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$11.95
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ISBN 0-938855-57-3
216 pages with comprehensive
scriptural and topical indexes |
An eighteenth century Scottish poet wrote concerning war: “Rash, fruitless war, from wanton glory waged, is only splendid murder.”
An older preacher used this quotation when he wrote concerning a particularly brutal doctrinal attack on another elderly preacher by a group of younger, treacherous preachers. While many controversies among Christians and churches aren't this vicious, many Christians and congregations simply don't know how to navigate personal and doctrinal clashes, and thus, do more harm than good. Such situations expose some noble and naïve souls to some pretty treacherous Christians.
Yet, many Christians consent to much worse than Saul did at Stephen's stoning while “consenting to his death” by just holding the coats of the stone-throwers. Most members, whose jobs aren't even on the line, refuse to ratchet up their courage to be bothered by congregational problems and decisions. They may just want difficulties handled by the congregational leaders so they can avoid being involved. Consequently, many Christians go blithely on, consenting through ignorance to mistreatment of others that goes on behind the scenes.
Many congregations stagnate and don't grow in their knowledge of God and the Bible because of an inability to study controversial subjects together. They fear that if challenging subjects are broached, their members will descend into an ugliness that will overwhelm or split the church. Thus, they often refuse to deal openly with disagreements. Such actions often discourage the most studious and brightest members to the point that many leave or simply give up on associating with a congregation. Rather than controversies being a terrible thing that congregations should avoid at all costs, this book shows that God has a plan for dealing with problems that helps congregations grow, increases faith and confidence in God, and builds bonds between brethren.
This book is for independent Bible students.
It is NOT for you if:
- You're not a serious student of the Bible
- You feel threatened by people who study their Bibles
- Your concept of Bible study is listening to your teacher go through a quarterly class book
- Your concept of being a Christian consists mainly of "going to church"
- You depend on the preacher to do your studying for you
- You're in a denomination where all the thinking is done at the top
- You're an elder or preacher who is afraid for the congregation to study controversial subjects
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