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John wrote > Romans 14 and I Cor 13
are two passages of scripture written for the express purpose of showing us how
to get along in the face of doctrinal and personal disagreements. What Dr.
Mouw is doing is the only true Christian response to the Mormon Church
-- at this time and with these present circumstances. He knows
full well that he does not speak for the larger Christian Church. He has
no intention of compromising what he or anyone else believes and has been very
clear on that point. More than one fellowship within the Larger Church has
been accepted in spite of questionable beginnings. ... Dr. Mouw is to be
honored, in my book, in view of the fact that he seeks only a dialogue on
this issue of fellowship. He is doing what Paul did in
Athens. Nothing more and nothing less. He is clearly exemplifying
the character of Christ in these matters.
Well stated, John. By the way, I had Mouw in an
apologetics class. I wish everyone who is disparaging him now could have sat
with me then in that class. They would have a much better context through which
to interpret his statements to the LDS; they may even be able to understand
what he was attempting to say -- perhaps even agree with it :>) That course
can be purchased on tape through Fuller Theological Seminary, if you are
interested; Lance may even sell it, too(?) It is really good.
Oh, and your statement above seems to me to have
much in common with David's response to g, concerning
tolerance and its right place in the church and our Lord's
economy.
Good stuff,
Bill
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 7:18
AM
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Cult
behavior
In a message dated 2/9/2005 4:52:34 AM Pacific
Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
Unity with error is subversion to God
Community with error is
Complicity with error
God has commanded that we identify and avoid or
separate from error
A recent example of complicity, is the president
of Fuller Mouw which waxes worse &worse decieving & being
decieved
He is trying to build bridges to LDS thru dialog
Yet he is
being used by the LDS who desparately want to be accepted as Christians AS
IS to validate themselves.
His basis for acceptance and reference for
doctrinal beliefs is Stephen Robinson a BYU Professor. Robinson puts forth
an "unorthodox" LDS theology which soundfs good to Mouw
At the
same time the GA's write off Robinson as Liberal intellectuals thereby
distancing themselves from his unathorized Theology but gaining the benefit
of the blessed peace of Evangelical support
A number of LDS media have
quoted Mouw for support
There is no unity apart from
"error." The recent and not subtle Miller Four debackle manifest
in their inability to agree (even among themselves) on a comprehensive
doctrinal listing is,yet, another proof (yes, I said "proof") that unity is
not based on creedal concepts.
Romans 14 and I Cor 13 are two
passages of scripture written for the express purpose of showing us how to get
along in the face of doctrinal and personal disagreements. What Dr. Mouw
is doing is the only true Christian response to the Mormon Church
-- at this time and with these present circumstances. He
knows full well that he does not speak for the larger Christian Church.
He has no intention of compromising what he or anyone else believes and has
been very clear on that point. More than one fellowship within the
Larger Church has been accepted in spite of questionable
beginnings. More than one fellowship within the Larger Church
remains in spite of skewed ideas and differing expressions of faith. If
the Miller Four cannot arrive at a doctrinally agreeable listing
-- it is little wonder that no else can either.
The fact of the matter is this --- we are
individually servants of a Another. The vegetarian and the holy
day brother in Romans 14 WERE DOCTRINALLY WRONG - and you only
substitute your truth for the biblical message when you (and I mean "anyone")
respond by arguing that meats and special days were not "important" doctrines
of the day. Romans 14 gives us the inspired reason for
accepting others as they stand in faith with Christ. And I Cor 13
gives us sign posts as we move to align our attitude with Christ's in dealing
with disagreements.
Dr. Mouw is to be honored, in my
book, in view of the fact that he seeks only a dialogue on this issue of
fellowship. He is doing what Paul did in Athens.
Nothing more and nothing less. He is clearly exemplifying the character of
Christ in these matters.
JD
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