Why I created this blog
October 20, 2005I suspect that people blog for different reasons. Even blogs related to Christianity may have different motivations and goals. Some may wish to persuade people to their way of thinking. Others may just want to create a community for discussion related to any aspect of Christianity. My purpose in creating this blog is more specific than that. I am searching for people with whom I should be having fellowship, but historically have not.
I was adopted as God’s son when I believed in Jesus (that he is the Son of God, was crucified to pay the penalty for my sins, and was raised again on the third day), repented of my sins, and was baptized for forgiveness of my sins (Acts 2:38-39). Anyone else who has done the same is my brother or my sister in Christ. Though our views may differ on many other subjects, by sharing those things in common we are children of God, co-heirs with Christ, and members of God’s household together. And therefore we should accept one another without reservation. Those are my core convictions.
It is not my purpose to debate my core convictions, or yours. But if your core convictions are compatible with mine, I want to talk. I especially want to talk if you are in the Atlanta area.
At this time I will pause from posting on this blog and wait for comments or emails from people interested in dialog on this basis. If you are interested you can post on this blog, or simply email me at:
blogger[at]rouses[dot]net
replacing [at] with @ and [dot] with a period.
I am looking forward to hearing from you!
Christian Unity 
Alan:I’m up for it, lets talk…..Where do you want to begin?-Clarke
Hey Clarke,Thanks for speaking up! Based on reading your blog, I think you and I have a lot of important things in common. I’m certainly open to suggestions of ways to mutually identify and articulate our common ground.I’m thinking of starting a series of 13 posts, one on each of the 13 propositions from Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address. In those propositions, he lays out some principles on which he believed Christian unity could be based. I think they would form a good starting point for dialog. What do you think?
Alan,I’ve been meaning to pop in and comment. I am truly exited to have another ICOC blogger out there. Look around at other blogs and leave some comments and you’ll get some traffic and conversation. I’ve learned a lot in the year and a half or so I’ve been doing this. Mostly, I’ve learned that there’s a lot to learn from folks outside our fellowship.Good to have you in the community.
Alan:I think thats a great idea. I’ll look forward to reading them.Also, I’ve created a post today about unity and an idea that I have, check it out. I’d appreciate your take as an ICOC member.-Clarke
Alan, Thanks for working on your blog. It is encouraging to see brothers who want the broadest unity without losing core theology or salvation doctrine.I would be curious to learn more of your thoughts and ideas on developing unity, congregational mergers and practicals for building bridges with those who share the same core beliefs. Sincerely, Phil Spadaro