a scene. I know that people who are open to truth are being ostracized, but Jesus predicted that we would be. It's still worth it to be bold about it. I would only encourage and caution us to always be sure that our motives remain on point. Be careful to always seek God first and avoid becoming passionately wrong. Else we're no better, just on the other side of the fence. Always speak the truth in love. And remember that it's the word itself that cuts sharper than a 2-edged sword. Not us. We're just the messengers. I’m glad you brought this up. The church does seem to be polarized on the issue of truth. The fact that people are waking up and daring to challenge the status quo based on truth is definitely stirring up trouble. However, some trouble is going to get stirred up when light meets darkness. Refer to Jesus’ turning over of the money changers’ tables. He didn’t do it quietly or gingerly. He made a scene.

I know that people who are open to truth are being ostracized, but Jesus predicted that we would be. It’s still worth it to be bold about it.

I would only encourage and caution us to always be sure that our motives remain on point. Be careful to always seek God first and avoid becoming passionately wrong. Else we’re no better, just on the other side of the fence. Always speak the truth in love. And remember that it’s the word itself that cuts sharper than a 2-edged sword. Not us. We’re just the messengers.

]]> By: Speaking Truth http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/in-defense-of-the-faith/#comment-15 Speaking Truth Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:08:11 +0000 http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-15 Nuff said, my brother. I pray your continued strength in the Lord to do what you do as well... Nuff said, my brother. I pray your continued strength in the Lord to do what you do as well…

]]> By: Kwesi http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/2008/02/29/in-defense-of-the-faith/#comment-14 Kwesi Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:03:23 +0000 http://imspeakingtruth.wordpress.com/?p=36#comment-14 Speaker, I like you have been in the role. I was ordained young and should I have stayed on track I could do big things for... myself. That is exactly the problem. It's not just a matter of mistakes. Many of these decisions are made deliberately to deceive the people of God and are done with the dollar in mind. Next week I'll follow up with a post on "the church sale" it simply never ends. At the place where I served I looked around and realized that we simply did nothing for the community! We were just there. Money was being raised effortlessly but the needs of the people were not being met. This is not a judgment on anyone other than myself. I couldn't do it, I know what I saw. I know what I've heard. I know the hurt and the pain that I endured. You can not point out error without having people point back at you. Hopefully, I have removed the beam and am found beyond reproach. Point is, truth remains truth even if we are silent. At stake here is not bullying anyone. It's more like whistle blowing! It's not popular and it won't make you millions and get you a private plane to use for private purposes but maybe it will help to advance the kingdom of God. One more thing, when preachers stop demanding money from people for everything, when clergy stops selling the gospel, when leaders stop abusing "their" followers, then maybe we can stop, speaking, blogging, speaking truth. Until then post away my brothers and sisters, post away! Speaker, I like you have been in the role. I was ordained young and should I have stayed on track I could do big things for… myself. That is exactly the problem. It’s not just a matter of mistakes. Many of these decisions are made deliberately to deceive the people of God and are done with the dollar in mind. Next week I’ll follow up with a post on “the church sale” it simply never ends.

At the place where I served I looked around and realized that we simply did nothing for the community! We were just there. Money was being raised effortlessly but the needs of the people were not being met. This is not a judgment on anyone other than myself. I couldn’t do it, I know what I saw. I know what I’ve heard. I know the hurt and the pain that I endured.

You can not point out error without having people point back at you. Hopefully, I have removed the beam and am found beyond reproach. Point is, truth remains truth even if we are silent.

At stake here is not bullying anyone. It’s more like whistle blowing! It’s not popular and it won’t make you millions and get you a private plane to use for private purposes but maybe it will help to advance the kingdom of God.

One more thing, when preachers stop demanding money from people for everything, when clergy stops selling the gospel, when leaders stop abusing “their” followers, then maybe we can stop, speaking, blogging, speaking truth. Until then post away my brothers and sisters, post away!

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