Christian Boylove Forum

The 'not so ungodly' forum?


Submitted by Bach on February 21 2002 17:13:23
In reply to The 'mildly theistic forum'? submitted by Forgiven on February 21 2002 02:29:34


My brother in Christ,

Thank you for this post. I did not assume that you are a hateful person; nor that you were unprepared to dialogue with nonChristians at CBF. I did feel that the language and images you chose were hurtful and offensive. I am comforted in knowing that you regret them.

These events affected me, and the perception I hold of CBF, very deeply. I consider myself a "Christian Boylover", and your comments regarding "Biblical Christianity" hurt me. I base my own faith beliefs on the Bible - which is the core element of "Biblical Christianity" to my way of thinking. Whether or not we agree on particular interpretations of Scripture is a matter of doctrine.

As to the question of tolerance - I would never expect you to agree with beliefs that you do not hold. And I don't want to be labelled with beliefs that I do not hold, either. An interesting project might be to develop a statement of faith for CBF that a large number of people who call themselves Christian BLs might feel able to adhere to.


The history of the Reformation is of people standing on the clear teaching of the bible confronting the wisdom of the church of their day; to my mind the same is equally true when evangelicals confront liberals for their lack of certainty about anything (except the need for tolerance?!).

The roots of my own set of faith beliefs go right back to the Reformation, so any accusations of 19th century liberal thinking would be misplaced. :) My ancestors were burned at the stake and drowned because they would not support a State Church. Their persecutions are well documented in the Martyr's Mirror and I have linked it at the end of this post.


FIJE AND ELKEN AT LEEUWARDEN

In the year 1549, about three weeks before Easter, two beloved men, named Fije and Eelken, were apprehended at Boorn, in West Friesland. They were brought before the lords, where they boldly confessed their faith. They first interrogated Eelken, saying: "Who has authorized you to assemble the people, to teach them?"
Answer. "God has authorized me" Heb. 10:25.
Question. "What do you hold concerning our holy Roman church?"
Answer. "I know nothing of your holy church. I do not know it; I never in all my life was in a holy church."

Eelken and Fije were then both sentenced and brought together; they embraced each other, yea, kissed one another's hands and feet with great love, so that all that saw and heard it were astonished. The beadles and servants ran to the lords and said: "Never men loved one another as do these." Eelken said to Fije: "Dear brother, do not take it amiss, that you have been brought into suffering through me." Fije answered: "Dear brother, do not think so, for it is the power of God." Their execution was deferred till the third day after the sentence was passed. Eelken was first executed with the sword. When Fije's sentence was read, he did not listen to it, because of his great joy; and ignorant of what had happened, or was to happen, to Eelken, he sang and leaped, praising and thanking God, saying: "This is the only way." They led Fije into the boat in
which Eelken lay beheaded, and beside him the wheel upon which Eelken was to be place, and the stake at which Fije was to stand, to be burned. In the boat, Fije's hands became loose, but he sat still nevertheless. Then monks then said: "Bind him again." The hangman replied: "You bind him." But the castellan commanded him to bind Fije again. Some women who beheld it wept bitterly. But Fije said: "Weep not for me, but for your sins."

Standing at the stake at which he was to be strangled, Fije exclaimed: "O Lord, receive Thy servant." He was then strangled and burnt, and thus fell asleep in the Lord. The common people cried out saying: "This was a pious Christian; if he is not a Christian, there is not one in the whole world."



it would be really nice if it really didn't matter how you lived or what you believed
It seems to me that this is the common perception that "conservatives" have of "liberals". Speaking for myself, I do not believe in this approach... I responded to your post because I know it matters.

I've said my bit and won't feel the need to do so for some time.....
I do not doubt for a moment that God has led you to participate at CBF as much for our edification as your own. Your voice needs to be heard. Your thoughts and doctrine should be spoken. God speaks to us through your writing, and to muffle His voice because it might make us feel uncomfortable is to set apart a member of the body of Christ which is critical to its operation. The support which we seek to give at this forum can only take place if all feel a sense of purpose and belonging - that they have a voice within this community.

Peace of Christ,
Bach
  • Martyr's Mirror


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