We first started getting bogged down with terminology that you used which I
found to be ambiguous (e.g., authoritative appeal, perfected by another,
etc.). When I pointed out that you were wrong about no NT writer ever
quoting Jesus, that was when you started getting truly offended and accusing
me of implying that your original question was without merit. I tried to
keep us on track by talking about the gospel and defining what it means
because it is very related to the concepts going on in other thread about
repentance, obedience, the law, etc. In the midst of this, there was the
question of reconciling the love and hate verses. You accused me of
implying a shallowness on your part because I asked you if you actually
reconciled the two passages together, or if you thought one simply negated
the other. It was an honest question on my part because I know that you
have a Church of Christ background and members of the Church of Christ often
have argued with me that NT passages trump out and negate OT passages. I
try to ignore dealing with these misunderstandings between us as much as I
can because they usually detract from meaningful dialogue. Right now,
however, I desire that you have a little better opinion of me than you
presently have. I think discussion can be more meaningful when there is an
element of mutual trust and respect.
My suggestion is to simply move on. There are a number of skewed "facts" in the above statement, but I will take your last two sentences at face value, express my appreciation for them, and wake up, in the morning, like a goose in a new world. Looking forward to continued and honest discussion.
John
