Family of God: [Church_of_Christ] Re: The Melting Pot

Greetings Norman, nice to hear from you again; ED

Norman: We are not discussing who is honest or what honest Bible students believe was exactly what the NT church did in worship to God. We are discussing what the honest Bible student KNOWS about what went on in church. There is a world of difference. Being honest means nothing in this discussion, because we are, in this discussion, determining EXACTLY what they did in the NT church so we mimic them perfectly.

ED: The one who posted the comment to which I replied said that (paraphrase) anyone who didn't acknowledge that 80% of what is practiced among coc is tradition and not the word of God is not an honest Bible student. I am honest and I reject the statement! I am not the one who introduced who is honest or not - that was introduced by another. I am merely affirming that there are plenty of honest Bible students who would disagree that 80% of what coc practice is mere tradition.

Now you introduce new parameters: "determining EXACTLY what they did in the NT church so we mimic them perfectly" - we are all simple disciples trying to apply the scripture so as to please God. I reject "EXACTLY" and "perfectly" as misrepresentations of myself and of the coc generally. We all, including you and I, are trying to please God in all we do, if we are genuinely converted. So let's drop the stilted language.

Norman: Again what you believe has no part in this discussion. The facts will speak for themselves and you should not speak against what you do not understand.

ED: In free discussion, we share what we have come to understand; be it right or wrong. Some may not realize this and speak of their summations as "facts", but the only facts that speak for God are the words of God themselves. I certainly realize I am subject to mistakes.

Norman: And just because you do not believe it, makes it false, is that correct? Shoot first and ask questions later; is that your Christ-like response to what you do not believe?

ED: "he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword" - it was not I who declared 80% of the things the coc practice is mere tradition. This cannonade volley came from another. My mere challenge is for proof. If you seem to think it in some way was offensive, then you misunderstood its intention. All I said is I believe the statement is false and I still await the proof!

Norman: I have already given some of the traditions that the church follows (in another post) and I can give MORE if that is not enough. Remember this; my post was for the universal church and not your personal congregation. Just because you do not practice some of the things I mentioned, does not mean the statement is nonsense, because the majority of the CoC practice all these traditional things and many more.

ED: First, I have in prior posts answered your alleged traditions. Furthermore, there is no standard "for the universal church" that I am aware of, other than the NT. If there is, it has no right to exist. So all I can address is my local congregation. The problem with offhanded declarations like "80% . . . ." is that they appear to be calculated to prejudice readers against the coc and its desire to believe and practice NT Christianity. I have been around people all my life who are members of the coc and I have found them to be genuine and honest and trying in every way according to their degree of knowledge to follow the Bible. So I find it offensive when people make offhand remarks that imply, for instance, that my father was dishonest in his efforts to follow the Bible - I KNOW BETTER!

Norman: You have refused to answer my questions on two occasions. It seems to me that you only answer the questions you want to answer and refuse to answer all others. I suppose time will tell!

ED: Norman, you have said this before. Each time after we have gone back and forth in discussion. Each time I offered what I perceived as answers but you rejected. Simply because you disagree with me does not mean I haven't supplied answers. I diagree with you but you have answered me. I just don't see the merit to what you answered. You and I, both os us, are simple human beings trying to figure out what it is that God wants of us. This forum provides a good means of hearing each other and considering each other's thoughts and understandings. I would be a fool if I did not admit that my thinking has been sharpened and helped by participating in these discussions. So I continue with the hope of progress.
ED Boggess

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