Gene,
Friend. When any of us become contentious, we are wrong. I have to struggle against this as much as anyone else. (Well, maybe not as much as some have here lately <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )
It is easier to consider someone morally lacking, deceived of Satan, foolish, stupid, or having a hidden agenda--especially when they have accused us of that themselves--than it is to discuss the issue when their points are
almost as good as our own.
I think all of us consider God's truth the be fixed and unchanging. However, since we don't always agree on the lesser issues, someone is wrong. A better way to think of it is a certain
view is wrong, and a another view is right. Our task is to find which view is correct.
How can we do that when two folks are convinced God has written something on their heart, yet they do not agree? At least one view is wrong; maybe both. We cannot discern another person's heart, so we don't know who has heard most correctly from God.
I think this is where study of the written Word and teachers come in. If I disagree with you on a certain point, the
first thing we should do is look to the scripture to try and resolve the issue. Next, we look at the views of others we respect. Prayer and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit are requesite throughout this process.
If we still can't come to an agreement, then we should probably just acknowledge each other's view and agree to disagree. I submit if what we were arguing about is as impotant to God as it is to us, He'd make it clear--like all the other truth's He has made abundantly clear.
The assumption for my comments is that those of us discussing and debating have been saved through the blood of Jesus. The rules change when dealing with unbelievers.
