AFF: A Summary

[Nahum]

While looking at the titles and content of some of our threads from the past week, I have decided that a summary is needed.

First of all, there are those pompous individuals who pop in every now and again with the sole purpose of telling us how horrible AFF is, and that every poster here is going to Hell on the back of a heat-seeking missle.

Now, you should know that these rather acerbic individuals are normally of the radically conservative bent. In fact, they are so conservative they don't even believe they themselves are holy enough to make it to Heaven. To that end, they decide to step away from AFF in order to find forums that are holier. I have determined they we should pray for these fine men and women in their never-ending search for the perfect fellowship of believers because, God knows, It can be exhausting.

[Nahum]

Then, of course, there are those individuals who don't believe anything in the Bible is meant to guide or instruct. Instead they believe that the words written there are suggestions.

They castigate and condemn literalists and fundamentalists as "three-steppers" and "legalists."

You should know that this group loves AFF because it gives them a platform to release years of pent-up frustration on "THE MAN." You know, sort of a bully-puplit? These folks have the whole RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE thing going on.


I have concluded that we need to pray for these folks. We should pray that they find a new love for the literalism of God's Word. That they find an dictionary, look up the word "submission", and decide that they like the ideals that submission employs.

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Then, of course, there are those individuals who don't believe anything in the Bible is meant to guide or instruct. Instead they believe that the words written there are suggestions.

They castigate and condemn literalists and fundamentalists as "three-steppers" and "legalists."

You should know that this group loves AFF because it gives them a platform to release years of pent-up frustration on "THE MAN." You know, sort of a bully-puplit? These folks have the whole RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE thing going on.


I have concluded that we need to pray for these folks. We should pray that they find a new love for the literalism of God's Word. That they find an dictionary, look up the word "submission", and decide that they like the ideals that submission employs.

A delightfully witty summary . . . even if you are wrong about just about everything!




j/k

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

A delightfully witty summary . . . even if you are wrong about just about everything!




j/k

Well OP, we finally agree on something

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Then, of course, there are those individuals who don't believe anything in the Bible is meant to guide or instruct. Instead they believe that the words written there are suggestions.

They castigate and condemn literalists and fundamentalists as "three-steppers" and "legalists."

You should know that this group loves AFF because it gives them a platform to release years of pent-up frustration on "THE MAN." You know, sort of a bully-puplit? These folks have the whole RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE thing going on.


I have concluded that we need to pray for these folks. We should pray that they find a new love for the literalism of God's Word. That they find an dictionary, look up the word "submission", and decide that they like the ideals that submission employs.

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

A delightfully witty summary . . . even if you are wrong about just about everything!




j/k

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Well OP, we finally agree on something

She lives!!!!!


Wow, I must have really struck a cord with that post.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

While looking at the titles and content of some of our threads from the past week, I have decided that a summary is needed.

First of all, there are those pompous individuals who pop in every now and again with the sole purpose of telling us how horrible AFF is, and that every poster here is going to Hell on the back of a heat-seeking missle.

Now, you should know that these rather acerbic individuals are normally of the radically conservative bent. In fact, they are so conservative they don't even believe they themselves are holy enough to make it to Heaven. To that end, they decide to step away from AFF in order to find forums that are holier. I have determined they we should pray for these fine men and women in their never-ending search for the perfect fellowship of believers because, God knows, It can be exhausting.

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Then, of course, there are those individuals who don't believe anything in the Bible is meant to guide or instruct. Instead they believe that the words written there are suggestions.

They castigate and condemn literalists and fundamentalists as "three-steppers" and "legalists."

You should know that this group loves AFF because it gives them a platform to release years of pent-up frustration on "THE MAN." You know, sort of a bully-puplit? These folks have the whole RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE thing going on.


I have concluded that we need to pray for these folks. We should pray that they find a new love for the literalism of God's Word. That they find an dictionary, look up the word "submission", and decide that they like the ideals that submission employs.

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

We also have a third group of posters who are neither rabidly conservative or looney-tune liberal.

These are the moderates, and this group is the best and most important social sect of AFF. In short, the moderates are right. For further evidence view the writings of Ferd, RevDWW, revrandy and sometimes even Steven Hoover.

Moderates are the posters who stay here when the two extremes leave because they can't stand each other any longer.

Moderates are Biblical literalists, but they do not believe that religious leaders have the right to impose extraBiblical junk on Pentecostal adherants.

You newbies need to scoot closer to the moderates. They're "ones to ride the river with."

Public service announcement.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Then, of course, there are those individuals who don't believe anything in the Bible is meant to guide or instruct. Instead they believe that the words written there are suggestions.

They castigate and condemn literalists and fundamentalists as "three-steppers" and "legalists."

You should know that this group loves AFF because it gives them a platform to release years of pent-up frustration on "THE MAN." You know, sort of a bully-puplit? These folks have the whole RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE thing going on.


I have concluded that we need to pray for these folks. We should pray that they find a new love for the literalism of God's Word. That they find an dictionary, look up the word "submission", and decide that they like the ideals that submission employs.

Pastor Poster,

The subtle but sometimes unstated truth in what you have posted has filled religious circles, even our Apostolic circles for decades. It isn't a popular thing to bring these things out into the open for us to look at. Many would try to deny and even make light through humor as to why this couldn't be so.

I have never dealt well with keeping these things secret and giving them power over me or those I love. You have spoken truths here that are confrontational and many like to gloss these truths over to try and make peace on both sides...but you can't really remain neutral. I believe that even God hates neutrality in that he stated he would rather a person be hot or cold than lukewarm. The lukewarm he compared to gassy things that upset one's stomach and make one want to puke [vomit].

Although I have a deep love for the truth and for relationship with God...I hate the principals you have stated as they apply to Apostolic folks I have loved, followed, and submitted to through the years. There was even a time, and still times that I fight the urge to be self-righteous, bigoted, and as unholy as the rest of those who paint themselves up to be so much better, holier, and more right than those of us who have begun to serve God from our hearts and out of relationship without all the rigidity of man-made traditions and works that make them feel holy.

These concepts that have kept us bound for decades have destroyed churches, homes, and the lives of individuals which is the opposite of what Christ came to accomplish. He stated that He didn't "Come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved".

It has cost many people lives of joy, freedom, and the love of family and friends. They may think they suffer for Christ's sake but they suffer through their own ignorance. This ignorance which I was part of and taught others will condemn them in the end. They will not go to hell because of obvious sin but the suble things related to pride, self-righteousness, holier-than thou attiudes, and bad spirits that cause contention, destruction, and misery.

My thoughts on this matter.

Sincerely, Rhoni

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Pastor Poster,

The subtle but sometimes unstated truth in what you have posted has filled religious circles, even our Apostolic circles for decades. It isn't a popular thing to bring these things out into the open for us to look at. Many would try to deny and even make light through humor as to why this couldn't be so.

I have never dealt well with keeping these things secret and giving them power over me or those I love. You have spoken truths here that are confrontational and many like to gloss these truths over to try and make peace on both sides...but you can't really remain neutral. I believe that even God hates neutrality in that he stated he would rather a person be hot or cold than lukewarm. The lukewarm he compared to gassy things that upset one's stomach and make one want to puke [vomit].

Although I have a deep love for the truth and for relationship with God...I hate the principals you have stated as they apply to Apostolic folks I have loved, followed, and submitted to through the years. There was even a time, and still times that I fight the urge to be self-righteous, bigoted, and as unholy as the rest of those who paint themselves up to be so much better, holier, and more right than those of us who have begun to serve God from our hearts and out of relationship without all the rigidity of man-made traditions and works that make them feel holy.

These concepts that have kept us bound for decades have destroyed churches, homes, and the lives of individuals which is the opposite of what Christ came to accomplish. He stated that He didn't "Come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved".

It has cost many people lives of joy, freedom, and the love of family and friends. They may think they suffer for Christ's sake but they suffer through their own ignorance. This ignorance which I was part of and taught others will condemn them in the end. They will not go to hell because of obvious sin but the suble things related to pride, self-righteousness, holier-than thou attiudes, and bad spirits that cause contention, destruction, and misery.

My thoughts on this matter.

Sincerely, Rhoni

I'm not sure what to think about your post, Rhoni.

I do believe that there truly are three different segments of posters on AFF.

1. Legalistic, holier than God posters.
2. Liberated, sin is fun posters.
3. Moderate, Bible-based posters.

I choose to be identified with number three.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

I'm not sure what to think about your post, Rhoni.

I do believe that there truly are three different segments of posters on AFF.

1. Legalistic, holier than God posters.
2. Liberated, sin is fun posters.
3. Moderate, Bible-based posters.

I choose to be identified with number three.

I count myself to be number 3 also. My post is about people close to me that I feel are caught up in legalism to the point they condemn others but have done the same if not worse than those they judge.

Just venting, Rhoni

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

I count myself to be number 3 also. My post is about people close to me that I feel are caught up in legalism to the point they condemn others but have done the same if not worse than those they judge.

Just venting, Rhoni

Well AMEN to that!