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What is in your heart is what others cannot see

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That's true in one way, but not in another. "You shall know them by their fruit," or "out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak."

I'm wondering, how is it these op pieces become religious discussions?

We have a semi fundamentalist scripture quoter in the conversation. No knock, at least not a hard one, it is what it is, but his job is to school the heatens, and spread the gospel, and keep you Christians on the straight and narrow. Ain't that right JL?

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We have a semi fundamentalist scripture quoter in the conversation. No knock, at least not a hard one, it is what it is, but his job is to school the heatens, and spread the gospel, and keep you Christians on the straight and narrow. Ain't that right JL?

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At least you let me off kind of lite as a "semi fundamentalist"! That's progress. It is my job to spread the Gospel. You are right about that.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

It is my job to spread the Gospel.

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But that's not how to do it.

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Originally Posted by talaniman

We have a semi fundamentalist scripture quoter in the conversation. No knock, at least not a hard one, it is what it is, but his job is to school the heatens, and spread the gospel, and keep you Christians on the straight and narrow. Ain't that right JL?

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Well I would question how well he is doing, preaching to the converted as he is. Even if he is not preaching to the converted I haven't heard the simple salvation message from him.

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But that's not how to do it.

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In what way?

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Originally Posted by jlisenbeead

In what way?

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How then do you spread the Gospel?

Someone else on this board should be upset with you answering a question with a question. At any rate, I like to answer questions. I do it by telling people of the wonderful, expansive, far-reaching and astonishing ability of Jesus to save sinners by faith in His finished work and repentance from a self-led, self-dependent life. "For all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

Someone else on this board should be upset with you answering a question with a question. At any rate, I like to answer questions. I do it by telling people of the wonderful, expansive, far-reaching and astonishing ability of Jesus to save sinners by faith in His finished work and repentance from a self-led, self-dependent life. "For all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

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How has that method been working for you -- and Him? There is a better way....

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How has that method been working for you -- and Him? There is a better way....

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It's what's been working for nearly 2,000 years. It worked well for Martin Luther. But what is your "better way"?

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

It's what's been working for nearly 2,000 years. It worked well for Martin Luther. But what is your "better way"?

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Instead of bashing someone on the head with a Bible, made an honest connection with him first.

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Instead of bashing someone on the head with a Bible, made an honest connection with him first.

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Your prejudice is revealing itself. No one has suggested we bash anyone with anything. No one has suggested we avoid making connections with people. Life does enough bashing, so people don't need anymore of that, but it's the Bible that tells of the saving power of Jesus through the grace and love of God. The very Bible that you seem to know so little of, and that you seem at times to nearly despise, is the book that contains the message that we preach. No Bible...no message.

I can't imagine that you, being a Lutheran, would be so opposed to the core belief of Luther himself. “He [Christ] died for me. He made His righteousness mine and made my sin His own; and if He made my sin His own, then I do not have it, and I am free.”

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No one has suggested we bash anyone with anything.

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WG did and I concur.

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WG did and I concur.

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So the two of you are suggesting we bash people??? Why?

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

So the two of you are suggesting we bash people??? Why?

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I am suggesting that first make an honest, human connection with someone. The Gospel message will eventually flow from that.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

So the two of you are suggesting we bash people??? Why?

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NO! I suggest that YOU bash people over the head with YOUR bible.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I am suggesting that first make an honest, human connection with someone. The Gospel message will eventually flow from that.

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Your example has always been an excellent one.

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I am suggesting that first make an honest, human connection with someone. The Gospel message will eventually flow from that.

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That's a legitimate observation, though it's now always possible. For instance, on the day of Pentecost, there was no opportunity to make any initial human connections with the several thousand souls that came into the church that day, but it did happen afterwards, so fair enough.

I am curious, though, to find out what you consider the gospel message to be? Once you make that connection, what do you tell them?

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

I am curious, though, to find out what you consider the gospel message to be? Once you make that connection, what do you tell them?

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Since you are so fond of bashing me, what do YOU think I tell them?

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Since you are so fond of bashing me, what do YOU think I tell them?

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It is never my intention to bash you or anyone else. These are discussions amongst adults concerning important issues. To question and ask for explanations is not bashing.

Oh well. Another question answered with a question. Let's just drop it.