tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post4030543808840545864..comments2024-03-27T08:37:26.489-04:00Comments on Not Another Episcopal Church Blog: The Outrage of Collectivism: Silence on the IssuesUndergroundpewsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10182191422663119484noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-70703638608359392532010-07-29T17:34:38.226-04:002010-07-29T17:34:38.226-04:00Using names such as "Bible thumper" is a...Using names such as "Bible thumper" is a silencing technique to end a discussion. <br /><br />I am wondering if maneuvering me into the position of saying "No" is another ploy they use to shut off debate.Undergroundpewsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10182191422663119484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-88349542603544245042010-07-29T15:33:17.219-04:002010-07-29T15:33:17.219-04:00"Bible thumper" is a word liberals/progr..."Bible thumper" is a word liberals/progressives use when they have lost the argument. It is the first indication that you are on the right track. Ad-hominem attacks are the bane of productive dialogue and productive dialogue is the bane of liberals.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08890870828860228480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-70319904404208742432010-07-29T11:33:13.595-04:002010-07-29T11:33:13.595-04:00Spot-on post, especially with respect to the Chris...Spot-on post, especially with respect to the Christian's interactions with Society and The Church. The idea that one's Christian spirituality is "private," is nothing less than an attempt to destroy the Church itself, for what purpose the church, if I'm enjoined to be silent in my beliefs? How do we know who shares our beliefs absent a congregation of believers.<br /><br />Further, there's no question that the Enemy seeks to marginalize those who seek to practice God's Virtue in the public arena. As it happens, I can argue for or against certain social propositions without reference to God once, but with full reference to what I believe are Divinely inspired <i><b>philosophical</b></i> Truths. What amazes me, is that opponents are quick to dismiss such logic, when they hear it, with some sort of "you're just a Bible-thumper." This <i>ad hominem</i> response, of course, eliminates any need to address the questions.<br /><br />This has given me food for thought in a slightly different essay I'm pondering.<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-88225913653164256982010-07-28T08:49:12.351-04:002010-07-28T08:49:12.351-04:00Excellent points. Thanks Chuck.Excellent points. Thanks Chuck.Undergroundpewsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10182191422663119484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7107887.post-69474150216445003782010-07-28T08:41:27.827-04:002010-07-28T08:41:27.827-04:00I'm reading Eugene Peterson's new book, Pr...I'm reading Eugene Peterson's new book, <i>Practice Resurrection</i>, a devotional commentary on Ephesians. One of the key points he makes is that the cornerstone of the church as living community is "Christ our peace." We have peace with God. Each of us who believes shares that cardinal fact in common. What it does <i>not</i> mean is that we have some pollyanna cessation of debate and struggle amongst ourselves. <br /><br />Peterson even points out, quite realistically, that every new generation must learn what the peace of God is (through thick and thin) and learn maturity. This is ongoing; there is no point at which the Church becomes some smirking Buddha seated in quiet bliss. The very fact that we continue to go on together, in spite of our differences in maturity, knowledge, etc., is in itself a miracle of "Christ our peace" (this precludes, of course, tolerance of overtly wicked behavior in the church).<br /><br />Therefore, the pewsitter should speak his mind -- in love. Otherwise, the Body of Christ becomes a dead shell, much like a great portion of postmodern Western culture.Chuck Hickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01929470338280066656noreply@blogger.com