wgm@mbunix.mitre.org (Gregory M. Woodhouse) (07/31/89)
After many months of reading articles posted in this newsgroup, I feel that I must unsubscribe to it and I thought that I would voice the reasons that I have come to this conclusion. I am not sure that anyone cares, but here goes anyway. Over the last year, I have seen very few articles posted here that have accomplished anything positive in increasing the unity between us as believers. My understanding of fellowship and christian interaction is for the edification of the Body of Christ, equipping us to do the work of the ministry, (Eph. 4:11,12) which is, after all, to make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20) Our unity is a critical part of our testivony to the world around us. Infact, a case can be made that it is THE most important part which points to the truth of the deity of Christ Himself (John 17:21, etc.). Perhaps my hopes for this group were unrealistic, or perhaps I misunderstand the purpose of the group entirely, however it seems to me that the amount of time that is spent responding back and forth to questions of little or no conssequence in my daily christian walk could be better spent relating to one another ways in which we have been effective in our walk, witness, etc. It may seem unfair to ask these questions, but it occurs to me to wonder how many of these men who spend such time in theological discussion are actively discippling another young christian. We don't see Christ engaging in endless theological debates with the Pharisees or scribes, but we do see him spending countless hours training His disciples. I don't mean to be critical, but just to draw our attention to those things that might better occupy our time. If the purpose of this newsgroup is to increase our unity through mutual understanding, then I would have to say that from my perception, it is failing. Perhaps we need another newsgroup which is dedicated to building each other up in our walk, not our theological intellecttualism. On the other hand, perhaps there are those who get great benefit from these discussions and I am simply too imature spiritually to realize that benefit myself, but I think not. Paul's prayer was to Know Christ, not to determine whether the Holy Spirit was male or female; to see the power of God in the lives of christians, not to determine whether the traditions of the mass are critical to our worship. I will remain on the newsgroup for the next week to receive any responses, lesst I be accused of "parting shots". God bless you all, and may you exert as much energy in your walk and witness as you do in your intellectual debates. I Corinthians 4:19 "But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them who are puffed up, but the power." [The contents of a group are made up by its posters. About all I can say is that if you would like things said other than what is being said, you should say it. --clh]