Hi: This is My Theological Hobby Horse

[Rey Reynoso]

Every now and then I like to throw in a smattering of light-hearted discussion posts just so that we don't become bitter old folk in a dark room, cooly lit with the flicker of a computer screen while we stare with furrowed brows, elbows on mahogany desks and reams of theological tomes within an apologetic arms reach.

Therefore I ask: what is your theological hobby horse: the subject you always keep coming back to because you can't help it, or you are sure you're right or Just Because? This isn't a post for starting a flame war, just for fun's sake.

I think I keep coming back to New Testament Church Principles and how the Plymouth Brethren (and everyone) has got it wrong. Heh. What's yours?

[Char]

About the caged Calvinists, this is the zeal of conversion, not unique to Calvinism at all. I was always sort of calvinistic in some things and used to think that such belief was unique. Eventually I discovered that there were others who thought that way also, and heard that this was a Calvinist ministry. What transition was very gradual.

Then again, I did not go through a stage of conversion zeal in much of anything really, just semper reformanda-always (slowly) reforming.

But Christ and him crucified is a whole other story. I could beat that particular drum all day. And probably cry the whole time.

A subset of what is church: what is church for?

[Frank Turk]

The Gospel. The definition and application of the Gospel is the central issue of the Christian life.

[Apolojedi (Daniel Eaton)]

I keep coming back to recognizing your own worldview and how it shapes your viewpoint on EVERYTHING and the issues of our integrity when we start mixing our own interpretations with the truth. Just as people can often not separate what the Bible says versus what they think it means, they also can't separate their worldview from absolute truth.

[Joanie D.]

I keep coming back to the meaning of love:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and 13:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I note in the Gospels that Jesus was always pointing out the people that did acts of kindness and love. In his parable of the helpful Samaritan, he pointed out that it didn't matter what the man's religious beliefs were; it mattered that the man acted out of loving kindness. He also found the greatest faith in a man that was not of the Jewish religion; it was the Roman centurion who wanted Jesus to heal his servant without coming to his house. (Matthew 8:5-10) It is always good to remember these things when we get into our theological discussions, in my opinion.

Joanie D.

[Lisa Robinson]

I'd have to say I have 2 that run neck and neck

1) Worship - what it truly is

2) Hermeneutics and sound bible study methods

These 2 categories seem to be at the foundation of everything I write about

[Apolojedi (Daniel Eaton)]

I jump all over my favorite hobby horse in my just-posted blog piece.

[James Gibbons]

Mine would be groups that so easily say ' we are the Church we have the Truth and you do not '

drives me nuts

But what if they really are the Church, and really have the Truth?!?!? Sorry, trying to lighten up after being a little contentious yesterday.

[Rey Reynoso]

Mine would be groups that so easily say ' we are the Church we have the Truth and you do not '

This doesn't bother me as much since I'm part of the Plymouth Brethren and we are always right.

[James Gibbons]

This doesn't bother me as much since I'm part of the Plymouth Brethren and we are always right.

Well, at least we were always right. Then some of us started to disagree with me, and the others who are always right.

[Rick C.]

Michael (Patton) invited me to join Theologica last summer, I came & saw this thread @ Home and thought about posting. But thought, Naaaaaa, not a good first impression....

I finally signed-up a month or so ago and now feel more "freed up" to make some confessions.
So here goes:
Calvinism and Arminianism really irritate me.
Since coming here I've discussed them some
(which I haven't done for at least a year).
Anyway, I'm looking at some new stuff to try to figure out why these "irk" me so much
(and am making progress).

It bugs me when Christians say "Gosh" (Olde English for God) and "Gee, Geeze" (etymology, Jesus).

"The book of Revelations" gets to me a little
(but not too bad, I try to explain it when people say that).

I have a couple/thirteen more but that's enuf!
Anywayz....
Have a Good Week & Thanks for the free therapy.

[H]

My favorite subject to harp on is the scandal of the cross! Stop making the cross a comfortable place! It is a stumbling-block, a scandal, and an individual will either be broken upon it or be crushed BY it, but a watered-down, dumbed-down Gospel and a sanitized cross are NOT what sinners need to hear. With Paul, I say Christ, and Him crucified!

[Harry]

My hobby horse is that we are both a saint and a sinner at the same time ( simul justus et peccator ) and that we must look to the Theology of the Cross and Christ Crucified for our sins.