One of my very best friends (a Ukrainian Orthodox Christian) calls me a Heretic to my face.
And he's not joking. He means it; he's quite serious.
Respectfully, mind you. Kindly. Lovingly. One concerned Amateur Theologian to another. Truly believes that I am a Heretic, and is concerned enough for my spiritual well-being to say so. I respect him for that; and in turn, as a good Orthodox Christian, he doesn't mind sharing the Antidoron even with a cantankerous Calvinist whom he does consider to be a Heretic (at least as compared to the "One True Faith", i.e., Orthodoxy).
I don't mind. Sticks and Stones... but words will never hurt me, right?
As a convinced Calvinist, I may disagree with his belief that I should join the Eastern Orthodox Church -- but at least I know he loves me enough to care.
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You're the Boss. You can declare "Heretic" an "off-limits word" if you want to. I'll try to respect that.
But some folks need to get tougher skins on their inner emotional child, if one is to discuss "True or False, Black or White" about anything.
But some folks need to get tougher skins on their inner emotional child, if one is to discuss "True or False, Black or White" about anything.
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Have often felt the same way as my discourse habits come from intense group process training and experience--3,000+ hours of such.
HOWEVER, JimRob has few REALLY STRONG edicts, preferences, values for us and our behavior hereon.
HE HAS PROVIDED A SUPER WONDERFUL FORUM FOR ALL MANNER OF GREAT 'DIALOGUES.'
If it "ONLY" TICKLED HIS FANCY as a slight to significant preference for us to be more Christlike in graciousness, winsomeness, kindness . . . THAT SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT REASON for us to comply given all the givens and all Jim's benefits to us hereon.
I still think that fitting satire against worthy-begging-for-it-target ideas and positions has a place.
However, I am increasingly trying strongly with a firm grip on the scruff of my neck to insist that my fingers do their earnest best to be Christ-like charitable toward persons hereon even when I think their positions are utterly idiotic and clueless.
Of course we could also appeal to Scripture exhorting such between the bretheren but such Scripture rarely has much impact on such . . . exchanges . . . sadly.