General Malaise Winning the War...

[RevBuddy]

General malaise... "a general discomfort in the "body"

...a condition of general bodily weakness or discomfort, often marking the onset of a disease

... a vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort

For the last couple of weeks, I've just "lurked" around AFF's threads without posting many comments or responses. Unconsciously, I was in "discomfort" with the general tone and nature of our posts and threads. There is something amiss here that should, regardless of where we find ourselves on the "liberal-conservative" continuum, cause a general malaise in our hearts and spirits. I also noticed this morning a post from Pastor Poster with some similar thoughts.

I'm not quite sure I can express it as clearly as I would like, but, in simple terms for me, it's being very uncomfortable with what is being discussed and said here. Yes, you don't have to tell me...this is what a forum is for! Ok, I understand that, but still, in my heart, there's a feeling or an impression that is telling me He is not pleased with our spirits and attitudes here.

No! I am not trying to "preach" to you or to "lecture" any of you on what He is pleased with. Just let me express my personal feelings only. Perhaps this general malaise for me is that...

...drawing irrational conclusions about men and ministries that we really know nothing about, yet are so very quick to analyze and evaluate as if we are omniscent

...bringing "National Enquirer-like" news to the forum without affirmation or credible evidence of its truth

...reporting the trials, temptations and failures of others...and then, giving our "take" on the situation without regard to the affect or impact such "reporting" will have on the "body at large"

...arguing (ok, often times, fighting and contending) for and against doctrinal issues, holiness beliefs and personal convictions, etc., you name it, without regard for the feeling or end results of our forceful attacks on each other

The above listing is not comprehensive, just a flavor of how we, apostolics, are behaving toward one another, and the "face" of Oneness Pentecostalism that we are projecting out into the wide expanse of the world wide web...and the millions of observers in it.

Certainly there are positive and laudable purposes for such a forum. There's no doubt that we are communicating more and having discussions about important issues of the day and getting each other's perspectives on the Church and its heartbeat. My solution is not to shut down such a forum. But is there not a higher standard of behavior, spirits and attitudes required of His children? Isn't much required to whom much is given? Shouldn't our discussions and debates be kind and factual and designed to bring light on these important subjects rather than to bring personal attack, ridicule and, often, gross exaggeration and generalization.

As an example, I often read a "liberal's" assessment of the "ultra-con" minister or his church as "abusive, control freaks, or worse." Is this not a stereotypical conclusions that cannot be supported over an entire population of "ultra-cons?" And then, there's the "ultra-con's" assessment of the "liberal" element of our movement that depicts them as "completely lost" and listen to this, "that their Holy Ghost is NOT the same as my Holy Ghost!" Such conclusions are not only gross misstatements, but border on an attack against the Holy Ghost.

But I am a realist, too. I understand human nature, and all of us here at AFF are human...fallible... completely capable of being wrong and in error. And, in truth, some of the posts and threads have great entertainment value...being very funny and humorous...and some, providing real depth and understanding. But, as a whole, can it be said that we are in a General Malaise...an area of widespread discomfort with one another and with all of these "issues?"

In my weak way, I'm simply saying that I'm uncomfortable with the tone and nature of our posts and threads in general. They don't seem to be a reflection of His nature, but rather of our Adamic one. Aren't we missing His purpose? And are we truly demonstrating that we are His disciples by our lack of respect, concern and love for one another. I'm not looking for perfection here...just a little more focus on His cause and His kingdom and His calling...

...otherwise, General Malaise will win the War...and we will become puppets and marionettes dancing to our own desires, opinions and spirits. I want Him to be pleased with me. And I don't believe He is when I want to be the "first" to report the failures and missteps of others...or berate the personal beliefs and true convictions of others. Maybe this can be done on a "Microsoft User forum," but such behavior is inappropriate on an apostolic forum, isn't it? Oh well, I'm just in a general malaise...

[SDG]

Someone hand the man a rifle .... *wink*

[mizpeh]

RevBuddy,

Have you read the debate between Parson and MFBlume in the eschatological section of the Debate Forum? Though they disagree and are polar opposites, their discussion is taking place in a spirit of cordiality and respect for each other personally.

[revrandy]

I think that sometimes what is happening here is what happened in the gates of the city where the Elders would sit.... Disagreement...Discussion...and then Agreement... I've come to somewhat see this stuff like that...or in the marketplace...

People will always have differences...some right...some wrong... some arguements will be lost...some will be saved... what counts in the end is that we love one another as Christ loved us...and even though I may disagree with someone here or there...I still love them...

[OneAccord]

Exceptional Post! Can be summed up with three words: "Consider thy ways"!

Originally Posted by RevBuddy

General malaise... "a general discomfort in the "body"

...a condition of general bodily weakness or discomfort, often marking the onset of a disease

... a vague or unfocused feeling of mental uneasiness, lethargy, or discomfort

For the last couple of weeks, I've just "lurked" around AFF's threads without posting many comments or responses. Unconsciously, I was in "discomfort" with the general tone and nature of our posts and threads. There is something amiss here that should, regardless of where we find ourselves on the "liberal-conservative" continuum, cause a general malaise in our hearts and spirits. I also noticed this morning a post from Pastor Poster with some similar thoughts.

I'm not quite sure I can express it as clearly as I would like, but, in simple terms for me, it's being very uncomfortable with what is being discussed and said here. Yes, you don't have to tell me...this is what a forum is for! Ok, I understand that, but still, in my heart, there's a feeling or an impression that is telling me He is not pleased with our spirits and attitudes here.

No! I am not trying to "preach" to you or to "lecture" any of you on what He is pleased with. Just let me express my personal feelings only. Perhaps this general malaise for me is that...

...drawing irrational conclusions about men and ministries that we really know nothing about, yet are so very quick to analyze and evaluate as if we are omniscent

...bringing "National Enquirer-like" news to the forum without affirmation or credible evidence of its truth

...reporting the trials, temptations and failures of others...and then, giving our "take" on the situation without regard to the affect or impact such "reporting" will have on the "body at large"

...arguing (ok, often times, fighting and contending) for and against doctrinal issues, holiness beliefs and personal convictions, etc., you name it, without regard for the feeling or end results of our forceful attacks on each other

The above listing is not comprehensive, just a flavor of how we, apostolics, are behaving toward one another, and the "face" of Oneness Pentecostalism that we are projecting out into the wide expanse of the world wide web...and the millions of observers in it.

Certainly there are positive and laudable purposes for such a forum. There's no doubt that we are communicating more and having discussions about important issues of the day and getting each other's perspectives on the Church and its heartbeat. My solution is not to shut down such a forum. But is there not a higher standard of behavior, spirits and attitudes required of His children? Isn't much required to whom much is given? Shouldn't our discussions and debates be kind and factual and designed to bring light on these important subjects rather than to bring personal attack, ridicule and, often, gross exaggeration and generalization.

As an example, I often read a "liberal's" assessment of the "ultra-con" minister or his church as "abusive, control freaks, or worse." Is this not a stereotypical conclusions that cannot be supported over an entire population of "ultra-cons?" And then, there's the "ultra-con's" assessment of the "liberal" element of our movement that depicts them as "completely lost" and listen to this, "that their Holy Ghost is NOT the same as my Holy Ghost!" Such conclusions are not only gross misstatements, but border on an attack against the Holy Ghost.

But I am a realist, too. I understand human nature, and all of us here at AFF are human...fallible... completely capable of being wrong and in error. And, in truth, some of the posts and threads have great entertainment value...being very funny and humorous...and some, providing real depth and understanding. But, as a whole, can it be said that we are in a General Malaise...an area of widespread discomfort with one another and with all of these "issues?"

In my weak way, I'm simply saying that I'm uncomfortable with the tone and nature of our posts and threads in general. They don't seem to be a reflection of His nature, but rather of our Adamic one. Aren't we missing His purpose? And are we truly demonstrating that we are His disciples by our lack of respect, concern and love for one another. I'm not looking for perfection here...just a little more focus on His cause and His kingdom and His calling...

...otherwise, General Malaise will win the War...and we will become puppets and marionettes dancing to our own desires, opinions and spirits. I want Him to be pleased with me. And I don't believe He is when I want to be the "first" to report the failures and missteps of others...or berate the personal beliefs and true convictions of others. Maybe this can be done on a "Microsoft User forum," but such behavior is inappropriate on an apostolic forum, isn't it? Oh well, I'm just in a general malaise...

[RevBuddy]

Mezpah and RevRandy:

While I don't completely disagree with what you are saying, there is substantial evidence of a lack of cordiality and respect.

There are numerous posts and threads that don't attain the level of your examples. Certainly, there are those that do know how to debate and keep the discussion at a professional level. But, I've got to tell you, many posts here are silly and thoughtless. And there is no excuse for this behavior or attitude from the majority of us.

[RevBuddy]

OneAccord:

If only I could have been that precise!!! Thanks.

[pelathais]

As you pointed out there will always be something that doesn't meet everyone's standards for posting. What I observe as well is that there seems to be a conscious attempt by a few to limit discussion by complaining about slights and insults that simply don't exist.

I don't have Rev Buddy in mind here, but the VM Letter thread is a real puzzle for me. A couple of posters complained how others were "tearing down" and "criticizing" VM. Yet rereading the thread reveals not a single word of disrespect for the man. One poster even gloated over the "fact" that he knew VM would be torn apart here on AFF... and yet, we can find no posts where that was done.

A lot of my brethren tend to remind me of the Muslim clerics in Denmark this past year. When the Danish cartoonists published pics of the prophet some were perhaps borderline insulting, others were either lame or completely innocuous.

But the clerics wanted blood! So they went out and created some fake cartoons to add to the published ones and riots ensued. Sadly some of my brethren will stoop to do the same thing and not even think twice about their conduct. Others seem to just have a mindset that allows them to do some "creative thinking" that they then will use to tar their brothers. It's like the guy who left a rather extreme oneness org only to be labeled a "drinker" and a "gambler", etc.

We should be careful in our posting of "news" especially accusations. But we also need to be careful about what we complain about on the board. Many complaints have already been documented to be fabricated even in one case hallucinatory.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by pelathais

But the clerics wanted blood! So they went out and created some fake cartoons to add to the published ones and riots ensued. Sadly some of my brethren will stoop to do the same thing and not even think twice about their conduct. Others seem to just have a mindset that allows them to do some "creative thinking" that they then will use to tar their brothers. It's like the guy who left a rather extreme oneness org only to be labeled a "drinker" and a "gambler", etc.

We should be careful in our posting of "news" especially accusations. But we also need to be careful about what we complain about on the board. Many complaints have already been documented to be fabricated even in one case hallucinatory.

Here is an accusation found in the Bible:

Titus 1:10-14 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

[RevBuddy]

Pelathais...

My comments were not intended to be an indictment of the forum or even its members. Rather I was trying to make an important point: that we (that's me, too) need to be sensitive to how we express ourselves and to be careful with "drive by" shootings of our fellow brothers and sisters.

My views are not in keeping with the general flow of the forum...where posts and comments, at times, are designed to produce the greatest controvery or reaction.

Mizpeh's reference to Titus is on point. Unfortunately, discussions about this type of subject...that is, introspection...will not be as popular as a "news flash" or lend itself to a quick, humorous response...or a quick jab at the poster.

Still, such discussions are necessary to continually review and assess our Christain walk and determine if it is in His image or not. Thank you for your views.