| Author | Message | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 233 Registered: 2-2010 |
What parameters do you use when pulling out scripture to share an opinion/belief with another professing Christian? At what point is the line crossed from teaching over to "Bible bashing"? | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1708 Registered: 7-2007 |
To "bash" the Bible means to criticize the Bible, if I'm not mistaken. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1709 Registered: 7-2007 |
But as far as sharing my faith goes, I think I tend to "run ahead of the Lord" sometimes and turn people off. I don't know where the line should be drawn except to be praying all the while and wait for God's prompts. (Like I said though, I tend not to be very good at that ... yet.) | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 234 Registered: 2-2010 |
Good point, Asurprise, bashing would be putting the Bible down. Bad choice of words there. I am curious how those with the gift of teaching discern this line. As Christians we are representing Christ, and that is important to remember, but Jesus was not a PC teacher either. Is there a passage that addresses how and when to use scripture? | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12285 Registered: 12-2003  |
I don't know of a passage, Nikki...but I know that the book of Acts is full of examples of apostolic preaching. Jesus had many conversations with the Pharisees, too...and when they stopped being receptive to His words and accused Him of having a demon, He spoke in parables and ceased trying to "explain". Matthew was written to Jews, and it is full of references to OT prophecies with the comments that Jesus did things to fulfill what had been written. Likewise, Romans and Hebrews are full of OT references showing how the new covenant fulfills what was written. In general, I stop using Scripture when it becomes obvious the other person argues with everything I say. If they are actually wanting to know, they have a different attitude than if they are just being defensive and argumentative. When people become brittle and argumentative, continuing to present Scripture starts crossing the line into throwing pearls before the swine...not that people are swine, but that is the image the Lord Jesus used. If we keep "persuading" those who do not want to learn but want to argue, I think we tend to entrench them in their own rebellion. I have felt this dynamic with my own extended family. I have realized that I have to stop trying to have rational, Bible-based conversation sometimes because I am participating in their becoming actually blasphemous against the gospel. I don't know a "rule"; I just know that there are times when I sense the texts are giving needed information, and other times when they are received as points to argue. Colleen | ||
| Michaelmiller Registered user Username: Michaelmiller Post Number: 247 Registered: 7-2010  |
When the Holy Spirit directs me to scripture to share then I do it. At some point though the Spirit stops leading and (hopefully... I'm still learning this part) I stop as well. Since I can't judge the heart of another, I have to trust God on this matter. Only He knows if they are receptive, or if they will instead build barriers to future witnessing. Michael | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 235 Registered: 2-2010 |
OK, so what if the other person isn't asking a question. There is just a topic being dicussed and you choose to enter the conversation and use scripture to make your point. No one asked your opinion, but you are sharing it with scripture. Is that Bible thumping? | ||
| Cloudwatcher Registered user Username: Cloudwatcher Post Number: 360 Registered: 5-2009  |
For the record, I don't think you were Bible thumping and I don't think anyone in the discussion took it that way. ;) | ||
| Indy4now Registered user Username: Indy4now Post Number: 1016 Registered: 2-2008  |
Interestingly, while Adventist I was never seen as a "zealot" or "Bible thumper". But now, when I can't help but share what I know and what I believe I've been called a "zealot" and "Bible thumper". In my experience, the other person was feeling convicted and was wanting to insult me rather than deal with what I had to say. vivian | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 779 Registered: 1-2007 |
Indy4now, how right you are. When people start throwing out words like bible thumper, etc that shows me the devil is getting scared and is clinging as tight as he can to that person. Gail | ||
| Yenc Registered user Username: Yenc Post Number: 373 Registered: 6-2008 |
When someone responds to our assertions with objections, we shouldn't automatically write them off as being argumentative and closed-minded; sometimes they really want to know what we have to say and what the rebuttals are to what they have previously been taught. If we clam up and walk away, perhaps their questions will never be addressed. Sometimes we need to go ahead and rebut their assertions with what we have learned so that they have a chance to hear the truth. They may resist for a time and later come to see the point we were making; in other cases, they may simply become more firmly entrenched. But it's not up to us to decide that it is hopeless unless they are clear about not wanting to hear what we have to say; in those cases, we may have to simply leave it for the Holy spirit to open their minds to the seeds we have hopefully sown. Didn't you ever argue with a non-SDA before YOU learned differently? | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 236 Registered: 2-2010 |
Cloudwatcher, thank you for the affirmation. I appreciated your inbox.  That conversation got me thinking about the conduct of Christians though, and where the line is. Bible Thumping is a common accusation of believers. I have been facinated with the idea of exhortation being a gift of the Spirit (not mine- id like to add. I deeply respect people who are willing to put themselves out there to call others to truth and integrity). Scripture warns us to not consider one spiritual gift less important than another, because they are all critical to a healthy church body. In a politically correct society, I think exhorters get a very bad wrap, and perhaps lack support from the body when the body appears to be getting a bad reputation. Exhortation is such an important part of contending for the faith! We read a text tonight that said to speak the word of God in and out of season. It almost appears that in order to act in accord with the call for Christians to spread the gospel, we have to take our cues from something other than a persons response to us. When the Spirit says talk, I think in spite of the inevitable fall out, we need to talk. Thats not to say that we aren't to be respectful and let the Spirit lead, but I am thinking that the response of the persons isn't necesarrily the indicator of whether or not we should stop speaking truth. I suppose the key is always in abiding and submitting. When we abide we are aquainted with passages that encourage us to share in gentleness and love. When we submit, we hand the conversation over to Jesus and let the Spirit lead. I am just trying to sift through what social expectations are set by the dominating culture, and what expectations from scripture are timeless, then trying to figure out how to make it work together the best possible way. Did that make sense? (Message edited by free2dance on February 26, 2011) | ||
| Free2dance Registered user Username: Free2dance Post Number: 237 Registered: 2-2010 |
I want to add that there has been a tremendous amount of abuse and damage done by professing Christians in the name of "speaking truth". I fully recognize that. Also, scripture teaches us not to correct a mocker, and not to enter into futile debates. But if our cue comes from the Spirit, I don't think the Spirit would be leading us to act against scripture. The assumption I am begining with is that we are abiding, born again Christians who know the shepherds voice. | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1726 Registered: 7-2007 |
I'm sure glad that a friend was willing to do a LOT of Bible thumping - years worth!!! Otherwise I wouldn't be saved!!! That friend also was saved years earlier through the witness of Christians she worked with. Christians who wouldn't stop witnessing even though she told them: "LEAVE ME ALONE!" She's VERY VERY grateful to them now!!! |
