Katherine:

With all due respect, throughout the New Testament epistles, the churches were instructed to guard against and correct false doctrines. That is exactly what the NC State Baptist Convention was doing.

"Let your light shine, love one another and throw seeds of love and truth without judgment and step away and let God water and weed and let the Holy Spirit convince."

Right on, Katherine. Well said.

"Can we end the discussion on the Bible versus homosexuality now?"

PLEASE!!!!!

Or at least take it to "The Front Pew" http://blog.news-record.com/frontpew/

Katherine, you and I might not agree on this issue, but I have never read anything that reflects the Gospel message as well. Your letter served as a reminder to me that angry words, hateful debate and showing no compassion can change no one's mind on this issue.

How correct...it is the job of the Holy Spirit to change someone. In fact, after thinking about your letter, our words and actions may actually turn people off from our understandings and from God. The Pharisees were the ones who "knew" they were right about all doctrine and proceeded to push their understandings down the throats of everyone else. I see this happening on the right and the left. Guess we have to remember what Jesus said about the Pharisees.

We've all witnessed folks on both sides of the issue being hateful and unkind (including myself, I'm afraid). How does this attitude further the Kingdom of God? Man's wrath does not bring about God's will...hard lesson to learn.

Your letter was amazing! Again, thanks so much.

I agree with the LTE writer, even though there may be disagreeing view points.

Well said!

Shalom

If you read the book of Acts, you will see many examples of good arguments (persuasion) along with the Holy Spirit bringing people to a knowledge of Jesus. If words will not change someone's mind, why preach at all? Why tell someone about Jesus at all? Why not sit on our fat, lazy rears with our mouth closed and just let the Holy Spirit do all the work?

progressivexian ,
although i disagree with most of what you normally say....my hat is off to your softer approach here - i've criticized your harshness in the past and i much prefer the inmproved progressivexian .
i agree mostly with the lte, but we as Christians do have the responsibility to judge those within the faith.

Buz, I think we should let the wheat and tares grow together until the end. God will decide who is "wheat" and who is not.

We'll just have to agree to disagree...and thanks for the compliment. Much appreciated!

ECU said: "If words will not change someone's mind, why preach at all? Why tell someone about Jesus at all? Why not sit on our fat, lazy rears with our mouth closed and just let the Holy Spirit do all the work?"

I take it you're not a Calvinist :-). I don't think we have to sit on our behinds and do nothing. Get out and help at Urban Ministries, Triad Health Project or any other of the wonderful volunteer opportunities available. Don't you think people respond to the Gospel better if they see it lived out in your life rather than pushed down their throats?

“Preach the gospel, and if you have to, speak.” St. Francis of Assissi

this is off topic but is there someone here that can tell me from experience what a 'circuit party' is and what takes place ?? a curious mind !!

Buz wrote: "this is off topic but is there someone here that can tell me from experience what a 'circuit party' is and what takes place ?? a curious mind !!"

Buz...you're showing your age! But, I gotta admit, I'm not so sure myself. I think it is a big dance party in a warehouse or in a blocked off street. My understanding from my friend's teenager is that circuit parties are out...so 2004!

Progressivexian:

I'm sorry you missed my sarcasm! I believe that we witness and minister with both the way we live our lives and our words. I was merely, drawing an argument that was made to one of it's logical conclusions.

pvixen,
it's a tight race who is older ....me or dirt ! thanks for your insight.

This is a GREAT letter. "Blessed are the peacemakers".

I disagree with the view that we shouldn't discuss this issue, however. Look where our discussions have led us? Sure, there's been strong words along the way. But we've each learned more about what the Bible says and about ourselves. Or at least I have, anyway.