You mean the great pigeon holier than thou thread?
No one can define anyone else but honest, informed speculation won't offend me.
You mean the great pigeon holier than thou thread?
I'm wildly disinterested. It's more often than not a stumbling block to little purpose. I believe in the God who called me in the person of Jesus Christ. The rest is commentary.
No one can define anyone else but honest, informed speculation won't offend me.
Be careful how you spell my name Ning.
You may be curious, but speculating that he hasn't answered because he considers himself "above any kind of open and public confession of faith?" That's a hugely uncharitable judgment on your part.
Wow. Where does one even go with that?
If you know him well enough, you might know his name is chrysostom.
Are you suggesting that if most find it beneficial or interesting that everyone else should?
I declared my Christianity when I joined.
I appreciate that. If I wanted to discuss it in this sort of way I'd be in the thread.
I've been pretty straight forward about the trinity. If you're not familiar with my positions then...look, it isn't my job to stop every time someone wants me to laundry list doctrinal distinctions that are often more divisive than productive and do that.
And you're certainly entitled to your opinion, but if feels like a justification for a bully tactic. If we were having a particular discussion on, say, the Trinity, it would be one thing.
Do I "appear" to be? :think: I don't know. I've made a lot of friends over my time here. I suppose so. You'd have to ask chrys. He keeps track of that sort of thing.
Not to those who've engaged and followed what I've had to say over my several years here. Only people who are so new they don't know me, or haven't engaged me enough to know me. And that's hardly my fault.
I'll tell you what, if you ever see me in the midst of a theological discussion where you are confused about my position let me know and I'll attempt to do a better job of illustrating whatever the point is.
You could start with my profession of faith and then look at whatever it is I'm saying in relation to your understanding of orthodoxy and if you think I'm leaving the reservation tell me and/or ask on the point.
Well Ning, In my opinion anyone who knows God has no need of Scripture. Moses would be the first example if you need one.
It shouldn't. I've always said that where I feel others know more and are in a better position to teach on a thing I mostly listen. I'd have to be as vain as some think I am to do otherwise.
I have on the Trinity. Mostly when that last group of angry, condescending anti Trinitarians descended on the place.
I have a simple enough faith. It begins with Christ, who called me out of my former life and extends, if imperfectly, in love, gratitude and abundance, when I don't get in the way of that.
I really haven't "shown no interest". I just haven't shown your interest...I've had some interesting and productive conversations within the Body. More than a few of those were done quietly and less publicly, but I haven't been silent even in the public sense...only not as strident, loud or frequent as most. Again, I realized early on that there were mature and learned voices here that didn't need me to do the job they were already doing. So I read them and do most of my work among those outside of the Body, where my rationalist's background and training can be more profitably applied.
No one who knows me would say that and no one who doesn't should.
Gads Nang what about Abraham and Job?
Snake oil Nang. It sounds to me like you have lots of nice neat little boxes and you want to fit town as well as others into those boxes. In my experience the most spiritual among mankind can not be confined to boxes. Perhaps I am wrong.
How many years have we been here together? And how many times have you asked me a question about my faith?
I'm less perplexed by your ongoing mischaracterization. I'm not reluctant to discuss my faith. I'm opposed to being grilled on it, however pleasantly and less so when the tone is vaguely accusatory (see: reluctance, worry, refusal, above, aloof, appear, monster for all we know, etc.).
Dear Nang, please do not give it a moment's thought. I have always enjoyed your insights, knowledge and style. If anyone is going to slap me once in a while I very much prefer that it be you because I trust your heart.
I don't drink any kind of cola and I don't want to disclose my sentiments about chocolate at this time.