Announcement

Collapse

Christianity 201 Guidelines

orthodox Christians only.

Discussion on matters of general mainstream evangelical Christian theology that do not fit within Theology 201. Have some spiritual gifts ceased today? Is the KJV the only viable translation for the church today? In what sense are the books of the bible inspired and what are those books? Church government? Modern day prophets and apostles?

This forum is primarily for Christians to discuss matters of Christian doctrine, and is not the area for debate between atheists (or those opposing orthodox Christianity) and Christians. Inquiring atheists (or sincere seekers/doubters/unorthodox) seeking only Christian participation and having demonstrated a manner that does not seek to undermine the orthodox Christian faith of others are also welcome, but must seek Moderator permission first. When defining “Christian” or "orthodox" for purposes of this section, we mean persons holding to the core essentials of the historic Christian faith such as the Trinity, the Creatorship of God, the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection of Christ, the atonement, the future bodily return of Christ, the future bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, and the final judgment. Persons not holding to these core doctrines are welcome to participate in the Comparative Religions section without restriction, in Theology 201 as regards to the nature of God and salvation with limited restrictions, and in Christology for issues surrounding the person of Christ and the Trinity. Atheists are welcome to discuss and debate these issues in the Apologetics 301 forum without such restrictions.

Additionally and rarely, there may be some topics or lines of discussion that within the Moderator's discretion fall so outside the bounds of mainstream orthodox doctrine (in general Christian circles or in the TheologyWeb community) or that deny certain core values that are the Christian convictions of forum leadership that may be more appropriately placed within Unorthodox Theology 201. NO personal offense should be taken by such discretionary decision for none is intended. While inerrancy is NOT considered a requirement for posting in this section, a general respect for the Bible text and a respect for the inerrantist position of others is requested.

The Tweb rules apply here like they do everywhere at Tweb, if you haven't read them, now would be a good time.

Forum Rules: Here
See more
See less

Dark Night of the Soul

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • #31
    Originally posted by element771 View Post
    Hi All,

    It has been a while since I last posted here and I come back at a time of what I suspect is spiritual weakness.

    I have been in this place before. Last time, I basically read everything I could get my hands on which ultimately convinced me that Christianity was indeed true. I the[n] proceeded to post here and other places where I would regularly engage atheists and skeptics. Their arguments never bothered me then[;] I am not sure what is going on now.

    About a week ago, I just had an uneasy feeling. I kept thinking… what if I am wrong? How can I really believe this stuff? This is too good to be true.

    I really don't know what started it[.] [P]erhaps it was the beginning of a new year[,] and I am turning 40.

    It sucks because my life could not be going any better. I am so thankful for the many blessings that have been bestowed on me and my family.

    To be honest, I really don't know why I am posting this. I figured maybe I should reach out to the people that helped shape my faith in the first place.

    I just have so many questions now [—] [q]uestions that I thought I had dealt with or been answered.

    Anyway, thank[s] [to] any one who reads and responds to this. I would appreciate any advice that anyone may have.

    Best,

    E771
    Think in terms of spiritual warfare. We are all engaged in spiritual combat regardless of whether we are aware of it or not. I often forget this myself. Numerous questions in my mind can arise that I might have no satisfactory answer for. An onslaught of doubts and disturbing thoughts can arise within a very short span of time. Assaults vary in intensity and duration; some are prolonged, some short-lived. Believers may experience times of relative peace or tranquility in this present age, but as soldiers, we are duty-bound to fight and press forward. The point of attack is the believer’s faith, for without faith it is not possible to please and obey God. The many exhortations to persevere in the New Testament make it clear that the battle we are engaged in is not child’s play.

    I would encourage you to contemplate upon Ephesians 6.10–20.
    For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>

    Comment


    • #32
      Originally posted by Sparko View Post
      The [B]ible tells us to expect such things. [F]or instance, 2 Thes[salonians] 2:2 [reads:] 1 “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, […]” [(NKJV).]

      [A]nd 2 Tim 4:4 [sic][:] “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, […]” [(NRSV).]

      All the more reason to remain faithful.
      The latter scriptural quotation is from 1 Timothy 4.1, not 2 Timothy 4.4.
      For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>

      Comment


      • #33
        Originally posted by Adrift View Post
        When you go through these periods of doubt, turn off all of that silly theist v[ersus] atheist debate nonsense. Unplug from the internet, and even message forums like this. They're not going to encourage you. All they're going to do is make you feel more anxious. […] [par. 2]
        Sound advice.
        For Neo-Remonstration (Arminian/Remonstrant ruminations): <https://theremonstrant.blogspot.com>

        Comment


        • #34
          If you have one close by, join a Kairos Prison Ministry group and go on a retreat. 3-1/2 days in a prison watching the miracle of God's love transform lives of hardened criminals will transform your life as well, and smooth out your Christian walk. I know there are a lot of ministries you get involved with but few will change your life as you minister like this one. I can tell you it really made and continues to make a huge difference in my walk with Christ. The group I'm involved with are well over an hour away from where I live and the prison I serve is over 3 hours away. But it's well worth it. If you will PM me I can check to see if there is a one in your state. and if so, who to contact.

          https://youtu.be/-rQXOL2Gjns

          This video is really a powerful testimony.
          Last edited by Littlejoe; 01-13-2018, 08:09 PM.
          "What has the Church gained if it is popular, but there is no conviction, no repentance, no power?" - A.W. Tozer

          "... there are two parties in Washington, the stupid party and the evil party, who occasionally get together and do something both stupid and evil, and this is called bipartisanship." - Everett Dirksen

          Comment


          • #35
            Hi All,

            Thank you for all of the advice. I am trying to take it one day at a time.

            I am reading my Bible and listening to sermons as often as I can.

            Comment


            • #36
              Originally posted by element771 View Post
              Hi All,

              Thank you for all of the advice. I am trying to take it one day at a time.

              I am reading my Bible and listening to sermons as often as I can.
              Make sure the sermons you listen too are strictly orthodox. There is a lot of dubious, or outright heretical stuff out there.
              Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

              Comment


              • #37
                Originally posted by element771 View Post
                Hi All,

                Thank you for all of the advice. I am trying to take it one day at a time.

                I am reading my Bible and listening to sermons as often as I can.
                Sounds good. I would take the advice of another poster and add music. I try to make sure the lyrics exalt God: say Be Thou My Vision, Give Me Jesus, Great is Our God, etc.
                "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

                "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

                Comment


                • #38
                  Originally posted by Jedidiah View Post
                  Make sure the sermons you listen too are strictly orthodox. There is a lot of dubious, or outright heretical stuff out there.
                  I have been sticking with Timothy Keller, CS Lewis, and William Lane Craig.

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Originally posted by Faber View Post
                    That sounds like a problem with me back in the 1970s. less than a decade after I had become a Christian. I was in a sound Bible teaching church, strong on teaching and getting involved. I was getting involved in a lot, and many people looked up to me as an example of a spiritual Christian because I was doing so much.

                    I was heavily into the Bible, but it was like a bad diet of good food. I was heavy into history and doctrine, but not reading it as God's love letter to me. It was just like reading a college textbook.
                    Eventually I realized that I was spiritually weak because of that. I fit well into the description Jesus gave to the Church of Ephesus,



                    Jesus's solution was "...remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first.'" (Rev 2:2-5)

                    In ten days from now it will be exactly fifty years ago that I received the Lord Jesus. I remember fighting it for months, then finally I gave in, sat down on this wire-framed chair with a table top that had a telephone, called a classmate and she led me to the Lord. (In fact, I found her address on the internet, clear across the other side of the country, and mailed her a thank you card.) But I remember years later, when I was under a heavy burden, there was that table in the attic at my parents' home. I sat down on it and poured my heart out to the Lord. It really worked.

                    I remember a sermon by John R. Rice, "Come Back to Betel." It described Jacob's first encounter with God at Bethel, and how he left a stone there as a memorial to his experience. It was many decades later, that God called him to return to that place where he first experienced God.

                    Maybe this works.
                    a table? almost literally a "lamp stand"

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Originally posted by The Remonstrant View Post
                      The latter scriptural quotation is from 1 Timothy 4.1, not 2 Timothy 4.4.
                      oops. Thanks

                      Comment

                      Related Threads

                      Collapse

                      Topics Statistics Last Post
                      Started by Thoughtful Monk, 03-15-2024, 06:19 PM
                      35 responses
                      166 views
                      0 likes
                      Last Post Cow Poke  
                      Started by KingsGambit, 03-15-2024, 02:12 PM
                      4 responses
                      49 views
                      0 likes
                      Last Post Thoughtful Monk  
                      Started by Chaotic Void, 03-08-2024, 07:36 AM
                      10 responses
                      119 views
                      1 like
                      Last Post mikewhitney  
                      Started by Cow Poke, 02-29-2024, 07:55 AM
                      14 responses
                      71 views
                      3 likes
                      Last Post Cow Poke  
                      Started by Cow Poke, 02-28-2024, 11:56 AM
                      13 responses
                      59 views
                      0 likes
                      Last Post Cow Poke  
                      Working...
                      X