I never thought I would see the day that Christians are attacked by their own for being consistent with Christian presuppositions, but that day has come and it saddens me to no end. This is a link to the ARBCA General Assembly, recently held in Illinois. Please click on to the link entitled Theological Discussions #2, which is moderated by Fred Malone. I stumbled onto this link the other day while slumming through “Christian Blogs”. I thought to myself, “Self, let’s listen to this discussion. After all, this is the best Christianity has to offer. Perhaps I can learn something.” Well, needless to say I almost puked on my computer screen. I wanted to respond, but I couldn’t. This particular blogger closed the comments section for this topic. This was probably a good thing because it gave me several days to calm down. In my opinion this was a direct attack on one particular group of close friends that I have. There is really no other reason to link to this particular discussion, at least not an intellectual reason. It’s not like this blogger has readers interested, whatsoever, in issues of ecclesiology. Anyway, for what its worth, listen to this vile display of how to approach the issue of homeschoolers within the Christian community.
I really can’t believe that ARBCA pastors would spend so much energy formulating fallacious arguments, in order to squash such a small movement within homeschool families. Although, if your lively hood depends on fathers not teaching their children, I guess it seems reasonable to endorse such rhetoric.
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bj77
B.J., I was alerted to this discussion and others by some dear friends. It is interesting that the blog from which I linked is one from a pastor who has espoused unqualified support for homeschooling, parents discipling their children, etc. As I listened to this “interesting theological discussion of patriarchy” I, too, was sickened and extremely saddened that men pastoring flocks would actually stoop so low as to spend their time in mockery and derision of a group of people who are striving with all their hearts to do what the Scriptures lead them to do with their lives and their families. Even if differences in theology do exist, that is no reason to hold such arrogant, elitist “discussions” with no one there to defend their positions. It amounts to nothing more than a GOSSIP session. I truly hope that the pastors of my former church do not hold to such extremely exclusive views, for that would mean I and others have been deliberately deceived for many years. It seems as if the ARBCA pastors actually seemed threatened by a small group of people, and are trying their best to marginalize them, to keep them out of their spheres of influence, so that the pastors don’t actually have to delve into the questions and concerns these “bad people” bring up. As in “don’t question what we teach, we are the professionals”. I guess that those who believe in the Biblical approaches to education(notice I did not say schooling), those who believe it is God who is to open and close the womb, who believe the greatest calling for women is to be wives and mothers, who believe that men, as heads of the familiy and held accountable for it, should exercise caution and extreme discernment as to what influences enter into the familiy’s domain, are now anathema to ARBCA churches. Oh well, that puts them right in there with the courts in California, the ACLU, the teacher’s unions, the Democrats, and whoever else you may think of. You may pass on these comments to anyone you wish, with my complete blessing.
One more thing, then I’ll let it go on this blog….It seems those who champion Christian liberty the most stridently are the least likely to extend it to those with whom they disagree on matters of orthopraxy. There are so many other more pressing concerns that churches have: gossip, immodesty of dress, immorality in the congregation and youth groups, divorces, the feminization of churches, the watering down of the Gospel, the approval of many to allow homosexual “pastors”, the trend for female pastors, the marital infidelities of many high profile preachers(not just the ones that make the national news) , and the list goes on and on…….
Greetings in Christ,
I agree with your summary of this message. Interestingly enough, they seem to have removed this message from their website as of yesterday!
Here is the URL for my analysis of this sad ‘message’ —
http://raylwade.blogspot.com/2008/05/dangers-of-patriarchy-analysis-of.html
in Christ alone,
Ray
Guys-
Thanks for stopping by and letting your voice be heard. My computer has been down for a week now and it seems that since my original post, ARBCA has taken down it’s link to the discussion dealing with homeschool families. It appears that someone within it’s ranks still has a certain level of integrity. Now all that is needed is a public apology from all these men who said these outlandish things and from those who were silent, yet, apparently conedone what was said by not qualifying which parts of the so called “Theological Discussion” they agreed/disagreed with. By their silence, I assume they agreed with every point.
Don’t worry about it BJ. Homeschoolers are used to all of their criticism coming from the local church. It’s nothing new. We can take it.
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Winding!!