Rules for the Apologetics and Evangelism Forum - updated Summer 2009 (all read)

[threebigrocks]

We are reviewing the threads in Science and the Bible, and some will be moved here to A&E for continued discussion. Apologetics meaning defending the faith, and Evangelism meaning sharing the faith, keep the science oriented questions in these approaches. This is not an evolution vs. creationist thing, but a unity that brings us together in faith, not division.

Many of you who have been frequent visitors of SB forum know the situation in there. None of what has caused SB to be locked down will be allowed in here. Please review the forum rules and guidelines here before posting. Threads will deleted and/or closed without warning if they hint at heading south, causing division or personal attacks.

Debate is allowed here. Keep the tone a loving one that can be learned from. It's about sharing thoughts and ideas, reasoning them out in light of scripture. Offer proof of your views with scripture and evidence but keep it in the light of Christ.

This move will happen slowly.

If you have questions, please ask in the Chat to the Moderators forum or PM the moderators of this forum.

[ProjectPeter]

Those that hold to this belief can discuss it only in the Controversial forums. It is not to be discussed in A&E. This teaching goes against what this forum is for. We closed down the Bible and Science section of the board because thread after thread was just bickering and snide comments made from both sides of the issue. We allow science stuff to be discussed in Apologetics and Evangelism because it will come up. But this board believes in Creation period.

When discussing Science in here it must be in light of Christian apologetics and it must tie into evangelism. So far it reminds me of the forum we closed so I am just going to stop these discussions right now before it just continues going south.

And for the creation folk... we will not just post things to bait folks that believe in evolution. We will not call them stupid. We will not use language like "they are calling God a liar". If this doesn't settle down then I will tell the moderator's to delete post and issue infractions for those that continue. This forum is ultimately about bringing folks to the saving knowledge of Christ. That is the focus folks need to take when posting in here.

For those that want to disagree with this action... you can post in the chat to the moderator's section. But understand this before you do. My mind will not change on this matter. I'll hear you out and try to explain why I am doing this. But I will not change my mind. So as long as you understand that then I will be glad to speak with you on the matter.

[threebigrocks]

There are some very intelligent members here who know their material and subject matter concerning scientific topics. We need you here! In today's world these scientific issues can greatly steer our way of being able to reach the lost. It is important for us as Christians who are still here in this world and willing to reach out to those who will deny Christ because of these scientific findings to be able to do so.

Yet, we must remember that we are here to help others - to give them a share of what you have - to equip them to go out and share the Gospel more effectively. Keep in mind - the majority of people reading this don't have the same understanding as one who has done much research or who works and studies in the field. Keep it presented in the manner that we can understand. I for one am not as smart as those of you who discuss this stuff. The approach of scientific refute secondary to returning someone to focus on faith and salvation is what is appropriate here.

If you should notice that the topic has veered from how to apply scientific evidence in defense of, or sharing of, the faith and turned to discussing the science aspect then the thread is off topic. That is not what this forum is about.

In the future, a warning will be given. If the discussion doesn't come around to seeing the topic through the eyes of faith it will be locked.

[Studyin'2Show]

We have added some rules to posting links:

--If you post a link to another site, be it a video, article... whatever: Give a description of what it is that they will see. Just posting a link with a message such as "Hey, check this out" will result in your post or thread being deleted.

--No links soliciting to members other Christian message boards in posts, signatures, profiles or PM's, rep system, etc.

--No linking to sites promoting the sales of products

Thanks!

[Studyin'2Show]

Both Evangelism and Apologetics go hand in hand especially in this "information superhighway" age. Today, one needs to be equipped to defend the faith even when sharing the faith. The goal of this forum is to simply equip the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.

Defining Apologetics and Evangelism

Evangelism- Sharing the message of the Gospel.

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.


Apologetics- Defending/proving the truth of Christian doctrine from the Word of God (Bible).

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Links

--If you post a link to another site, be it a video, article... whatever: Give a description of what it is that they will see. Just posting a link with a message such as "Hey, check this out" will result in your post or thread being deleted.

--No links soliciting to members other Christian message boards in posts, signatures, profiles or PM's, rep system, etc.

--No linking to sites promoting the sales of products


Forum Specific Rules

• This forum is for Christian’s only. If you are not a Christian and wish to discuss a specific subject then send a Private Message to the moderator and someone will discuss the subject with you in Christian Answers Forum. If you post in this forum, your post will be removed.

• Debate is allowed in the forum although we ask that folks check your post before hitting the submit reply button. Keep in mind the rules of the board and how we are to act towards one another.

• When possible, provide Scripture in your post to make your point. If the issue is of a scientific nature, and possible, post the source of your information. If you post information from a book or website then give proper credit to who credit is due. Much of the teaching on evangelism comes from the School of Evangelism and are the work of Ray Comfort. I have full permission to use that work to equip the saints to get out there and fulfill the great commission.

• There will be discussion of other religions and even cult groups. This will not be a forum to discuss their doctrines but will be a forum on how we defend Christianity against such religions. This does not give equal right to people who follow those other doctrines. If you do not agree, thinking your religion isn’t being fairly treated, send the moderator a private message and a thread can be created in the appropriate forum. If you post your defense in this forum, it will be immediately deleted.

• If at any time you think your post might be a violation of these rules then simply send it to the moderator(s) of this forum and they will be more than happy to make that call. Understand that the moderator of the forum is not an editor and the delete option is what will be primarily used. The moderator that deletes a post will notify you via Private Message of the offense but they are not obligated to slice and dice your post to make it appropriate for this forum. If a moderator does edits a post for you then you may simply count it a blessing.

And naturally we reserve the right to add to these rules as we find necessary to do so. Always keep in mind that the main rules of the forum apply and if you haven't read them... do so now.

Board Rules

[ProjectPeter]

It is an unfortunate thing that there are so many bound by sexual immorality. However, that is the case with many people and we recognize that as a fact. Our goal here at Bible Forums is to offer a place for folks to fellowship, discuss Scripture, as well as minister to those that need ministering to. Sexual issues do make some folks uncomfortable and we recognize that fact because the majority of mod's aren't that fond of talking about some of the issues on the open board. But it is a reality and one that we cannot hide from because of the times we live in.

All of that being said... I want to let you know the official board stand on issues of sexual immorality and that covers homosexuality, adultery, fornicating, masturbation, porn, and whatever else fits the list. It is SIN because it is summed up simply as sexual immorality and a SIN that no Christian should be practicing.

It is almost guaranteed that whenever the subject comes up... there will be a majority of folks that are making it know to be sin and yet there are always those few that spend post after post to justify the sin. It is our belief that those who believe this need ministering to as well because they are in gross error. We will tolerate that to a point but rest assured... we do have a line in the sand.

The Admin discussed this at length as did the entire moderator team at Bible Forum. This is the instruction that we have passed down and this is how these matters will be dealt with on this message board. Keep in mind that if you have an addiction with something sexual in nature, you need to contact either Slug1 or Cheech and talk with them in the "Breaking the Chains" forum.

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Here's what we as moderator's will do here in Bible Forums.

1. It is a sin. That is our focus and that is the MAIN POINT. Sexual immorality covers a multitude of issues. Porn, masturbation, etc... all covered in those two words. I can sum it up in one word... SIN.

2. If a person is caught up in that sin... they need to repent. Yes, say God I am sorry for this nonsense and then... STOP IT!

3. Then we need to explain to this person that God has empowered them with all that is needed to live a life of godliness while here in the nasty now and now. They can be victorious over this SIN.

Those three points are the points that we as moderator's of Bible Forum need to pound home.

[ProjectPeter]

Remember that this is Apologetics and Evangelism. The theme here is how we witness to believers and apologetics will be necessary especially when it comes to God's nature and evolution vs. creationism etc. etc. Even the deity of Christ.

This is not a forum where we get into the doctrinal apologetics and issues that denominations are split on. There is way too much of that going on in here and unfortunatly that seems to drown out what the nature of this section is for. So I moved some threads today and hopefully that will get folks on track a bit.

I understand that some of that division is going to come out in the various threads when discussing evangelism etc... but let's keep the evangelism part of this the active part.... not doctrinal divides.

[Studyin'2Show]

I've moved some threads today for the same reason ProjectPeter did a few months ago. The apologetics dynamic of this forum really needs to be focused on edification and not debate. If you have a question concerning a particular doctrine or want to give an 'apologetic' (your viewpoint) on why a particular doctrine is valid, great, that belongs here. But if you're looking to debate on any doctrinal issues it would be more appropriate to start the thread in either Bible Chat or Controversial Issues.

Also, if you want to chat about a book or movie, unless there is a tie to bringing someone to faith, please start that thread in the Christian Fellowship forum. We really want this forum to focus on winning the lost and understanding doctrine ('apologetics') that will help you or others win the lost to Messiah.

[Ninna]

There are some very intelligent members here who know their material and subject matter concerning scientific topics. We need you here! In today's world these scientific issues can greatly steer our way of being able to reach the lost. It is important for us as Christians who are still here in this world and willing to reach out to those who will deny Christ because of these scientific findings to be able to do so.

Yet, we must remember that we are here to help others - to give them a share of what you have - to equip them to go out and share the Gospel more effectively. Keep in mind - the majority of people reading this don't have the same understanding as one who has done much research or who works and studies in the field. Keep it presented in the manner that we can understand. I for one am not as smart as those of you who discuss this stuff. The approach of scientific refute secondary to returning someone to focus on faith and salvation is what is appropriate here.

If you should notice that the topic has veered from how to apply scientific evidence in defense of, or sharing of, the faith and turned to discussing the science aspect then the thread is off topic. That is not what this forum is about.

In the future, a warning will be given. If the discussion doesn't come around to seeing the topic through the eyes of faith it will be locked.

I want to remind everyone of this.

[Ninna]

With the closing of the Polls Forum, it is hoped that there will be a responsible and effective use of polls in each forum of the board to facilitate discussion. Please take a moment as you would with any other thread you wish to start and 1) make sure the topic relates to the purpose of the forum and 2) the poll will be used as a tool to further the discussion.

If you have any questions as to the board wide use of polls, please address them in the Chat to the Moderators forum.

[CoffeeCat]

I'd like to leave a message here for everyone who posts in Apologetics and Evangelism.

I want to thank you for your co-operation in following the rules here, and ask that everyone continues to make the effort to post with grace and respect at all times. Let's make sure that the primary focus of this forum is Jesus Christ, and that we're bringing scripture and Christian experience into our conversations!

Have fun posting, as you already do, and God bless.