Comments on: Theological Conversation to the Glory Shame of God http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/08/theological-conversation-to-the-glory-shame-of-god/ Just another WordPress weblog Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:50:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: bethyada http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/08/theological-conversation-to-the-glory-shame-of-god/#comment-3801 bethyada Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:50:15 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=411#comment-3801 A couple of thoughts on this topic. I think people read agreement with them as less aggressive and disagreement as more aggressive. Even if one writes kindly—and this is noticed—one's opponent will tend to read your comments in a negative light or more readily assume an aggressive stance than those agreeing, even if the agreement is somewhat coarse. Another thing is that some of my responses are for the benefit of others reading. There are times when I don't have the inclination to respond to those I perceive as writing foolishly. If there is no other response I may do for the sake of others who may find the foolish comments at least partially convincing. If that is the case, and showing up the foolishness is the best way in which to do this, can that not be the right way to respond? Surely some of the harsh responses by Jesus, Paul and the Prophets were to cut down the status of wicked men in the eyes of others. A couple of thoughts on this topic.

I think people read agreement with them as less aggressive and disagreement as more aggressive. Even if one writes kindly—and this is noticed—one’s opponent will tend to read your comments in a negative light or more readily assume an aggressive stance than those agreeing, even if the agreement is somewhat coarse.

Another thing is that some of my responses are for the benefit of others reading. There are times when I don’t have the inclination to respond to those I perceive as writing foolishly. If there is no other response I may do for the sake of others who may find the foolish comments at least partially convincing. If that is the case, and showing up the foolishness is the best way in which to do this, can that not be the right way to respond? Surely some of the harsh responses by Jesus, Paul and the Prophets were to cut down the status of wicked men in the eyes of others.

]]> By: Joshua http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/08/theological-conversation-to-the-glory-shame-of-god/#comment-3776 Joshua Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:24:11 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=411#comment-3776 Michael I think you should make a T-shirt with #8 on it, " Often, people do not avoid the Bible, they just avoid you with a Bible in your hands", I would buy it. Michael I think you should make a T-shirt with #8 on it, ” Often, people do not avoid the Bible, they just avoid you with a Bible in your hands”, I would buy it.

]]> By: C. Barton http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/08/theological-conversation-to-the-glory-shame-of-god/#comment-3764 C. Barton Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:22:14 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=411#comment-3764 Regarding number 8: Divine Truth, the Word of God, is food for the soul. We all have a lot of recipies for serving it. Sometimes, when I'm reeeeally hungry, I just grab a lot of it raw. But if I have the privilege of serving it to someone else, I would want it to be the most tasteful and appetizing presentation possible, and not just to show off my cooking skills, either. Our apologetics are like shining a light for someone to see in the dark: if all we do is shine it in their eyes, they get blinded by our aggression. Regarding number 8: Divine Truth, the Word of God, is food for the soul. We all have a lot of recipies for serving it. Sometimes, when I’m reeeeally hungry, I just grab a lot of it raw.
But if I have the privilege of serving it to someone else, I would want it to be the most tasteful and appetizing presentation possible, and not just to show off my cooking skills, either.
Our apologetics are like shining a light for someone to see in the dark: if all we do is shine it in their eyes, they get blinded by our aggression.

]]> By: Parchment and Pen » What Part of Gentleness and Respect don’t You We Understand? http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/2008/08/theological-conversation-to-the-glory-shame-of-god/#comment-3677 Parchment and Pen » What Part of Gentleness and Respect don’t You We Understand? Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:14:39 +0000 http://www.reclaimingthemind.org/blog/?p=411#comment-3677 [...] need. Please consider a small (or large!) tax-deductable donation. Thanks for visiting!In the last blog in this series, I talked about how to engage in theological conversation or controversy, especially [...] [...] need. Please consider a small (or large!) tax-deductable donation. Thanks for visiting!In the last blog in this series, I talked about how to engage in theological conversation or controversy, especially [...]

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