tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post115024317861860540..comments2023-05-30T02:34:51.780-05:00Comments on FullyPersuadedBaptist: BrainwashingJames McEntirehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18076786630641849452noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-1150474469445352292006-06-16T11:14:00.000-05:002006-06-16T11:14:00.000-05:00How can I not contend that the behavior is require...How can I not contend that the behavior is required by God if I believe it is??<BR/><BR/>The fact is, and of course you could not know this, is that I do not go around making an issue of most of the things for which people have on ocassion accused us of brainwashing. The actions themselves declare our position. People ask, I tell them. People challenge the position I will defend it.<BR/><BR/>I am content to let others decide for themselves. Obviously I believe I am right just as everyone else does. I have responsibilites in my home and church, as the Pastor, to use the Word of God to teach doctrine, to reprove, to correct, and to instruct in righteousness.<BR/><BR/>When my children leave home they will be responsible for their own decisions although they all know that if they choose to live at odds with their upbringing my only request is that when they are in my home, that they honor their parents by honoring their convictions.<BR/><BR/>People in my church are taught that God's people are to be separate from the world in every area of their lives. If they disagree, then so be it. If their disagreements are serious then they are free to go without causing problems among those who remain. There are plenty of churches where there is no issue made out of the practical areas of life. We offer something different at our church for those who see the value of it. Some people do!James McEntirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18076786630641849452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-1150384262009720392006-06-15T10:11:00.000-05:002006-06-15T10:11:00.000-05:00You seem to be taking it as criticism, when in fac...You seem to be taking it as criticism, when in fact, I just wanted to offer an alternative perspective. There were times when Jesus actively confronted similar charges to show their absurdity, and your post did a fine job on a similar task.<BR/><BR/>As for the things concerning which people criticize you, I don't think you would suffer criticism if you didn't contend that your behavior is required by God. That is no more true of how you choose to dress than it is true of how Jews limit their activities on the Sabbath day. They may be good initiatives undertaken by God-fearing people, but they are not commanded by God.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13313782518736452219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-1150382086789651472006-06-15T09:34:00.000-05:002006-06-15T09:34:00.000-05:00Eric,I find it hard to be accused of brainwashing ...Eric,<BR/><BR/>I find it hard to be accused of brainwashing others as suffering for the Savior. I guess I never really considered that it might be suffering??<BR/><BR/>Jesus continutally dealt with people's wrong assessment of issues. You are not asking me to believe that Jesus never confronted wrong thinking are you?<BR/><BR/>If people are going to throw around the term "brainwashing" then they need to be challenged about their use of the term.<BR/><BR/>I never dreamed that one short series of thoughts on brainwashing could be construed as "focusing" on insults.<BR/><BR/>Is it possible that you have constructed your own strawman here?James McEntirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18076786630641849452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25640206.post-1150304931440886212006-06-14T12:08:00.000-05:002006-06-14T12:08:00.000-05:00It is sometimes tempting to focus on an unguarded ...It is sometimes tempting to focus on an unguarded comment, turn it into a monstrous strawman, and hack it to death; rather than searching for and responding carefully to the legitimate, scriptural concerns of ones opponents. I don't know... Maybe your critics have nothing more to offer than this silly, haphazard charge. If so, rejoice that you have been counted worthy to suffer for your Savior, and do that suffering in silence as he did. On the other hand, if their criticism has a more substantial basis, you will only find it harder to hear and respond to those views as you choose to focus on the insults.Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13313782518736452219noreply@blogger.com