I did not see any put down, John. It just seemed from what you wrote
that you considered your methods more loving than Ruben's.
Terry
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I laugh at your very last comment but I will not go beyond
that. More than that, however, I am surprised that my comments would
bring on such a response. I do not agree with the notion that we
should be preaching the Christ apart from the love He commanded.
That's all. There is no "put down" of Ruben intended or written.
You disagree?
-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Clifton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org
Sent: Sun, 15 May 2005 19:55:30 -0500
Subject: Re: [Bulk] [TruthTalk] Street Preaching
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
I personally have reason to respect Ruben Israel. My
comments are not personal. But --- "different strokes for
different folks" is my response
to Ruben's defense. What is in
evidence, I suppose, is that preaching (including "street
preaching") is an acceptable vehicle for spreading the message of
hope. Except for the Noah example, what we have is a series of
examples of how the message was presented to the children of God
----------- the Jews. We are repeatedly reminded that among these
people of God, few would respond. Perhaps Heb 6:4-6 explains why. No doubt, preaching the message
of God's love apart from His disappointment (His wrath) gives one
something less than the full picture. I incorporate the message of
love in my ministry becau se of the information I find in the letters
of the apostles and prophets. The commands that bear repeating in I
John are "love God" and "love the brethren." We are reminded that "
no one has seen God at any time -- but if we love one another, God
abides in us" I J 4:12. In fact, "if God loved us, we should love
others" ( I J 4:11). I include the radical notion of love in my
ministry because I see it in the words of Paul -- "I become all
things to all men so that by all means I might save some." The
fulfillment of the Law gave us liberty -- but Paul reminds us that we
are constrained by -------------------------- aaaaaahhhhh love !! " The gospel
of John presents the very reason for the Incarnation -- "Because
God loved the world ...." The Fatherhood of God is an exclusive New
Testamen
t consideration. At the centre of
Fatherhood is this thing we seek to exclude --------- love. We
dare not forget the very essence
of God -- expressed in the statement "God is love." The letters of
the apostles are full of considerate dialogue and loving
guidance. Paul reminds us that knowledge has its limitations, but if
we love, we are known by God. Where harsh straight talk may be the
way to the Jewish heart, it certainly was not the norm in other
venues. I include love in my ministry because people need to know
about it. Salute.
JD
==========================================================================
I see love on ruben's part. For God and for the lost sinner. How
cpuld you stand the abuse day after day, year after year if you did not
love those who abuse you. I am amazed that he hasn't punched someone
out.
Terry
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