[Thankful Jane]

Originally Posted by Ohio

No, this bothered me. I had pangs of conscience long ago. That's why I separated myself from "the ministry." To be prejudiced and judgmental against other believers is wrong, but it cannot be used to support the crusade for the definition of idolatry.

Dear Ohio,

I didn’t use the words “prejudiced and judgmental.” I used the word “excluded.” That was a nice way of saying “cut off” or “rejected.” Those who assented to the rejection of Bill and John, were bowing down and serving someone other than God and were disobeying God’s word which says to receive all whom Christ has received. If they had been serving God, they would not have rejected these brothers.

Originally Posted by Ohio

Isn't it a little unfair to say that I believe only "red letter" words, when my real comment was just this: If the case against idolatry in God's people was so great, don't you think that the Lord would have mentioned it while on earth? Can we both be "fair and balanced?"

I told you already that I am not using fair and balanced, as commonly understood today, as a standard.

I chose to use “red letter words" as an abbreviated way to communicate my thought because “long” bugs you so much. The point I was making is that you seem unwilling to let the body of evidence weigh in that is found in the Old Testament which warns us of the dangers of bowing down and serving other gods. You seem to be unwilling to seriously consider its application to us just because Jesus didn’t mention “idolatry.” I told you that He did mention the concept when he said we could not serve two masters, and when he said we were to love God with 100% of our being. You didn’t respond to that. I am capable of participating on this thread without mentioning idolatry and still saying the same thing I am saying. It would just be a lot longer.

I hope I didn’t introduce any new material into this post and just responded to yours, so you won’t feel the need to respond to me again. I accept your position and do not wish to continue to dialogue directly with you about this. I feel I am wasting both your time and mine. Peace.

TJ