Let's All Take A Step Back
I am more than a bit troubled at how this debate is going. When I first posted the issues I had with the use of Second Temple Judaism (STJ) in the interpretive method, and the result of it leading to an understanding of "corporate election" in Romans 9, I expected respectful and intellectual responses. Misreadings and misunderstandings have plagued this discussion, leading to problems of respect (even if the commentaries use exaggerated language). Sadly, one anonymous commentator only emphasized the degradation on this matter. It becomes more and more personal. I've seen enough of this type of behavior on other message boards and blogs, and all it does is serve to cloud the issue at hand, intentional or not. As I had said before, I'm all for spirited discourse, but such slanderous dialogue is unwarranted.
To Tony and everyone involved in this debate: Let's all step back. Let's not allow this to be a debate, but an investigation. Let's examine our words before we place them for all to see and put forth the effort to understand one another. Can we do this? Let's inform and challenge one another, sharpen one another so that we may be renewed in our mind.
One more thing. I'd like to clarify something about us Reformed folk so that we are not pigeon-holed into a stereotype. Those who hold to Reformed theology believe this: We should always be reforming. That is, we should reform our understanding should light be shed upon the Word that illuminates its meaning better. But just as we should always be reforming, we also should not be "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14). So if any one coming from the Reformed is ever going to reform, it will be because an investigation has been done and is found to be more in line with Scripture.
Does this mean we will all be convinced? No. Disagreements will always exist on this side of glory. But we all should be careful in how we speak of one another in our disagreements since we are brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, let's all step back, relax, and start fresh. I hope to post questions to re-introduce this topic so that we can begin the process of investigation.
In Christ,
Victor
To Tony and everyone involved in this debate: Let's all step back. Let's not allow this to be a debate, but an investigation. Let's examine our words before we place them for all to see and put forth the effort to understand one another. Can we do this? Let's inform and challenge one another, sharpen one another so that we may be renewed in our mind.
One more thing. I'd like to clarify something about us Reformed folk so that we are not pigeon-holed into a stereotype. Those who hold to Reformed theology believe this: We should always be reforming. That is, we should reform our understanding should light be shed upon the Word that illuminates its meaning better. But just as we should always be reforming, we also should not be "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14). So if any one coming from the Reformed is ever going to reform, it will be because an investigation has been done and is found to be more in line with Scripture.
Does this mean we will all be convinced? No. Disagreements will always exist on this side of glory. But we all should be careful in how we speak of one another in our disagreements since we are brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, let's all step back, relax, and start fresh. I hope to post questions to re-introduce this topic so that we can begin the process of investigation.
In Christ,
Victor
posted by Soli Deo Gloria | 7/13/2005 09:17:00 PM
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