Some thoughts on what faith is and what it is not from the Comfort and Challenge blog. Blessings and enjoy!
Today’s readings (click below to open in new tab/window):
Psalms 84; 148, Job 19:1-7, 14-27, Acts 13:13-25, John 9:18-41
Author G.K. Chesterton asked why anyone would attempt to defend Christianity, since to defend a thing is to discredit it. What might he have made of the hundreds of books dedicated to apologetics which fill the shelves of almost any Christian bookstore? Of course we want to be able to talk intelligently about our faith, but is the truth of our faith ever adequately expressed in argument, no matter how well-reasoned?……read the rest of the post here: Blind Faith
Truth in Palmyra 
September 11, 2016 at 08:27
G.K. Chesterton was Catholic…
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September 11, 2016 at 08:47
Yes..he was. Still a very good quote not rendered invalid just because of that fact. I think you might find he was more orthodox and correct in many of his beliefs than you might expect.
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September 11, 2016 at 08:55
Good for him. As for myself, the Holy Spirit convicted me Catholicism is a false system. It is a good quote no question there, but I hope his persuasive argumentations and quotes don’t lead truth seekers into Catholicism rather than the true Gospel apart from a church that anathematizes those who hold to a different dogma other than their own.
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September 11, 2016 at 09:04
I agree. What is taught there as a whole is absolutely false, and I will share that on a personal level with any believer in that system who wants to come visit me.
Have a blessed day Caeli!
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September 11, 2016 at 10:30
Hey Wally good morning to you sir. What do you think of this quote:
“The best way to obtain truth and wisdom is not to ask from books, but
to go to God in prayer, and obtain divine teaching.”
Joseph Smith
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September 11, 2016 at 11:21
Well I suppose that is what is called a loaded question now isn’t it my friend?
Yes I get it. The man was a Catholic
See my comment to Carli
I clearly understand the official teaching of the Catholic Church and it’s error
I get it
But two equate him with Joseph Smith is not accurate nor productive
At the risk of being sarcastic myself perhaps this would be easier if you just provided a list of approved sources for me to use.
I don’t want to have to engage this way so how about we not?
Your comment was simply not warranted
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September 11, 2016 at 12:05
A wolf is a wolf Wally, regardless if they come as a Mormon (teachings) or from Catholicism. It’s sad for me to see that by you quote false men not Charles Spurgeon you are setting landmines in which those who read those quotes will have a curiosity to look further into that person and might be converted to a false religion thanks to your quotes that you have posted. It also seems to me that no one can give you sound advice since you rather acccept a quote from someone who is against the teachings of Christ than me and Caeli who are for Christ. Personally your site is becoming a landmine for Christians and I pray that you would mature up and instead of quoting men you should scripture. This is my last reply or advice. Ask yourself this question: Is Jesus pleased with me quoting men stuck under false religion? Jesus simply quoted God’s Word, we should do likewise. Take care friend.
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September 11, 2016 at 12:18
Well do what you have to do friend but think on this. You have issues with the last two quotes I have used
You have said on both occasions said things to the effect that you rely on the Holy Spirit and not man for your thoughts on scripture
Yet you ate very certain of your interpretations.
You also are a man
My site a landmine for Christians?
Yeah ok that’s me
Your charges are ludicrous and unfounded
But peace to you
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September 11, 2016 at 12:19
Have a great day Wally.
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September 11, 2016 at 11:03
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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September 11, 2016 at 12:16
One last thing: Can’t you see that Satan is using the ecumenical movement through Pope Francis to bring the evangelicals in to the false system. How very odd I came about this today when yesterday, I was watching a whole segment on evangelicals apostatizing to Catholicism. Satan can use anyone to further his agenda. Be careful.
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September 11, 2016 at 12:19
Again
Your change is ludicrous and baseless
I am leading no one down false paths
Peace
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September 11, 2016 at 12:52
Have a nice day Wally
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September 11, 2016 at 13:38
Hey, Wally. I sense you’re already a little a bit aggravated at this point but I wish to add something strictly in a spirit of charity. We’ve discussed this kind of issue before and I know we don’t share the same approach but I also know the Lord uses many methods.
I know for certain you didn’t intend anything bad by forwarding this Chesterton quote. I’m sure that was the farthest thing from your mind. These days evangelical sources are constantly throwing out quotes from Merton, Mother Teresa, Chesterton, Pope Francis, etc., so it’s become rather commonplace. But for those of us who came out of Catholicism and accepted Christ, it’s like nails on the chalkboard. Chesterton wasn’t just a Catholic but he is probably considered to be one of the three of four most influential Catholic apologists of the last century.
I completely understand that you’re not as sensitive about forwarding a Chesterton quote as I would be. We come from different backgrounds. And I realize that Chesterton was closer to Christian orthodoxy than, say, Joseph Smith or one of the Governing Body members of the Watchtower Society. But the bottom line is G. K. supported and propagated a gospel of sacramental grace and merit. Ex-Catholic Christians are disturbed by evangelicals referencing Chesteron in much the same way that ex-Mormon Christians would be disturbed if evangelicals quoted Joseph Smith. Better make that “some” ex-Catholic Christians. Many people just don’t care about comparative theology.
I’m asking the Lord to help me be a bit more gracious when it comes to my approach to Catholicism and other doctrines I don’t agree with and not rant and rave or bite people’s heads off. I’m sure my theology is not perfect (although the Baptists gave me a pretty good grounding). 🙂 Thanks for your posts, Wally. We may not agree on everything but I appreciate that you give out the Gospel regularly and make clear the difference between salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone versus trying to merit heaven.
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September 11, 2016 at 15:17
Thanks Tom.
Honestly, I can fully appreciate your thoughts in this matter. I even appreciate your understanding of why you feel the way that you do. I actually makes sense, and I get it.
I mostly appreciated you discuss this with an approach of charity and understanding that we all are not the same nor or called to deliver the message the same way.
Mostly I appreciated the fact that you understand that Baptists do, in fact, have all of this nailed. 🙂
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September 11, 2016 at 16:07
Wally, Thanks for taking it the way it was intended. I might be just a tiny bit prejudiced but Baptists are the best!!!
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September 11, 2016 at 16:12
Well…of course we are.
🙂
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September 11, 2016 at 15:23
Oh…and I’m only aggravated because yesterday I was getting trounced for quoting Charles Spurgeon…LOL.
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September 11, 2016 at 16:30
(Me laughing) Spurgeon is one of my favorites! A freewill Baptist weekly newspaper I used to subscribe to ran Spurgeon’s sermons all the time but they expunged any references to predestination because Spurgeon was Reformed Baptist. I’m kind of surprised Spaniard referenced Spurgeon as a quotable Christian in this exchange because he chewed me out once for listing a number of Calvinists (John MacArthur, James White, Alistair Begg, etc.) on my Links page. He must not be aware Spurgeon was Reformed. But as we talked about previously, I walk right down the middle of the Calvin-Arminius debate.
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September 11, 2016 at 16:38
Wow. we have a lot of free will Baptist around here, too. I’ve had some interesting conversations with some of them. Lots of differing thoughts from among those guys on some tButhings.
Yep…with you on the middle of that road for sure.
And it was my buddy Spaniard whupping me about Spurgeon LOL
It’s all good, though. No permanent parting here, just a mild cooling off and all will be well, at least with me. I refuse to hold a grudge, ain’t got time for that.
We have the Lord’s Supper tonight, so me chilling out was necessary to partake. Hows’ that for timing?
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September 11, 2016 at 17:08
Yes, all pride aside. BTW…I see from the previous exchange you referred to that Spaniard isn’t exactly a Spurgeon fan. My misunderstanding. Apologies to Spaniard.
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September 11, 2016 at 14:20
I think there is a flaw in this approach. True, the strongest reason for my belief is that I know Christ. He is real. And the most powerful demonstration of my faith is living it. But a conversation along those lines w/ anyone who believes differently than I do becomes a comparison of subjective experience. There are sincere and devoted Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Shintoists, pagans, and more. Admittedly, mere argument — without intervention by the Holy Spirit — will not sway them. Neither though will a simple statement of belief. Chesterton, Lennox, Lewis, Spurgeon and the rest eloquently articulate what ordinary Christians may find difficult to say. It is the reason our hearts sing when we read them. One last observation, non-believers are not monolithic. Argument may be most persuasive against atheists whose non-belief is grounded in pride (as distinguished from grief). Just my two cents. Be well, Wally.
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September 11, 2016 at 15:21
Well I agree totally that there is a time and place for presenting the actual evidence we have to support our side. I am Mr. Logical myself. Remember? I wanted to be a lawyer myself once!
More than anything this thought supports the idea doing our apologetics from a presuppositional point of view. We aren’t trying to prove God, we simply assume it to be true.
I don’t think we have a flawed approach, so much as a different approach. We are all different, so we deliver God’s message in different ways. As long as it’s God’s message, there is room for all
Good two cents, though, Anna.
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September 11, 2016 at 15:35
Fascinating conversation after this post Wally. I, for one, like the quote and think it’s relevant and meaningful.
Problem is have with quotes, in general, is that people will dig into the lives of those who said them with the sole purpose of finding fault. Usually this comes from skeptics who hate everything we say.
It is unfortunate that believers are quick to condemn fellow believers in the same intellectually dishonest manner.
While I do think some of the comments have merit, they are words that should not have been said. Everyone who reads your blog knows you are not a false teacher, to even allude to the notion you are is absurd.
Not trying to open a can of worms here but Christians really need to learn to chose their battles more carefully.
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September 11, 2016 at 16:21
Well, James, that is a hard thing to learn. I struggled with it at first when I came to blog land and was shocked to learn that not everybody believed exactly as me. Not only that, but they had rather compelling and solid reason for not believing the way I did.
I agree one thousand percent with the concerns expressed about that fellow. On the other hand, too many stopped right there and never even bothered to
read the post supported by the quote.
Thanks for chiming in here James.
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September 11, 2016 at 16:26
And don’t be alarmed. Spaniard and I are still friends, we are just gonna go to our corners for a few moments LOL.
🙂
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September 11, 2016 at 20:50
We are more than friends Wally, we are brothers in Christ. 🙂
cooled off and ready for hugs
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September 11, 2016 at 21:06
That’s actually funny the hug thing. Someday I might write about that
But yes it’s cool
Sleep well friend
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September 11, 2016 at 21:06
You write I’ll read it.
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September 11, 2016 at 21:07
Same to you
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September 12, 2016 at 07:44
I never doubted that you were still friends.
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