This is why I dropped off social media and largely stopped listening to podcast. I found myself thinking about this again recently with the whole Alistair Begg controversy as I heard what was said and asked myself "Is this any business of mine and does it affect me in any way?" I have since ignored everything about it, including posts shared by my Pastor.
I'm not saying he's wrong for sharing it or anyone else commenting on it. I just don't care and am glad to be off most forms of social media.
Excellent post about a valuable topic for all believers. A culture of contention has taken hold from the top tiers of government down to home and family. And it's stealing people's joy. Had the Bible not been written in such a patriarchal culture I feel sure that Proverbs 25:24 would have said "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome family." Now that social media has addicted so many of our fellow Americans to the dopamine surges they get from clicks and likes, the contention that forms the underlying current of so many online exchanges is making dispute a part of many peoples' secular identity. As this tendency finds its way to our church communities, I'm betting the "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" celebrate each one.
Having involved myself slightly in orthodox christian church teachings I've come to value authority more. Not so much (I hope) that I am blinded to truth. But I now appreciate the validity of letting those with authority on a topic speak on it. And of keeping quiet on subjects I have no authority to speak on. Which is most things really.
This is really good. Do you have any guidance on criteria for when you do have a responsibility? Ie. You observe a member of your church in a sin pattern but don’t have a close relationship with them personally. They seem to be miserable in the results of their sin pattern and looking for answers but trying to solve it the wrong way. Wife attempting to lead her husband towards godliness.
This is why I dropped off social media and largely stopped listening to podcast. I found myself thinking about this again recently with the whole Alistair Begg controversy as I heard what was said and asked myself "Is this any business of mine and does it affect me in any way?" I have since ignored everything about it, including posts shared by my Pastor.
I'm not saying he's wrong for sharing it or anyone else commenting on it. I just don't care and am glad to be off most forms of social media.
Excellent post about a valuable topic for all believers. A culture of contention has taken hold from the top tiers of government down to home and family. And it's stealing people's joy. Had the Bible not been written in such a patriarchal culture I feel sure that Proverbs 25:24 would have said "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome family." Now that social media has addicted so many of our fellow Americans to the dopamine surges they get from clicks and likes, the contention that forms the underlying current of so many online exchanges is making dispute a part of many peoples' secular identity. As this tendency finds its way to our church communities, I'm betting the "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" celebrate each one.
Greg Williams
https://christiansoldier21.substack.com/
Having involved myself slightly in orthodox christian church teachings I've come to value authority more. Not so much (I hope) that I am blinded to truth. But I now appreciate the validity of letting those with authority on a topic speak on it. And of keeping quiet on subjects I have no authority to speak on. Which is most things really.
This is really good. Do you have any guidance on criteria for when you do have a responsibility? Ie. You observe a member of your church in a sin pattern but don’t have a close relationship with them personally. They seem to be miserable in the results of their sin pattern and looking for answers but trying to solve it the wrong way. Wife attempting to lead her husband towards godliness.