Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Later...Day Saints

5:02 pm

*ding-dong* *bark-bark*

I peer through the glass window in our front door. I see two blurry black figures. Once again, Mormans are at my door. Dad picks up Ginger (who, by the way, wants to tear their theology to bits) and I breathe, in and out, slowly. I'm always up to a challenge, however, tonight I didn't feel like listening or discussing. I put away my feelings and put a smile on my face.

*door opens*

Morman: good evening
Juli: hello
M: we're out sharing in our neighborhood (apparently, my city and theirs are somewhat close) about our faith...blah, blah, blah

We ended up talking about works and faith and the *full* atonement of Christ. Good discussion. I got their opinions of the Reformation and what Luther was standing for. I asked about their convictions of the account of Joseph Smith. Basically, one of the guys said that he believes Smith's account based on "reading [Smith's] journal and praying about and trusting his 'feelings'." I asked about outside accounts that support Smith's claims, they knew of none. I asked if trusting our feeling is the way to go since our "heart is deceitful above all else."

*mumbling*

Their highest goal is to raise a family and live happily.

"Original Sin which binds us so, only the grace of God will untow."

It ended well and Ginger calmed down. Just a reminder of the fog so many live in daily. God, be gracious to these lost souls.

11 comments:

SATheologies said...

Hahaha..

interesting entry.
Keep writting.

Frank Martens said...

Hmmm... interesting, so what do you think about the following verse:

2 John 1:9-11
"Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works."

Now I probably would have done the same as you did, however this verse does make ya stop and think about it. Your thoughts? Anyones thoughts?

Cheers

stephen said...

Proverbs 25:21:

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Julianne said...

Good thoughts. On one hand I want to open my home to these lost souls, yet on the other hand (as Frank wrote) I want nothing to do with them. It is a different context then feeding the hungry or clothing the naked because they are specifically coming to my home to talk about their heresy. Like I said, good thoughts that are worth thinking.

SATheologies said...

Something to share:

"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not give him any greeting, because the person who gives him a greeting shares in his evil deeds." - 2 John 10-11, NET

a - "do not give him any greeting" does not mean to insult the person. It means “do not greet the person as a fellow Christian” (which is impossible anyway since the opponents are not genuine believers in the author’s opinion).

b - "shares in his evil deeds." Giving a public greeting could be understood by an onlooker to suggest agreement with the (false) teaching of the opponents and is thus prohibited by John.

http://www.netbiblesearch.com/

Perhaps, IMHO, it is ok for us to invite the lost into the house with the right manner (a+b) to share with them as long as we realizes that we are in the truth forever(1:2). And, at best, verse 10-11 is a warning (1:8) not a commandment. We can be acquainted to the lost yet reserved in the Truth, i think.

Antonio said...

I find that mormons take James 2:14ff much the same way as those in the Reformed tradition. Both systems require a faith that is not alone apart from works.

My Free Grace Theology Blog

Antonio

Daniel Mann said...

that boook " absolutely Free" by Zane Hodge. Is absolutely a terrible book. Disregard it like junk mail. Check out what John MacArthur has to say about it, for futher reasons why. I don't have time right now to explain why.

Antonio said...

Did you even read the book, Daniel?

Antonio

Frank Martens said...

hmmm... sze, good thoughts

stephen said...

I'm glad you're honest, daniel.

Daniel Mann said...

Yes, I read the absolutely terrible book. It is a proponent of easy believerism. Millions of of people are self deluded into thinking that they are saved and on their way to Heaven when in fact they remain ungenerated and God haters. They will see God only in judgement against them. Thus they will be cast into hell with the wrath of God upon their heads.
Is this any thing to us? Do we care for the Lost?

the puritans use to say..." better to tremble all the way to the gates of Heaven, than to walk confidently into the jaws of Hell".

Steve-o
Yes my mum told me to be honest. My mum taught me well.