Cheryl Schatz

John,

I think you are pushing some buttons here that are not helpful.  You said:

Only people who have an agenda wish to make the passage appear as if it requires some deep insight to reveal its meaning.

When you say things like this, it comes across as if you are judging people’s motives. Are you willing to even consider that someone might see something in the scripture that you don’t see unless they are mistreating the scriptures?  If so, then there can be no dialog because who could convince you if you have your mind already made up that some one has an ulterior motive?

I think it is much more helpful to discuss the issues rather than speculate about a person’s motive or agenda.  When Jesus said not to judge lest you be judged, he is speaking about things that we are not allowed to judge.  We can work through doctrine to clearly understand our opponent’s view and then lovingly dismantle the view in order to respectfully show a person where they are wrong.  If we judge their heart attitude instead of working through any errors in their understanding of the scripture, we in essence will find ourselves with a wall built between ourselves and the opposition.  Walls divide Christians, while gentleness and respect dismantles the stumbling blocks.  While we work to correct wrong doctrine with a spirit of true love for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, the Holy Spirit will do his work to open blind eyes to the truth of God’s word.  For those who want to be true bond servants of Jesus Christ we have a mandate for us to correct with an attitude of gentleness and reverent respect (1 Peter 3:15).  If we judge motives, we shouldn’t be surprised when people get upset and judge our motives.  It is a vicious circle.