Re: [asa] Fear and Loathing on this list

Yes Merv. Obviously there's nothing wrong with correcting someone -- in
fact it's often wrong *not* to correct someone. And plain, strong language
is often called for. I think a good example of this is Randy's review of
the RATE project in PSCF. Well done, necessary, and appropriate.

But IMHO we have to remember that an email list like this is *not* a
professional journal in which the rules of academic discourse always apply,
nor is it even a closed, invitation-only list where frank communication
might have a bigger place. People find their way here for various reasons
-- sometimes just for conversation and fellowship, sometimes spoiling for a
fight, sometimes spying, and often because they're confused, frightened, and
hurting.

This doesn't mean plain, strong language is out of the question. But what
is our purpose with this resource -- an open, public, publicly archived
communal document -- as a Christian organization? If it's not possible for
someone who holds views most of us "regulars" disagree with to join the
discussion and feel welcomed as a human being, particularly as a brother or
sister in Christ, what does that say about us as an organization?

David W. Opderbeck
Associate Professor of Law
Seton Hall University Law School
Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology

On Tue, Feb 17, 2009 at 7:57 AM, Merv Bitikofer <mrb22667@kansas.net> wrote:

> David Opderbeck wrote:
>
>> I don't think anything in Matt. 23 gives anyone the right to bully other
>> Christians with whom they disagree about debateable things. My Bible
>> includes Matt. 23, but it also includes a whole bunch of stuff written by a
>> guy named Paul (and / or his amenuensis or someone else, depending on what
>> you think about the pastorals) on the subject of how we're supposed to treat
>> each other when we disagree. The most significant thing Matt. 23 teaches us
>> in this regard, I think, is that our Lord Jesus has no tolerance for elites
>> who think it's their job to bludgeon everyone else into right thinking.
>>
>> David W. Opderbeck
>>
> I agree with the general thrust of your exhortation here, David, but a
> point still remains about the example you used. The pharisees weren't
> trying to bludgeon everyone else into right thinking. They were trying to
> bludgeon everyone else into wrong thinking. Now, I know that in your
> context above, that we should read implied quotation marks around the word
> "right" as you used it. Yes, I agree that the chapter should be first &
> foremost used to examine our own hearts & rightly or wrongly the label
> "pharisee" has now become our modern metaphor for self-righteous and
> hypocrite. But at some point, we are called to "gently restore our
> brother", and I agree with you fully that "gently" means without sarcasm or
> biting vitriol --- though it would seem Jesus & other previous prophets
> pushed the envelope on that a bit. (and we are called to be like Christ,
> so we can't just dismissively say, "well that was Him" nevertheless I agree
> with you that Paul's exhortations still stand also.) You are correcting a
> list member, are you not? --as well you should if he is in the wrong. And
> he is trying to correct you, as well he should if you are in the wrong.
> Whether or not you are using bludgeons is, I guess, for you both to decide.
>
> And to echo what somebody else has said, I hope I am called to account here
> whenever I write things not motivated by Christ's love. I know in my heart
> that it is quite possible to say *true* things and still be *not right*.
> And by that I mean, a person can mechanically (or sinfully) declare things
> that are technically true and yet not be right with God themselves as they
> are saying that very thing. I've heard words leave my mouth and then know
> in my heart how hollow those words were because they did not come out of
> love. I may have been "right" technically, but yet not right in a more
> important sense, if you know what I mean.
>
> --Merv
>
>
>

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Received on Tue Feb 17 08:29:29 2009