I got a PM from a Baptist brother who wanted to post on a Baptist thread. He feared responding to my post not because I'm a trained, steely-eyed killer but because "...he heard..." that if he responded to my posts that I would delete his posts and potentially ban him.
Huh?
First, I have never made the call to ban a single individual on the board so let's dispense with that nonsense. Those decisions are made by consensus.
Second, I don't know of a single Baptist who's been banned for being a Baptist or for arguing aggressively. I've seen a number leave because they accuse the board of denying the Gospel but I don't know of a single Baptist banned.
Third, I don't delete posts unless they are way off-topic. In some cases they're moved. Recently the only posts I've deleted in Baptism threads were from paedobaptists who were posting in violation of the intent of the thread. I don't know of any Baptist posts I've deleted on the subject of Baptism but I'm open to anybody pointing those out.
Fourth, if I have deleted any posts by Baptists then I can tell you, for a fact, that I have never deleted a post simply because it challenged my beliefs.
OK, that's done.
Break, break.
I admit I can be mean sometimes on some threads. I have a quick temper. I find myself having to go back and edit my remarks sometimes because I was attacking the man and not the position. Those who have followed my posts for some time know that I try and maintain peace with folks in spite of it. I know for a fact that I've caused Trevor Johnson's blood to boil in the past but he and I get along just fine. I think I actually get along a bit better with almost every Baptist on this board than I do with some of the Presbyterians here. I'm not happy with the fact that I don't get along with everybody but, this side of glory, we're all being sanctified. I do try to live in peace with all men if it's in my power.
Some of the baptists who might find my tone arrogant or frustrating on the board in the Baptism thread need to keep a few things in mind. First, some of that perception is reality. I'm a sinner. Second, some of you need thicker skin. Third, these issues are consequential: If you can't stand the heat then stay out of the kitchen.
I don't really like milquetoasts. I expect men to have a backbone. They better have one if they come into the Baptism forum.
As nice as many of you are here, there are hardly any Reformed Baptists bodies who would recognize the baptism of my children as legitimate. There are many Baptist bodies who wouldn't even allow them to join their Church. Baptists can complain all they want that their feelings might have been a bit bruised here but at least I'm not barring you from the Table of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is true of Presbyterians in general. You might believe yourself a picked on minority but, in the real world, you've got great company for your sacramentology. You can be comfortable in a Presbyterian body and enjoy full fellowship. I cannot say the same for myself in all Baptist fellowships.
Part of the reason the message irked me is how honest I've been with so many Baptists in laboring to answer their questions and trying to understand their position better. I can honestly say that I've tried to be impeccable in criticizing actual beliefs and asking for answers while answering critics of my beliefs without obfuscation. You may not like my answers but I don't demand anything out of you that I don't deman of myself. Marines call this Ductus Exemplo.
Perhaps this is an isolated case of one person who heard something about me and repeated it to another Baptist brother. BUT, if the perception is that I'm a Grumpy Old Troll that is just plain mean to Baptists well it just ain't true. Even if I am mean to them, I don't delete their posts and I don't ban them unless they become Presbyterians and become FV. For my part, I promise to keep trying to be a kinder man when my words can be just as effective without barbs. BUT, I will not enter a debate and allow Baptists to get away with sloppy thinking and patronize them like kindergatens that hold graduation ceremonies. It might be uncomfortable for some of you but it's for your own good!
Grace and Peace,
Rich
p.s. Look at that nice smile in that picture above. Could a mean guy make a cutie pie like Sophia smile?
Huh?
First, I have never made the call to ban a single individual on the board so let's dispense with that nonsense. Those decisions are made by consensus.
Second, I don't know of a single Baptist who's been banned for being a Baptist or for arguing aggressively. I've seen a number leave because they accuse the board of denying the Gospel but I don't know of a single Baptist banned.
Third, I don't delete posts unless they are way off-topic. In some cases they're moved. Recently the only posts I've deleted in Baptism threads were from paedobaptists who were posting in violation of the intent of the thread. I don't know of any Baptist posts I've deleted on the subject of Baptism but I'm open to anybody pointing those out.
Fourth, if I have deleted any posts by Baptists then I can tell you, for a fact, that I have never deleted a post simply because it challenged my beliefs.
OK, that's done.
Break, break.
I admit I can be mean sometimes on some threads. I have a quick temper. I find myself having to go back and edit my remarks sometimes because I was attacking the man and not the position. Those who have followed my posts for some time know that I try and maintain peace with folks in spite of it. I know for a fact that I've caused Trevor Johnson's blood to boil in the past but he and I get along just fine. I think I actually get along a bit better with almost every Baptist on this board than I do with some of the Presbyterians here. I'm not happy with the fact that I don't get along with everybody but, this side of glory, we're all being sanctified. I do try to live in peace with all men if it's in my power.
Some of the baptists who might find my tone arrogant or frustrating on the board in the Baptism thread need to keep a few things in mind. First, some of that perception is reality. I'm a sinner. Second, some of you need thicker skin. Third, these issues are consequential: If you can't stand the heat then stay out of the kitchen.
I don't really like milquetoasts. I expect men to have a backbone. They better have one if they come into the Baptism forum.
As nice as many of you are here, there are hardly any Reformed Baptists bodies who would recognize the baptism of my children as legitimate. There are many Baptist bodies who wouldn't even allow them to join their Church. Baptists can complain all they want that their feelings might have been a bit bruised here but at least I'm not barring you from the Table of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is true of Presbyterians in general. You might believe yourself a picked on minority but, in the real world, you've got great company for your sacramentology. You can be comfortable in a Presbyterian body and enjoy full fellowship. I cannot say the same for myself in all Baptist fellowships.
Part of the reason the message irked me is how honest I've been with so many Baptists in laboring to answer their questions and trying to understand their position better. I can honestly say that I've tried to be impeccable in criticizing actual beliefs and asking for answers while answering critics of my beliefs without obfuscation. You may not like my answers but I don't demand anything out of you that I don't deman of myself. Marines call this Ductus Exemplo.
Perhaps this is an isolated case of one person who heard something about me and repeated it to another Baptist brother. BUT, if the perception is that I'm a Grumpy Old Troll that is just plain mean to Baptists well it just ain't true. Even if I am mean to them, I don't delete their posts and I don't ban them unless they become Presbyterians and become FV. For my part, I promise to keep trying to be a kinder man when my words can be just as effective without barbs. BUT, I will not enter a debate and allow Baptists to get away with sloppy thinking and patronize them like kindergatens that hold graduation ceremonies. It might be uncomfortable for some of you but it's for your own good!
Grace and Peace,
Rich
p.s. Look at that nice smile in that picture above. Could a mean guy make a cutie pie like Sophia smile?