Introduction to Me :)

[Ambassador95]

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in half in Columbus GA, USA, and half in Edmonton, AB, CA. My family has moved around quite a bit, since I was eleven we have lived in Edmonton. I have almost always lived in on an acreage (with the exception of our newest house which is in the city) and so I very much enjoy the outdoors.

How did you come to be interested in spiritual things?
My parents are both members of the Church and so I was exposed to such things from childhood. However, it was my dad's interest in apologetics that spurred me on to pursue answers for myself. Since then, I have engaged in online discussions and helped my older brother in many discussions pertaining to doctrine and other matters of spiritual nature.

Do you have any affiliation to a particular church, person, document, etc.?
I am a member of the Church which Christ died for; the Church which was established in Acts 2 and to which the Lord adds those who are being saved. As such, I did not "join" this Church, but was rather added to it upon my obedience to the gospel. I worship with the Church which meets at South Edmonton; the South Edmonton church of Christ.

What spiritual topics are the current focus of your thoughts and studies?
Calvinism is a primary topic of concern for me. Over the course of the last few years, I have been exposed to many false doctrines which stem as a result of Calvinism and find it to be the root of much falsity among the "Christian" community. The most basic areas in which I am trying to focus are on the nature of God's sovereignty and the doctrine of Original Sin.

Another area in which I am focusing on is the relationship between faith and obedience. The book of Hebrews and James 2 have served to spike my interest in this area, particularly the way in which "disobedience" and "unbelief" are used interchangeably in addition to "belief" being used as the opposite of "disobedience".

For what are you looking on the forums? Why are you here?
I am trying to expose myself to different views in a safe environment where I can learn not only what others believe, but also to flesh-out the implications of what I believe.

Do you have personal goals you wish to accomplish on the forums? Do you have any topics that you consider important, which you wish to discuss with others?
One of my goals on this forum is to learn how to engage others who disagree with me and present my convictions in a persuasive manner. Another one of my goals is to learn from the people who have been doing this for much longer than I have!

Some topics that I consider very important are these: (1) baptism and it's relationship to salvation, (2) worship in spirit and truth, (3) denominationalism, (4) man's nature (i.e. are we born in sin, or do we become sinful by choice?), (5) man's ability to choose between good and evil.

[grand_puba]

Hi Ambassador95,

Welcome to the "In Search of Truth" forums! Feel free to ask any questions you like in the appropriate forum.

Thanks!

The Moderator