Heated threads

I've been reading (and participating) in some heated threads this week. Signposts seems to have quite a few of them going on everything from theology to politics. They also had one on women in ministry, which is also a hot topic right now at Tall Skinny Kiwi. And we're probably going to start hearing about this article on post-evangelicals. I don't know what to think. I love discussions, and I've learned a lot through ones like these. Honestly, the only thing I don't like is that some just seem to be waiting for a fight. Update: LT and Jordon have posted some thoughts on the Andrew Jones thread, with some insights that should apply to all comment debates.

Comments

[ed]

I like a good discussion, but I'm getting tired of the "heated" stuff. I think sometimes we forget that it's not only Christians that tap into our world, and often the message they get is the same as if they were to walk into one of our church business meetings where things go, well, not so well. Paul told us to stay away from useless arguments, I think that's probably good advice, especially when we're in public forums. I'm not saying don't discuss, but when things are clearly issues where there isn't give and take, but it's, well, you know...why fight? My point, discuss, don't let yourself be pulled into the fights. One of the reasons I've stayed away from some of the latest heated stuff, I've been reading, but haven't posted, I know how I could be. Man I'm changing - remember when you used to sit back and watch me get into it - I'm not proud, I've done a lot of damage over the years, but I'm glad this change has happened ever so slowly. Will I never mess up...let's not go there. eh, wait a minute, you used to start me going with some of those "heated discussion"...PUNK! later...

[Justin Baeder]

Wow, that's quite an article on The Post-Evangelical. I must say it got me thinking. I have the original British edition (Amazon error), so I haven't read the forward by Willard. What strikes me is the fact that Tomlinson was never an evangelical (at least he doesn't seem that way). You can't seriously consider the Anglican church to be evangelical, or even Protestant. There are doubtless evangelicals within the Anglican church, but I think Tomlinson's statements reflect liberal Anglicanism better than the emergent church and post-evangelicalism (whatever that is). In other words, Tomlinson can't claim to be a post-evangelical if he was never an evangelical. I'm a little hesitant to say it, but I agree with Dr. Whoever's article. Tomlinson's book goes too far toward Anglicanism to really represent how people are moving beyond evangelicalsm - it's more like out of evangelicalism.

[maggi]

dear Justin, do your research! Dave is a post- (or possibly ex-) mega-evangelical. Liberal Anglican he came to late in life. He's a very fine man, and worth listening to.

[Mike]

Thanks Darryl - I just read the crosswalk thing. Thanks for ruining an otherwise perfect day! I heard Tomlinson last year at Emergent and was very impressed. (There's a short excerpt from the book in Stories of Emergence, as well.) And Dallas Willard is a key influence in my thinking, so this guy lost me when he dissed Dallas! This ain't going to be easy, friends...