Ichabod –
Why do I feel that I’ve been in a
fight when I never intended to be part of a fight; or, even to be part of some
website participants’ angst and uncontrolled fervor?
You recently posted:
“Thoughts on the Steadfast Lutheran
Retreat. Eighty-five Comments Erased from Their Attacks on Justification by
Faith:”
"....The Assumptionists are like the
UOJists - they believe in their own belief - so do not get in their way. It is
safer to rob a she-bear of her cubs than interrupt a UOJ Stormtrooper in his
folly."
http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/08/thoughts-on-steadfast-lutheran-retreat.html
http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2012/08/thoughts-on-steadfast-lutheran-retreat.html
Ichabod – Perhaps, my (yesterday’s) experience may
help to underscore this disconcerting and rabid “UOJ Stormtrooper folly.” I
offer my following thoughts as I attempt to objectively recount that
experience.
Yesterday while
visiting the Steadfast site and commenting, I certainly gained that impression.
Your "bear / Stormtropper analogy" is very perceptive; spot on!
I had visited the
Steadfast site months ago and registered a comment or two [or so]. But, I
happened to stop by at the site yesterday and then registered a number of comments.
Shortly after commenting on the Steadfast site, the first thing that transpired
was that I was accused of slander when I offered a complimentary comment to
Daniel who was being questioned by others.
Next comes a forum personality called, "McCain," who then launched into some personal vindictives. He ended up charging me with being a false prophet, after offering me his phone number. [Who is this guy?] After looking at the posted thread this morning, I notice that a number of his comments were apparently deleted. Personally, I cannot blame the Steadfast moderators for taking down these particular "McCain" comments. I too, would be embarrassed to leave them up.
And, as far as I can
recall, Diers, Preus and McCain were only reacting; they weren't interested in
anything I actually stated, but only to pounce on my use of the
"universalism" word. It seems apparent that a person who desires to
comment on the Steadfast site won't be allowed to first base if his terminology
doesn't match that of the rest of the Steadfast crew.
Consequently, I suppose I'm more comfortable
commenting on a more tolerant site, such as Ichabod. At least I know that its
author is supportive of Scripture's integral doctrine of grace through faith
and that a human soul is justified by faith alone as Luther and the Lutheran
Confessions ascribe. [Why, after I have left the Steadfast site, do I go away
with the distinct impression that some of the people commenting there, are
tormented by their beliefs?]
Finally, I must say, that I have participated in my fair share of secular forums;
but, my experience yesterday was unparalleled. I will
grant that I am not the best (by any means) at expressing myself; but, I never
would have imagined the rabid experience which I encountered on the
steadfastlutherans.org website.
Nathan M. Bickel –
pastor emeritus
