Replies

I went to a young girl's blog that tells of the day Dr. Beckwith was received back into the Church. Dr. Beckwith replies very nicely and then James White chimes in and then a guy takes JW to task a little angrily but I loved this reply and it also fits a lot of the anti-Catholics on FR.

Mr. White,

"I won't speak for Kacy, but only for myself. And I am only writing this because you asked.

I think this statement attests to the idea that some might get that you imply that Dr. Beckwith traded in truth for a lie:

"I would imagine we will, in time, be provided a fairly full apologia of his decision. At that time it would be highly appropriate to once again provide a biblical response."

Of course, as it is your duty to defend the Reformed Baptist faith, you naturally believe that yours is the biblical response and (I would imagine) Dr. Beckwith is mistaken (at best). Right? Fair enough.

But I will say this, even when I agreed with most everything you wrote years ago: the general "air" of your writing comes across as arrogant and demeaning. It is not so much what you write, as the manner in which you write it (the spirit of the author). I think this has to do with the fact that you make your living arguing and are always ready to be defensive immediately after attacking.

I think the charity and humility required in a pastoral role is absent from your writing style, which turns a lot of people off to what you have to say. Compare your writing style to that of Fr. Stephen Freeman. Both of you are active in apologetics, yet there is a clear distinction in the presentation. The one, many people enjoy reading (even though they may greatly disagree), the other causes much strife and anger. There is a reason for that. I think a big difference between yourself and someone life Fr. Freeman is a general lack of humility in your writings.

I realize that what I wrote was very blunt and possibly even abrasive, and for that I apologize. It is just that I cannot think of another way to get you to see what others so obviously see and have a hard time describing; most have a hard time finding that "one" quotation or paragraph that you wrote that "did it." That again, has more to do with the perceived attitude of the author than with anything directly written. For example, try using more kinder adjectives, add in some compliments, be quick to see the good, always assume the best, be open and humble about your own failings, etc. In other words, try using kinder and "softer" speech when addressing a person (or about a person).

I am not saying this because I in any way am innocent of this myself. I think I am writing this to you because this is also something I struggle with and so I understand it.

Please also pray for me, a sinner."

Pray for them.