tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post8585086836966724951..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: TransparencyPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-73033196893219525162009-09-20T11:14:44.521-07:002009-09-20T11:14:44.521-07:00i don't find your tweets boring.
i just find ...i don't find your tweets boring.<br /><br />i just find you boring.<br /><br />j/kdanny2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13010556674654842010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-65790642649648923192009-09-20T02:34:08.735-07:002009-09-20T02:34:08.735-07:00Thank you, Phil, for this post as an accompanying ...Thank you, Phil, for this post as an accompanying post to Dan's previous series on the same subject. I guess we really should learn when to let our words be few before the Lord.<br /><br />As for the tweets, I enjoy them (even though I don't read all of them). If it weren't for your tweets, I would never seen your adorable grandson sporting that serious expression which makes him (IMHO) look rather like Sir Winston Churchill!Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08289347868497438542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-57620129756145730502009-09-19T18:47:47.667-07:002009-09-19T18:47:47.667-07:00GTY Tweet.
LOL! A new division of Grace to You th...<i>GTY Tweet.</i><br /><br />LOL! A new division of Grace to You that I knew nothing about. <br /><br />I love it, but I'm still not going on Twitter. I succumbed to the malevolent pull of Blogger and Facebook, but I'm holding firm on Twitter. <br /><br />BTW, my word verification tonight was "gosiesp." I take that as a personal attack from my computer.Solameaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09869424956571944997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-72419211533411317812009-09-19T14:59:01.349-07:002009-09-19T14:59:01.349-07:00created, don't get too exercised over it.
Tha...<b>created</b>, don't get too exercised over it.<br /><br />That post is (wait for it) <i>transparently</i> a creation of <b>Phil Johnson</b>, parodying that movement by taking on the personna of this guy.<br /><br />However, this time Phil is just too heavy-handed to be credible. I mean:<br /><br />"...visual elements with arctic props, cold lighting, and icy slideware, and lowering the temperature of the room"<br /><br />"...set scripture free to not only be exposed or exegeted via literal and specific words…but through image, story, and metaphor"<br /><br />"...in essence I sought not to have a literal translation with simply words, but a conceptual translation with image, story, and metaphor"<br /><br />"It was done in a more holistic and interwoven manner to move beyond comprehension and create heart-felt apprehension within the learner."<br /><br />"...I did attempt to be less literal in the explanation of the text, but much more thorough in my specific placement of image, story, and the use of metaphor to subconsciously or indirectly explain the text (a theological scientist would be very scared of this statement, and a theological artist would applaud it.)"<br /><br />I could go on, but Phil, Phil — who writes like this? Really?<br /><br />Nice try, though.<br /><br />(c;DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-14809962632572296822009-09-19T14:30:50.933-07:002009-09-19T14:30:50.933-07:00Aw, man ... just like high school. I have to be a ...Aw, man ... just like high school. I have to be a smart-aleck to get noticed.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10658215452617342095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-32159732017580163122009-09-19T14:06:53.843-07:002009-09-19T14:06:53.843-07:00Favorite comment.
I just have one question. Does...Favorite comment. <br /><br /><i>I just have one question. Does John MacArthur know he tweets ?</i> asked The Bible Christian.<br /><br />Now why did that get a laugh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-45727159941531592332009-09-19T12:28:39.437-07:002009-09-19T12:28:39.437-07:00It seems like a lot of the 'mind-dump-confessi...It seems like a lot of the 'mind-dump-confessional-angst'crowd seems to have a deep-seeded need for approval and pats on the back. Perhaps just a natural consequence of the 70's self-esteem movement that told them every child is a winner. <br /><br />By over-sharing, the confessors receive immediate feedback - usually a combo of sympathy, admiration and approval, which seems to be as vital as water to them. <br /><br />Here's a <a href="http://davidksmith.wordpress.com/2009/08/30/wheres-the-bible/" rel="nofollow">blog post</a> from a pastor of a Willow Creek-style church who passed out evaluation forms at the end of his "sermon" (for lack of a better word). After saying how much he values evaluation and feedback, he spends the rest of the blog post defending his use of metaphor and movie clips and whines that people are just too "modern" to "get" the nuances:<br /><br /><em>In some ways, when I hear someone say “I walked away more about Shackleton than the passage”…unfortunately this is a person who is trained (potentially damaged) in a hermeneutical technique that is based on a modern science that slices and dices. Why do they have to even begin the process of categorizing, and not walk away with the whole thing…which all pressed out this very apparent central theme of endurance in the face of a rescuing God? (It would be somewhat like someone saying to Christ…”Sorry, I just feel your spiritual teaching was overshadowed by all this talk about a tree and vine.”)</em><br /><br />In other words, 'I really want your feedback, as long as it's positive and you agree with me. Cuz Jesus was all about metaphor and stories and my generation is just figuring this stuff out after all these years in the dark ages. And I'm just shocked that all the feedback wasn't positive! Hunh.' Rather than taking the negative feedback to mean there might have been something wrong with the sermon, he takes it to mean there's something wrong with the feedback-givers...they're POTENTIALLY DAMAGED! Again, the 70's self-esteem movement. You're all winners! Give 'em all a trophy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-60805140411881141722009-09-19T10:44:14.134-07:002009-09-19T10:44:14.134-07:00Phil
I already knew about how John MacArthur felt...Phil<br /><br />I already knew about how John MacArthur felt about the internet and a computer, so him tweeting Nah!!<br /><br />Keep the Word emitting, you have encouraged and enlighten me more than you'll ever no.<br /><br />Thank YouThe Bible Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10950235301070129749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-52056035321418102662009-09-19T10:41:31.798-07:002009-09-19T10:41:31.798-07:00Sometime reader, first time commenter.
Isn't...Sometime reader, first time commenter. <br /><br />Isn't there a need to examine the context of Psalm 73?<br />Asaph was a leader of music, assigned by David to oversee music in worship (1 Chronicles 6:39). As such, he was a person of consequence. He was a leader. <br /><br />Surely, he is correct in saying that as a leader, he would have betrayed many people had he voiced what proved to be sinful doubts. This is wise counsel for any leader. In fact, if a leader has doubts that rise to the level of denying foundational truths, then that person shouldn't be a leader in the church. This is a pastoral concern.<br /><br />However, if we say that doubts are both inherently evil and unspeakable, are we potentially harming Christians instead of helping them? I'm not talking about the "faux-honesty so often used as an excuse for voicing various kinds of complaints, doubts, accusations, fleshly desires, and other kinds of evil thoughts", but sincere, "Lord I believe, help me in my unbelief" kind of honesty.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409092624736215734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-27156959747046452152009-09-19T10:25:43.368-07:002009-09-19T10:25:43.368-07:00Bible Christian: "
I just have one question. ...<b>Bible Christian:</b> <i>"<br />I just have one question. Does John MacArthur know he tweets?"</i><br /><br />Yes, of course. He doesn't follow every Tweet, but he knows the staff at GTY Tweet excerpts from his books and sermons.<br /><br />He hates the entire Internet as much as you hate Twitter, but he realizes it's a medium that can be used for good as well as evil. So we try to use it for good.<br /><br />He does all his writing with a pen and paper and he wishes the whole world could go back to that more civilized and genteel medium, but he accepts the fact that this will never happen.<br /><br />In fact, he now uses an iPhone, and every now and then he'll thumb-type a text message on it. Hates doing it, though.<br /><br /><b>Everyday Mommy:</b> <i>"One more question...do you consider Tim Challies to be a brother-in-Christ?"</i><br /><br />No.<br /><br />I count him as a <i>dear</i> brother in Christ.Phil Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-61741429870059151602009-09-19T10:04:34.179-07:002009-09-19T10:04:34.179-07:00One thing you have no lack of is feedback.
Anyway...One thing you have no lack of is feedback.<br /><br />Anyway, this is a good post. You so often hear these transparent people saying things like, "I'm sorry, but that's just the way God made me; I speak my mind." But yes, there's always the hint of superiority in their voice. It is, where I live, considered a great virtue to be a loudmouth. Perhaps that is what I'm being now, so I'll stop.<br /><br />Oh yeah, and what's a "tweet?"Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01101242277244136485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-64982730523467893942009-09-19T09:01:44.575-07:002009-09-19T09:01:44.575-07:00Heather,
You said:
"Then there is a shallow...Heather,<br /><br />You said:<br /><br />"Then there is a shallow, self-serving, sin focused variety of "transparency" which is the equivalent of putting a glass lid on a septic tank."<br /><br />Beautifully stated and so true!<br /><br />I've seen some pretty shocking things done in the name of "transparency". Including a young woman privately e-mailing married men in her church 'confessing' she had a problem lusting after married men. You can imagine how well that went over with the wives of those men!!! But even sadder, that young woman had gotten caught up in some really goofy and murky teachings - and actually thought she was obeying God's Word by sending out those e-mails. Sigh.one busy momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18087795055010641099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-10815587529242807072009-09-19T07:23:38.666-07:002009-09-19T07:23:38.666-07:00Phil:
One more question...do you consider Tim Cha...Phil:<br /><br />One more question...do you consider Tim Challies to be a brother-in-Christ?<br /><br />julesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-62646338090053264302009-09-18T21:12:12.990-07:002009-09-18T21:12:12.990-07:00Terry R.
I had to laugh when I read your comment ...Terry R.<br /><br />I had to laugh when I read your comment about the bad theology of Christians saying that they're not different from non-Christians, just saved. In the comment thread on Dan's post on fools in love with the wrong things, I told Joshua the story of how I <i>vividly</i> remember you refuting that idea several years ago, and me sitting cross-legged in my living room reading the exchange out loud to my dear husband, who then had to try to peel me off the ceiling because I was so indignant at the idea. (We were in the process of leaving our church which was big into that whole "we all just need to hear the same thing" idea, although that wasn't the worst of it.) Anyway, as I said to Joshua, that interchange led me to do a lot of reading and praying, and ultimately the joyful discovery that I was wrong and you were right, on that point. :) My entire vocabulary has changed.<br /><br />And this theme of good vs. sinful transparency is another one that's been <i>truly</i> helpful. Every time I catch up with my across-the-street neighbor who doesn't know Christ and we're about to trade whiny Mommy stories about how hard our days are, I remind myself "don't dishonor Jesus. Talk about how everything your feeling is <i>sinful</i> and how Jesus can <i>fix</i> it by fixing your <i>heart</i>." And so I do, and she nods and says something noncommital while looking at me like I am completely crazy. I'm fine with that.Rachael Starkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781158372237369417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-4172340475385274012009-09-18T20:52:21.792-07:002009-09-18T20:52:21.792-07:00Wait a minute.
Two pastors prayerfully meditate o...Wait a minute.<br /><br />Two pastors prayerfully meditate on the same passage and, indpendent of one another, come to exactly the same conclusion??<br /><br />Wierd.Rachael Starkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10781158372237369417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-70560491905838423562009-09-18T17:56:53.955-07:002009-09-18T17:56:53.955-07:00I mean, Hebrews 10:19-20.I mean, Hebrews 10:19-20.Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-59455015209453366012009-09-18T17:56:04.679-07:002009-09-18T17:56:04.679-07:00Phil:
Thank you for reminding me of Psalm 73 toda...Phil:<br /><br />Thank you for reminding me of Psalm 73 today. I needed this, though for reasons unrelated to the topic of this post.<br /><br />Johnny and Tom:<br /><br />"until I went into the sanctuary of God;"<br /><br />And what's more, we have a new and living way through the veil, into the Most Holy Place, by the blood of our High Priest and Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 19-20).Stefan Ewinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05530690016594029847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-51101035939001788652009-09-18T16:20:06.971-07:002009-09-18T16:20:06.971-07:00"Transparency" is beginning to rank up ..."Transparency" is beginning to rank up there with "authentic" and "missional" in my wish list of banned words. <br /><br />Wouldn't angst, keening and spleen-venting be more accurate anyway?Solameaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09869424956571944997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-73405618375941937002009-09-18T16:02:50.567-07:002009-09-18T16:02:50.567-07:00"until in entered the sanctuary of the Lord&q..."until in entered the sanctuary of the Lord"<br /><br />Yes, this is where we find the error of our former "honesty" and see ourselves as the brazenly self centered brats that we are. <br /><br />Amazing that God allows us to even exist. <br /><br />Honestly, this humbles me.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />CraigCraig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-59302409091944241592009-09-18T14:20:48.247-07:002009-09-18T14:20:48.247-07:00Phil
Please forgive me if I offended you in anywa...Phil<br /><br />Please forgive me if I offended you in anyway, that was not my intentions. I was actually trying to be a little funny, obviously failed miserable and for that I'm sorry. I still disagree with most people about twitter and face book, look everybody is doing it Piper, Molher this list goes on and on. I don't read anyone's, including yours. As I'm reading the posts on Pyro you can't help but see your tweeter box. It just seems like everybody wants to be somebody in today Christianity when we should be striving to be like Christ 1 Corinthians 11:1. I personally had struggled for months whether I should start up my web-site, but I just try to help edify people in the small community I live in with the word of God, mostly from preachers our Lord has graciously given a gift to proclaim His word. I think and obviously people disagree that tweeting and facebook and blogging can be just another avenue that takes us away and overtakes lives from Christ and His word. I think we just need to guard against that.<br /><br />I just have one question. Does John MacArthur know he tweets ?<br /><br />I don't comment much (you can see why), but appreciate all that you folks do and will keep reading posts and listening to your sermons on GracelifeThe Bible Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10950235301070129749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-83437846299092611742009-09-18T13:57:59.603-07:002009-09-18T13:57:59.603-07:00"Does anyone else feel creeped out?"
No..."Does anyone else feel creeped out?"<br /><br />Not I.donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-49737952112329246452009-09-18T13:56:19.127-07:002009-09-18T13:56:19.127-07:00"..spiritual maturity may sometimes require u..."..spiritual maturity may sometimes require us not to give voice to every carnal thought or emotion"<br /><br />Amen. Good deep thoughts. Gracias mi hermano.<br /><br />"A fool gives full vent to his spirit,<br />but a wise man quietly holds it back." Prov. 29:11donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-39958266159967669442009-09-18T13:45:36.949-07:002009-09-18T13:45:36.949-07:00Phil --
I have a samurai sword, and I'm pokin...Phil --<br /><br />I have a samurai sword, and I'm poking about out back in the dark because I thought I heard something out there ...<br /><br />... I just realized it's flesh and blood -- a real person.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Does anyone else feel creeped out?FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-82108380386421858932009-09-18T13:17:33.099-07:002009-09-18T13:17:33.099-07:00"Keep your feedback coming. It motivates us t..."Keep your feedback coming. It motivates us to do better"<br /><br />I so appreciate this blog. I am a silent but learning observer. This is my 1st post. Not only do I appreciate what I am learning from Phil, Dan and Frank but also I'm learning from all the regular posters. You are teaching me how to think biblically.tanzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02371359025424327377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-57418194271158681792009-09-18T12:35:49.783-07:002009-09-18T12:35:49.783-07:00There is a Biblical form of "transparency&quo...There is a Biblical form of "transparency", which involves humility, repentance and accountability:<br /><br /><i>James 5:16 Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much.</i> <br /><br />The purpose is the purification of Christ's body and glorification of His name.<br /><br />Then there is a shallow, self-serving, sin focused variety of "transparency" which is the equivalent of putting a glass lid on a septic tank.<br /><br />There is no interest in transforming the tank into, say a drinking water cistern but now EVERYONE can see the festering mess inside.<br /><br />HeatherCraig and Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11962442989291080899noreply@blogger.com