In what did they cause division and offense?

17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16)

I was thinking about this passage today. When Paul says that these people "cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned" what do you think he was saying? Do you think he was saying

1. These people were causing division and offense by TEACHING THEOLOGY that was contrary to the doctrine that they had learned

OR

2. These people were causing division and offense, WHICH IN AND OF ITSELF was contrary to the teaching they had received. (IOW, Paul taught them not to be such quarellers).

Unashamed of Grace

Do You Agree with this Quotation?

Anyone who has been participating on the discussion directly below this one is encouraged to comment on the quote. If you don't want to do it on THAT blog (heehee) then feel free to leave your comment right here. Thanks! I am so curious.

A Question for Consideration

A regular visitor to this blog, Colin Maxwell (aka "goodnightsafehome") has asked that we consider this question:

"Yes or No – Answer first and then qualify afterwards, Could Pilate have said “No” to the Jews’ demand to have Christ crucified and let Him go?"

He asked it before when discussing Calvinism with another visitor and, perhaps because it seemed like a rabbit trail, it was not taken up.

After thinking about it and seeing some of the passages that actually pertain to this question, I think it is worth the time to discuss, so please - share your thoughts in the comment section. Thanks!

TimesMachine - New York Times

Interesting!
TimesMachine - New York Times

What's Faith? (Part 6)

If you were talking about the concept of faith, as in "By faith Abraham..." or "We have gained access into this grace through faith..." or "You have been saved by grae through faith..."

IOW, the biblical concept of faith...

Which of these phrases would you find to be equivalent, or most helpful in unfolding that concept:

“I have Faith in” =

1. I hope
2. I believe in
3. I am counting on
4. I am convinced of
5. I have invested everything in
6. I am certain of
7. I am willing to act upon
8. I know
9. I understand
10. I am persuaded of
11. I agree with
12. I am trusting in
13. The weight of the evidence points to

Feel free to comment on your thoughts in regards to specific ones... or add your own to the list and I will add it to the post.

John Edwards, Done with Politics

"In the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic... " -John Edwards, former Democratic candidate

I find this such an interesting admission.

Rush Limbaugh calls Mr. Edwards "the Breck Girl", hearkening to the old shampoo label with the beautiful girls sporting perfect hair. He has a winning smile and is a very attractive man. John Edwards definitely looks the part of celebrity.

I don't like the man's politics and I despise his personal sin here, but I think this is a refreshing statement. He says of his downfall: "I started to believe I was special." How many of us would admit that?

Could Obama possibly be the Antichrist?

by Rose

I am reminded of a saying from a now deceased pastor of mine, Dr. Ernest Pickering: "If only people would read their Bibles..."

Check out this article.

"Two months ago, Vanderslice founded a Democratic PAC called the Matthew 25 Network and soon noticed that the negative e-mails she received from conservative Christians fell into two general topical categories: abortion, and the assertion that Obama is the Antichrist."

Relational Words

25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9)

If the person in this verse is an obvious unbeliever, an unsaved person, a 'non-elect'.... why would Jesus say He will be ashamed? Why would Jesus be "ashamed" of someone who was not His own? Elsewhere, we have Jesus just telling those who don't belong to Him to depart from Him because He never knew them. I wonder if the words "will be ashamed of him" describe a more relational attitude toward these ones.