How to conduct yourselves on this site

[Michael Patton]

Thanks for joining Theologica.

One thing that I want to make sure of is that the conversations here move in a meaningful way. It is very difficult to moderate the question "What is meaningful?" but we will take liberties to do so nonetheless.

What is Meaningful?

1. Not closed minded. If you already know everything, this is probably not the place for you. Hundreds of people together who already know everything yet differ about what they know can quickly detract from meaning. (Me and my wife do this all the time.) In other words, if you have an agenda to use this forum as a highly visible teaching venue to promote aberrant teachings without intending to learn in community this is not the place for you.

2. Not self-promoting. We don't mind you letting others know about how smart you are, but do so sparingly.

3. Not characterized by mass amounts of cut-and-paste proof-texting. We all love the Bible, but just posting Scriptures one after the other often become counter-productive.

4. Not characterized by mass amounts of cut-and-paste from other places. You can repost something you have posted somewhere else, but do so in the appropriate places. If it is really long and article-like, it is a blog. If it is short and meant to create discussion or ask questions, it goes on the forum.

5. Irenic. You are kind, gentle, respectful, and understanding, accurately representing opposing parties, even when you disagree. As hard as that seems, buffet your tongue (or keyboard) here.

6. Not slanderous. All slanderous content naturally violates #5. You will be quickly and eternally (relatively speaking) banned from the site for slander.

7. No Spamming. Spamming can be starting multiple posts or blogs one after the other. Posting cut-and-paste material on everyone's personal pages also qualifies. We are not limiting the amount of posts that you can contribute or how much interaction you can have with each other (this is a networking site), but we will identify spam and delete it nonetheless (we have secret spam decoder rings). Please do not spam the blogs either. Limit yourself to one blog post per day.

8. Perpetual Venting Bitterness. You know what this looks like. If you don't, we will let you know. I know we all have to vent sometimes, but don't become a "venter."

9. Not disruptive. The purpose of Theologica is to generate meaningful discussion within the members and under the purview of the moderators. That being the case we want to maintain a spirit of respect between members and moderators in regards to identity, user name, avatars, personal information, and content. Note: Causing confusion and disruption includes (by its very nature) trolling.

You will not get banned for bad theology. Everyone is welcome to be wrong. Hopefully our community will be able to engage the bad theology meaningfully.

For a complete guide to perfect theology consult someone of the post-mortem variety. If none are available, please realize that you are limited in your understanding. If you don't realize this, please start your own site.

The formers of Theologica identify with historic Christianity, believing in the centrality of the person and work of Jesus Christ. We will moderate with His glory in mind.

Anyone who holds to historic Christianity, can blog here. Those who don't please stick with the forums.

Welcome and may God be glorified in how we conduct ourselves.

To report issues or ask questions, please look to the footer of this site for the appropriate links.

For more about how to conduct yourself on the internet see Blogging to the Glory Shame of God.

[Dennis Grant Crump]

Good solid rules of engagement. I will strive to honor them and facilitate the irenic exchange of thoughts and ideas. Blessings to all!

[Gary Cummings]

Hate to be dis-irenic, but I just refuse to talk with dead people. What do they know there that I need to know here? Oh well.

Gary

Michael Patton said:

I mean dead people. They have crossed to the other side and know a lot more :)

[Gary Cummings]

Dear Michael Todd,

Sounds good to me. Count me in.

Gary Cummings

[Michael Patton]

Yes, Theologica is a Christian theological discussion site (or at least we try to be!)

God bless.

[Dave Z]

xulon said:

Yes But???

From http://theologica.ning.com/page/about-us in response to the "but":
"Only Christians post blogs. Heretics, other religions, and aliens can post all they want on the forums, in the groups, and on each other's walls, but we have reserved the blogs for Christians (not Mormons, JWs, or others who fall outside of historic Christianity as defined above"

But, yeah, it's getting old and doesn't seem to be going anywhere, huh?

[Foo Foo Cuddlypoops]

Thing is, posting all one wants is one thing. Posting all one wants about things other than (true) theology is another. The site is dedicated to theology. If someone wants to learn and posts to learn or discuss (true) theology, no matter their faith or lack there of, wonderful!

That is, unless the forum is also for heretical apologetics and/or griping and I misunderstood the rules and intent of the site. That's also a possibility.

Hmmmm?

David Zierenberg said:

xulon said:

Yes But???

From http://theologica.ning.com/page/about-us in response to the "but":
"Only Christians post blogs. Heretics, other religions, and aliens can post all they want on the forums, in the groups, and on each other's walls, but we have reserved the blogs for Christians (not Mormons, JWs, or others who fall outside of historic Christianity as defined above"

But, yeah, it's getting old and doesn't seem to be going anywhere, huh?

[Michael Patton]

Or, maybe better put, Theological is a Christian founded discussion site ran by an Evangelical ministry.

[Scott]

I once heard a wise person say something to this effect: There is no 'Christian' theology, only theology. Theology is the pursuit for truth about God, His interactions with mankind and His revelation concerning Himself followed by the practical applications on our everyday life. But we, as Christians, believe that the Christian theological message as seen in Christ and expounded in Scripture is the greatest explanation of true theology.

Something like that.

It's similar to my thoughts that there is no 'Christian music'. If a non-Christian plays an E-chord, it is formed with the triad E-G#-B. And when a Christian plays an E-chord, oddly enough, it is formed with the same triad chord. But what Christians do is look to take that E-chord, along with many other chords and notes, and utilise it for honouring God, displaying His glory, and communicating truth. We get the upperhand (or should).

Ok, I'm going off on a rabbit trail now. But just some food for thought.

[Foo Foo Cuddlypoops]

There's already a recent two kingdoms thread.

xulon said:

Maybe this would be a great thread, but in this context, I think it misses the point.

ScottL said:

I once heard a wise person say something to this effect: There is no 'Christian' theology, only theology....

It's similar to my thoughts that there is no 'Christian music'. If a non-Christian plays an E-chord, it is formed with the triad E-G#-B. And when a Christian plays an E-chord, oddly enough, it is formed with the same triad chord....

[Norrin Radd]

I signed up with my "full name" because that's what the system seemed to require.  But I don't really want that appearing openly all the time, and I see virtually no one else here showing up that way.  Do I get to have a visible "username" distinct from my sign-up name, or must I edit the name by which I signed up?

[ModOptimus]

You don't have to sign up as your full name. Simply click on the tab at the top of the site called "My Page". On your personal page you will see your name at the top. Click on your name and edit as needed.

ModOptimus

Theologica Moderator

[Norrin Radd]

Thank you!  I will change to one of my preferred forum names forthwith.

ModOptimus said:

You don't have to sign up as your full name. Simply click on the tab at the top of the site called "My Page". On your personal page you will see your name at the top. Click on your name and edit as needed.

ModOptimus

Theologica Moderator