1 Why must there be a Goal Are not All Men created iqual selfevident ...bla..bla...bla

2 Created equal? Find that in the Bible. But yes, we're all equal. Equally lost. We've all equally fallen short of God's glory, and we all equally need a savior. And that's the goal (as I said in the post).

1 Thou doth wax philosophic.

2 Well said my brother, For is not the Church which is His body One Body? Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Eph 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. One Church! Grace and Peace, Dennis

3 Dear Warren, As soon as I saw you blog, I was attracted to it. Your article on theological fencing really stirred my interest. I love to discuss theology, and was hooked to read the whole thing. I couldn't agree more about how theological fencing is not only of little worth, but more often than not, it is counter productive. I have found at times that I knew a person's theology was weak, or outright fallacious, and I knew exactly how and where to place the winning jab. But in the end, those fencing matches elevate the ego, and divide brothers over matters that are not pillars of the faith. I am a missionary, and still to this day, across the board of all denominations, the number one reason missionaries leave the field, is unresolved conflict with people of their own culture, not the host culture. One time, at a church planting school, the leader assumed that every one in the room shared his personal opinion on a touchy issue, and made the pejorative comment that it was really about spiritual maturity, referring to those immature people who took the opposing side. Growing up we moved a lot and I have been and insider in Bible Methodist, Church of God Holiness, Independent Baptist, PCA, Church of Christ in Christian Union, Nazarene, Non-denominational/Bible, and EFCA. Living with missionaries in Russia from all different backgrounds, and all the experience in those churches has confirmed and reaffirmed that the real mark of maturity, is not whether a person is sprinkled or immersed, uses wine or grape juice, or believes that one can depart from faith or not, but how much grace that woman or man extends to the brother who believes differently, but is seeking God with his whole heart. A small minded man is one who only has friends who think and believe exactly like he, because it doesn't require him to love or think. I deeply appreciate your article. I will ask engage in dialogue and respectfully challenge or ask for clarification, but I can't agree with the "Goal of Christianity". Let's toss it around, what say you.

4 Another thought on theological fencing; maybe done in the right spirit (hard to maintain over extended periods of debate) they are still needed. They require a good deal of work and usually show little reward as far as the opponent is concerned. However, even the choir needs preaching sometimes. And then there are the "lurkers" who perhaps gain assurance regarding salvation, for instance. The reasons for believing "once saved, always saved" can be written by memory by those of us who believe it. But for some, it is great revelation and help to hear this truth from God's Word. Others, who already believe it, may learn how to defend it. Peter stated that he was committed to reminding Christians of that which they already knew. Not as glamorous as winning many souls for Christ perhaps, yet a needed ministry anyway. Them's my thoughts! YBIC, Dennis Clough