When does Iron Sharpening Iron simply become a head bashing party?

[Riverwalker]

The concept of iron sharpening iron is that a good healthy debate on scripture by a group of people who are familiar with scripture can "argue" their points and come to a c0ncensus through humbly listening to each one says. A lovely thing when it happens. but more often than not it becomes and ego driven chest bumping head thumping bonanza

To keep such a debate in check we have to do several things

• Realize that we probably do not know it all
• Realize that someone else might be able to add to our understanding
• Set aside the need to defend theologies which we embrace but that are not completely defined in scripture (rapture and end times come to mind)
• Listen(read) then speak(type)
• Be humble.....allow yourself to learn what can be learned
• if it turns into a hamster wheel (lots of action going no where) of endless and fruitless argument walk away....there is no winning here, only loosing

I keep going back to my mountain analogy. Christianity is like a mountain standing up in a valley  We have one here in California called Mount Shasta.   4 different people can look at it from different angles, and see something that looks a little different, but if we all share our perspective and humbly listen to others our understanding can be greatly increased.

Winning an argument is useless.  Gaining understanding is the key

[missmuffet]

8 minutes ago, Riverwalker said:

The concept of iron sharpening iron is that a good healthy debate on scripture by a group of people who are familiar with scripture can "argue" their points and come to a c0ncensus through humbly listening to each one says. A lovely thing when it happens. but more often than not it becomes and ego driven chest bumping head thumping bonanza

To keep such a debate in check we have to do several things

• Realize that we probably do not know it all
• Realize that someone else might be able to add to our understanding
• Set aside the need to defend theologies which we embrace but that are not completely defined in scripture (rapture and end times come to mind)
• Listen(read) then speak(type)
• Be humble.....allow yourself to learn what can be learned
• if it turns into a hamster wheel (lots of action going no where) of endless and fruitless argument walk away....there is no winning here, only loosing

I keep going back to my mountain analogy. Christianity is like a mountain standing up in a valley  We have one here in California called Mount Shasta.   4 different people can look at it from different angles, and see something that looks a little different, but if we all share our perspective and humbly listen to others our understanding can be greatly increased.

Winning an argument is useless.  Gaining understanding is the key

I am ok with debating with others on scripture and to keep it humble. Although when I see a red flag that tells me what has been posted is false teaching I will respond. But I will do with with kindness and respect. Sometimes a person will come at me aggressively. I think it best to just leave if that happens.

[Alive]

I think at times, one of the things that happens, is one member reading into another member something about that member that they can't know. That takes it into a subjective realm and away from what is actually objectively stated...if that makes any sense.

The written form of communication is easier for some than for others.

[missmuffet]

10 minutes ago, Alive said:

I think at times, one of the things that happens, is one member reading into another member something about that member that they can't know. That takes it into a subjective realm and away from what is actually objectively stated...if that makes any sense.

The written form of communication is easier for some than for others.

Huh? 

[Alive]

5 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

Huh? 

A for instance: member A disagrees with something member B typed.

Member B then takes that as member A is angry or doesn't like them or is being mean or doesn't like ice cream, which member B likes, but member B knows member A doesn't like ice cream---so B thinks member A doesn't like member B.

:-)

Does this clear it up?

[Arrabon]

I like your topic @Riverwalker

To me, it's a simple, short answer.

When there is no "GODLY LOVE INVOLVED and none expressed" for one another.

John 13:34 

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

 

Edited August 11, 2021 by Arrabon

[missmuffet]

7 minutes ago, Alive said:

A for instance: member A disagrees with something member B typed.

Member B then takes that as member A is angry or doesn't like them or is being mean or doesn't like ice cream, which member B likes, but member B knows member A doesn't like ice cream---so B thinks member A doesn't like member B.

:-)

Does this clear it up?

Yes, it is not responding as brothers and sisters in Christ.

[Alive]

4 minutes ago, Arrabon said:

I like your topic @Riverwalker

To me, it's a simple, short answer.

When there is no "GODLY LOVE INVOLVED and none expressed" for one another.

John 13:34 

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

 

As Alive has just stopped banging his head against the wall: and making an assumption that one doesn't love. Making that judgement--is that love?

Member A says to member B--" there is no Godly love involved and none was expressed".

I suggest that it is far better to stay far away from making such comments....those pointed fingers may just point right back.

Judge not less ye be judged.

[other one]

I've been here since 2003, and it is my experience that it starts when one person tells the other person they are wrong instead of something like, "I just don't see it that way."

[Riverwalker]

4 hours ago, Alive said:

A for instance: member A disagrees with something member B typed.

Member B then takes that as member A is angry or doesn't like them or is being mean or doesn't like ice cream, which member B likes, but member B knows member A doesn't like ice cream---so B thinks member A doesn't like member B.

:-)

Does this clear it up?

Umm...