Paltalk is a text chat channel where people can talk to one another by typing, and talking one at a time if you have a microphone and speakers. They also have a Christianity section for professing Christians to minister, learn and fellowship. I say professing Christians because the "Christianity" section is a very broad catagory put there by secular Paltalk, and includes JW's LDS, RCC, Oneness Pentacostals, CoC, etc.
But there are also rooms set up by people that embrace the doctrines of sovereign grace of both the paedo and credo--- baptist backgrounds. There are always going to be differences of interpretation on the non essential non salvific doctrines, but it's how we handle such differences that define who we are as chosen, called and justified believers in Christ.
There has been several "differences" that have arisen since I began particpating on Paltalk 4-5 years ago. The latest one that has seemly caused strife among "sovereign gracers" involves Matt Slick of Carm, "Christ Alone" and "Surphing"(Paltalk nicknames). Out of the three, I have known Surphing online for about 4 years, Christ Alone for about two years, and I have known of Matt Slick for about 8 years, and more personally for about a year. None of these three Christian friends and brothers/sisters have done anything to me to make me think they would be dishonest, yet the difference that exists between the two parties ( Matt and Christ Alone & Surphing) is based on accusations of misrepresentation of Matt Slick over whether a universalist can possibly be saved. I was not in the room for the whole conversation that took place at the time. But I do have enough information so that I know that there is cause for grave concern for how those who name the Name of Christ are handling this.
What I do see is sowing discord among the brethren by some of the Paltalk Christians, and the lack of an attempt for reconciliation and forgiveness by some of the others (it not my intent to decide which are doing what, that is not the point). This is not about right or wrong on whether it is possible for a universalist to be saved (for which I agree it is 'possible' in certain situations, just as I believe it is possible for RC's to be saved in certain situations), that Matt Slick is saying on his website.
Christ Alone and Surphing believe Matt Slick said one thing, and Matt says he didn't say it and is being misrepresented. All three of them, as well as most Christians in general realize that we are not infallible, still have sin that indwells us until the resurrection, and are finite beings. Am I being too simplistic to think that the thing to do here is to chalk this up as a misunderstanding by one or both parties, to forgive one another, and leave it at what Matt is saying now to either agree with, or agree to disagree with?
I know I'm not perfect. I'm sure I have put my foot in mouth so to speak numerous times, especially in my earlier days on Paltalk and embracing the doctrines of sovereign grace. But we Christians that use Paltalk need use the same biblical principles as when we are in church or with one another in person. Or is it that some of us are manifesting on Paltalk the way we really are?
My goal is to see reconciliation, forgiveness, growth in Christ, and God receiving the glory as result of this issue and this post. I love each and every one of my brothers and sisters in Christ, in my local church, and outside of my local church whether or not in Paltalk. May God receive the glory, and grant many repentence that are struggling with this problem in general, and the issue specifically.
Pastor Bret Lovitz
Grace Fellowship
But there are also rooms set up by people that embrace the doctrines of sovereign grace of both the paedo and credo--- baptist backgrounds. There are always going to be differences of interpretation on the non essential non salvific doctrines, but it's how we handle such differences that define who we are as chosen, called and justified believers in Christ.
There has been several "differences" that have arisen since I began particpating on Paltalk 4-5 years ago. The latest one that has seemly caused strife among "sovereign gracers" involves Matt Slick of Carm, "Christ Alone" and "Surphing"(Paltalk nicknames). Out of the three, I have known Surphing online for about 4 years, Christ Alone for about two years, and I have known of Matt Slick for about 8 years, and more personally for about a year. None of these three Christian friends and brothers/sisters have done anything to me to make me think they would be dishonest, yet the difference that exists between the two parties ( Matt and Christ Alone & Surphing) is based on accusations of misrepresentation of Matt Slick over whether a universalist can possibly be saved. I was not in the room for the whole conversation that took place at the time. But I do have enough information so that I know that there is cause for grave concern for how those who name the Name of Christ are handling this.
What I do see is sowing discord among the brethren by some of the Paltalk Christians, and the lack of an attempt for reconciliation and forgiveness by some of the others (it not my intent to decide which are doing what, that is not the point). This is not about right or wrong on whether it is possible for a universalist to be saved (for which I agree it is 'possible' in certain situations, just as I believe it is possible for RC's to be saved in certain situations), that Matt Slick is saying on his website.
Christ Alone and Surphing believe Matt Slick said one thing, and Matt says he didn't say it and is being misrepresented. All three of them, as well as most Christians in general realize that we are not infallible, still have sin that indwells us until the resurrection, and are finite beings. Am I being too simplistic to think that the thing to do here is to chalk this up as a misunderstanding by one or both parties, to forgive one another, and leave it at what Matt is saying now to either agree with, or agree to disagree with?
I know I'm not perfect. I'm sure I have put my foot in mouth so to speak numerous times, especially in my earlier days on Paltalk and embracing the doctrines of sovereign grace. But we Christians that use Paltalk need use the same biblical principles as when we are in church or with one another in person. Or is it that some of us are manifesting on Paltalk the way we really are?
My goal is to see reconciliation, forgiveness, growth in Christ, and God receiving the glory as result of this issue and this post. I love each and every one of my brothers and sisters in Christ, in my local church, and outside of my local church whether or not in Paltalk. May God receive the glory, and grant many repentence that are struggling with this problem in general, and the issue specifically.
Pastor Bret Lovitz
Grace Fellowship
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