Scriptures You Will Not Hear at the 09-07-06 Church Sermon. (page 2)

Deputy Dog

Scout

I certainly do believe that there is such a thing as an ex-Christian. I am one of them. Any look at ex-Christian websites and message boards will reveal that there are countless former, genuine, heartfelt Christians. Just like many ex-JWs, they just don't believe in it any more.

How did you become a Christian in the first place? By an act of your will?

If I were still a Bible-believing Christian I might wonder why God had had the above verses written in such an ambiguous way so as to lead many Christians to believe that they do sanction the practise of shunning, whilst leading other Christians to sincerely believe that they don't.

They are not ambiguous at all. I think they are clear.

I have purposefully avoided commenting on your threads, since I feel that the majority of them are taken out of context, which forms a pretext for you to bash Christianity. However, these are egregious in their error.

"But now I have written unto you NOT TO KEEP COMPANY, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one NO NOT TO EAT." ( 1 Corinthians 5:11 )

The entire book of 1st Corinthians deals with sin within the church. The point is not shunning to the level that J-Dubs and other cultic groups perfom it, but to stop association within the church.

"A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition REJECT." ( Titus 3:10 )

Sounds pretty sound to me. Three strikes and your out. How many strikes does a JW get when merely questioning the Society's rules & regs.

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, RECEIVE HIM NOT into your house, NEITHER BID HIM GOD SPEED: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his EVIL DEEDS." ( 2 John 10,11 )

No where is it taught to shun a person totally. However, I would not have a person that once was a Christian in my home to preach to me.

I don't quite understand what your issue is with these verse other than, as I said prior, to create a pretext for Christian bashing. If I am incorrect I would like to be shown my error. However, having been a lay pastor, and on the ministerial staff of a church, I have been privy to inner workings of a church that most hve little or no knowledge of. In other words, I am not "blowing smoke."

scout575

EXJW4EVR: I fail to see where the above Corinthians text limits shunning to within the church; why shun someone at church and then not shun them out of church? The context of that verse indicates that the shunning was to occur to protect the purity of the congregation: "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." ( Verse 6 ) Is a Christian more likely to be 'corrupted' by a former Christian at church, with all his fellow church-goers around him, or is he more likely to be 'corrupted' by talking to the former Christian on his own, outside of church?

If I were a former churchgoer who was viewed as too bad to associate with at church ( which I probably wouldn't be attending anyway, being a former Christian ) I would find it odd ( to say the least ) to be shunned at church, and yet not shunned outside of church.

I'm glad that you don't shun former Christians outside of your church; but not all Christians feel the same way. Please see my ongoing weekly posts, quoting ex-Christians, which sometimes indicate how they are rejected by their church-going former friends.

Deputy Dog

Scout

Come on, I would love to hear you story as to how you became a Christian. I would love to learn about EX-Christians

XJW4

It appears that he thinks he is qualified to judge God.

If I were still a Bible-believing Christian I might wonder why God had had the above verses written in such an ambiguous way...

I guess he thinks this is "Christian behavior". He says he is an EX-Christian, with thoughts like that, I would wonder if I ever was one in the first place.

XJW4EVR

It appears that he thinks he is qualified to judge God.
If I were still a Bible-believing Christian I might wonder why God had had the above verses written in such an ambiguous way...

I guess he thinks this is "Christian behavior". He says he is an EX-Christian, with thoughts like that, I would wonder if I ever was one in the first place.

I wonder when the last time he created ex nihilo was?

scout575

Deputy Dog: If you google, 'Leaving Christianity', you will find many websites listed that present countless first person accounts of Christians becoming disillusioned with Christianity and leaving. They sometimes deal with the often raised point by Christians that anyone who leaves the faith was never a 'proper' Christian in the first place. You will find that reading their testimonies will show that many of them were utterly sincere, fully committed, and entirely 'proper' Christians, for many, many years.

Deputy Dog

Scout

Deputy Dog: If you google, 'Leaving Christianity', you will find many websites listed that present countless first person accounts of Christians becoming disillusioned with Christianity and leaving. They sometimes deal with the often raised point by Christians that anyone who leaves the faith was never a 'proper' Christian in the first place. You will find that reading their testimonies will show that many of them were utterly sincere, fully committed, and entirely 'proper' Christians, for many, many years.

I've seen those before, I didn't say they weren't "proper Christians". I want to hear how they became Christians. They may well have acted like ducks, but I don't believe they were ducks. Anybody can choose to join a church, that doesn't make them a Christian.

I want to hear how you became a Christian. I would like to hear your story! Here is your big chance to teach us something. What are you afraid of? Anyone who would dare judge God can't be afraid of little D Dog. Show me you know what you're talking about.

XJW4EVR

'proper' Christians

Your use of this term is indicative to me that you don't seem to know what you are talking about. Neither of the two soteriological viewpoints (Arminian or Calvinistic) ever use this term to describe a Christian that has been truly saved.

Deputy Dog

XJW

Now you know why I'm asking: How did he become a Christian?

scout575

Deputy Dog: The testimonies that I refer to do include how the authors became Christians. If you like, I would be happy to refer you to a specific account on an ex-Christian website?

When I refer to having been a Christian myself, I'm referring to having been a Christian within the JW branch of Christianity. For many years I was thrilled to have the 'truth', and then, just like the posters on 'ex-Christian.net', my faith in the Bible withered away until I knew that I could no longer bear the label of 'Christian'.

I agree with you that just going to church doesn't make someone a Christian. Be assured that countless ex-Christians were more than just attendees at church. Please research their testimonies ( including the parts about how they became Christians ), and see for yourself.

Scriptures You Will Not Hear at the 09-07-06 Church Sermon.

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