I watched this situation develop through its entirety and for much the same reasons I refused to blog on it. You said,“…I don’t find this to be an issue over which to divide. It’s an interpretive issue, and one that we cannot afford to hold to so tightly as to cause division.”

I agree wholeheartedly. The firefights in blogdom over this issue were so ugly and hateful when the bottom line was and is, this isn’t something that we should divide over.

I myself do not believe that Scripture supports a private prayer language yet I know some do! However, I don’t think there is sufficient Scriptural evidence to prove or disprove private prayer language, but in reality, it is a matter of Christian practice as you have stated; not something that should be addressed on the national level. But I WILL NOT part company with a brother or sister over this issue; self-defeating, don’t you think?

My big problem with the whole disagreement is the “public display” of something that is by its own definition, private. I still cannot get my arms around that, yet the very few comments I made about this aspect of this issue on other blogs, I was shrugged off, as “I was missing the point” of the discussion. (Not to mention the one time I suggested that this wasn’t an issue to part company over, I was lambasted.) Sigh.

Thanks for a coherent treatment of this issue, clearly emphasizing the main point; which many of us have missed.

Blessings, brother.
Tony

I thought about getting into the Scriptural support for both positions, but felt like that would detract from the basic point of the post (which you seemed to understand, so I guess I communicated ok on it).

Maybe I’ll look at that in another post…

steve

I too find it sad that some believers deem it necessary to deem other believers “unfit” to preach the Gospel due to a difference in private practice and experience. It seems to me that it basically boils down to “unless you believe just like we do, and are willing to tow our line, we will not support your Christian education or witness”.

Tony,

I so appreciate your willingness to embrace other believers who differ from yourself. You are a such a breath of fresh air!

Now, more seriously, thank you for your comment. The body of Christ has done so much dividing over the centuries (especially the last four of them) that it almost seems to be “business as usual”, and I wonder if some people even stop to think about whether or not we should be dividing over these issues!

I agree with your assessment of Tony, too, by the way

steve

I was not able to get your site for awhile. Glad to see you are still blogging and doing an excellent job of it.

We have (in the church) not understood the heart attitude required to truly walk in the Spirit — that of not being superior in any way to others. I think upon examination, this is the core issue. We think our understanding is superior and that makes us more acceptable to God — forgetting it is by grace through faith. We do not (for the most part) receive the understanding of washing feet — to all who call on His marvelous name. Judas got his feet washed too.

I say “we” because even though I might understand in some areas, there is always another popping up in me. Learning to be the lowest is truly not natural. (Phil. 2:3)

Maybe someday.
Iris

steve

Thanks for popping in.