Comments on: Compromise is not a Four-Letter Word http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/ Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:37:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Dan Wallace http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-747 Dan Wallace Fri, 08 Jun 2007 21:17:20 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-747 I think that one of the most liberating moves a Christian can make is knowing where to draw the lines. What are the issues that are worth fighting for? What are the issues that are simply not worth our breath? Too many Christians simply have not thought through the difference between cardinal truths and peripheral beliefs. If we don't nuance things, we end being pugilistic about idiosyncratic dogmas, reducing us to irrelevancy. But if we waffle on everything, we're just as worthless for the sake of the gospel. I'm currently in Athens, getting ready to take a ferry to Patmos to photograph some manuscripts with three colleagues. I wish I could dialogue more with you all about these matters right now, but my internet access is limited. I will be spending time at the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. It's Greek Orthodox and they have a fabulous collection of Greek New Testament and other manuscripts. I'm extremely grateful to the Orthodox for how they have preserved the scriptures for centuries. I think we could learn a lot from them as to how we should worship our common Savior. I think that one of the most liberating moves a Christian can make is knowing where to draw the lines. What are the issues that are worth fighting for? What are the issues that are simply not worth our breath? Too many Christians simply have not thought through the difference between cardinal truths and peripheral beliefs. If we don’t nuance things, we end being pugilistic about idiosyncratic dogmas, reducing us to irrelevancy. But if we waffle on everything, we’re just as worthless for the sake of the gospel.

I’m currently in Athens, getting ready to take a ferry to Patmos to photograph some manuscripts with three colleagues. I wish I could dialogue more with you all about these matters right now, but my internet access is limited. I will be spending time at the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. It’s Greek Orthodox and they have a fabulous collection of Greek New Testament and other manuscripts. I’m extremely grateful to the Orthodox for how they have preserved the scriptures for centuries. I think we could learn a lot from them as to how we should worship our common Savior.

]]> By: C Michael Patton http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-746 C Michael Patton Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:17:26 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-746 Steve, you are right. While knowledge may be a deterrent to holding to some presuppositions, it is given by God and we must follow it where it leads. My views about such things are challenged all the time. While I am still not comfortable with where it leads, I am becoming more comfortable saying maybe I was wrong. Steve, you are right. While knowledge may be a deterrent to holding to some presuppositions, it is given by God and we must follow it where it leads. My views about such things are challenged all the time. While I am still not comfortable with where it leads, I am becoming more comfortable saying maybe I was wrong.

]]> By: stevemoore http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-745 stevemoore Fri, 08 Jun 2007 10:22:58 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-745 That's it! Anyway, enjoy the blog - thanks for sharing here. I'd say my views on #5 have changed as a result the discussion and the info in TTP and from the Soapbox articles. Looking forward to more of a good thing. Now I'll go back to my frien^H^H^H^H computers. -steve That’s it!

Anyway, enjoy the blog - thanks for sharing here. I’d say my views on #5 have changed as a result the discussion and the info in TTP and from the Soapbox articles. Looking forward to more of a good thing. Now I’ll go back to my frien^H^H^H^H computers.

-steve

]]> By: Dan Wallace http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-744 Dan Wallace Fri, 08 Jun 2007 03:51:06 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-744 Or maybe syncretistic. Yeah, you're a geek. Or maybe syncretistic. Yeah, you’re a geek.

]]> By: stevemoore http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-743 stevemoore Thu, 07 Jun 2007 21:07:15 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-743 Oops. I think I meant syncretic. ;^) And instead, it probably just means that I'm a geek. Oops. I think I meant syncretic. ;^) And instead, it probably just means that I’m a geek.

]]> By: stevemoore http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-742 stevemoore Thu, 07 Jun 2007 19:52:50 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-742 Gulp. Does that mean I'm synchronistic if I use: Mac, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, Linux, and Windows? Gulp.

Does that mean I’m synchronistic if I use: Mac, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, Linux, and Windows?

]]> By: Dan Wallace http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-741 Dan Wallace Thu, 07 Jun 2007 12:31:05 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-741 Well, as a Mac user myself I must say that hard-headedness isn't the provenance only of us! Some PC users are just as stubborn, won't listen to reason, won't think logically, and think they have all the answers. But generally speaking, the worst offenders in this group are Calvinists who are Oklahoma fans. Know anyone like that, Michael? Well, as a Mac user myself I must say that hard-headedness isn’t the provenance only of us! Some PC users are just as stubborn, won’t listen to reason, won’t think logically, and think they have all the answers. But generally speaking, the worst offenders in this group are Calvinists who are Oklahoma fans. Know anyone like that, Michael?

]]> By: reidc http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-740 reidc Thu, 07 Jun 2007 01:02:59 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-740 Ah yes, but the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it. It's tough sometimes being part of the non-conformist group of Linux and Mac users until we hear about the latest "features" of the "wide way". :) Ah yes, but the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

It’s tough sometimes being part of the non-conformist group of Linux and Mac users until we hear about the latest “features” of the “wide way”. :)

]]> By: C Michael Patton http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-739 C Michael Patton Wed, 06 Jun 2007 22:29:46 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-739 BTW: As to # five. Mac users are a funny group. They are non-conformists, which makes me think that they must be those who deny the traditional and popular out of pride and stupidity. Since they are so hard headed and don't listen to reason, I think of the ramification of their damaged will with regards to Soteriology. Can a Mac user be saved. I guess so . . . hypothetically speaking. But we must be careful. Unreasonable non-conformists are very bitter and don't really know how to think. God grace can overcome this, yes, but will God work outside of the secondary causes of our mind in order to do so? I don't know. The only way to be safe is to reason with Mac users, helping them to understand that God wants us to be faithful and care for the weak, downtrodden, unstable, and isolated , but this does not exclude the essential engagement of our intellect. BTW: As to # five. Mac users are a funny group. They are non-conformists, which makes me think that they must be those who deny the traditional and popular out of pride and stupidity. Since they are so hard headed and don’t listen to reason, I think of the ramification of their damaged will with regards to Soteriology.

Can a Mac user be saved. I guess so . . . hypothetically speaking. But we must be careful. Unreasonable non-conformists are very bitter and don’t really know how to think. God grace can overcome this, yes, but will God work outside of the secondary causes of our mind in order to do so? I don’t know.

The only way to be safe is to reason with Mac users, helping them to understand that God wants us to be faithful and care for the weak, downtrodden, unstable, and isolated , but this does not exclude the essential engagement of our intellect.

]]> By: C Michael Patton http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2007/06/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-738 C Michael Patton Wed, 06 Jun 2007 22:22:08 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/devblog/2007/06/05/compromise-is-not-a-four-letter-word/#comment-738 Wow! No comments. Dan, you must be too intimidating! Great blog. So many questions. You asked: When does one’s humble commitment to truth transgress the border of arrogance?" Well, I can personally say that I have seen this and been guilty of it so often. I usually see it of young Christians who finally come to know the truth and are ready to convert or condemn any and all who don't agree with them on ALL the particulars. I have also seen this, sad to say, in many Calvinistic circles. Those of us who are Calvinists have less reason for arrogance than anyone, but, sadly, so many times, it gives forth to heavy handedness and arrogance. I also think that this is displayed in many well meaning Christians who hold the standard of orthodoxy too high. Michael Wow! No comments. Dan, you must be too intimidating!

Great blog. So many questions.

You asked: When does one’s humble commitment to truth transgress the border of arrogance?”

Well, I can personally say that I have seen this and been guilty of it so often. I usually see it of young Christians who finally come to know the truth and are ready to convert or condemn any and all who don’t agree with them on ALL the particulars. I have also seen this, sad to say, in many Calvinistic circles. Those of us who are Calvinists have less reason for arrogance than anyone, but, sadly, so many times, it gives forth to heavy handedness and arrogance.

I also think that this is displayed in many well meaning Christians who hold the standard of orthodoxy too high.

Michael

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