Having much to learn but also being, like others, attracted to things which are “scintillating,” I thank you for your informative post of the “Contending for the Faith” Lectureship on “Anti-ism,” particularly your expressed interest in the Lectureship’s “scintillating” presentation titles. I hankered to hear again the scintillating preaching I heard as a child, when truth was upheld and error exposed.

I was not disappointed.

Now if you will kindly turn in your computer to http://www.oabs.org/ondemand/Spring2006/McClish030106.asx ,
you can hear from the “Anti-ism” lectern that a famous radio and television ministry long associated with your congregation is controlled by “apostates.”

How ironic, or something, that you invited me to this “Anti-ism” Lectureship, citing its “scintillating” topics, and then at the Lectureship your circle is deemed “apostate”! I’m confused. You publicized the “scintillating” conference, which then labeled you “apostate.” One wonders whether there are “apostates” all over the place, inviting individuals to “scintillating” lectureships where folks learn that the invitations emanated from “apostates.”

E’en as “the mystery of iniquity doth already work” (2Th 2:7 KJV), the “Anti-ism” Lectureship experienced troublesome times over whether to publish its Open Forum, where the topics were perhaps either too scintillating or not scintillating enough. Despite scintillating implorings from the Lectureship in Texas
(see, e.g., http://www.oabs.org/ondemand/Spring2006/Watson030206.asx ), the webmeister brethren in Tennessee steadfastly decided “the nature of the Open Forum was something that non-members (around the world) did not need to see” (http://www.oabs.org/OABSExplanation.htm).

So, Mike, as the “apostate” who notified me of this “scintillating” Lectureship, can you, or some other thoughtful and informed soul, perhaps assuage my sleep-depriving intrigue over what was in the Open Forum, which may have been the “Anti-ism” Lectureship’s most “scintillating” part? When Texans argue that I need it and Tennesseans feel that I don’t, I contend earnestly for the faith as urged by the Texans. Down here in Louisiana it is important to be aware—to be “scintillating” and to avoid being “apostate.”

—Richard DAVID RAMSEY

Speaking only for myself, it provides a great argument for walking away from organized Christianity as a whole.

Known by our fruits, huh?

However, my former question still stands for anyone to answer. My concern in all this is that in our efforts to obtain unity, we’ve “thrown the baby out with the bath water”, so to say.

I’m trying to understand the other side. Again, if there are references or studies/books/websites on this issue you’d recommend, feel free to recommend.
Joel

Glenn, the problem with this statement is 1) it’s purely an emotional appeal and 2) using that reasoning, Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons are indeed saved as well.

What I don’t understand is who you won’t fellowship with?

Also, if people can’t understand God’s word alike, then why would God give us his word if he didn’t expect us to understand it alike?

I see what you’re saying, as people do disagree over Scripture, but where do we (or should we) draw the line. Isn’t there at any point that you would say, “Okay, that’s heresy or that’s a false doctrine or teaching.” Do you fellowship Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons? If not, why not?

Or anyone else answer for that matter.

Recently, an elder in a very rigid CofC, who espoused the OTC doctrine–one true church… attended an area-wide Bible study in a very conservative town, where hundreds meet every week. He did this for two years without telling anyone in his congregation (guess why?). Well, recently he said this (albeit privately): Those people are just as sincere as we are. I can’t believe any longer that they are going to hell because they read the same Bible and just don’t see everything like I do.

Now that might get some unity going!

If the New Testament is not to be used as a pattern or authority for what we should do, worship or teach today, then how can we know that God approves of what we do? Mike or anyone else?

Joel