One of the difficulties of the electronic medium is that it transmits
only the words, and not the emotions or temperament of the speaker.
Writing has this effect in general, but good writers compensate by
thinking out their words and phrasing things in such a way that the
feeling as well as the content are conveyed. E-Mail and Web postings
usually suffer in this regard because they are generally spontaneous.
To assist in resolving the communication breakdown imposed by this
unnatural barrier, it is sometimes useful to juxtapose the response to
the interogative. I often do this with posts, especially if there are
several questions within The Question.
With that in mind, I offer the following responses to The Question.
I ask this question because Minister Lori Crawford posed two questions
a few weeks ago. One was about the
book of Revelations and the other about speaking in tongues and
she was castrated electronically for her
words.
I just went back and re-read both streams. I don't think anything
was directed at her personally in the Holy Spirit thread, although
there was some thought expressed on the question itself. There were
some pretty strong words in the Revelation thread, and that is
regrettable. I have called for the avoidance of ad
hominem in this forum before, since there are so many things of
substance that we can, and should, discuss. While my own response to
the Revelation question was intended to be on task and not at the
person, if you perceived it to be personal I sincerely apologize.
I say this because all those who responded to her query did not do so
in love (though in the response we
like to say "in love").
Here we have a language problem with a thought based on the negative:
are you saying that all who responded to her did not do so in love, or
that not all who did respond to her did so in love? I believe the
former is false and the latter is true. Let's be honest: both
questions are controversial topics within Christendom. This is not new
- they have been at the center of debate for 1900 years. What we can
do in this forum is offer perspectives, interpretations, and insights.
Some are from the Holy Spirit, some are through study, others may be
human-based alone. All should allow the reader to see the different
ways of the world of thought and reason, and should encourage the
reader to pray and study individually. With such discussion, one may
occasionally get heated, or strong of conviction, but this should not
be interpreted as a lack of love.
There is an overwhelming need these days to put people in check by
(1)ferociously and
viciously justifying ones lack of doing something; or (2)
blasting a differing view as error or unlearned.
Both are unfortunate. But is it not appropriate to have
differing views? I would encourage us to be sure that we are not
blasting someone as we express them.
I have
not been to many churches whose teaching is totally biblically
accurate, AME included. So instead of whipping
someone whose teaching is not similar, can't we all just get
along?
I don't think the intent was to "whip" on Min. Crawford, but
to answer her question. There will be differing views until He comes
for us, because right now
"we see through a glass darkly." If we are civil, we should be able to
learn from each other, and from the views of others.
Division breeds confusion. Agreed.
And God is not
the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the
saints (1 Cor. 14:33). Agreed.
If this site is for the
sharing of information and fellowship then AMEN, so be it.
Agreed. Again, we as a whole did not intend to be cruel,
mean-spirited, or unloving. As we grow together in fellowship, we
shall learn how each of us hears, and for what each of us is
listening.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion
and every evil work. Can't we all just get along? I pray so.
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001
All,
The reason I visit this site as an outsider is because God has given
me an internet ministry. Part of that includes visiting a different
denomination for a different perspective. Many times I agree, and
many times I don't. I try to let the differences that pop up slide,
and I hope you'll do the same with me. My goal is to edify and be
edified.
Take heart, I've never seen any hostility on this BB that approaches
what's out there on the net. I also visit the Prodigy Religion BB's,
and there's everything on them from wiccans to Catholics Pentecostals
to atheists. Much of the convo there is simply a bare knuckle brawl
complete with name calling and light profanity. That unfortunately is
the reality of the web.
The web, including the AME discussion page, is open to anyone who
drops in, and unless the moderator weeds people out, anything might
be said on a given day. I'm prepared for that as I move from
discussion to discussion, and Minister Lori should be too. One kudo
for the AME (and whoever else is here), you've shown me a great deal
of courtesy. That's why this is my 2nd favorite discussion page, with
www.godchasers.net being my first. The level of spirituality on that
page is incredible. They truly know God in a way I'm trying hard to.
I call myself Rookie on that page. No brawling there, or even much
disagreement of any type. It's all encouragement and counsel because
the focus is on pursuing Father. The issues discussed on other BB's
are more diverse, making the possiblilty of disagreement greater.
You're ok by me!
-- Anonymous, January 10, 2001