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Robert M. Sprung 62, Male Cottondale, AL United States

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Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

Started this discussion. Last reply by Fr. Ioannis Oct 27, 2012. 6 Replies 0 Likes

Dilemma -- A Personal ConfessionPosted by Robert M. Sprung on October 22, 2012 at 12:19pm…Continue

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Robert M. Sprung joined Tony Papadakis's group

Sola Scriptura

A group to discuss issues related to Sola Scriptura and Biblical authority

Nov 29, 2012

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Nov 29, 2012

Robert M. Sprung commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"Winston - we can disagree on this. I am a Trinitarian, I do have the Holy spirit (as do all true believers), see Eph 1:13-14. John 16 explains the work of the spirit. NO need to extend the story as I asked a personal question…"

Oct 28, 2012

Winston White commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"To the Cessationists: If "Pastors" are "called by God" into ministry, then how can they subscribe to the errant ideology of Cessationists? Here's the Biblical standard for understanding about the work of the Holy…"

Oct 28, 2012

Winston White commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"@Robert: To answer your question, my wife and I are in concert that we do not assign ourselves to any sectarian man-made pseudo-Christian afiliation. We are doctrinally sincere Biblical Christians...and are merely "followers of…"

Oct 28, 2012

Robert M. Sprung commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"@Winston -- Please define your church doctrinally? A modest inquiry on my part will assist me in understanding your rather stern conclusion about the Holy Spirit. Charismatic, Pentecostal, Holiness, Jesus Only, Emergent -- I am…"

Oct 27, 2012

Winston White commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"@David Armstrong: Perhaps you do not understand that Robert admitted both the church leaders and he are Cessationists, so when all of them restrain the work of the Holy Spirit there's no way there will be a "leading of the…"

Oct 27, 2012

David Armstrong commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"Hey Robert, I attend a church who's right now putting together committees to find our new "senior Pastor" to replace the one who just announced his departure in June. It's a very old Baptist church that suffers from the same…"

Oct 27, 2012

Robert M. Sprung commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"My Brother, just because we differ on cessation of the gifts is not an apostate issue. I am more of a "soft" cessationist in that I am not so dogmatic that I am deaf to the Spirit given by His people. The church I…"

Oct 27, 2012

Fr. Ioannis replied to Robert M. Sprung's discussion Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"Dear Robert of Christ,You exercise restraint and humility in what you write. These qualities are essential to pastoral ministry and reflect the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit in forming you in the image of Christ. I believe that discerning your…"

Oct 27, 2012

Winston White commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"@Robert: apparently your sectarian "Christian" church is dead working without the guidance of the Holy Spirit and is humanist in leadership. Perhaps it is your own apostate understanding of Scripture then that is the barrier to…"

Oct 26, 2012

Robert M. Sprung commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"@Winston - The church is congregational in polity. The "direction" I mentioned has to do with control by committee with no Biblical strategy for anything. They are godly people, just lack theological know how -- one reason they…"

Oct 26, 2012

Winston White commented on Robert M. Sprung's blog post Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"The only Biblical authority for the church lies with Bishop/Elders and Deacons. Robert did not clarify who makes up the leadership committee or get clarification on their meaning of ""...they are going into another…"

Oct 26, 2012

Robert M. Sprung replied to Robert M. Sprung's discussion Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"Thoughtful reply. I am inclined to follow your suggestion -- and your analogy to Jerusalem is a reminder that ministers need to always look to the Lord in ALL situations. I believe I am doing that but I can see that my "vested…"

Oct 24, 2012

Robert Atwood replied to Robert M. Sprung's discussion Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"Robert, It looks to me as though you are in a situation in which, barring a miracle, you are not likely to end up as pastor of this church. You wrote: "It just breaks my heart that 2 people are ramrodding the future of the church to meet…"

Oct 24, 2012

Robert M. Sprung replied to Robert M. Sprung's discussion Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

"Thank you for your counsel. As I state in my post, I will NEVER be a divider. When, in the past, 2 pastors were called, I left the church to make sure no potential animosity would occur. The first pastor was a bully and truly…"

Oct 24, 2012

Profile Information

Tell us a little about yourself: Pastor, Calvinistic Baptist, Married 40 years, Retired USPS Manager (and never went "Postal")

How would you describe yourself theologically (ie. what do you believe)?: Raised Roman Catholic (K-12) schools - had an aunt who was a nun (BVM), born again Aug 4, 1974 @ a Baptist Church. Called to preach - went to dispensational college (BBC Springfield MO) and MA @ Missouri State (Ancient Near Eastern History). In mid-80's, began to search the conflicts in dispensational theology and was providential led to a great man who introduced me to the doctrines of grace. I studied them (and still do) and realized that these truly defined my worldview, my theology, my inner man in relation to God and His sovereignty. I hold to them but am not "hyper" as I believe in an open gospel. I find open theism, emergent church lack of orthodoxy, and today;s American churches seduced with biblical illiteracy all appalling. Many churches are spiritual graveyards because generations of poor pastoral preaching (Non-exposition) and failing to uphold, develop, and demonstrate how doctrine and theology all bring people to maturity in the faith and make them discerning disciples who can be "self-feed" instead of just being led to the trough. The truths I hold must be communicated through the word and by example. Communication from the pulpit and in everyday life of the change that comes with being born again (2 Cor 5:17) is the undeniable witness that we are salt and light in the "...midst of a crooked and twisted generation...." (Phil 2:15 ESV)

Who, outside of Bible characters, is your favorite theologian or pastor of the last 2,000 years.: No one favorite - Puritans, Calvin, Mohler, plus many lesser lights.

What is your web-address (NOTE:This is not your email address and should not be spam)?: http://robert-sprung-lagniappe,blogspot.com

Have you read our goals and stated purpose on our About Page at the top of the site?: Yes

Robert M. Sprung's Blog

Dilemma -- A Personal Confession

Posted on October 22, 2012 at 12:19pm 14 Comments 0 Likes

Advice solicited!!!

The church I attend has been looking for a new pastor for over 7 months. My resume was declined in April as "...they are going into another direction." I attend regularly, support the Interim, and all programs. No thought of schism or such like. I teach when asked; however, the majority of the church would vote me in without a doubt. But the Search Committee is partisan and stonewall any discussions (which…

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Alone with God In A Cave

Posted on May 9, 2012 at 8:50pm 1 Comment 1 Like

Ah, here I am -- prayed, studied, prepared, preached. I think to myself, well, that was a great message. But so was last week's, and the one before, and the one before. But honest reflection requires setting aside my bias critique concerning my eloquent style and homiletic ability. No man should even step to the pulpit without a humility of the office, prayerful preparation, and consideration of the people; however, the ultimate truth is: "Will the Lord truly be glorified?"

The…

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At 10:22am on August 11, 2010, Daniel said…: Welcome to Theologica, Robert! Looking forward to the involvement of an actual pastor. :) I am one of the moderators here on the site. If you have not already done so, I encourage you to visit the About page at the top of the site so that you can familiarize yourself with our purpose and rules. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Daniel