Thank goodness for wives

[abelisle]

My wife said to me this morning, "Dear, why do you let this bother you so much? Hardly anyone in our church is aware of the details of your concern and many wouldn't know how to access this information even if they were interested."

As the voice of common sense and reason in my house, she's probably right. The average member doesn't even open up their quarterlies each week. I know this because as their teacher I ask them and this is what they acknowledge. If I tell them something as teacher/elder, they for the most part agree and go their way.

Thinking outside of the box for most is uncomfortable. Then why should we even ask questions about the creation week. Just accept it, they say.

Come to think of it, will this affect my and their salvation? This is just like the 1844 controversy. Whether I understand it or not, believe it or not, will it change in any way my personal relationship with God?

I think what really bothers me is the implied effort to control how I think by carefully rewriting our fundamental beliefs so that there is no leeway for being open-minded about any other possibilities? But again, I have to realize that most of my fellow brothers and sisters are not well educated and this type of lockstep thinking is perfectly acceptable - actually quite reassuring because too much thinking wearies the soul.

So, for as long as the average member isn't affected personally by these changes and isn't made to feel uncomfortable, traditional Adventist thinking and worship will continue ad infinitum. Even though Ted visited our church twice, he didn't make an impact on most of our members, some of whom (as of this week) are still asking "We have a new President?"

What matters here is not what direction the church is going but the complacency and apathy that most of our membership has about serious theological concerns. This forum and others like it represent a miniscule proportion of our membership. The majority wants to keep the status quo and will vote to keep it that way.

Maybe Shakespeare was right?

"And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury

Signifying nothing." — Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5,

And we are the idiots.

Alex

[Outta Here]

Some choose to think so far outside the box that they just don't care what happens inside the larger box that cleverly disguises the inner box. And of those, many do not strut and fret--because strutting and fretting is a complete waste of time.

[Neil D]

Which may show just how much apathy and less concern for our brothern that we have....an endless circle of frustration...

[Woody]

leave it to the wives to bring us back into proper perspective

But just don't allow them to think they need to be ordained as wives.

[olger]

Feminity good.

Feminism bad.

[Outta Here]

I assume you mean to write: Femininity.

[Gail]

Is the apathy caused by lack of life- in our sermons, in our study, in our day-to-day living?

There is a reason that so many people flocked to hear Jesus speak. His words are living waters. The word of God is quick (life-giving) and powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword. People's hearts BURNED when Jesus spoke.

Something here seems not quite right.

[wayfinder]

The Word of God is truth and life. If there is a lack of life- in our sermons, there must also be a lack of truth. Jesus said that He came to testify to the truth; therefore, if anything, the "draw" in His message was that it was truth.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Lots of people speak the truth. The problem is that some people don't want to listen.

[Jeannieb43]

I think what really bothers me is the implied effort to control how I think by carefully rewriting our fundamental beliefs so that there is no leeway for being open-minded about any other possibilities?

Alex

I agree. And something inside me becomes frightened at the prospects of our church's future when the new administration feels it is its duty to COMPEL behaviors to fall into line with its narrow interpretations of various doctrines.

Who would have thought that our worst "times of trouble" might possibly be organized from within our own church?

[Neil D]

The Word of God is truth and life. If there is a lack of life- in our sermons, there must also be a lack of truth. Jesus said that He came to testify to the truth; therefore, if anything, the "draw" in His message was that it was truth.

If the Word of God becoming flesh is Jesus...and if the Word of God is truth and life, then Jesus, in the flesh is truth and life. If we have Jesus then we have truth and life. If we have neither of these, we don't have Jesus....As for the "draw", Jesus said that if HE was lifted up, HE would draw ALL men unto Him...

Seems to me, that is it NOT the Word of God that we need to be concerned about, but rather if we have Jesus in our lives....

No Jesus, no God....KNow Jesus, Know God...

[phkrause]

Lots of people speak the truth. The problem is that some people don't want to listen.

[Woody]

Lots of people speak the truth. The problem is that some people don't want to listen.

Excellent point brought up here Rudywoofs. It's far more important to listen then to speak. I believe we should do far more listening than we should do speaking.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: abelisle

I think what really bothers me is the implied effort to control how I think by carefully rewriting our fundamental beliefs so that there is no leeway for being open-minded about any other possibilities?

Alex

I agree. And something inside me becomes frightened at the prospects of our church's future when the new administration feels it is its duty to COMPEL behaviors to fall into line with its narrow interpretations of various doctrines.

Who would have thought that our worst "times of trouble" might possibly be organized from within our own church?

Well spoken. In the end days ... it will be legalism that will be forced upon us. Prophecy is being fulfilled before our very eyes.

[Tallmark]

What's with all this female worshipping? Can women ever do any wrong? What did you do before you met your wives? Oh, that's right. Mommy took care of you. Neutered males are everywhere.

[Dr. Shane]

The title of the thread is a bit deceiving. I agree that a godly wife is a valuable asset from God used to help keep a man walking the narrow path. The thread takes a turn away from the value of a good wife to take jabs at our new church leadership.

I think what really bothers me is the implied effort to control how I think by carefully rewriting our fundamental beliefs so that there is no leeway for being open-minded about any other possibilities?

[GreatLakesGramma]

Who would have thought that our worst "times of trouble" might possibly be organized from within our own church?

It's true that the greatest danger to our denomination comes from within. But the danger is not from those who insist on holding fast to the doctrinal positions upon which this church was founded, but rather from those who would tear down the pillars of our faith and leave this church with no reason for existing.

[Woody]

Once again ... the tearing down will be over the issue of legalism. Times don't change.

[abelisle]

"I think this is a jab at those in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Since they don't agree with the liberal members of North America, Europe and Australia they must be uneducated. It simply isn't possible that someone as smart as me actually has formed a different opinion" Shane

Actually I was referring to members who are Americans who have poor or minimum education and low reading levels. They can be very smart but simply have these issues. I know because I'm a former teacher and I have asked people about their backgrounds in an effort to help them improve themselves.

Ever wonder why we are behind in persoanl Bible study and the reading of SOP? The average reading level is I think around 9th grade level? (please correct me if I'm mistaken)

Ever listen to people in church read aloud? And like I said before, this isn't so much about "smartness" but simply about the paucity of education - nothing at all about liberals or conservatives.

Alex