Personal Thread Topic

[chrispalasz]

Well...

My name is Chris. I'm 27 years old, and I'm an English teacher living in Seoul, South Korea - originally from Chicago. I've lived in Korea for about 1.5 years and I'll be going back to USA in August - but - I'm in desperate need of some Christian Fellowship... and some advice.

Part (or most) of it is personal, which I'm happy to discuss (perhaps e-mail or pm or IM chat) - but part of it is okay for this thread, perhaps.

It's hard for me to find good Christian Fellowship. Take a look at the usergroups I'm in to get a vague idea about me - and I'm open to all and any questions you might have. I won't be offended, and I invite you to be honest and outright with me on this thread.

I've had a difficult time finding Christian fellowship because I'm a skeptical Christian. I question everything, having once been an Atheist. But I am a firm and sincere believer - although I have many questions, doubts, and sins in my life. I'm a deep, deep thinker. I value logic and reason - but above those I value honesty most.

I am not a Creationist.

Being a Christian is hard for me - but in general, more often than not, I feel alone... like I can't relate to other Christians very well. And sometimes, with all I see happening in the world of Christians, I find myself wanting more of God and less of Christians - knowing that this is contradictory.

That's the broadest idea I can give you. It's better if you put in your two cents or else ask questions, or else just pray for me.

I'd appreciate any of those things.

God Bless,

~Chris

[otseng]

It's hard for me to find good Christian Fellowship. Take a look at the usergroups I'm in to get a vague idea about me - and I'm open to all and any questions you might have. I won't be offended, and I invite you to be honest and outright with me on this thread.

I share similar feelings. It's very hard for me to find someone who shares my values. Even in a Christian setting.

I've had a difficult time finding Christian fellowship because I'm a skeptical Christian. I question everything, having once been an Atheist. But I am a firm and sincere believer - although I have many questions, doubts, and sins in my life. I'm a deep, deep thinker. I value logic and reason - but above those I value honesty most.

I can identify also with many of the things you say here.

I am not a Creationist.

Well, perhaps I can help you here.

I find myself wanting more of God and less of Christians - knowing that this is contradictory.

Nope, I can totally understand.

I often times think about just starting my own church. I think the church needs to just start from a clean slate. Too many traditions needs to be reevaluated. More things needs to be looked through the lens of the Bible, rather than the lens of church tradition. Though the Reformation was a good step, there's needs to be another transformation of the church.

[chrispalasz]

I share similar feelings. It's very hard for me to find someone who shares my values. Even in a Christian setting.

Very hard for you... but you have found some? Where? How? I know some... only my very very best friends. Very few... and not here in Korea with me.

I am not a Creationist.

Well, perhaps I can help you here.

Actually, I'm open to being convinced. But certain things - I can't get past, so I'd be very interested to know about your views. For example, are you old earth or young earth?

Would you be interested in starting a 1-on-1 'debate' about this?

I often times think about just starting my own church. I think the church needs to just start from a clean slate.

Wow, me too. I read an awesome book called "The Organic Church". I'd love to start a small house church. Smaller churches are better, or at least smaller churches that act as cells of a bigger church... (which is something I believe about government as well).

Atlanta seems to have some pretty great churches, though. However, given your ability to manage a forum like this... I'd be interested in trying out your church.

[justifyothers]

Well...

My name is Chris. I'm 27 years old, and I'm an English teacher living in Seoul, South Korea - originally from Chicago. I've lived in Korea for about 1.5 years and I'll be going back to USA in August - but - I'm in desperate need of some Christian Fellowship... and some advice.

Part (or most) of it is personal, which I'm happy to discuss (perhaps e-mail or pm or IM chat) - but part of it is okay for this thread, perhaps.

It's hard for me to find good Christian Fellowship. Take a look at the usergroups I'm in to get a vague idea about me - and I'm open to all and any questions you might have. I won't be offended, and I invite you to be honest and outright with me on this thread.

I've had a difficult time finding Christian fellowship because I'm a skeptical Christian. I question everything, having once been an Atheist. But I am a firm and sincere believer - although I have many questions, doubts, and sins in my life. I'm a deep, deep thinker. I value logic and reason - but above those I value honesty most.

I am not a Creationist.

Being a Christian is hard for me - but in general, more often than not, I feel alone... like I can't relate to other Christians very well. And sometimes, with all I see happening in the world of Christians, I find myself wanting more of God and less of Christians - knowing that this is contradictory.

That's the broadest idea I can give you. It's better if you put in your two cents or else ask questions, or else just pray for me.

I'd appreciate any of those things.

God Bless,

~Chris

Hi Chris. I think you are fairly new to this forum, so welcome!

I relate to some of what you said regarding other christians and finding those of like mind.

Since christianity is based on the bible, this presents some challenges. Some of those being:

translation
origination
interpretation

These problems have caused christianity to break off into so many sects and doctrines of belief, it is almost impossible to find like minded believers. Seems that every has some little part they disagree on.

I left a church some time ago due to this. Unfortuantely, many of my friends won't discuss religion or God with me now - things can get awkward
So, basically, I keep doing my own thing with God, which includes a constant and open communication. This has had a wonderfully positive effect on my life.

As far as fellowship goes, I am fortunate to have a husband that feels pretty much the same way I do. And I do most of my discussing of God on this forum. I guess I reached a point where I didn't need the validation from others - though it can be comforting. But God seems to fulfill this for me.

Just an idea - maybe you could try fellowship with others, not based on their beliefs, but based on common interest, values, etc. This could prove to be a learning and growing experience for all.

I would be completely open to discuss anything with you on this forum, or through PM.

Peace to you and yours

[otseng]

Very hard for you... but you have found some? Where? How? I know some... only my very very best friends. Very few... and not here in Korea with me.

Have I found any? Not really.

Would you be interested in starting a 1-on-1 'debate' about this?

Certainly. How would you like to phrase the debate? After we determine that, I can set it up for us to debate head-to-head.

Smaller churches are better, or at least smaller churches that act as cells of a bigger church... (which is something I believe about government as well).

I lean towards a smaller church myself too. And I wish the government was smaller as well.

Atlanta seems to have some pretty great churches, though.

There are certainly some famous ones. But, I don't fit too well in any of them.

However, given your ability to manage a forum like this... I'd be interested in trying out your church.

I've got one recruit!

[chrispalasz]

Have I found any? Not really.

So sad... lol

How would you like to phrase the debate? After we determine that, I can set it up for us to debate head-to-head.

Good question. Since I think it must be phrased from one perspective and you're asking me, I would suggest, "Can Creationist views logically hold in the modern age of information?" - That seems like fair wording. Let me know if you'd like to amend it, though, and that's fine.

Smaller churches are better, or at least smaller churches that act as cells of a bigger church... (which is something I believe about government as well).

I lean towards a smaller church myself too. And I wish the government was smaller as well.

Atlanta seems to have some pretty great churches, though.

There are certainly some famous ones. But, I don't fit too well in any of them.

Quite so. Which ones are famous? I can't remember. Is John Piper in Atlanta? Also, have you heard of Amena Brown? I know her ministry is in Atlanta. I'm a fan of her Spoken Word.

However, given your ability to manage a forum like this... I'd be interested in trying out your church.

I've got one recruit!

Quite!~ And I strongly recommend checking out that book, "The Organic Church". I don't agree with it 100%, but it certainly does make a person think... and rejoice.

[otseng]

Good question. Since I think it must be phrased from one perspective and you're asking me, I would suggest, "Can Creationist views logically hold in the modern age of information?" - That seems like fair wording. Let me know if you'd like to amend it, though, and that's fine.

I've created the thread.

Can Creationist views logically hold in the modern age?

If it looks OK with you, we can start debating.

Quite so. Which ones are famous? I can't remember. Is John Piper in Atlanta? Also, have you heard of Amena Brown? I know her ministry is in Atlanta. I'm a fan of her Spoken Word.

I think John Piper is in Minnesota. And haven't heard of Amena Brown.

Some famous ones:
First Baptist Atlanta - Charles Stanley
Northpoint Community - Andy Stanley
Ebenezer Baptist Church - MLK Jr's church
Buckhead Peachtree Presbyterian - Largest US Presbyterian congregation

Some local apologists:
Ravi Zacharias
William Lane Craig

Quite!~ And I strongly recommend checking out that book, "The Organic Church". I don't agree with it 100%, but it certainly does make a person think... and rejoice.

I'll check it out sometime.

[chrispalasz]

I've created the thread.

Can Creationist views logically hold in the modern age?

If it looks OK with you, we can start debating.

After checking it out, it seems you're style is to be very formal and accurate. In that case, it's best if we do this right. The topic needs to be a statement, not a question (if I remember correctly) I think you should change it to read:

Creationist views logically hold in the modern age.

You argue the affirmative. I argue the negative.

You don't have to change it if it's trouble. When you're ready, give it the green light - it sounds okay to me.

I think John Piper is in Minnesota. And haven't heard of Amena Brown.

Some famous ones:
First Baptist Atlanta - Charles Stanley
Northpoint Community - Andy Stanley
Ebenezer Baptist Church - MLK Jr's church
Buckhead Peachtree Presbyterian - Largest US Presbyterian congregation

Some local apologists:
Ravi Zacharias
William Lane Craig

Ah that's right! My home church in USA is a fan of Andy Stanley, and Ravi Zacharias is a very well known apologist.

[otseng]

After checking it out, it seems you're style is to be very formal and accurate.

On this forum, we debate by first asking a question. (We follow the tradition of America's Debate.)

I've started already by defining what I mean by Creationism.

My home church in USA is a fan of Andy Stanley, and Ravi Zacharias is a very well known apologist.

I'm a fan of both. Anyone who hasn't subscribed to their podcasts should do so.

[chrispalasz]

Hi Chris. I think you are fairly new to this forum, so welcome!

Well, thank you for the welcome! You are kind of right... under my username, you can see that I joined in 2004~ and I debated here heavily for maybe a year, then stopped. But now I'm a new returning user!

Since christianity is based on the bible, this presents some challenges. Some of those being:

translation
origination
interpretation

These problems have caused christianity to break off into so many sects and doctrines of belief, it is almost impossible to find like minded believers. Seems that every has some little part they disagree on.

Well I do see what you're saying and what you mean... but I'm extremely hesitant to say that Christianity is based on the Bible rather than God. However, regardless, I agree that the challenges you listed still exist.

I'm a firm believer that it there don't have to be divisions - that it's quite possible for all Christians to agree if we just seek God. But, we are sinners... so... anyway~

I left a church some time ago due to this. Unfortuantely, many of my friends won't discuss religion or God with me now - things can get awkward
So, basically, I keep doing my own thing with God, which includes a constant and open communication. This has had a wonderfully positive effect on my life.

Well I'm sorry that your friends don't want to talk to you about religion or God, but at least it seems to be a positive overall experience for you. I can't bring myself to leave the church, not without joining another church of some sort - as I believe God wants Christian to be in constant fellowship with other believers. What do you think about this?

Just an idea - maybe you could try fellowship with others, not based on their beliefs, but based on common interest, values, etc. This could prove to be a learning and growing experience for all.

Well I am interested in engaging with different kinds of people and being friends and learning from them... but I wouldn't count that towards needed fellowship with other Christians. Doing so would go against my beliefs as a Christian. I'm under the conviction that I need fellowship specifically with God seekers and worshipers.

I would be completely open to discuss anything with you on this forum, or through PM.

Peace to you and yours

Thank you so much for the invitation. I look forward to chatting more

cheers

~Chris