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Discussion of George Gillespie's Wholesome Severity Reconciled with Christian Liberty
WF: Periodic rules and status update 
Subject: WF: Periodic rules and status update
From: Chris Coldwell 
Date: Wed, 14 May 1997 07:24:08 -0500

Westminster Forum:
Just a periodic reminder of some of the rules and update on status of some
things.  

A MONTH OLD
We've been "online" since April 14, so we're a month old today.  The list
has fluctuated with folks coming and going but the total number has
remained steady at around 120 to 125. Reaching this high of number was a
pleasant surprise. It does mean most of the list is "lurking." While I
suspect the active posters will change as we move from one piece of
literature and topic to another, more of you jumping into the current
discussion would be welcome (following the rules of course).

BANDWIDTH
Since bandwidth is a main concern remember two rules if you want to post to
the Forum. 1. Be discriminating about what you retain and copy from the
post you are responding to and 2. Stay on topic and refrain from adding to
an off topic rabbit trail, however inviting it may be.  Also, if you plan
to post, you may want to review the rules for posting that goes out to
members as they subscribe.  I'll append this to the bottom of this post. If
you come into the middle of a discussion, for the old posts check out The
Westminster Forum archives are at http://www.fpcr.org/westminster

LIST SOFTWARE UPDATE
Our software has been going thru modifications and I'm told an update
release will add several disirable features, the most important from
subscribers' standpoint being tailorable digests (daily, weekly, etc). I
will let the list know when these features are available (probably first
week of July if release date holds). 

EXCERPT FROM WELCOME CHARTER SUBSCRIBERS
The following is a quote from the Welcome Charter Subscribers which covers
these things more specifically. 
If you don't need a refresher, you can stop reading from this point.
[begin quote from Richard Bacon]
Our intention is to provide a slightly moderated and civil
way of studying some reformed works together.  Chris has
suggested that we begin with "Wholesome Severity Reconciled
with Liberty of Conscience."  This piece appeared in the 
Naphtali Anthology a few years ago and Chris has it available
for us to post in sections and discuss in a round robin manner.

Please beware that any post you send to the forum is being
broadcast to the entire group.  If you wish to carry on a private
conversation, then please take it out of the forum and discuss
your private issues privately.  Messages in the Westminster
Forum simply must be on-topic.  If you have any suggestions as
to a future topic of discussion or a future study piece, please
send a private post either to me or Chris.

If you have a technical question, you should address a private
post to Chris Coldwell.  If he doesn't know the answer, he at
least knows the right people to contact on our server.  If you
have a question regarding "rules of the forum," you may direct
a private post to me.  I will make the proper etiquette ruling
and the only appeal will be at the final judgment day.  If you
have a general question, then by all means direct it to the
forum.  Questions are as much welcome as are comments and may
actually help "spur" things on a bit.

As time goes by, we expect some initial "difficulties" will work
themselves out.  Keep "quotations" from previous posts to a minimum
and if you must use abbreviations, stick with the more commonly
known ones.  If you must use emoticons to let people know that
you are less than serious about a "dig" then please simply
reconsider whether the dig needs to be broadcast in the forum.

Let us work and study together as the grown-ups that we are.  Do
not needlessly give offense or take it.

That's about all I have to say at this point, but if the forum
grows I may repost this message in the future.
[end quote]

RULES:
The free access to this forum is limited to those who will abide by the forum
rules. You do not have to post to be a member, but if you do you must abide 
by these rules.  You may post something
as brief as a question, or long comments.  Do not automatically include all
the text of the message you are responding to. 

1.  If you do post, a Christian decorum is expected. If you accuse someone of
misquoting or dishonestly conveying an idea, *be prepared to back it up.*
 If you do not back up your accusation in the same post in which it is
made, it will be 
considered "flaming" and your access will be denied for a period
of not less than seven days.  Subsequent infractions may result
in permanent expulsion from the forum.  If you are accused of
misquoting or other dishonesty, and it is backed up, you will be
expected to respond or apologize.  We are not "treading on eggs"
but neither will we accept flame wars.  Also, give allowance for differences
in personalities.  Some may have a more blunt way of turning a phrase than
another.  Study to phrase your posts with regard to everyone, but also
study to 
not quickly take offense at every turn of a phrase.  

2. Advocacy of heresy will not be tolerated. Heresy is defined as that which 
strikes at the vitals of the reformed faith.  For example, we are free to
discuss the ramifications
of predestinating grace, but we are *not* free to advocate
Pelagianism.


3. The final authority on all controversies are the Holy Scriptures. The
Scriptures
in the languages in which they were originally
written are the ultimate authority, but the authoritative English
translation of Scripture for purposes of this forum is the AV.


4.  In controversies, views differing from the Westminster Confession
of Faith and Catechisms (of 1647/48), will bear the burden of proof.
Those not willing to accept that burden should simply refrain
from posting until such time as they *are* willing to accept it.
Questions are not regarded as advocacy unless it is clear that the
questions are intended to be leading.
END POST