Bill Taylor wrote: > David, quite often people say things with which I disagree, > but I do not take issue with them on every occasion that > this happens.
Same here. I walk by this rule. On this forum, however, I am more likely to discuss minute differences because that is what this forum is best suited for. I do not look for fellowship or friends through email. I look to have scholarly discussions about truth, especially with people who I would probably never be friends with (like Pagan Wolf), and also with people who I would be very friendly with, but probably would not be found ministering unto the Lord with (like Dave Hansen). Bill Taylor wrote: > What is it that would make you think we > don't know you? Because of the misunderstandings of my message that you guys express in your posts, and your general rejection of me based upon false ideas of what I am trying to communicate. Invariably, the subject we discuss is dismissed and put in place of it is the process of maligning my character or calling into question my own perceived place in the body of Christ. Either that, or there is just some emotional reaction of just ceasing communication. And, of course, all of this is all my fault from the perspective of you guys because I don't try and chitchat in a way that establishes some kind of superficial sense of trust between us. Despite your words of theology to the contrary, it seems very clear that if I don't play the worldly game of being friendly and loyal to you first and then discussing any differences in a very polite way, you cut off relationship with me. What you don't realize is that from my perspective, this system of relationships that you guys are trying to pull me into is something I consider very ungodly. I strongly believe that I have a duty to seek the honor that comes from God alone and not the honor that comes from men. This does not mean that I consider relationships unimportant. It simply means that I have a different perspective of the right kind of relationships and how they are forged. John Smithson in the not too distant past has expressed some idea that my life is characterized by rejection from nearly everyone and he has used that erroneous perspective as some kind of leverage to try and get me to hear him concerning the idea that I am communicating all wrong. The fact that I am accepted by many and have many very long term friends and that I am appreciated by so many makes such statements by him kind of hollow in my ears. I know that he simply does not know me and speaks from his own misperceptions about me and my life, partly because email can never fully express who I am. Is it any wonder that I conclude that he simply does not know me? His perception of me is based entirely upon misunderstanding my words, just as an atheist might read the Bible and reject God based upon his misunderstandings of what is written there. I ought to point out, however, that I do not consider that those on TruthTalk who do understand many of my messages really know me. For example, although Izzy seems to have been tutored by the same teacher as me, I would not say that we really know each other. I have met her on several occasions, but our contact has been so limited that I do not believe we really know each other. I think the same way about Terry. I don't know anybody on the list who "knows me" except maybe my oldest daughter who might be joining the list after her final exams end. :-) I have been discussing some of the topics with her and she seems very interested in participating if she can make the time for it. Peace be with you. David Miller. p.s. It is interesting to me that I have much more profound differences with someone like Dave Hansen, who is a Mormon, yet our discussions have always been very amiable and interesting. He has caused me to read more books and has provoked me to more study than almost anyone else on the list. Although his participation has been somewhat limited in recent times, perhaps we should look to Dave Hansen as an example of how to communicate via this forum. :-) ---------- "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.
