Kentucky wrote:matthewott wrote:or he will simply choose to keep such opinions to himself in the future, knowing he is overwhelmingly out numbered.
A democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Christ and His Disciples were outnumbered. But, in the end, Christianity grew exponentially and won the victory. Not that the aforementioned has anything to do with the thread topic, but controversial subjects, not necessarily clarified by Scripture, are not decided by plebiscite, but rather by the fruits brought forth to advance the Kingdom. I pray Nico returns and that we eventually reconcile the principle of the matter. Our Christian demeanor should be such that no one feels intimidated to speak what they believe to be the truth simply because they are the lone voice crying in the wilderness. If that is the case, then we are no better than Stormfront. "Quench not the Spirit" I Thes. 5:19.
Mark
You know, I was going to make the same analogy about Democracy, but that is exactly why I phrased it like I did. Christianity is NOT a democracy. When the majority of your brethren keep telling you that you are wrong according to scripture, or that at least whatever "agenda" you are pushing can be relegated to a simple opinion and left alone, then that is the scriptural way of solving disputes. The majority of us here have proven to Nico that his self righteous position in this matter was wrong, and it is obviously wrong as he has now taken personal offense to his "pet doctrine" being proven unscriptural, and that his subsequent behavior was, well, un-christian. No one here is trying to shove the metal band Slayer down his throat, but you would swear we were. Nico insulted my way of life completely unapologetically. He did not even address my initial post concerning his blatant insult. I felt that we all did our christian duty here. Bill has mentioned many times in the past that this is not a democracy, and I was not trying to infer that at all, just trying to substantiate our scriptural duties as a christian community.
but controversial subjects, not necessarily clarified by Scripture, are not decided by plebiscite, but rather by the fruits brought forth to advance the Kingdom.
Which is exactly what I believe we as a community here proved to Nico...
Our Christian demeanor should be such that no one feels intimidated to speak what they believe to be the truth simply because they are the lone voice crying in the wilderness. If that is the case, then we are no better than Stormfront.
I do not want my quote to be miscontrued; by stating "such opinions", I was specifically referring to his anti-rock agenda. That's what they are, opinions. We obviously are not here to deter our brethren from posting their opinions, but when those opinions start becoming an obvious problem to our christian harmony, it is our duty to address them, such as we did. A mature, responsible christian should recognize when something can ONLY be held as an opinion, and that when that opinion is not agreed upon, that we don't try to shove it down our brothers' throats in self righteous indignation, as was exhibited here. Plain and simple, Nico is breaking one of the 2 great commandments...he is NOT loving his brethren. He is NOT exhibiting mercy or justice in this matter. He went on the attack, unjustifiably, and we were forced to defend ourselves in a proper christian manner. However, at this point, I'm beginning to lose my patience with him...