I can tell you one thing. Christ did not die for Bill Maher or Chris Matthews.

He did not die for the Democratic Party. All consistent democrats are reprobates designed for the purpose of fuel for the eternal fire.

Respectfully,

Jean Cauvin (Jude 3).

That’s fine with me. If someone wants to mock someone’s doctrine they should go right ahead. Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles did it. I especially like when Paul mocked those that were considering it spiritual to be circumcised. He said, “I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!” (Gal. 5:12) Many more examples can be found in the Scriptures (like Elijah’s mockery of the pagan god Baal that wasn’t answering. Elijah mocked, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 1 Kings 18:27b).

But in the case of Mungo Man’s mockery, it only magnified his foolishness and exposed his hidden hostility to our God. For when it came time for him to stand upon his foundation for mockery, the loose sand under his feet began to shift as the earthquake of Scripture rattled on. Riddled with fear he looked down and realized his lack of safety in the ground on which he stands, but prevented by pride and sinful disposition, cowardly ran for the hills.

I just wanted to clear any confusion away with respect to your initial post. Sometimes people skim through these blogs and get offended at one or two isolated comments, but it sounds like you read everything. Thanks for you thoughts, brother.

I answered the way I did because I perceived Mungo Man as mocking the Triune God of Scripture. I can say that I lack patience and do ask the Lord to give me more…….

The way Mungo Man asked his questions was not as one who is seeking biblical answers. If Mungo Man went to a Christian university, the questions he is asking should have been addressed by his professors.

Christians are to speak the truth. If one hears that God may not love them, perhaps it will drive them to repentance rather than lying to him by telling him not to worry because God loves everybody and saves everybody, which we know of course is not biblical.

The truth is a stumbling block to the non-believer, would you not say?

One who loves the Lord and knows him, does not address the God of Scripture as having inner conflict and personal issues. Therefore I had to say what I said in the way I said it.

Thank you for overlooking my errors. As I am sure you can tell, I have little formal theological training. I am learning, hence my presence here.

On the issue of “God-breathed study”, my statement was meant as a metaphor, rather than a theological concept. Theopneustos – God-breathed, inspired by God. Cannot our own study be inspired by God rather than the sole purpose being to fill our minds with knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. As for the inability of Biblical student to ensure that he studies with a specific attitude, I disagree. But is that what you mean. I study with the mindset to seek Holy Spirit revelation as opposed to seeking information. There is a difference.

On the issue of Mungo Man’s theological qualifications, I was aware he went to a Christian University. Where I’m from, that doesn’t mean a lot. You may pick up some of the lingo but can slide through without any firm belief or understanding. But maybe it’s different there (USA?). Regardless, I still think one or two of those early responses were a bit harsh. Assess the language –

“You Mungo man, are the one with personal issues, inner conflict, and not understanding he in fact may not love you!”

As to the word “offend”, I hadn’t chosen this scripture because it used that word but because of the meaning. “To put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall” is one way to translate “offend” in this context. Let us resolve not to cause others to stumble.

Peter

You need not defend yourself to me You went to great lengths to Give clear and logical defence to this important doctrine, and for that I hold you in high regard. I will be seeking out your other posts when I get the chance to properly explore this site.

Thank you both for responding.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17.

If you read through my posts to Mungo Man you will see that I was very gracious to him (he admits this) and answered every one of his objections, but he did not have the courtesy to address what I wrote or explain his view. He does not consider the Scripture as his authority and he wanted to avoid talking about issues from that standpoint. He said he was going to explain his view, but never did. I spent a few hours writing a clear, cogent response to his concerns, and he never dealt with it. It’s clear he is not interested in biblical truth when it comes to this issue. We’ve done all we can do for him, and I lament his rejection of this Biblical doctrine, and I realize that this is an issue that has a direct impact on one’s eternal destination. We will continue to pray for him, but leave the results to God. Thanks for your thoughts.

“For the theologians, I hope I have made no critical error in my statements.”

There are a couple, but in the context of your overall statement they can be overlooked for now since they’re not part of the main thrust of your exhortation. Your input is appreciated.

“Just make sure your study is God breathed not knowledge driven.”

Can you explain the dichotomy here? I’m not sure I understand what you mean by God-breathed. How can one do a God breathed study? The Scriptures testify of themselves as theopneustos (God breathed, 2 Tim. 3:16), but how can man’s study be expired from the mouth of God (fig.)? And what is a study that is not knowledge driven? What do you mean here by “knowledge” and how can it not “drive” a study? Lastly, assuming that you have explained all this, how can one “make sure” that study is conducted in this way without violating it? I almost trashed the statement outright based on its apparent incoherency. But since I’ve never heard the terms used this way I’ll give you a fair chance to explain it. Perhaps I’ll learn something!!!

“I’ve had a brief perusal of the comments posted here and am concerned that with all the semantics and theological arguments, a hurting heart may have been missed. None can tell whether Mungo Man was actually interested in seeking truth or simply wished to proclaim his opinion.”

Mungo man made it clear from the get go that he was mocking the doctrine espoused here. Perhaps an extended perusal of the comments will reveal this to you. According to Scripture we are commanded to defend the faith once for all time delivered to the saints. The precedent is established in Scripture and we have Jesus, the prophets, and the apostles as examples of “how” this is to be done. I’d recommend a Bible study that focuses on these examples and that considers the manner in which the opponents were handled.

“Don’t be to quick to disregard those less theologically minded.”

Mungo Man expressly stated that he was not among the less-theologically inclined. He vouched for his own expertise in claiming to be a Bible university grad and not a novice. He came here on a high horse and I pulled down the stronghold of his fortress just like Paul said he did in 2 Cor. 10:3-6.

“Jesus said “And whosoever shall offend one of [these] little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” (Mark 9:42).”

The translation you’re using, perhaps the KJV, mistranslates the word rendered “offend.” Look into it and you’ll see that what is being said is “whoever causes one that believes in me to sin…” although the “in me” is debatable. Still, the picture of judgment is directed to the individual who acts as the cause of another’s sin, not merely one who offends someone. Otherwise Jesus, Paul, et al, would all be wishing for millstones since they were some of the most offensive persons in history!

Over all though, I appreciate the exhortation. If I understand you correctly, you’re basically urging to do what is right according to Scripture and avoid doing what is wrong. With that I cannot disagree, so thanks…