Member Input

[Arial]

This forum is for members and is a place where questions can be asked, insights shared, issues discussed. Here, I am asking all members, including staff, to let everyone know, what subjects most interest you. What subjects do you like to be involved in? What would you personally like to see more of or less of? What topic OP's would you like?

Be as specific as you can.

Thanks to all of you.

 

[fastfredy0]

Christian theological doctrines

 

[Hazelelponi]

Ethics and morality.

Most of the issues of our day revolves around our sense of ethics versus other people such as the secularists, to give an example.

Take transgender issues, or immigration, or any other political issue and it's surrounded by our sense of ethics where we stand on any issue.

I know there's practicing Christians who often approach the same issue from different angles, and we can use the parking example given by @Josheb a couple weeks back to see how we can take simple situations and approach the ethics of it differently.

I find ethics and how to think truly ethically, biblically ethically, very interesting. It's something I have been trying to learn - biblical ethics - and how we apply this in our interactions with the society around us as reflected in what we might vote for or support at the ballot box.

I try to model the things I notice as being good, but I often find it interesting to try and understand why we might not always agree, and the root is generally in biblical ethics.

I ran into a video which is an excellent article by Doug Wilson which can also create good topical discussions - though perhaps a topic we prefer not to discuss also, I don't know.

Larry Arnn and the Hillsdale Half Step | Blog & Mablog

He makes excellent points and I think he's right.

So I don't know, but maybe explore a topic or two directionally this-a-way..

Although maybe these are bad topics.

 

[Arial]

Christian theological doctrines

Are there any in particular that you have a "greater" interest in? Or elements of any particular doctrine? Or just in general, more threads on the individual doctrines?

 

[John Bauer]

Here are the kinds of subjects that interest me most:

Theology: Soteriology, creationism, systematic theology, biblical studies, comparative theology, theological ethics, apologetics, eschatology (amillennialism, postmillennialism, premillennialism).

Science: Evolutionary science and history, artificial intelligence, space exploration (Mars colonization, extraterrestrial life), cosmology.

Philosophy: Metaphysics (reality, time, causation, mind-body problem), epistemology (logic, knowledge, belief, justification), ethics (morality, virtue, right and wrong), philosophy of religion (God, faith and reason), philosophy of science.

Social issues: Abortion, feminism, racism, climate change (environmental stewardship, sustainability), immigration, human rights (marriage, gender ideology, LGBT, anti-discrimination), digital rights/privacy, mental health stigma (trauma, autism, bullying, awareness).

Politics: Political processes, parties, candidates, pundits, institutions, activism, constitutional issues, public policy.

Arts & Culture: Music, movies, television/streaming, grammar nitpicking.

 

[fastfredy0]

Are there any in particular that you have a "greater" interest in? Or elements of any particular doctrine? Or just in general, more threads on the individual doctrines?

Stuff you'd find in a systematic theology book or a catechism.

 

[QVQ]

I don't post very often but I do read
The forum is a good balance containing a portion of each of the subjects listed by posters above.
There is a focus on spiritual.
The only subject I would like to see more of is Providence. The concept, in my experience, has almost disappeared from theological dicussions yet Providence was a subject of much interest in earlier times.

 

[Josheb]

My main theological interests are soteriology and eschatology, but I'll contribute to any conversation of interest that's well-reasoned. I think every Christian forum should be structured according to doctrine. Structure helps younger Christians learn.

General Theology

Specific or Formal Theology (the nature of God)​

Christology​

Pneumatology​

Soteriology​

Hamartiology​

Demonology​

Ecclesiology​

Bibliology​

Miscellaneous​

Christian Practice

Bible Study (hermeneutics, exegesis)​

Prayer​

Liturgy (or congregational attendance and practice)​

Daily Living​

Evangelism​

Church History​

Marriage​

Family​

Dating​

​

Sectarian Boards

Roman Catholic​

Eastern Orthodox​

Reformed/Presbyterian​

Congregationalism​

Wesleyan/Methodist​

Pentecostal/Assemblies of God​

Non-Denominational​

Non-Discussion boards

Daily Devotion​

Education (specific examples of teachings or discussion intended for edification not discussion)​

Prayer Requests​

Book Reviews​

Music Reviews​

Video Reviews​

​

Not Specifically Christian Boards

Science​

Politics​

Social Policy and Practice​

Comparative Religion​

Miscellaneous​

That's just a sample example. Each of these boards could be further subdivided, such as the Soteriology board could be subdivided according to Atonement, Justification, Election, or theological sub-categories such as Monergism, Synergism, or Augustinianism, Calvinism, Traditionalism, Provisionism, Pelagianism, etc. There could be separate sections under Bibliology for Inerrancy, Infallibility, or specific hermeneutic models. Each of the sectarian boards could have inter-denominational (boards open to anyone discussing a given denominationalism) and intra-denominational (boards closed to anyone not practicably self-affiliating with that denomination) sections. The Science board could be subdivided onto specific fields of study or topics of discourse. Politics or Social Policy boards could be subdivided according to specific issue (abortion, healthcare, foreign policy, etc.). However, the effectiveness of any forum is dependent upon well-articulated terms of service/rules of conduct and the uniformity of enforcement. Rules that specify conduct with an emphasis on what to do, rather than solely on what not to do, are easiest for members to self-regulate and best for reducing dissent when moderation is applied. Rules that seek to address matters that cannot be controlled by another (such as members' character or motive) shouldn't exist (and they tend to cause problems rather than solve or prevent problems). Vague rules and inconsistent moderation promote discord.

 

[Arial]

Thanks for all the input so far.

A lot of good ideas and topics have been presented. I am confident more will follow. So what's next?

Lets get those OP's a rollin' off the press!

 

[John Bauer]

The only subject I would like to see more of is providence. The concept, in my experience, has almost disappeared from theological dicussions, yet providence was a subject of much interest in earlier times.

I was having a discussion on Twitter involving providence. An anti-Calvinist was asking what we mean by terms like "ordain," and I defined it as a kind of umbrella term encompassing "decree" (eternal determination) and "providence" (temporal execution).

 

[makesends]

In particular, the Doctrine of God proper.