Culture, has it become a burden and stumbling block.

[Lonny90]

There’s a denomination that holds to this idea called “BMA”, where they try not have any standard unless a Bible verse can be exegeted to support that standard.

So why not just go with the Bible verse?

[DrWojo]

There’s a denomination that holds to this idea called “BMA”, where they try not have any standard unless a Bible verse can be exegeted to support that standard.

So why not just go with the Bible verse?

In my opinion, because when you first become:
Barely
Mennonite
Aanymore

You have to go to great lengths to prove to your more conservative friends and family that you’re still Mennonite. However, eventually you wind up appearing as:
Badly
Misled
Amish
but since you treated the Bible as your Ordnung your entire life, so why change?

[Josh]

There’s a denomination that holds to this idea called “BMA”, where they try not have any standard unless a Bible verse can be exegeted to support that standard.

Can you give me an example? I work with a few BMA and they seem more KMF-ish than anything.

Well, according to Stephen Scott's book, the philosophy behind fundamental-conservative groups like BMA (and KMF) is that they won't require a standard unless they can somehow point to at least one Bible verse supporting it. People in BMA (and similar Charity type of groups) tend to think they don't have "extra-biblical" standards.

[steve-in-kville]

Well, according to Stephen Scott's book, the philosophy behind fundamental-conservative groups like BMA (and KMF) is that they won't require a standard unless they can somehow point to at least one Bible verse supporting it. People in BMA (and similar Charity type of groups) tend to think they don't have "extra-biblical" standards.

So, if I follow, because the Bible doesn't specifically mention owning a TV, its considered open game? Or am I being too literal?

[steve-in-kville]

In my opinion, because when you first become:
Barely
Mennonite
Aanymore

Two hours later I'm still chuckling at this Did you come up with that?

[Mountain Merle]

Here's a good guide: "Whatever things are honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable....think on these things". (an excerpt from Phil. 4:8) The beauty of using the Bible as your guide is that it transcends time, culture and technology. In other words, you don't have to be changing your "standards" to address the radio, the TV, the internet, social media, etc. If we really followed that verse, wouldn't that keep us in a good place?? Good grief, come to think about it, if you go by those standards, MennoNet is looking a little bit iffy!

[Josh]

Well, according to Stephen Scott's book, the philosophy behind fundamental-conservative groups like BMA (and KMF) is that they won't require a standard unless they can somehow point to at least one Bible verse supporting it. People in BMA (and similar Charity type of groups) tend to think they don't have "extra-biblical" standards.

So, if I follow, because the Bible doesn't specifically mention owning a TV, its considered open game? Or am I being too literal?

Correct. People in BMA or similar types of Charity groups will own TVs and watch them, watch DVDs/movies, etc.

[Josh]

Here's a good guide: "Whatever things are honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable....think on these things". (an excerpt from Phil. 4:8) The beauty of using the Bible as your guide is that it transcends time, culture and technology. In other words, you don't have to be changing your "standards" to address the radio, the TV, the internet, social media, etc. If we really followed that verse, wouldn't that keep us in a good place?? Good grief, come to think about it, if you go by those standards, MennoNet is looking a little bit iffy!

Of course, most Christians don't agree at all on how to apply that verse. I haven't met many Christians who think what think about is dishonourable, wrong, impure, unlovely, and unadmirable; yet there is wide variety from one group whose youth watch whatever new R rated movie comes out to another group where they are sceptical one should even be watching instructional videos on YouTube.

[Lonny90]

So, I grew up Beachy, and am still anabaptist in the sense that I don't agree with the Evangelicals enough to join. Here's a question, if Amy is very shallow, and she is living a proper prim modest Mennonite life because her bishop has all her standards laid out for her and he is meaner than God is this good? We both know that if she one day left, she would literally transform almost overnight into some strain of the BMA's referenced earlier. So, some might say her bishop is good, but I would have another word for Amy living by the bishop instead of by her own convictions. My world for it would be hypocrisy. If you random conservative reading this hate tv for good reason, I bless you for that, cool for you. My question, why do you need me or anyone else to hate tv as much as you? To the point of putting it on paper and making others affirm to at least pretend they hate it, why?

[steve-in-kville]

If you random conservative reading this hate tv for good reason, I bless you for that, cool for you. My question, why do you need me or anyone else to hate tv as much as you? To the point of putting it on paper and making others affirm to at least pretend they hate it, why?

I like the way you worded that.