We Need To Begin To Wipe The Slate Clean…And Begin Again
Whenever my husband or I get into an argument, which after twenty five years and being complete opposites we do, we have a policy of wipe the slate clean and beginning again. It’s what Christ allowed Peter to do after Peter denied Christ three times.
My husband and I get into arguments sometimes that stem from misunderstanding, tiredness, going through tough stuff and one more tough thing happens, which cause the argument to be basically about nothing but blowing off steam. It’s in those times that we agree to wipe it from our minds, never bringing it up again, and we start over as if it never happened. It’s wonderful. It allows us to make mistakes yet not be held accountable for them to each other. It never brings either of us down in each other’s eyes.
It’s what forgiveness is. It’s what we should be doing as Southern Baptists if we are going to truly unify and do the Great Commission Resurgence. I need to forgive those that frankly, I was formerly mad at due to circumstances surrounding Les Puryear’s running for President last year, the things that were done against Dwight McKissic, my own minister Wade Burleson, Sherri Klouda, and it is what I personally need to do even if there will always be those who are wanting to fight, lie, and do not want peace or unity in the Convention.
It needs to begin with each of us. If we don’t, we are going to continue to not trust each other, scheme, hide, bring up the past, all the things that some of us are wanting to rid the Convention of.
Calvinists need to forgive non-Calvinists. Non-Calvinists need to forgive Calvinists, and let each be free to teach, believe, and live what they believe, knowing that the Holy Spirit is the one who opens eyes to whatever truth the disagreement is about, and resting in that.
No more John 3:16 Conferences, no more anti-Arminian conferences, no more calling people moderates, Fundamentalists, or any other name that offends. No more calling Calvinists, “Calvies” or Fundamentalists “Fundies” both of which reek in anger and loathing whether admitted or not. Both respecting each other and their beliefs. Call it ecumenicism if you want, but it’s called in the Bible unity(1 Cor. 10:23-33) and forgiveness. Until that happens, it’s going to be the same ole same ole but with a different name of The Great Commission Resurgence. If this movement becomes a power play and not unifying, count me out, because it is the only type of Resurgence that I will be for. If Christ isn’t the center, and power is, diversity is out and uniformity in reverse is in…count me out. So which is it going to be?
Debbie,
Don’t be naive. There are some difficult times ahead. The end is rapidly approaching. Because that is true; People are going to be self-absorbed.
In addition they will be: money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous to parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous and completely ruthless.
Some are bloated windbags, addicted to lust and actually allergic to God.
Debbie, they’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they are animals. You must learn to stay clear of these people.
CB: On this I have to agree with you because I know this, but I also know that God can do some pretty amazing things for His own purposes. We could be so dynamic if we could just get our religion out of the way and begin to practice Biblical Christianity.
Debbie — Great post and I don’t think you are being naive. I think there are a lot of us who feel the same way. The conferences “mght” be good if they were actually teaching type conferences instead of a group of theology alumni getting together to talk down about the other side. I don’t understand why we have to have sides… that thought alone is opposed to unity in the first place. In the end we have to answer to Christ for ourselves and not the collective of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Pray your week is truly blessed!
Sallie
Good point Sallie and thank you.
Think about what you have said here, Sallie.
“The conferences “mght” be good if they were actually teaching type conferences instead of a group of theology alumni getting together to talk down about the other side.”
Sallie,
Any “type” of “teaching” in a Christian setting must be “theological” in its foundation or it is not biblical teaching. If not it is of no life changing value for growth as a Believer.
cb
It doesn’t have to be bashing… as some conferences can be… even if they are teaching..
Sallie,
You have made a fair statement about “bashing.”
I trust you understand why I questioned your earlier comment. All Christian teaching is theological in nature. Naturally some of it is good theology and some of it is bad theology.
cb
yes, like a sign I once read in a friends office. It said “Everyone who comes through the door makes my day… some by coming.. and some by going!”
Have a blessed evening!!
Sallie
I do agree we need to get busy about the gospel however we do not need to just join hands around the campfire and sing with our kumbyah O know I missed spelled that. Discussing theology is not bad iron sharpens iron. The problem is we have stopped making discles. Jesus did not call or tell us to just go make people wet. He said make disciples and to teach them sounds theological to me. The problem is we have just put all our emphasis on numbers let get em wet and we have had alot of false conversions.
I have friends who are cbfers and they know I am not and will not ever be. I also have friends who are devout Southern Baptist which I am. My point is while me and my friends who do not agree will not allow the other in our pulpit we can stop being known for what we are against. I have a friend who was personal friends with Dr Hobbs me and him disagree on somethings but we still love each other. Love each other yes but we do not have to stop our beliefs and join hands just to say we are focus on missions we need to stand for our beliefs
Seven signs of true repentance:
http://thinkpoint.wordpress.com/2007/07/17/seven-signs-of-true-repentance/
Good seven signs of repentance think point. Everyone should read your link.
CB: Yes, there is going to be theology. But, as we all know there are points of disagreement, unless you want people not to think as they read scripture. To study. It’s not what I want. There are things that are adamant in scripture, there are things that are not clear, there are things being taught that just aren’t in scripture, but those who will not admit it. That is pride, and simply put, pride goes before a fall. That has already been seen. We as a Convention are going in the right direction, but as I said, time will tell. In a year, if all still feel the way they voted at the Convention I’ll know it’s real.
So far, already reading some, I wonder.
Kevin: I very much agree with you. But, in certain areas, that theology is going to be different. For example, if I were asked my view on alcohol or women in ministry I would give it with scripture. CB will come along and disagree with me. A fight might ensue. So much for the discipling as the new convert will run like a Jack Rabbit.
But if CB and I discuss rationally, agreeing to disagree, that disciple sees much more than a theological discussion about alcohol, he/she will see love between a brother and sister in Christ as the Bible teaches. That is the best theological lesson a new person in Christ can learn.
BTW: Have you seen a new Christian before all the theological stuff hits him or her? They are full of love, wanting to tell others. Sometimes I think we wet down that when we begin to throw unnecessary “theology” at them. That is a post I am working on.
Debbie,
My point about teaching from the Bible always being theological was just that. Any biblical teaching is theological by nature.
That is my point. I was not in reference to theological differences of those who teach. That is also a natural outcome of biblical teaching.
I do agree with your comment about love being the greatest of all. No doubt about the biblical truth of that.
Now, let me venture to respond to what you said about a new Christian.
A lot of things “hit” new Christians that can harm them. But, Debbie, I must say that I have found that those who are strongly taught the doctrines (theology) of the faith as directed by Christ for us to do in the Great Commission have greatly prospered in their walk as Followers of Christ than haver those who not been taught specifically the doctrines of the faith.
We are instructed of the Lord in His Word to teach biblical theology to new converts. I have found that to be very hard work, but the results have been amazing through the years.
cb
CB: I agree, but let’s face it, on many things you and I would disagree on the “truth” that scripture teaches. I think it’s better to teach and disciple a new Christian on how to study and read the Bible rather than theology that frankly a lot that is taught is not even what the Bible is saying.
OK, Debbie,
You have every right to think and do as you please. But remember I am not talking about teaching what the Bible does not say. I am talking about teaching what the Bible does say about the faith and says it very plainly.
Jesus commanded us to teach everything he commanded. He also said for us to keep His commandments.
Paul told Timothy to teach sound doctrine. He actually told Timothy to teach doctrine to men who would, in turn, teach it to others.
That is what I am talking about when I say we are to teach doctrine to new converts. It works. It has worked very well since Jesus mandated we do it. It works well when we do it. It works well because Jesus mandated it.
cb
What would be sound doctrine CB? By name. I am Calvinist, you are not. So which in your opinion would be sound doctrine and would you object me teaching Calvinism? That is sound doctrine to me. See where I am going with this?
Debbie,
I don’t know where you are going. All I know is that I was going where your original post seemed to be directing. “To wipe the slate clean.” You must don’t really want to do that. Lay down the sword and shield, Debbie. I have made not one harsh comment in this thread.
BTW, you don’ t know what I am. In three years, I have never commented on my soteriological position. Not once.
What I do know is that many people are not well acquainted enough with theology to debate that issue.
Oh, well, I’ll see you somewhere on a comment thread in about three months. I’ll be gone for a while and will not be commenting very much, if any. I will read from time to time just to jkeep up with all you guys. I will pray your life becomes a little less stresssful. I have noticed a great deal of stress in your comments over the last three months. And I have been praying for you.
None the less, I will pray that God richly blesses you and your family in the coming days. Have a good 4th of July. And wave the Flag just a little and thank God for a free nation,….thus far.
cb
CB: I simply asked you a question. How you could derive that this is not anything but peaceful is beyond me.
CB: Sallie made a good point in that these conferences do not have to be bashing. Her point as I got it was that teaching, simply teaching what you or I or anyone else sees the Bible saying would be enough. I agree. That is my point. We each have to let each other teach our convictions, what the Bible teaches, yes, but yours is going to be different in mine. We don’t need to bash each other in order to preach or teach. Just simply giving the Word of God would be enough.
I agree with you CB in that we should be teaching doctrine, sound doctrine, to a new convert, problem is that sometimes that doctrine isn’t so sound. And we need to be teaching how to read and study scripture more than doctrine so that this new convert, who has the Holy Spirit in him or her, can obtain sound doctrine. Just teaching doctrine without teaching him or her how to read and study scripture is simply shutting down the Holy Spirit, who the Bible says guides us into all truth.
We either accept that your teaching and mine are going to be different except for the essentials, or there is never going to be an end to the theological wars. That is Sallie’s point as I read it and that was mine in asking you what I did. That is also written in my post.