Personal Convictions and Liberties

[Timothy]

Is it ever appropriate to directly question someones personal convictions? if so, when?

I'm not talking about a pastor, brother, or sister who constantly judge and belittle those who don't follow their convictions. I am talking about someone who follows a conviction privately, without announcing it to the world, but still observable from an outsider.

Additionally, what about liberties? Should one ever directly question someones liberties?

 

[BandGuy]

If one is following their personal convictions privately, how would anyone know about it, and therefore, have an occasion to question it?

 

[Timothy]

If one is following their personal convictions privately, how would anyone know about it, and therefore, have an occasion to question it?

I am talking about someone who follows a conviction privately, without announcing it to the world, but still observable from an outsider.

 

[samspade]

Why would you feel the need to question someone's personal conviction if it doesn't impact you?

 

[BandGuy]

If one is following their personal convictions privately, how would anyone know about it, and therefore, have an occasion to question it?

I am talking about someone who follows a conviction privately, without announcing it to the world, but still observable from an outsider.

You're talking about a contradiction.  If it's done in private, then it would not be observable by the outsiders.

 

[Castor Muscular]

Why would you feel the need to question someone's personal conviction if it doesn't impact you?

See "busybody".

 

[Timothy]

Why would you feel the need to question someone's personal conviction if it doesn't impact you?

Let me give an example.

A family in the Church never lets their son attend certain youth events. Your own son and their son are good friends and they both desire to attend these events together. Your son one day simply asks his friend why he couldn't attend the bowling event last weekend and learns his friends parents have a conviction regarding places that sell beer and play secular music.

So, this is a personal conviction the family has. It isn't public since it isn't taught from a pulpit, or dogmatically announced publicly as the reason for not attending. Normally when asked they simply say it goes against our personal convictions.

My question, as a father of their sons friend, is would it be appropriate to question their conviction? Is it appropriate to share why I think it isn't Biblical. Or, should one leave it alone and pay attention to only ones own personal life.

Back to the question originally posted.

Is it ever appropriate to directly question someones personal convictions? if so, when?

 

[samspade]

If they feel they don't want their son in a place that plays music they don't like and sells alcohol, that's their business. When their son turns 18 he can go bowling if he wants. Until then, it's not your place to try to convince them otherwise. Now, if they ask your opinion, feel free to give it. Although I don't agree with their conviction, they don't seem to be pushing it on anyone else and they aren't sinning by holding to it. So I'm still not clear what you want to talk to them about?

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Timothy]My question, as a father of their sons friend, is would it be appropriate to question their conviction?...Or, should one leave it alone and pay attention to only ones own personal life?[/quote]

does not  necessarily relate to

[quote author=Timothy]Is it appropriate to share why I think it isn't Biblical.[/quote]

 

[Timothy]

If they feel they don't want their son in a place that plays music they don't like and sells alcohol, that's their business. When their son turns 18 he can go bowling if he wants. Until then, it's not your place to try to convince them otherwise. Now, if they ask your opinion, feel free to give it. Although I don't agree with their conviction, they don't seem to be pushing it on anyone else and they aren't sinning by holding to it. So I'm still not clear what you want to talk to them about?

That is the point of my question! I don't want to see them in bondage to man made rules, and cause their son humiliation in the process. Who knows where these things come from - it isn't always conviction from God. Would the wiser just pray for God to help them see their wrong? Wouldn't it also be wise to warn them of perhaps error in thinking?

I don't want this thread to be just about a single example. I want to explore 'the when' it is appropriate to warn a brother or sister that their conviction or liberty is potentially harmful.

 

[rsc2a]

[quote author=Timothy]I don't want this thread to be just about a single example. I want to explore 'the when' it is appropriate to warn a brother or sister that their conviction or liberty is potentially harmful.[/quote]

The "why" and the "how" is MUCH more important than the "when".

 

[Ransom]

Is it ever appropriate to question Timmeh's! intrusions into other people's business?

I don't see anything wrong with not going bowling.

 

[brianb]

Is it ever appropriate to directly question someones personal convictions? if so, when?

I'm not talking about a pastor, brother, or sister who constantly judge and belittle those who don't follow their convictions. I am talking about someone who follows a conviction privately, without announcing it to the world, but still observable from an outsider.

Additionally, what about liberties? Should one ever directly question someones liberties?

Only if the scripture plainly speaks against it. A good example of this is drunkenness. Some may have a personal conviction - though it won't have been a Spirit led one that being drunk once or twice a year is ok with God because of good people who were drunk in the Bible like Noah. Normally though if a Christian is drunk it's because they are Biblically illiterate.

 

[samspade]

If they feel they don't want their son in a place that plays music they don't like and sells alcohol, that's their business. When their son turns 18 he can go bowling if he wants. Until then, it's not your place to try to convince them otherwise. Now, if they ask your opinion, feel free to give it. Although I don't agree with their conviction, they don't seem to be pushing it on anyone else and they aren't sinning by holding to it. So I'm still not clear what you want to talk to them about?

That is the point of my question! I don't want to see them in bondage to man made rules, and cause their son humiliation in the process. Who knows where these things come from - it isn't always conviction from God. Would the wiser just pray for God to help them see their wrong? Wouldn't it also be wise to warn them of perhaps error in thinking?

I don't want this thread to be just about a single example. I want to explore 'the when' it is appropriate to warn a brother or sister that their conviction or liberty is potentially harmful.

But you don't know why they have their conviction. There may be a history that you aren't aware of. There are things I don't do that aren't spelled out in the Bible. But there are reasons I don't do them. It would be presumptuous on your part to think you should tell them how to live their life based on your experiences and understanding of scripture. Isn't that what x'ers do?

As I alluded to earlier, if they ask your opinion or bring up the discussion, feel free to give your $0.02. Otherwise it's best to leave it alone. IMO.

 

[Izdaari]

Is it ever appropriate to directly question someones personal convictions? if so, when?

I'm not talking about a pastor, brother, or sister who constantly judge and belittle those who don't follow their convictions. I am talking about someone who follows a conviction privately, without announcing it to the world, but still observable from an outsider.

Additionally, what about liberties? Should one ever directly question someones liberties?

Only if the scripture plainly speaks against it. A good example of this is drunkenness. Some may have a personal conviction - though it won't have been a Spirit led one that being drunk once or twice a year is ok with God because of good people who were drunk in the Bible like Noah. Normally though if a Christian is drunk it's because they are Biblically illiterate.

Martin Luther actually taught that being drunk occasionally, as stress relief after a tough day at work, or as therapy to deal with grief, etc., is ok for a Christian... but that being an alcoholic or habitual drunk is very NOT ok. I agree with Luther on that.

 

[Torrent v.2]

Is it ever appropriate to directly question someones personal convictions? if so, when?

I'm not talking about a pastor, brother, or sister who constantly judge and belittle those who don't follow their convictions. I am talking about someone who follows a conviction privately, without announcing it to the world, but still observable from an outsider.

Additionally, what about liberties? Should one ever directly question someones liberties?

Only if the scripture plainly speaks against it. A good example of this is drunkenness. Some may have a personal conviction - though it won't have been a Spirit led one that being drunk once or twice a year is ok with God because of good people who were drunk in the Bible like Noah. Normally though if a Christian is drunk it's because they are Biblically illiterate.

Martin Luther actually taught that being drunk occasionally, as stress relief after a tough day at work, or as therapy to deal with grief, etc., is ok for a Christian... but that being an alcoholic or habitual drunk is very NOT ok. I agree with Luther on that.

Since I left Fundamentalism, I have enjoyed a drink or two or three and I can see how beneficial those times are.  They are times of laughter and joy and celebration and relaxation.  Especially relaxation.  Having a couple drinks helps me wind down from frenetic work schedule and home and family and I thank God for good Dark Beer.

Beer like

 

[Castor Muscular]

They killed Kenny?  Those b@stards!!

 

[Izdaari]

They do it every week. And somehow, he's back next week every time.

 

[Biker]

Is it ever appropriate to directly question someones personal convictions?, If so, when

Sure, it can be appropriate. Depends upon the circumstances.  too many to list

I am talking about someone who follows a conviction privately, without announcing it to the world, but still observable from an outsider.

Additionally, what about liberties? Should one ever directly question someones liberties?
If it's not a liberty but sin then you can let love cover it.. or address it. You can compare their convictions to your own convictions... opening the dialog to witness to them. But why they choose to disallow their children around strangers recreationally drugging themselves really shouldn't need explaining, imho. I'd focus on their salvation since you linked the parents to man made rules.




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[Biker]

Romans 7:5-6  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in [a]the members of our body to bear fruit for death.

Sinful passions are aroused by the forbidden (Man made Rules / Gods OT laws in 1Cor 6:9-10) How the Ot Law works with Grace (Romans 6:14, & 7: 6) since we cannot keep the law. How our substitute cleanses us imputing righteousness (romans 3: 21-22) so the Holy Spirit can do a good work in us. This fruit will bear witness to our Salvation (John 15:2)







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