Thank you

[BibleOnly]

I came here a few weeks ago with questions about what the SDA believed. Given that I have a very different view of the Bible, I was not surprised to see that a lot of debate soon surrounded my posts. I've never pretended to be considering joining the SDA, although I've always said, if someone could prove to me that God really would condemn me for having faith on the wrong day, I'd go to church any day God wanted. I'm not going to try to sum up those discussions now. I just want to say, I do feel like I have a much better understanding of what the SDA believes, and that my posts here have become circular in nature, even as the replies I've received also continue to rehash the same deeply entrenched positions. So, when it gets to the point that people accuse me of 'just trying to argue', perhaps we've reached a point where we are artificially in a continued relationship due to the nature of the web, but just rehashing conversations that, in real life, would have just been ended through a decision that we had nothing further to discuss. This is an SDA centric forum, it makes no sense for me to suggest that everyone else leave on the basis that our conversation has become stale. So, I think it best if I stop posting, instead. I know I said I was thinking about this once before, but, while several people invited me to stay, I think the balance is now of people who have either been forbidden to talk to me, or are indicating they feel they've got nothing more to say, or just are saying the same things over and over without spotting that perhaps we are done.

So, again, I'm trying not to take any cheap shots. I utterly disagree with you guys on several points which I think are more than clear from the threads I've posted in, but while I feel sorry for you that you can't see what I see in the Bible, I certainly respect your sincerity and the time people have taken to talk to me. Rather than waste more time saying the same things, I will bid you farewell, while there's still some people here who were not praying for me to leave :-)

If anyone wants to discuss these things with me further, I suggest doing so via private message, so those who are disturbed by what I post don't feel drawn in. I understand, I always feel when someone posts something to me, that I need to post a reply to show that I have an understanding of the Bible verses brought up that gels with my overall understanding. I'm sure you guys are doing the same. So, again, this is not me going off in a huff, or trying to take a parting shot. I wish you all well. Thanks again.

[Q.E.D.]

May the Lord bless you and keep you!

Q.E.D.

[phkrause]

I appreciated your posts, didn't agree with all you had to say. Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. If I don't see you on the forum anymore, I hope to see you when in the earth made new.

Oh don't forget to put a tag on, I guess that goes for all of us, so we know who we are.

[Gail]

I hope that we can on both sides part feeling enriched by the other.

As I explained at the first when you came, that I try not to enter into contentions, reason being that I figure that it's the Holy Spirit's job to help us understand ANYTHING spiritual. Sometimes he finds a particular point more urgent that we might make it and vice versa.

I have Edward Fudge's book at home, The Fire That Consumes. In it he, due to an extensive Bible study, shook up the Evangelical world with his work on the doctrine of hell-fire. He came to the same conclusion, on his own, as our viewpoint on the topic. I remember once also when one of our Conference Directors told about having breakfast with Tony Campolo, and Mr. Campolo told him that, "You Adventists have it right about hell."

Nothing surprises me anymore.

It takes time, and like an idea whose time is right, I believe that there will be a time when there will only be two groups of people remaining before Jesus comes- those who are with Him and those who are not.

We may not end up so different, BibleOnly, my friend. May you be blessed and go in peace, as Laban and Jacob finally did.

[Tom Wetmore]

Gail, I couldn't have said it better myself.

BibleOnly, as a fellow brother in the faith, I wish you well. Thanks for your candor. I do hope you can return sometime and visit us.

[M. T. Cross]

Be well BO, live well, be at peace and let the light of the Divine shine through you.

And keep playin yer guitar!

[Woody]

My Christian brother. Enjoyed talking with you when you first arrived. I don't believe in accidents. You came for a reason. Hope that reason comes to fruition. We are all better for you being here. Thanks brother.

[Kevin H]

Please don't leave and your questions are welcomed!!!