tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post8346660805199006484..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: The Enemies ListPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-63829108555101448882014-09-26T12:55:30.687-07:002014-09-26T12:55:30.687-07:00I love a good troll, Brad. Just not forever.I love a good troll, Brad. Just not forever.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-38788896378478549492014-09-26T08:59:27.127-07:002014-09-26T08:59:27.127-07:00But definitely "you"; not perhaps "...But definitely "you"; not perhaps "we"?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04711330234679737930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-20420463835465461402014-09-26T06:56:32.755-07:002014-09-26T06:56:32.755-07:00You personally. Every one of you. There's no...You personally. Every one of you. There's nobody reading this blog who isn't somewhat guilty of these things in some degree -- as opposed to actual racism and actual murder.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-63186197314377877832014-09-25T17:02:03.332-07:002014-09-25T17:02:03.332-07:00Just asking and not a criticism--promise. I agree...Just asking and not a criticism--promise. I agree with every word. But who is your target? What audience do you have in mind with all of the "you"s? I don't feel that most readers of this blog are currently running afoul of these admonitions. Maybe what you are saying is actually not that controversial? Though exhortation is always needed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04711330234679737930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-8017178159406741072014-09-25T14:05:00.062-07:002014-09-25T14:05:00.062-07:00Hmmm... I didn't know it could be made any mor...Hmmm... I didn't know it could be made any more clear but you're absolutely right!Saved By Faith Alonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09220395906365783165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-14856547195288863032014-09-25T14:04:35.927-07:002014-09-25T14:04:35.927-07:00Actually, Leviticus 19:18 gives us the first menti...Actually, Leviticus 19:18 gives us the first mention of loving your neighbor as yourself, and it is in the context of not taking vengeance or not bearing any grudge. <br />Racism begins with a lack of love and therefore bears a grudge with anyone who is a different ethnicity than you simply because they are of a different ethnicity. Racism is lack of love which does not believe all things, hope all things, bear all things, endure all things, and therefore assumes that someone did something to someone else simply because of ethnicity; it therefore mistrusts because someone is of a different ethnicity; it therefore leaps to conclusions; it therefore refuses to give the benefit of the doubt; it therefore refuses to hear the truth; it therefore refuses to treat others as it would be treated.<br />Therefore, racism is sin. It is the sin of a heart that has been hardened toward those of other ethnicities, and is a sin that continues to harden the heart. For the issue to be humanized it must begin with all involved loving their neighbor as themselves. <br />Morris Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18083884122271855154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1823048143016943072014-09-25T05:25:18.267-07:002014-09-25T05:25:18.267-07:00Dan H. -
Do a word search for the phrase "on...Dan H. -<br /><br />Do a word search for the phrase "one another" and see how often Paul says to "one another" after he says "therefore." It will make the point even more clear.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-67336067639761185142014-09-24T14:31:14.514-07:002014-09-24T14:31:14.514-07:00“Jim Pemberton wins the thread.” I didn’t know one...“Jim Pemberton wins the thread.” I didn’t know one could “win” in this forum??? <br /><br />And a “participation trophy” to boot! Well – I had no idea! But now that I’m motivated sign me up and here I go! ;-)<br /><br />A simple textual search of the NT for the phrase “love your neighbor” results in at least 9 occurrences in the NIV. What kept going through my mind as I read Frank’s fine essay was how simple it really is when considered in the light of our Lord’s “no commandment greater than this” command. This entreaty from our Master should be the bedrock and the foundation of every effort of reconciliation, regardless of the issue. I find the breadth and power of the following verse from Galatians to be stunning:<br /><br />[Gal 5:14 NIV] 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."<br /><br />I too, wait in trepidation for the next “The Enemies List” installment from “The Late (great) Frank Turk”.<br /><br />In Christ,<br /><br />Dan H.<br />Saved By Faith Alonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09220395906365783165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-53940139419747602252014-09-24T11:13:00.490-07:002014-09-24T11:13:00.490-07:00Yes, Jim won, but this is still 'Merica and I ...Yes, Jim won, but this is still 'Merica and I still expect a participation trophy.Michael Coughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151414777657994736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-11596726630720282972014-09-24T11:06:15.991-07:002014-09-24T11:06:15.991-07:00Jim Pemberton wins the thread.Jim Pemberton wins the thread.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-87065075156708606852014-09-24T09:36:59.949-07:002014-09-24T09:36:59.949-07:00Frank, I think I'm tracking with you. One of t...Frank, I think I'm tracking with you. One of the misattributed quotes I hate is the one that says "Preach the gospel, use words if necessary." It should be something like, "Always Preach the gospel and always live it." I guess the point I was making rather less than clearly was that these kinds of race issues are easy compared to what we should be doing.<br /><br />What I didn't get into is that we are too comfortable to do what we need to do. Many whites approach it as "it's a problem way over there and why should it affect me here?" And then they give all kinds of good reasons why this is a good attitude to have. Many blacks approach it as, "it's not only a problem way over there, but it's also a problem right here." And they give good reasons why that's the case. Addressing the issue with the gospel, even between brothers and sisters of different races, requires uncomplaining self-sacrifice for the benefit of someone who may be immature in their faith enough to call for your blood in the matter, even as you illustrated here with Stephen:<br /><br />"You think I deserve to be punished? Here's the stone, knife, gun, etc. Do me in, not only because I deserve far worse anyway, but because that's the very least of what Jesus did for you."<br /><br />I'm not advocating something so extreme in every case, but that is the sense in which we need to enter into the arena of people's lives. Moses never defended himself. God did that for him. He only ever defended God.Jim Pembertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01446388434272680014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-9879539970833153352014-09-24T09:11:40.622-07:002014-09-24T09:11:40.622-07:00Jim --
I would add that it's not either we pr...Jim --<br /><br />I would add that it's not either we preach the Gospel or we hold to a view of government which says the police ought to enforce the law and I have a right to defend myself/my family against attacks.<br /><br />All of the discussion right now is in the aftermath of an event where, frankly, the facts are not clear except that one man is dead and another shot him -- and one was black, the other white. If we are going to talk to anyone about this, let me say plainly that the question is not "what would you do if I made up some facts to prop up around this outcome," but, "how do I deal with people when a tragedy like this occurs and one of the questions involved is about the category of race?"FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-38205667787789306902014-09-24T08:44:53.514-07:002014-09-24T08:44:53.514-07:00And after Item 2 of Let it Go, too. Some people ju...And after Item 2 of Let it Go, too. Some people just can't handle praise.Michael Coughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151414777657994736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-27595869013618212452014-09-24T08:43:45.900-07:002014-09-24T08:43:45.900-07:00This is precisely the spirit of evangelism that ma...This is precisely the spirit of evangelism that many need to overcome. If we truly believe that the message of the gospel is to be used by the Holy Spirit to transform people then we need to have the heart to present it to - let's pick our worst enemies here - the Mexican drug cartels and the like, corrupt politicians and promulgators of sundry institutional madness, producers of porn, rapists, murderers... even ISIS. If proclaiming the gospel is the answer should we not think that it would behoove us to proclaim it to these people in ways that demonstrate the love of Christ?Jim Pembertonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01446388434272680014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-83805246208872396772014-09-24T08:41:50.212-07:002014-09-24T08:41:50.212-07:00Kerry - I can't believe you would throw me und...Kerry - I can't believe you would throw me under the bus like that.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-67110867304889547102014-09-24T07:55:20.853-07:002014-09-24T07:55:20.853-07:00I had a twitbate the other day because I saw the s...I had a twitbate the other day because I saw the same type of behavior Frank is condemning in the post.<br /><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/HollyRFisher/status/514093596266749953" rel="nofollow">Click here to see most of the thread.</a> Twitter is not the best medium for rational discourse, but I hope God will use my words for His good purpose in someone's heart who reads the tweets.<br /><br />I reference Acts 60, Stephen's final words, as well as Frank, to try to indicate what our attitude should be toward "enemies."<br /><br />I appreciate your continued desire to see yourself and us conformed to the image of Christ.Michael Coughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151414777657994736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-34823985988805920932014-09-24T07:52:40.470-07:002014-09-24T07:52:40.470-07:00Well said, Frank. I hope this clarifies last week ...Well said, Frank. I hope this clarifies last week a little for others who needed this follow up to understand your point.<br /><br />KJA - It is amazing Frank would use such inflammatory words in a comment. I suppose we need to humanize Arial Black? She really has been a good companion all these years...Michael Coughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01151414777657994736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-71305424871736818712014-09-24T07:14:59.702-07:002014-09-24T07:14:59.702-07:00Since eliminating Arial Black sounds racist, I wan...Since eliminating Arial Black sounds racist, I want to go on record as saying that Pyro Staff had nothing to do with it. Kerry James Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06083436735702873300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-59801241287597069722014-09-24T06:58:19.679-07:002014-09-24T06:58:19.679-07:00Headline font: Didn't notice the change becaus...Headline font: Didn't notice the change because I'm observant like that.<br /><br /> This post falls right in line with what my pastor just preached on those we consider "enemies." From Romans 12:14, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them." <br /><br /> The meaty bit that I'm still gnawing on is that we are to actually be purposeful in finding ways to "bless" our enemies, not be inflammatory, not ignore or avoid. Tying it in with what you have said, does make it very clear that this is much easier to do when we humanize those involved. <br /><br /> As a mother, I think I can do that much easier when I think that this person is someone's child and more than that, God's creation. <br /><br /> Awaiting the next post with cautious anticipation...Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15218617176245178335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-82473505266551202212014-09-24T06:49:10.816-07:002014-09-24T06:49:10.816-07:00Once again, fantastic job framing the issue. Thes...Once again, fantastic job framing the issue. These past two weeks have been very helpful. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13491688451375590369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-22781161958616949002014-09-24T06:41:29.987-07:002014-09-24T06:41:29.987-07:00For my money, this sentence sums up the post prett...For my money, this sentence sums up the post pretty well.<br /><br />"Whatever advice it is you think you have to give here, if you really want it to somehow have the Gospel in it, it has to reproach the power of sin and death in the lives of the people you are speaking to -- but not out of a sense of partisan righteousness, or a belief that somehow we are defending civilization."<br /><br />Because we do that, don't we? We talk about human flourishing as if that's the point. It's an important thing to be sure, but unless human flourishing in the here and now, is grounded in human flourishing in the hereafter, what's the point?<br /><br />Not that human flourishing isn't important, it just isn't ultimate. And, if I'm reading you right, unless everything, especially conversations like this one, begin and end with the goal of "peace among men on whom his favour rests" we won't even get around to really making a difference in the here and now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-46411770340466401862014-09-24T05:09:04.608-07:002014-09-24T05:09:04.608-07:00In the spirit of not making enemies, we're usi...In the spirit of not making enemies, we're using a new font for the headlines these days because it looked like Arial Black was no longer supported. Any comments about that? FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.com