Judy wrote: > Why is it that you, and Bill like to counsel > and evaluate so much David? Why not deal > with the issues rather than the person?
The problem is that communication is a two way street. If we don't deal with problems in how we communicate with one another, then the alternative is to ignore one another. An even more drastic response would be to ask the other person to stop talking to them. I don't think that is what you want, Judy, is it? Let me give you a recent example. Lance wrote: >> If the Bereans did other than speak "Scripturese" >> to each other then they also were engaging in >> theology Judy. Judy wrote: > How do you define what you call "scripturese" > Lance? How do you discern between good and evil? > What is your plumbline or standard of measure? Lance was making a very simple point. If the Bereans were doing more than just reading Scripture, then they were engaging in theology. That would mean that the Bereans engaged in something more like what Bill Taylor engages in. In other words, drawing upon the example of the Bereans supports Bill Taylor's approach to truth rather than rebuts it, which is what you were trying to do. The problem I have with this exchange is that you do not seem to be hearing what he said. Lance makes a point, but instead of acknowledging that point, you jump to a tangential point. "How do you discern between good and evil?" "What is your plumbline or standard of measure"? Such a direction shuts down communication. Lance is forced either to drop the subject, or go along the lines of your point where you have agreement, or come back to his original point only to be frustrated with you probably responding to some other truth that is peripheral to the point he is trying to make. In such forms of communication, Lance will never be able to tell whether the truth that he was trying to share with you was ever heard. He will probably conclude that you cannot hear or understand him. You might make yourself feel better about it by concluding that he reads too many books, or that he is in the business of selling books, or he has brainwashed by professors at some point in his past, or that he simply lacks the Holy Spirit that you have. Whatever reason you might come up with, the truth is that the two of you have simply failed to communicate because one side refuses to hear the other side. I suspect the truth is that upon this particular matter, it would be very easy for the two of you to come to agreement. So when I deal with the issue of the reasons for the breakdown in communication, I am dealing with something that could help facilitate better communication on many issues. My hope is that our exchanges can be as profitable as they possibly can be. Peace be with you. David Miller, Beverly Hills, Florida. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
