my testimony (Watchman of Naphtali)

[Athanasius]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

[Watchman of Naphtali]

And you are judging me to be some kind of insane lunatic.

I haven't judged you at all. I stated the obvious fact that you compared yourself to Jesus.

Which you yourself admit:

Of course we are supposed to compare ourselves to Jesus

And 1 Peter 2:21-25 doesn't say anything about comparing one's self to Jesus. It says to follow his example, specifically,  "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. " And I don't think you're following his example at all.

I'm reading it in the kjv (hope this helps)

Which doesn't change the fact that you're quoting verses out of context and torturing them in translation.

May the Lord abundantly bless you with grace and mercy; and also give you extravagant foods to eat for the rest of your life.

[Watchman of Naphtali]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

I'm going to begin with the concept that 1 John 4:4-6 is written specifically to me (as well as others; but certainly not excluding me).

And that I have an unction according to 1 John 2:20-21,27.

Now, I have changed my point of view at other times when I have been proven wrong with the testimony of scripture; and I have in that conformed my view to the testimony of scripture.

The meaning of this is two-fold:

1) my view is closer now to the testimony of scripture than what it was previously;

and,

2) if I have changed my point of view to fit scripture before, I will do it again if I am shown clearly from scripture that my point of view is incorrect.

However, statements like, "you are simply twisting scripture" is not going to cut it with me.

You need to show scripture that refutes what I am saying; and you also need to identify the statements whereby you think that I am twisting the scriptures.

Otherwise, you are merely complaining about my doctrine rather than attempting to bring me to a place of correction in love.

[Watchman of Naphtali]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

Or, I preach the true gospel and you simply agree that it is the true gospel.

Or, you preach the true gospel and I agree that it is the true gospel.

When the true gospel is preached, unbelievers will have contention with it.

Believers won't.

[Athanasius]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

I'm going to begin with the concept that 1 John 4:4-6 is written specifically to me (as well as others; but certainly not excluding me).

And that I have an unction according to 1 John 2:20-21,27.

Now, I have changed my point of view at other times when I have been proven wrong with the testimony of scripture; and I have in that conformed my view to the testimony of scripture.

The meaning of this is two-fold:

1) my view is closer now to the testimony of scripture than what it was previously;

and,

2) if I have changed my point of view to fit scripture before, I will do it again if I am shown clearly from scripture that my point of view is incorrect.

However, statements like, "you are simply twisting scripture" is not going to cut it with me.

You need to show scripture that refutes what I am saying; and you also need to identify the statements whereby you think that I am twisting the scriptures.

That's cool but like, what does that have to do with what I wrote?

[Athanasius]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

Or, I preach the true gospel and you simply agree that it is the true gospel.

Or, you preach the true gospel and I agree that it is the true gospel.

When the true gospel is preached, unbelievers will have contention with it.

Believers won't.

That's not the most honest thing you've said. You would only agree with us if we agree with you, by the sounds of things.

And see, here you're now casting those who disagree with you (since you don't believe you have the false gospel) as unbelievers. And I think you're well aware you've done that because you don't expect us to accept your doctrine.

[Watchman of Naphtali]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

I'm going to begin with the concept that 1 John 4:4-6 is written specifically to me (as well as others; but certainly not excluding me).

And that I have an unction according to 1 John 2:20-21,27.

Now, I have changed my point of view at other times when I have been proven wrong with the testimony of scripture; and I have in that conformed my view to the testimony of scripture.

The meaning of this is two-fold:

1) my view is closer now to the testimony of scripture than what it was previously;

and,

2) if I have changed my point of view to fit scripture before, I will do it again if I am shown clearly from scripture that my point of view is incorrect.

However, statements like, "you are simply twisting scripture" is not going to cut it with me.

You need to show scripture that refutes what I am saying; and you also need to identify the statements whereby you think that I am twisting the scriptures.

That's cool but like, what does that have to do with what I wrote?

You asked me a question and I answered it. (did you read the scriptures that I referenced?)

[Watchman of Naphtali]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

Or, I preach the true gospel and you simply agree that it is the true gospel.

Or, you preach the true gospel and I agree that it is the true gospel.

When the true gospel is preached, unbelievers will have contention with it.

Believers won't.

That's not the most honest thing you've said. You would only agree with us if we agree with you, by the sounds of things.

And see, here you're now casting those who disagree with you (since you don't believe you have the false gospel) as unbelievers. And I think you're well aware you've done that because you don't expect us to accept your doctrine.

One can only hope (for your sake) that you will receive the truth.

I have said that if you can show me to be wrong anywhere in scripture, that I will conform my point of view to scripture.

[Athanasius]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

I'm going to begin with the concept that 1 John 4:4-6 is written specifically to me (as well as others; but certainly not excluding me).

And that I have an unction according to 1 John 2:20-21,27.

Now, I have changed my point of view at other times when I have been proven wrong with the testimony of scripture; and I have in that conformed my view to the testimony of scripture.

The meaning of this is two-fold:

1) my view is closer now to the testimony of scripture than what it was previously;

and,

2) if I have changed my point of view to fit scripture before, I will do it again if I am shown clearly from scripture that my point of view is incorrect.

However, statements like, "you are simply twisting scripture" is not going to cut it with me.

You need to show scripture that refutes what I am saying; and you also need to identify the statements whereby you think that I am twisting the scriptures.

That's cool but like, what does that have to do with what I wrote?

You asked me a question and I answered it. (did you read the scriptures that I referenced?)

You answered something, but it's not the question I asked, though you followed up with a very strong indication that you are indeed going to try to do the "teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing".

It just seems all very contentious for no reason.

[Watchman of Naphtali]

1Co 2:14, But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

[Athanasius]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

Or, I preach the true gospel and you simply agree that it is the true gospel.

Or, you preach the true gospel and I agree that it is the true gospel.

When the true gospel is preached, unbelievers will have contention with it.

Believers won't.

That's not the most honest thing you've said. You would only agree with us if we agree with you, by the sounds of things.

And see, here you're now casting those who disagree with you (since you don't believe you have the false gospel) as unbelievers. And I think you're well aware you've done that because you don't expect us to accept your doctrine.

One can only hope (for your sake) that you will receive the truth.

I have said that if you can show me to be wrong anywhere in scripture, that I will conform my point of view to scripture.

As one can only hope (for your sake) that you will receive the truth? Or is that only one-way?

Well, to give you credit, you did abandon the teeny tiny 10th definitely not taught anywhere in Genesis 1 dimension.

[Watchman of Naphtali]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

Or, I preach the true gospel and you simply agree that it is the true gospel.

Or, you preach the true gospel and I agree that it is the true gospel.

When the true gospel is preached, unbelievers will have contention with it.

Believers won't.

That's not the most honest thing you've said. You would only agree with us if we agree with you, by the sounds of things.

And see, here you're now casting those who disagree with you (since you don't believe you have the false gospel) as unbelievers. And I think you're well aware you've done that because you don't expect us to accept your doctrine.

One can only hope (for your sake) that you will receive the truth.

I have said that if you can show me to be wrong anywhere in scripture, that I will conform my point of view to scripture.

As one can only hope (for your sake) that you will receive the truth? Or is that only one-way?

Well, to give you credit, you did abandon the teeny tiny 10th definitely not taught anywhere in Genesis 1 dimension.

I simply conceded the point because it was not necessary to my argument.

[Watchman of Naphtali]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

Or, I preach the true gospel and you simply agree that it is the true gospel.

Or, you preach the true gospel and I agree that it is the true gospel.

When the true gospel is preached, unbelievers will have contention with it.

Believers won't.

That's not the most honest thing you've said. You would only agree with us if we agree with you, by the sounds of things.

And see, here you're now casting those who disagree with you (since you don't believe you have the false gospel) as unbelievers. And I think you're well aware you've done that because you don't expect us to accept your doctrine.

One can only hope (for your sake) that you will receive the truth.

I have said that if you can show me to be wrong anywhere in scripture, that I will conform my point of view to scripture.

As one can only hope (for your sake) that you will receive the truth? Or is that only one-way?

Well, to give you credit, you did abandon the teeny tiny 10th definitely not taught anywhere in Genesis 1 dimension.

What truth am I not receiving?

By all means, testify.

[Athanasius]

1Co 2:14, But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

You see, I'm asking because despite all my stupidity and enormous struggle and self-pity and sin and whatever else, I still have that classic gift of discernment, and I'm wondering if you're worth the trouble given that I think it's pretty obvious you'll either leave or be invited to leave at which point you can pronounce your judgements or whatever.

Do you know, I actually like 1 Corinthians 2:15 - 16 better than v14:

15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,
16 for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
    so as to instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

See if you're going to use Scripture as a hammer, it's often more effective to claim to be the person with the Spirit than to simply try a one-verse theology accusing the other person of being the "natural man". I mean, the implication is there, but it's all a matter of emphasis when the point is to inflict rhetorical harm.

I'm glad you stayed away from v12 - 13. I mean, that would have really set the stage. I'm really not sure what else you expected with that citation. But hey, you know what? I set this line up just for you. I hope you don't take it.

[Athanasius]

In this, I may enter into contention with some of the posters here.

Dude, that's not a cool way to start off. Like, you're self-sabotaging and setting for yourself the expectation that there will be contention, so you'll seek it, in a way, and make it true. Like, you're righteous to judge?

It sounds like you need to believe that people can be friendly, and you maybe also need to accept your circumstance with these prayers for transmutation acting as an ongoing rejection of them. Where in that is the peace of God? I'm one to talk.

I know a lot about that myself. ICD 10 F64, F64.2... Aren't I lucky?

No, I am not here to seek contention; but I am also not so naive as to think that there will be none.

The scriptures teach (2 Thessalonians 2:2, Jude 1:3) that where the true gospel is preached, there will be contention among those who are not willing to receive the words of life coming from holy scripture.

Well, see, you've setup a scenario now in which either we preach the true Gospel and there's contention with your false gospel, or you preach the true Gospel and there's contention with our false gospel.

That betrays all sorts of things about how you imagine yourself to be in relation to the forum, and your intention in joining, what you hope to get out of it (or put in), and what you expect. So if you've set up all these expectations, are you actually interested in discussion, or are you going to do the teach/preach/I have the true Gospel thing?

Or, I preach the true gospel and you simply agree that it is the true gospel.

Or, you preach the true gospel and I agree that it is the true gospel.

When the true gospel is preached, unbelievers will have contention with it.

Believers won't.

That's not the most honest thing you've said. You would only agree with us if we agree with you, by the sounds of things.

And see, here you're now casting those who disagree with you (since you don't believe you have the false gospel) as unbelievers. And I think you're well aware you've done that because you don't expect us to accept your doctrine.

One can only hope (for your sake) that you will receive the truth.

I have said that if you can show me to be wrong anywhere in scripture, that I will conform my point of view to scripture.

As one can only hope (for your sake) that you will receive the truth? Or is that only one-way?

Well, to give you credit, you did abandon the teeny tiny 10th definitely not taught anywhere in Genesis 1 dimension.

What truth am I not receiving?

By all means, testify.

What truth are we not receiving?