Where i'm coming from.

When i was in Vegas i was introduced to a Chrisitan concept called Calvinism. This subject, which is of course up for debate, peaked my interest. Not because it was some grand answer to everything, because i'm not even sure if i agree with all of it. The reason that it rocked my world is because in 19 years of growing up in an awesome Christian church and in a strong Christian family i had never even heard of the debate between Calvinism and Armineanism. What few things i had heard (and even foolishly spouted off myself) i could not back up with scripture, or even solid logic. So what that experience taught me is that i couldn't rely on my preconceived notions. I couldn't base an argument on something i was told by someone else. If i was to have any resolve in my beliefs i had to be able to find them and back them up from the word of God, and of my own accord.
But here lies the problem. How do i erase my procnceived notions. Rene Descartes How do i approach a topic completely unbiased?.... It can't be done. Our minds do not contain delete buttons and they certainly don't have storage departments. So even the concept of being ubiased is completely unrealistic. But, all is not hopeless. Even though we can't rid ourselves of our bias, we can change it.

Also, at the same time, i had a friend tell me that she was a lesbian, and that homosexuality isn't a sin. I was taken aback. How could one think this? Then she proceeded to give me explanations on each time homosexuality is mentioned in the Bible. I, having never really given it too much thought, was impressed with her knowledge and quite embarresed at my failure to back up my beliefs through scripture. I realised that her views made sense if seen strictly from her side, but then again my views made sense when seen from my side. Which leads me to my main point.

The only way to truly study a subject is through both aggreeing and dissagreeing with it. The only way i could truly find the biblical truths to homosexuality or Calvinism is to first study it as though i'm trying to prove it's validty. Only then will i see all that is there. (We have a tendancy to not pursue something that we don't agree with.) If what i'm researching is an incorrect view then usually it will come to light when i come to a point that i can't prove. If it passes the first part then the second part to that is to then look at it from the opposite point of view such as Armineanism etc.. This method then provides me with the assurance that i have seen both sides, and only then can i be confident of my views. This also allows me to better understand where someone else is coming from. So instead of "righteous indignation" i feel love, compassion, and understanding.

Well that's just the setup of where i'm comin from when i address a topic from now on.