My Journal

Why do some preachers think pedophilia is unforgivable?

Because their presupposition of holiness is not practicing confession and repentance but hiding sins with wits. Therefore, in such view, there are some sins that are just too bad to "cover up". viz. pedophilia.

From time to time, I've been to the Redeemer's fellowship on Tuesday mornings at 7Am.

I love the early wake. Refreshing after the meeting. Knew a few folks.

I prefer to read the materials before attending it, so I don't go there every week.

We've been doing Judges. Using Tim Keller's book: Judges for You. I like the quotes from Michael Wilcock whom Keller frequently cited.

There are however certain few passages which I find not to my agreement. Such as his comments on Judges 19:1-20:25:

Keller completely remove any good from anyone in the passage. While I would note the cultural difference between ancient time and the Western civilization today. Hospitality towards strangers is very important in those days. I don't expect someone influenced by an individualistic culture of the Western world today to grasp or practice it. It is not just about being nice or follow certain custom of hospitality. It involves the very sacrifice of the host.

I shall limit anything pertaining to West Side Men to this thread.

I hear this from time to time, from Christians in general.

They are merely playing with words.

If they are serious about the topic they brought up, then a better line would be:

"America is not founded on Christian basis".

Then we will have something to discuss.

"All countries are founded on some aspect of Christian values"

Again, playing with words, no serious discussion needed.

In admiration, I see teachers the lowest level of the three.

Teachers are merely moving data from text to students' minds. They help improve the quality of others. This is the scope of a teacher's responsibility. A good teacher has his own unique methodology.

Preachers are higher level than teachers. Preachers are required to have the general quality of a teacher. He should be able to know the difference between predestination and Arminianism, etc. and able to communicate these doctrines to others. Moreover, unlike teachers, a preacher must take the initiative to reach out to others. A good preacher has his own unique methodology in applying doctrines to the people he preaches to dependent of each listener personality.

Pastors deserve my highest admiration. This is equivalent to a shepherd, which our Lord has set an example for in John 10. A pastor should have the quality of both teacher and preacher. Because a pastor pastors a church, which is where teachers and preachers are produced. A good pastor has his own unique methodology in raising teachers and preachers.

If wages are taken into account, all three could be of church hires. But generally, preachers struggle more than the other two financially. Nonetheless, a preacher should be content enough and therefore this is not a factor.

Any deficit of the above basic qualities, are not qualified in my view to be in office. Hence, my admiration to the pretenders are no more than those saints submitting to a corrupt government.

Lately, I've been hearing a lot of this from fellow Christians.

My prompt response is: "Yes, it is the work of the Holy Spirit, not by reasoning, NOR BY LOVE!"

The last phrase generally comes unexpected to them. They sometimes get tongue tied hearing it.

If they take no reaction to my response, then it is strange, it is likely they did not hear my last phrase. If they had already agreed with it, I wonder how they imagine the Holy Spirit moves one to conversion. By miracles? They must be dreaming then.

If they take my response as hostile/incorrect, is not theirs hostile/incorrect at first?

But they are Christians! Why would I treat them so? Are they not doing the same thing in the first place?

Problem solved.