Heretics and the Universal Triune Organization

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At 02:45 PM 7/3/96 -0500, you wrote:

>Still, we must be warry as wolves... At some 
>point, we must shake the dust off our feet. By being prepared I mean 
>letting the new comers know what they  are getting into. Most of the 
>people  who are new to the Pentacostal church are not aware that such a 
>great deal of animosity exists towards Oneness believers. 

As a trinitarian christian, I must say that I'm still quite unaware of this
universal animosity as well. While there are probably some very ignorant and
immature individuals who would take their theological disagreements to such
a personal level, in my experience most would not. Is this perhaps a
regional thing...? A big AMEN to Bro. Kimbrell's very wise and beautiful
instruction- loving your enemies IS the most Christ-like biblical response
to persecution (both perceived and real). 

>I was 
>unprepard for it myself. No one told me I would be spit at, called a 
>heretic and shunned for my  beliefs. I thought all christians were the 
>same and I was entering into a hugh fold of sheep that would be 
>supporting me as I stood against the evil one. Instead, I was told by 
>those sheep that I was filled with the spirit of the evil one. Later, 
>After much studying and learning I came to understand the reasons for 
>their hate and fear. 

I'm saddened that this has been your experience with a few bad apples. When
I was in the UPC I was taught to expect this kind of treatment, but in all
my years there I never experienced this. I may have experienced a little
persecution by the world for my general christian beliefs but not in regards
to my monarchianism. (Unless of course you consider my faithful tuning into
the "Bible Answer Man" radio program persecution. But, looking back it seems
more like masochism than real persecution... ;-\) I don't have any reason to
doubt your experience but I do think we should think twice before projecting
one's own bad experience as the norm for everyone. The only fruit from this
is needless paranoia.

>If we are correct, then they are not saved.... If 
>they are correct, then we are not saved.....

Believe it or not, there are many trinitarians besides myself (even within
the much maligned Assemblies of God!!) who do consider oneness folks fellow
christians and very much saved....

 
>	In my  heart, I do not believe that Jesus wants it to be this 
>way. Perhaps, as you say, there is a way through the Love of Christ. But 
>I believe it will only get worse, not better,  proir to the coming of 
>Jesus. I think we should get better prepared to inform the new members 
>what to expect from the other denomonations.
>

With all due respect, I think the absolute WORST response would be to teach
new believers "what to expect" from other denominations. As before, one's
own experience isn't necessarily the norm for everyone else. From my own
painful experience I can tell you that it's far better to build one's faith
in God based on His real and enduring love for you rather than upon the
irrational fear of a monolithic "triune organization" that's out to getcha!

Grace and Peace to all,

Charles