Constance Vigilant wrote:
> I stated facts that you had covered the majority of the group with
> Pastor Mello, and also in your discussions about not believing that
> Christ was pre-existent and truly God, which I find erroneous for
> reasons already explained, you stated that you had influenced his
> theology a great deal.
I agree with you, Constance. The trinity is a well developed doctrine and
it was established even before the Nicene Creed.
> My fear is that you will now attempt to use your foothold here to
> dissuade young christians from believing the deity of Christ. This
> would undo the work that other people here are doing. At the same
> time a lot of what you write is very good, but "a little leaven
> leaveneth the whole lump", so I am quite frankly afraid of the
> influence you could have.
Don't be afraid, Constance. And don't think that Bob has that much power.
If a person reads what Bob says, swallows it whole, and avoids studying the
issue diligently, then they will be held accountable for their decision.
Bob doesn't have any foothold. He is one person who posts messages on
usenet. Pray for his readership and consider that we all have a readership
and an influence for God's kingdom. Glory to Him.
You can't silence all heretics. It would be impossible. However, what you
can do is this: speak the truth, clearly and repeatedly. This doesn't mean
arguing with Bob until kingdom come. It simply means that people will read
the truth coming from the people who know it and they will believe and
understand it.
It's more important to know the truth intimately and present it effectively
than try and discredit or scream at heretics. I think it is important to
confront someone who is promoting false beliefs, but it is also important to
let that be a small part of your ministry and move on to other things. Bob
may take this heresy to his grave and I'm sure God has greater things for us
than spending months or years arguing for the trinity to him.
Lastly, due to this heretical (and somewhat gnostic) belief, I don't think
it would be appropriate for me to call Bob a brother in Christ or apply the
scriptures about approaching sinful brothers. This belief puts him outside
of orthodox Christianity. It's not a small matter. It's a huge matter.
Biblical Christians affirm the Nicene Creed that was formulated at the
council of Nicea. I'm studying this in my Christian philosophy course and
recommend researching it. It applies to our situation and the trinity.
God bless,
Jason
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