apostasy
n 1: the state of having rejected your religious beliefs
Thanks to Dave for directing me to the fact that I’ve been labeled an Apostate. The image on the right is directly from Chris P.’s blog. At first I was going to say that I’m in the company of some phenomenal prophets and Christian voices (Emergent UK, Dave @ Disaster Area and Real Live Preacher, who is amazing!). And then I saw that I was lumped right in along with TBN, Tim LeHaye and the Toronto Blessing! Chris P., you can speak for yourself on this blog, but really…The Apostasy? This is ridiculous!
I think I’m realizing that this wonderful world of blogs does have some limitations. I echo Jamey’s comment and wish/hope that we could all sit around a table, break bread together and have this conversation. I know I would be willing to do this, and I hope (though I am not sure) that everyone else would be so willing. I also echo various other commenters who suggested that this conversation may just be one of those that needs to take place person-to-person, in the context of relationships and fellowship. Because people are just using the same ‘ole arguments (in some ways, it feels like the same argument as this and this, but just with different players).
So…blogs are limited, people are getting pissed and the comments and conversation here just sounds and feels very circular. So what is a blogger to do? Do I avoid this conversation? (I don’t really want to…) Do I close comments? (Maybe…) Do I try to steer the conversation in a different direction? (I don’t think that would work) So for now, this conversation is done. I am irritated that people took it in the direction that it ended up. This topic might come up again on this blog, but until I figure out a better way to handle it, we’re going to be moving on. The comments are closed on the two previous posts.
I would hope that everyone, whatever their position on this issue, would continue to live in the knowledge and experience of God’s grace, the realization that God is in control and that some of us need to get our hands off of the controls and let God do what God does, and let us all error on the side of God’s love and grace more than anything else…