Sunday, June 27, 2010

Steve Finnell Posts In Response

Ha! Poking with a stick has its rewards. Mr. Finnell of christian-with-a-view posted not one but two posts aimed, maybe not specifically at my comment, but at the sentiment behind it. He posted one post on Truth/Liberalism and the other on where one finds answers to theological questions--from the Bible or writings of man. I'm glad he posted these posts, and I hope they will act to cause people to be thoughtful in their commentary.

Now, as to the posts themselves, I do agree that Truth can be a casualty of liberal thought. Liberals have difficulty with hard statements. To me, there are certain aspects of Christianity which are not negotiable. For example, Christology. the Bible is pretty clear on who Christ is. A body that defines him otherwise, or lays on extrabiblical stuff, is not a Christian church. Mormons and JW's both do not give Jesus Christ His proper status as fully God and fully Man. To me, they are both cults or separate religious systems. They are not Christian. Also the Truths in the Bible exist as they sit on the shelf. They do not require someone to experience them. (I remember the first time I heard this concept in seminary--I recoiled--that's the only way to describe it.) Also, the Bible is not a "Living Document"--changing with the times.

Truth has to be held to, whether or not it makes friends. There are ways to hold truth that are loving--those of us who call our selves Christians must always speak the Truth in Love. We are always conscious of the fact that people are watching our unwritten testimony. We don't compromise just to get along--but it's not about running over people, winning arguments and judging others. Remember we are finite, and God's in charge, and He is the last arbiter of salvation. We try to understand the Truth, as presented in the Bible, God's word, and live out its message and precepts.

The United Methodist Church went through a period where they were so open to anything, that some very sub and non Christian things were tolerated. My guess is the people rebelled. The people are usually more conservative than a church's leadership or academics. The Methodists got their chain yanked, and have returned to a more conservative outlook, although they certainly didn't turn into Nazarenes. It doesn't hurt that the UMC is starting to look back at John Wesley, examining his works and thinkings. Mr. Wesley was explicitly guided by the Bible, the source of all truth for Christians.

That is a nice opening for a few words on Mr. Finnell's second post, but it'll have to wait, as it is time for church!

4 comments:

  1. Hi there! Found your post after doing a google search for this Steve person. I don't who this guy is, but apparently he posts everywhere, in responses to threads and completely off topic. It seems so rude and so dishonoring. I am not sure why anyone would want to "follow his blog" as he invites us to do after interrupting the topic and conversation that is going on. Now that I have spoken about him, I suppose he might "come after" me now, but hopefully he will not because he might see it as giving me an opportunity to get "my" ministry and name out there.
    We will be known by our LOVE. I can see that this man loves Jesus, but the way he goes after other who love Jesus differently, surely doesn't look like the love that we as Christians are to be known by.
    Will pray for him! Love and Blessings!

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  2. Hi, I was googling for Steve Finnel because on Oct 27th, 2014, he put verses quoted from the bible on one of my blog post; no introducing, no explanation & surely without asking if it would be okay with me.

    I emailed & barked at him about how annoyed his post was but he never replied. so I wondered who is this guy.

    Anyway, I happened to see your blog, mentioning his name & from reading Melissa's comment, I knew I was not the only one and obviously not the first blogger whom received his visit. It is interesting that I found some other bloggers specifically wrote posts in respond to whatever this guy's posted on their blogs

    I was just wondering, have you ever seen his photo somewhere or knew something about him?

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  3. He's done this for at years. He's spammed me before, and in the last few days has spammed a couple of bloggers I follow.

    Guys like this are what's wrong with organized religion.

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  4. HAS BELIEVED AND BEEN BAPTIZED! BY STEVE FINNELL

    Jesus made the terms for salvation very simply. Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. (NASB)

    Repentance and confession are connected to belief and water baptism. Terms of salvation: Belief-Repentance-Confession-Water Baptism.

    BELIEF

    Acts 2:36-37 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 Now when they heard this they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall do?"(NASB)

    REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM

    Acts 2:38 And Peter replied, "Each one of you must turn from sin, return to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; then you also shall receive this gift, the Holy Spirit. (The Living Bible-Paraphrased)

    The 3000 converts on the Day of Pentecost believed, repented, and were immersed in water. That was the first day of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

    BELIEF

    John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, (NASB)

    BELIEF, CONFESSION AND BAPTISM

    Acts 8:34-38.....37[And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. (NASB)

    BELIEF

    John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish , but have eternal life. (NASB)

    REPENTANCE

    Acts 17:30-31 Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (NASB)

    BAPTISM

    Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (NASB)

    CONFESSION

    Matthew 10:32-33 "Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. (NASB)

    BELIEF: Mark 16:16, Acts 8:34-38, John 3:16, John 6:40, John 14:6, John 8:24, Acts 16:30-31, Acts 10:43

    REPENTANCE: Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Luke 24:47, Acts 17:30-31.

    CONFESSION: Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:34-38

    IMMERSION IN WATER: Mark 16:16, Acts 8:12, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-7, Galatians 3:27, Titus 3:5, John 3:5, Ephesians 5:25-27, Acts 2:38, 40,41,47.

    It takes a master of deception, a skilled professional, and a willing student, for anyone to believe that Faith, Repentance, Confession, and Immersion in water are not essential in order to be saved.



    YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG>> steve-finnell.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete