In reading through your diatribe against Todd and Jay, I wonder if you have been listening/reading with a mindset of understanding. I have never read them to say, one can “walk in the light” and practice fornication.

The “pattern” of which you speak has become a Church of Christ “idol” in that you believe you now have a “recipe” for gauging the validity of other “denominations.” Obedience, walking in the light, worshipping, prayer, servicing, witnessing, loving, ministering to unbelievers – give evidence to one’s salvation – but in no way merits it. The Church of Christ “salvation” is liken to one skateboarding on ice; one second you’re up and the next your down. Do you honestly believe that Christ’s death “only gives us a “shot” at salvation and that it is up to us to finish it? When Christ said, “It is finished” he was not implying…”I did my part….now you perfect it by your works.”

Christians should be in continual repentance, being convicted by the Holy Spirit of wrong thinking and wrong actions. But not looking down our noses at the “others” who do such vile things as using instrumental music…

Brother, if you can “keep” your salvation by your good actions, then you can lose your salvation by your actions – and, sir, that makes it “of yourselves”…lest any man boast

Otherwise, perhaps Todd’s implicit suggestions will, while mine did not, get those with all the rabbits to keep their traps closed.

I don’t agree with his conclusion that they have resolved what is needed, but that is for them to work out with the representative opposition.

Will they?

Sincerely,
Robert Baty

Thanks for explaining. Just wanted to know if you were here.

Randy

I’m just not into superfluous posts. Jay and I correspond with each other re: who will reply to what, and, given his experience and knowledge, he may well be writing more often than me. This isn’t a competition, and there’s no requirement that all four authors have equal time. What is important is that each side have the opportunity to present its case. At this juncture, with Phil and Greg in the “affirmative,” I think Jay has set out the problem very effecively and explained what we need now from the “conservative” side. I don’t know that there’s anything else that needs to be said from our side until we get their response.

Matt, I think we all here may disagree many times, but lets at least ride out the storm. Your input is needed, even if I, Alan, or others here disagree.

I have ask more conservatives to join, but they have not done so at this point. This makes me wonder if their arguments are strong as they thought.

Maybe that is wrong thinking on my part, but leaving can send that message. I do hope you reconsider and continue the discussion, even if it seems heated at times. We can all be friends here, even when we disagree.

Perhaps if Matt had followed my cautious, deliberate, fundamental course, he would have enjoyed more “success” and been willing to ride along for more of the ride.

In opinions liberty, they say.

And so it is that opinions are being voiced and I agree with Alan’s speculations that, what he sees from the “conservatives” here and is so critical of, is just the sort of thing some of us see in the “progressives”, only to a greater degree.

Matthew 7:1,2 & James 3:1!

Perhaps we are getting to the point where the participants here will start taking my advice seriously and working diligently towards the lofty goals this venue was designed to reach.

But, then again, I couldn’t even get Wayne McDaniel to answer my simple question or even his own!

Sincerely,
Robert Baty

I know the deal with Greg, but where is Todd?

I know these men are busy, but a brief line from time to time would keep things on track.