Part of the usefulness of Christian blogging, in my opinion, is to put forth your thoughts and convictions about doctrinal, theological and practical issues in such a way that it clicks (no, I will not use the word resonate, it's a trendy-lingo word that is on my personal ban list) with your readers, reveals something to them they might not have considered before, or just blessed their heart in some way. I cannot begin to count the number of times I've been blessed in such a way like this, from bloggers such as Kim, James, Rebecca, Steve, Phil, and so many others I don't have time to list.
It didn't escape me that the folks I just named there are folks I've been blessed by for a fairly good chunk of time. Rebecca was the first blogger ever to go on my blogroll, and Kim came very shortly after that. I was pleased to find two women bloggers who weren't afraid to take on deep theological issues and write about them in such a way that it served to sharpen me. In my experience it's not a common thing to find women who dig deep into doctrinal matters and can carry on a conversation about them. Phil and James are two brothers I've been reading and been challenged and blessed by, long before Phil ever publicly confessed to his fondness for matches, and long before James could be teased about his outdated website format. I remember when James' site was considered cool (I know, don't faint), and Phil's bookmark page went flashy-cool with the animated siren light graphics (now it's just annoying, but we still love Phil anyway). Steve first blessed me in song (like countless others to be sure) not long after I was saved in 1994 and continues to be a blessing and encouragement to this very day. I mean that literally, since we just chatted a little bit ago. I wish I knew Rebecca better, but as for the rest of these fine feathered folks, I can honestly say I am blessed to call them friends, and quite grateful for their presence in my life over the years. Blogging, has only served to augment this impact and mere words can't really define how much I appreciate it.
Going on about these bloggers wasn't really my intention for this post, but I couldn't help it. They rock, and that's all there is to it. Yes I know that's trendy-lingo, but whatever.
The real intention of this post was to exhort those who have been following the recent blog-hoo-haa over Pastor John MacArthur's message at the Shepherd's Conference. You all know what he said, and you all know how it's been received in various eschatological camps. Make no mistake dear readers, I love and appreciate Pastor John's contribution to the family of believers - he's another who has been a blessing to me from the very beginning of my walk with Christ, even when I disagree with him on a particular position. He said what he said and that's that. This isn't about Pastor John at all.
This is about the conversations that have sprung up as a result of his message.
In many cases, from what I have read and heard, they are insulting, condescending, mocking, arrogant and full of snobbery and so caustic that it makes you wonder where humility went, and when you might expect it to return. In a word, it hurts to see it and hear it.
I don't know what it is about eschatology that brings this out in people, but it DOES, and from day one of my conversion to Christ, I've heard it played out time and time again. I'm right, you're wrong, and you're an idiot, uneducated, a moron, etc., so forth and so on, if you don't agree with me 100% on all points. Yeah, THAT's Christlike, eh?
For the record, just in case anyone was wondering, even the subtle insults to folk's intelligence are usually not missed, even when dressed up to look like scholastic points of reference. If you've got a snarky attitude about something, it almost always comes through even when you try to mask it with something else. True colors & all that.
I'd really like to participate in some of the discussions that have sprung up as a result of all this, but I don't dare. I'd love to ask some questions for clarification, but I know better. I'd love to have a conversation with some of these folks that are far more insightful than I am on eschatological matters, but there is NO WAY on God's green earth I'm going to set myself up for the zingers that I know will come. Maybe I'm just not brave enough, maybe I just don't have a thick enough skin to deal with being called names because I don't understand this point or that point.
What comes to mind here:
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth (2Tim.
2:24,25)
How convicting is that?
- Am I a servant of the Lord?
Yes I am, in the context that I serve to bring Him glory in what I say, what I write and how I influence others.
- Do I ever strive (engage in a war of words)?
Yep, I sure do.
- Am I gentle to all?
Nope, not always.
- Am I apt to teach?
Only if I do so with His wisdom and in humility.
- Am I patient?
Nope, most of the time I'm definitely not patient.
- Am I operating in meekness, exhibiting a mild, peaceable spirit?
Most of the time no, I do not conduct myself this way.
I know some might read that passage and say "but wait, the context here is for a pastor". Read the first part of that again though - if you are a servant of the Lord, how are you to conduct yourself toward others? Does that apply to you, or not? Of course it applies, it applies to me, and to you and to anyone else who claims the name of Christ, and trusts in His finished work on the cross to secure their eternal lives. Indeed in principle it does apply to all.
Of course I realize that there are times when you want to be blunt. Times when you become exasperrated, fed up, short fused and all that. Some conversations will leave you that way, and sometimes people say things that just push those buttons in a great big way. How often have we all wanted to blast someone clear out of the water with our response? The thing is, is that if self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, then shouldn't we be trying a bit harder to practice more of that, in any conversation we're having, about any topic?
I know someone is bound to assume I'm talking about them personally. I also know that someone else is going to assume I'm pointing fingers in some self-righteous way. Truth is, every word I just wrote applies to me as much as it does to you. Further, I honestly don't have one particular person in mind right now, but this applies to anyone who's recently jumped into this heated conversation over what Pastor John had to say last week, and hasn't used self-control but instead been just plain mean toward those that don't see your point - no matter WHICH side of the camp you're in, on eschatology.
No, I haven't read every word or every post that everyone has written. I have however read enough posts and comments that this is the impression I've come away with, and I know I'm not the only one. Many others have seen it and come away with the same reluctant feeling and have chosen not to get into this conversation.
It's a real shame when we can't discuss something as important as eschatology, without this sort of thing rearing it's ugly head. Part of the "fruit" of this kind of exchange is that it becomes a stumblingblock of sorts, for a lot people to really take an interest in studying eschatology. Folks become gun shy as a result of these types of conversations, and it leaves them avoiding this study, for lack of much grace. It shouldn't be this way, but it is.
It's my hope that in the future maybe this topic wont be so high-voltage, and more fellow bloggers would try a little harder to be patient, gentle, and serve the Lord with meekness.
Myself included.
