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The following rules for writing to his forum were devised by Visiblesoul and my wish is that people follow them here on Judah’s Journal as well. If you do not happen to be a Christian, please respect and follow the principles of courtesy and good taste that are inherent in them regardless.

This forum is an experiment. Is it possible to have a dialog about spiritual issues without resorting to name-calling, and other tactics that divert attention from the tenuity of weak arguments? Can Christians of different denominations, with different sets of peripheral doctrines, behave themselves long enough to try to discover the bases of their doctrines? Can Christians give an apologia for the Christian faith without belittling the religion of others?

I wholeheartedly believe that it is possible to have an intelligent dialog about these things. Bring your Bible with you, leave empty tradition and baseless dogmatic assertions behind, and let us seek the truth together.

If you have a question feel free to post it.

If you have an answer be respectful, be patient, and be sure of the biblical basis for what you say.

I will moderate these forums with a light hand, but this is a Christian forum, and I reserve the right as moderator to remove posts that I think are not constructive.

All sincere questions are welcome on this forum.

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Anyone who considers sincere questions to be offensive is someone that you should never speak with about spiritual matters. I don't believe that God considers questions offensive although sometimes the only answer that he gives us (because of our finite capacity for understanding as humans) is the answer that he gave Job. That answer amounts to something like, “If you are not able to comprehend everything about the physical universe how do you expect to understand everything about spiritual things”.

You should not have to apologize to Christians for asking questions or challenging their assumptions and traditions. It is a Christian's duty to answer all sincere questions thoughtfully and respectfully. If, as a Christian, you are offended by questions, then you have already lost the battle for the minds and souls of men.

Now Jesus had a way of turning questions that were weapons of entrapment against the questioner and a Christian may follow the Master's example in such cases. ;o)

Those of you who are Christians should be aware of the following:

Colossians, chapter 3:

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Galatians, chapter 5:

16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Please keep all these things in mind when commenting to Judah’s Journal.