We Know In Part…

You may also like...

No Responses

  1. Tim says:

    Well said, Michael.

  2. deadmanwalking says:

    That was the best

  3. Em says:

    interesting read … as i did so i pictured the Church as the steel marble in that game called “Labyrinth.” We’re bouncing off the walls tipping this way and that about the maze (miraculously not dropping thru those holes) ’till we get to the end 😆

    sorry – and i do pray for William and Harry when they come to mind…

  4. Michael says:

    Thank you, guys…I am a tad exercised over this stuff… 🙂

  5. Bob Sweat says:

    Now that was good!

  6. A E A says:

    Michael,
    That was super.

    My favorite line that I will no doubt be able to share over and over:
    If we as pastors and teachers are teaching the Word faithfully, we have nothing to fear from ideas other than our own.

    Well done.

  7. Michael says:

    AEA,

    Thank you…I truly believe that if we soak folks in truth that they can make intelligent decisions about error.

    We are all indwelt by the Spirit…and He’s promised to finish His work in every believer.

  8. A E A says:

    Yep, too often ministers think their job is to be the Holy Spirit.

    We have to have the confidence that God is able to communicate with His people.

    I’m his special problem…er I mean project, and so are you. 🙂

    Blessings brother

  9. Michael says:

    AEA,

    Blessings to you as well…we are all projects in process!

  10. jlo says:

    powerful

  11. Babylon's Dread says:

    Thanks Michael…

  12. Lutheran says:

    Great message, Michael.

  13. Michael says:

    BD,

    🙂

  14. DavidH says:

    Great commentary. Michael, you put into writing what I’ve been contemplating and dealing with for quite a while. Wait, I shouldn’t use the word “contemplating.”

  15. Michael says:

    DavidH,

    That can get you in trouble… 🙂

  16. Believe says:

    Michael…one of your best writings to date, IMO…and I am always questioning and picking at things and don’t part with compliments that easily (especially when pastors are involved).

    So glad I found the Anglicans to read (after so much wrestling). It has given me some peace that I am not a whack job and that it’s OK to ask questions…as long as you accept the answers and are affirmed in your Faith.

  17. Believe says:

    …I nominate this thread as PP canon…can we get a vote from the council of PP? 8)

  18. Michael says:

    Believe,

    Thank you…I’ve needed to articulate this for some time…I’m glad it was understandable and helpful.

  19. deadmanwalking says:

    Joshua went half way up the mountain — Moses went all the way to the top.

    On their way down they heard a sound from the camp, and Joshua knew something was wrong and said it was the sound of war — But Moses heard and knew it was a party.

    My point is those who didn’t draw near to God had no discernment while Joshua has enough to know something was wrong, Only Moses who went to the top –was able of know what was wrong

  20. Apple of His Eye says:

    Great writing, again….

  21. Michael says:

    Thank you, Apple. 🙂

  22. A E A says:

    DMW,
    That was good. My mind reels with applications.

  23. Nathan says:

    Just a thought, the thrust of your post was that ecumenicism isn’t bad. In fact, truth is truth and we can find it coming from many sources. I think at times we need to focus less on the source and more on the message. I would also add that there were distinct differences in the early church that can be seen in the scriptures. Consider what the church in Corinth would have been been like in 100AD compared to the church in Jerusalem. The problem isn’t just difference from one group’s traditions to the next. What is the problem? Why would anyone say that ecumenicism should be avoided?

  24. Believe says:

    “Why would anyone say that ecumenicism should be avoided?”

    Seems like everyone is OK with the Ecumenical Councils and especially Canon.

  25. Waytooclose says:

    Michael,
    Good post here. I continue to follow and I’m blessed by the example and passion to uphold the Word of God.

    Thank you!

  26. deadmanwalking says:

    Aaron stayed with the people and listened to them and built a false god

  27. A E A says:

    DMW,
    Nice P.S.

  28. Waytooclose says:

    Believe,
    I have made my avatar for your favorite reference. just wondering, did you notice? Or am I being to vague?

  29. Dave Rolph says:

    Michael,

    Great post! I was still catching up on reading the other thread and hadn’t seen this one. I had posted on the other thread something that goes along with your point here, so I’ll re-post here:

    It is impossible to write deeply about philosophy without sounding kooky at times. Shallow people would rather dismiss it than to think it through. The ignorant then become the arbiters of orthodoxy, and philosophy and theology are reduced to the least common denominator. The result is dummied down theology and philosophy. When you consider the complexity of an eternal God, one should beware of simplistic explanations, especially those that exclude others. The funny thing is, I’m certain than Leonard Sweet, who is brilliant, would readily admit to having said some things that are kooky. But those who are criticizing him can never conceive of being wrong themselves, while they are incapable of tying his shoelace intellectually. Rejecting everything one doesn’t understand is bad practice in every field of study, but devastating to the study of theology and/or philosophy.

  30. Michael says:

    Dave,

    Well said…and thank you.

    I’ll bet you’re right about Sweet…he probably would like some things back, just like the rest of us.

    I just wish I was half as smart as he is…

  31. Dave Rolph says:

    Michael,

    Anything other than just quoting the Bible is taking a risk. But it seems to be that kind of risk-taking that encroaches on the eternal. It is so important that in our adventures we distinguish between those things we know and our human speculations. To add our human ideas to the Scripture, lump it all together, and call it all orthodoxy, labeling anyone outside our club as a heretic, is sheer folly, whether your label is Orthodox, Catholic, Calvinist, Calvary Chapel, ODM, or any other human system.

  32. Captain Kevin says:

    If I had never read the Phoenix Preacher before today (and I’m glad that I have), this one essay of yours, Michael, would have made me an instant fan. A thousand Amens!

  33. Michael says:

    CK,

    Thanks…you’ve been around long enough to know I’ll blow it later too… 😉

  34. Michael says:

    Dave,

    Again ,well said and that’s why I’m spending so much time these days pleading for charity around non essentials.

    There is such a thing as heresy…but it’s not as simple as a different view of the atonement or eschatology.

  35. Captain Kevin says:

    Michael,
    LOL! Yep, and I’ll still be around after that too. Love you, my friend!

  36. Michael says:

    CK,

    Much love to you as well…what a faithful friend you’ve been…and I thank you for that.

  37. Believe says:

    Waytooclose…probably a tachometer from a Cannon (not Canon) motorcycle.

    I’ve been referencing “canon” a lot lately 8)

  38. Believe says:

    Waytooclose…either that…or it’s an altimeter for “balance”… 🙂

    Am I in the neighborhood?

  39. Believe says:

    ….oops! Meant Horizon Indicator, not Altimeter…but I’m not “waytooclose”…I’m way far off.

    Fun guessing though!

  40. Believe says:

    Waytooclose…GOT IT!

    Starts with a “V”….and, ironically, the motorcycle reference was not far off! 🙂 🙂

  41. Waytooclose says:

    Believe,
    Congratulations. You finally got it!
    I’m sorry I haven’t reached out to you as you invited me to do some time ago. It’s just still a little raw and it greatly involves a reference to your thorn as well.
    I’m sure that between us both we could open a lot of closets in CA.

  42. Nomansapologist says:

    Wow…
    Beautifully put.
    Here here!!!

  43. Linnea says:

    Michael… a vision of God and of His Bride….edifying and wonderful. Thank you.

  44. Em says:

    confession, i’ve spent the last day wondering why Michael’s posting of this has moved everyone here so deeply… i thot to myself, why does such an obvious truth have such an impact on everyone who comments here?
    it has made me realize that this issue is still tearing at the hearts of so many… and it made me realize how indebted i am to that Baptist minister 50 some years ago who pointed out to me that no denomination has God’s truth all neatly wrapped and tied and, i guess, credit where it’s due, i’m indebted to those lackadaisical Presbyterians in whose church i found Christ, also … it’s why i’ve always back-peddled when a fellow Believer gets that look in his eye and starts talking dogma as he begins to elevate into the realm of interpretive infallibility…
    but when a fellow Believer starts talking about his Lord and Savior and another look comes across his face – you all know what i mean – my spirit is so refreshed
    this is a good place to be refreshed IMX
    praying for all here who are called to do this battle for God and, rightfully weary

  45. Em says:

    to be clearer: i left out a word – it is those who are doing battle who are rightfully weary

  46. ODM says:

    FYI – ODM’s DON’T WORK AGAINST DOCTRINAL HERESIES THAT ARE VISIBLE TO ANY CHURCHMAN, THEY EXPOSE DECEPTION THAT WEARS A MASK OF ORTHODOXY AS A SHIELD TO DECEIVE.

  47. james tiberius kirk says:

    Noble and encouraging, Michael.

    I love “bouncing ideas” off of folk here.

    Most of y’all are unlike anyone I fellowship with, and it’s been an enriching experience (thanks for the JI Packer article from 1 1/2 weeks ago on Calvinism, Michael).

    I love learning. And I love diversity.

    At the end of the day, I may still place my bet on a very specific place, for myself, my family, my church, but I try to honor and treat all my brothers with respect.

    …Sometimes tough in a certain hard-to-spell town…

  48. Believe says:

    Waytooclose, do you have my email?

    agrenier7 at gmail

  49. David Sloane says:

    Michael,
    What a manificient post! I truly enjoyed the wisdom.

  50. Michael says:

    Thank you, David!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.