Got Questions about Got Questions

[phat8594]

Along those lines, one thing that makes me uncomfortable is what they say about the events at Fatima. They conclude that it was a miracle of satanic origin. That seems like an awfully bold claim to make (and not to mention it might veer a little close to blaspheming to Holy Spirit if they're wrong).

http://www.gotquestions.org/lady-fatima.html

Yeah, that's pretty much my point. I am not a fan of pejoratives or describing things in such a way as to color someone's opinion without giving a fair assessment.

For now, I think CARM does a better job, IMO (from what I have seen).

[phat8594]

Interesting, Phat.... appreciated.

No problem.

As full disclosure, I do come from a continuationist background - and have had people tell me I am pretty much condoning 'satanic' activity, while using that site as 'proof'. Of course, I'd definitely like to differ on what type of activity I am actually condoning.

In all reality, while sites can be helpful, I really wish people would learn more how to study the Bible and discern for themselves. But you know...easier said that done.

Hope that helps!

[Catholicity]

rule of thumb they discount catholics and orthodox.... ehhhh.....

[KingsGambit]

phat, I'm kind of interested in hearing exactly what your stance is if you don't mind me asking. I come from a standpoint that finds biblical arguments for cessation to be weak and I acknowledge continued miracles in the world today, but at the same time I can't deny that what Paul expected to be a normative spirit-filled church experience in his time doesn't appear to describe the reality in churches today.

[Cerebrum123]

phat, I'm kind of interested in hearing exactly what your stance is if you don't mind me asking. I come from a standpoint that finds biblical arguments for cessation to be weak and I acknowledge continued miracles in the world today, but at the same time I can't deny that what Paul expected to be a normative spirit-filled church experience in his time doesn't appear to describe the reality in churches today.

Luke 18:8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Matthew 13:58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

I think that those verses might have something to do with it.

[phat8594]

phat, I'm kind of interested in hearing exactly what your stance is if you don't mind me asking. I come from a standpoint that finds biblical arguments for cessation to be weak and I acknowledge continued miracles in the world today, but at the same time I can't deny that what Paul expected to be a normative spirit-filled church experience in his time doesn't appear to describe the reality in churches today.

I essentially affirm the gifts of the spirit, and practice them to an extent. I also believe that demonic activity is just as present today as it was during the time of Christ - demonic oppression and the casting out of demons is just as necessary today as it was 2000 years ago.

I also agree that the reality in many churches today does not match what we see Paul describing to be a normative spirit-filled church experience.

[Cow Poke]

In all reality, while sites can be helpful, I really wish people would learn more how to study the Bible and discern for themselves. But you know...easier said that done.

Well, yeah, but the fact that somebody tells me they checked with an online source tells me they're "searching", or "seeking", and I can try to steer them accordingly.

[KingsGambit]

Some questions you can't just get from the Bible. If somebody wants to know if Mormons are Christians, an outside source is going to be needed. But good resources will point people toward relevant Bible passages.

[Cow Poke]

Some questions you can't just get from the Bible. If somebody wants to know if Mormons are Christians, an outside source is going to be needed. But good resources will point people toward relevant Bible passages.

Yeah, like you never would have learned from the Bible that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were MORMANS, and, therefore, ALL Mormons are bank robbers and criminals!

[rogue06]

Yeah, like you never would have learned from the Bible that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were MORMANS, and, therefore, ALL Mormons are bank robbers and criminals!

Perhaps they should have learned from Joseph Smith and engaged in fraud to rob the banks rather than using firearms.

[Cerealman]

Yeah, like you never would have learned from the Bible that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were MORMANS, and, therefore, ALL Mormons are bank robbers and criminals!

Wow I never knew that.

[Scrawly]

Eh, I don't think its that great of a resource. In particular, I have had people use it as a 'reference' when discussing gifts of the Spirit. GotQuestions comes from a very cessationist background - and IMO, they aren't very intellectually honest in some of their assessments.

I agree with your assessment. Though I find it to be more shallow than intellectually dishonest. The site functions like a concordance on various topics and then provides the relevant biblical references. I don't think its a site designed for in-depth research, at least I hope not.

[KingsGambit]

I agree with your assessment. Though I find it to be more shallow than intellectually dishonest. The site functions like a concordance on various topics and then provides the relevant biblical references. I don't think its a site designed for in-depth research, at least I hope not.

Pretty much. For the majority of people, that probably serves their purposes and that's okay.

[37818]

http://www.gotquestions.org/faith.html

Merely reading their statement of faith. I do not see any problem regarding the essentials to our Christian faith. Where we might disagree would, I would think, fall into the category of secondary issues. Some of which we Christian believers here on Theologyweb might actually disagree on.

I am, for example, a cessationist. I believe all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are operational except three. I believe John the Apostle was the last apostle and church prophet until, the two return as spoken of in the Revelation. And how all the other gifts are being operational, are of course, contingent on God's will.

So I would agree with:

We believe that the Holy Spirit is ultimately sovereign in the distribution of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). We believe that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, while by no means outside of the Spirit’s ability to empower, no longer function to the same degree they did in the early development of the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 2:20; 4:7-12).

Points of issues where we disagree should be discussed. Only by understanding a point of view not held, can one not holding that view even be able to change his/her view.

In eschatology I am a post-trib futurist. So I would disagree with their, "imminent coming of the Lord Jesus Christ." I do believe in the future sudden "coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to rapture His saints (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)." And many here at Theologyweb hold an orthodox preterist view on this matter.

Oh, yeah, the founder of the website has a face, http://www.gotquestions.org/S-Michael-Houdmann.html