The Shewing away of Duane Brotherly

[Ovedya]

GodMan, was that directed to me, or RoS, or everyone?

This was in response to Ros specifically, but they are my feelings toward the issue generally.

[Guest coolwaters]

First of all, I wanted to take this time and thank the ones who wrote to me with concern over this matter. This has truly troubled me. When I found this board from a 3-5 star worthy news email, I couldn't believe my good fortune. Wow, a christian board full of christian and messianic teachers. I had many questions and answers to impart. I really looked forward to reading posts and responding, to the point of neglecting some activities. But, I found out relatively quick that some of the regulars were not very welcoming, wary and territorial towards newbies. Based solely on the number of previous posts and not on the content of the post. I believe that people should be judged by the content of their posts, breadth of knowledge and intentions, not merely judged by the number of posts. I think this is very juvenile and having titles for the number of posts as badges only encourages and reinforces this behavior. After all the forum is a public place and open to all and nobody should have feelings of entitlement. If you want a close knit chat board their are ways to accomplish that. If this continues it might happen on its on.

Secondly, I have been made aware of all the goings on behind the scenes concerning Duane. Y'all are probably right about him. But, I think all y'all especially George are discounting the significant power of everybody's biblical correction. It may or may not have had a perceivable impact on Duane, but to the casual poster or guest not fully grounded in the word it provided a good education on the good side. I believe God's word will always triumph over heresy, if mans nature and ego stays out of the discussion. It also educated and introduced the not so new people to God's word some of the heretical theories out there. I for one never heard of Adam being the devil, or satan and Jesus being brothers. I guess I was rather naive not to catch on. Those theories are so bizarre that it never occurred to me, what Duane was getting at. I for one am glad that I was exposed to this thought since it is out there and I might one day have to respond to it. Like I mentioned weeks ago, I crave learning and knowledge. Thats why I feel these heretical teachings should have a place on this forum. Because if not here under your watch and correction then it will go on some place else unchecked and will probably succeed in casting doubt and unbelief. I for one like the challenge of biblically debating the Duanes of this world. This is impart one of the things that motivates me to learn beyond the point of salvation.

In conclusion, this post was fraught with anxiety and fear of doing more harm than good. I genuinely hope all concerned take this constructively and with a christian heart. This is how it was intended. May all love and rejoice in Gods mercy and grace.

[nebula]

"Thats why I feel these heretical teachings should have a place on this forum."

I know this is going to sound bad, but my first thought was, "Boy, I'm sure glad Zebulon isn't around anymore to hear this!"

[One of the "old-timers" of the Board posted a problem she had concerning a heretical teaching on another Board. She was looking for answers as far as how to deal with stuff like that. This new person to the Board, Zebulon - I believe it was him - got all over her case about spreading heries (guilty by association - you posted the lies - therefore you are a part of spreading this evil), and he was not being very nice about it. Of course, he wasn't nicea bout a few other things - but that's a different story.]

Seriously, though, I appreciate your thoughts, Coolwaters. And I can appreciate your perspective on the issue and I can see how you would feel this way. Unfortunately, you came in at a very bad time. My bringing up what I did about Zeb is an illustration. Mind you, this isn't justifying, it's explaining "our" side, hoping you will understand as well. We got hit with a lot of people in a relatively short period of time spouting some of the worst things, and some of them claiming their words to be of God. So, when the innocent newbie comes in voicing his/her opinion on a subject and it is controversial or whatever, "we" kind-of went, "Oh, no! Not again!" And so our reactions were not as gracious as they should have been. :x:

So, this does bring up some good points for us to consider. It hurts to think that someone "new" has the idea that we are "out to get the newbies." We've all been "newbies" at one time or another. I remember myself early on almost wanting to leave becasue of some strong statements made by others on a thread about women teachers. Yeah, I felt threatened. Fortunately, I voiced my feelings as such, and someone wrote me a wonderful note of encouragement, "Don't let them get you down...." I'm glad he did, because I have since received many blessings from interracting on this Board. I have also learned valuable lessons through the interraction (and some I am still learning - like recognizing when an argument is worth fighting over or learning to just walk away from debates that are going in circles).

But one thing that struck me was when a political issue came up, and two posters had an opposing view. One of the posters had this really horrible attitude with his post, and so I responded. I had intended to leave the topic alone, but that attitude "got the better of me" and I responded. Of course, I made the mistake of addressing the issue more so than his attitude. Later, I realized that the other poster may have taken my words personally, and this was someone I had come to respect. I ate my humble pie and wrote her an apology. But in writing her, it made me think that - is this issue really worth getting all tied in knots over? Is it worth division? No.

Another time, I was in debate with another about an issue. I was strong in my opinion. But after a while, I saw something in the other poster's responses and arguments that I had missed. This person came out of a lot of pain with this issue. I recalled the verse, "A bruised reed He will not break." I realized I was so concerned about "being right" that I missed the fact that I was breaking a bruised reed. I quit arguing at that point and sent my deepest appologies.

So, where am I getting at? I am thinking that all of us need to learn how to deal with heresies better. We need to learn how to deal with bad attitudes better. To me, anyway, what you said here made me feel concerned that we have gotten out of hand if newbies are thinking it's all about newbies and not the doctrines that are being espoused by the certain newbies!

I've been participating on another board, and there's always been a certain breed of topic that eventually leads to just about everyone slinging mud at each other. Finally, the moderator had enough, locked the current thread, and harshly rebuked everyone, even threatening to ban some of "the regulars" if tempers ever flared like that again. It was a shock and a wake-up call to us. We have since learned to be careful. One poster even started a thread on how we can control ourselves better.

I am thinking we all need to consider ways we can be more gracious and compassionate. To take control of our emotions. (Be very careful about responding in anger - "in your anger do not sin.")

Anyway, this post is getting longer than I anticipated. I hope what I was trying to say came across the way it should have.

You're all right Coolwaters! I am sure disagreements may pop up, but I hope we may maintain an attitude of respect towards one another. :t:

[Andrew007]

Acts 9:26-30

When he (Saul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

When Saul cam to Jerusalem he was more than an outsider. He'd been an enemy infact, and everyone was suspicious oh him. Only Barnabus was willing to risk acting like a friend to Saul, bringing this outsider in. It's esp. import for Christains to reach out and welcome others. Introduce yourself to the newcomer. You'll not only do a good deed, but open the doors for an exciting spiritual journey. Let's keep soft hearts towards others and their ideas and try not the scare them off. :t:

[eric]

How many days would any of you put up with a JW or a mormon coming to your door pushing heresies down your throat and ignoring your beliefs, before you told him to go and never come back again. Now I'm not saying the man was a jw or a mormon,but he was touting a few of their heretic opinions.

In my opinion you haven't lost a soul, the soul was never found in the first place. The Holy Spirit's job is to convict the lost and he will do it when the season is right. But the boy must be prepared to humble himself before the Lord with a repentent and a contrite heart.

I hope he his willing to learn, and learn he will if he LISTENS

[nebula]

One of the "old-timers" of the Board posted a problem she had concerning a heretical teaching on another Board. She was looking for answers as far as how to deal with stuff like that. This new person to the Board, Zebulon - I believe it was him - got all over her case about spreading heries . . . .

OK, just looked up the thread. It wasn't Zeb who challenged her but someone else.

Well, there have been other conflicts with that someone else, which could be its own story. Sigh.

Lord, may these incidents be as iron sharpening iron, and may we grow wiser from having gone through the conflicts. May we learn to administer godly rebuke and correction where needed yet to refrain from taking over the Holy Spirit's job to convict of sin. May our words "be full of grace seasnoned with salt."

Amen.

[traveller]

amen.

[Blood Stained Soul]

Greetings in Christ! As a new person with no involvement with this situation I would like to just say a few things here.

Rebuking is Biblical and should be done so...you do not brand a person heritic in public without first going to the person in private...hello email!...then if they do not listen you get a fellow Christian involved...then another...then you go before the Church...least thats how it is lined out in Matthew chapter 18...and we are to do so in love...that part of Pauls writings was note posted here, being rude in the defense of the Gospel(if any were, I will not accuse anyone cause I have no way to read these threads mentioned) only brings insult to the Lord.

With that said I agree that this person was teaching junk...I have seen these teachings on another Board...maybe it was the same person...not sure...people like this are Gods way of warning us to be alert in these last days. I would have like to talk with this person...I used to be one of those decievers...possessed by "religious" spirits...and was involved with and for a time led a sex cult...might have been able to help him see the truth....

[JesusisGod2]

Greetings in Christ! As a new person with no involvement with this situation I would like to just say a few things here.

Rebuking is Biblical and should be done so...you do not brand a person heritic in public without first going to the person in private...hello email!...then if they do not listen you get a fellow Christian involved...then another...then you go before the Church...least thats how it is lined out in Matthew chapter 18...and we are to do so in love...that part of Pauls writings was note posted here, being rude in the defense of the Gospel(if any were, I will not accuse anyone cause I have no way to read these threads mentioned) only brings insult to the Lord.

With that said I agree that this person was teaching junk...I have seen these teachings on another Board...maybe it was the same person...not sure...people like this are Gods way of warning us to be alert in these last days. I would have like to talk with this person...I used to be one of those decievers...possessed by "religious" spirits...and was involved with and for a time led a sex cult...might have been able to help him see the truth....

Hi Blood stained,

This situation is a little different than just rebuking a brother, in my opinion anyway.

This person is bringing a gospel different than the one Paul preached, A false gospel. And we are instructed to not even eat with such a one and to not have fellowship with such a person.

I could be wrong and will look furthur into this tonight but I gotta run for now. Good point though, but I am not so sure this is the same situation.

Paul when Peter was introducing false doctrine, rebuked him openly and in front of all who were there.

God Bless,

Kevin

[Blood Stained Soul]

Greetings in Christ!  As a new person with no involvement with this situation I would like to just say a few things here.

Rebuking is Biblical and should be done so...you do not brand a person heritic in public without first going to the person in private...hello email!...then if they do not listen you get a fellow Christian involved...then another...then you go before the Church...least thats how it is lined out in Matthew chapter 18...and we are to do so in love...that part of Pauls writings was note posted here, being rude in the defense of the Gospel(if any were, I will not accuse anyone cause I have no way to read these threads mentioned) only brings insult to the Lord.

                  With that said I agree that this person was teaching junk...I have seen these teachings on another Board...maybe it was the same person...not sure...people like this are Gods way of warning us to be alert in these last days.  I would have like to talk with this person...I used to be one of those decievers...possessed by "religious" spirits...and was involved with and for a time led a sex cult...might have been able to help him see the truth....

Hi Blood stained,

This situation is a little different than just rebuking a brother, in my opinion anyway.

This person is bringing a gospel different than the one Paul preached, A false gospel. And we are instructed to not even eat with such a one and to not have fellowship with such a person.

I could be wrong and will look furthur into this tonight but I gotta run for now. Good point though, but I am not so sure this is the same situation.

Paul when Peter was introducing false doctrine, rebuked him openly and in front of all who were there.

God Bless,

Kevin

Greetings in Christ! You know what your right Paul did rebuke Peter to his face...should he have talked to him in private first? did he but scripture does not record it? Who knows...sometimes certain situations arrive like the one you mentioned...but alas..I shall continue to try to follow the Matt 18 model..Blessings...