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feelinahole
Registered Member
Date Joined Jan 2004
Total Posts : 754
| Posted 1/6/2005 12:56 PM (GMT -6) |   | As I ponder the "end times" of this board (and read the many comments from others), I am struck at how much they remind me of comments at a funeral, where the dearly departed become the most glorious individual in death, if not in life. In the interests of balancing the scales, I offer my own thoughts.
What have I learned: frankly, that Christians are mostly like non-Christians, easily offended, childish and not really interested in the honesty. Christians, like non-christians, don't want honesty. They want to be praised and patted on the back, told them are good little children.
I, of course, include my self in this judgment. I have allowed this board to bring out the petty side of me and I had no one to blame but myself. It is one of the reasons I seldom post anymore. I read a lot, but seldom feel the need to correspond with anyone.
I am grateful for Doctor Boyd's books, but not particularly for his dialogue. In the areas of the open view I am truly grateful, for he has truly opened my mind to great avenues of learning. But I knew that before joining up here. But in other areas (particularly in the area of "love") I found him very combative if you didn't agree with him. SAdly, I saw a side of him I was disappointed in. I recognize that Doctor Boyd is human and I have no qualms about that. But the Bible calls teachers to a higher standard. Sadly, that isn't always the case.
I have found that, by and large, boards are pretty much worthless for the imparting of actual information and truly constructive dialogue. This one in particular had the extra fence to hurdle in that the nepotism of everyone beings pals disallowed any truly honest criticism of Doctor Boyd or anyone else. As I said, Christians don't like true honest words. They want praise.
Do I wish to be a part of the new board? I will read, but not participate (beyond the occasional comment). I have found many great books to read from this board.
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1Heart
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2004
Total Posts : 1128
| Posted 1/6/2005 1:47 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by feelinahole
As I ponder the "end times" of this board (and read the many comments from others), I am struck at how much they remind me of comments at a funeral, where the dearly departed become the most glorious individual in death, if not in life. In the interests of balancing the scales, I offer my own thoughts.
What have I learned: frankly, that Christians are mostly like non-Christians, easily offended, childish and not really interested in the honesty. Christians, like non-christians, don't want honesty. They want to be praised and patted on the back, told them are good little children.
I, of course, include my self in this judgment. I have allowed this board to bring out the petty side of me and I had no one to blame but myself. It is one of the reasons I seldom post anymore. I read a lot, but seldom feel the need to correspond with anyone.
I am grateful for Doctor Boyd's books, but not particularly for his dialogue. In the areas of the open view I am truly grateful, for he has truly opened my mind to great avenues of learning. But I knew that before joining up here. But in other areas (particularly in the area of "love") I found him very combative if you didn't agree with him. SAdly, I saw a side of him I was disappointed in. I recognize that Doctor Boyd is human and I have no qualms about that. But the Bible calls teachers to a higher standard. Sadly, that isn't always the case.
I have found that, by and large, boards are pretty much worthless for the imparting of actual information and truly constructive dialogue. This one in particular had the extra fence to hurdle in that the nepotism of everyone beings pals disallowed any truly honest criticism of Doctor Boyd or anyone else. As I said, Christians don't like true honest words. They want praise.
Do I wish to be a part of the new board? I will read, but not participate (beyond the occasional comment). I have found many great books to read from this board.
Feelinahole,
I'm somewhat saddened by your perspective, but then really why should I be? You've learned from it. You've taken something away, even if it's just good books. I guess the part for me that's sad, is that I believe there are many here who value honesty, and even transparency. I'm one of those, and honestly I've had more freedom to be transparent here, to be who I am, than I've had in my local church. I'm grateful for that. That kind of opportunity is a rare find.
I wish you had time, and the heart for some honest dialogue. You've gotten the ball rolling, so to speak - here. Perhaps it's been easier for me here, as I'm less of a theologian, and consider that relationship is more important than proving that I'm right. Perhaps if I were more of a scholar, and less of an artist/philosopher type, I'd be the same way...I don't know. I did determine in my own heart though, that when I came here I would be an encouragement, or I wouldn't be here. Perhaps that comes easier to some than others.
I've seen a lot of great dialogue, read some debates, appreciated the humor of some, the insights of many, and the grace and love that I've seen demonstrated as people have shared their hearts, and asked for prayer on occasion. I've also seen sarcasm, nitpicking, backbiting...but I am not here to judge. I'm here to learn. I'm human as well, and fall into the same things as pretty much anyone here. We're not perfect. We're just saved! We're called to love each other, so much so that the world will stand up and take notice. We need to challenge each other in that...
It takes courage to be honest. It's a risk. I hope you won't be disappointed. I think it's worth the risk (at times), and at other times I shy away.
Sorry that you see Greg Boyd that way. He would likely be first to admit that he is human, and open to correction. He also has a shepherd's heart (in meeting him, and hearing him speak). I actually thought he did surprisingly well, considering some of the attacks that have been launched against him personally. People take ideas, and theology, and they make it something personal...I've actually seen people call even his character into question, and it saddened me.
Glad I don't live under that kind of microscope. My life is already pretty open to inspection as part of a pastoral team, but not to that extent.
God Bless...hope you can see that there is honesty, and great value in this kind of discussion board. I hope to go on, as time permits....
Jo-Anne
"Sometimes all we can do is go back to the character of God, and drop anchor there."
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 1/6/2005 2:37 PM (GMT -6) | | Feelinahole's Eulogy
You can’t judge a book by the cover.
When I first came to this site I was taken back by the name “feelinahole”. I had one exchange with him about accepting gays into the church. On the surface feelinahole probably went away thinking he would never see me come around in understanding his position. Well he was wrong, I saw a lot of truth in what he agued and continued on with my own research on the topic. I have not yet learned how to balance all I’ve learned, but rest assured he did have an impact.
I now look back at the name feelinahole in honor of St. Thomas. Like all of us at times we struggle with doubt and we need to reach out for Jesus, we need something real, something to touch with our own hands, something to feel with our own feelings we need to feel the hole, feelinahole.
John 20:27 (NRSV)
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe."
RIP 
God bless you on your journey,
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Truth Aficionado
Registered Member
Date Joined Dec 2003
Total Posts : 1544
| Posted 1/6/2005 4:31 PM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Laika
Somebody needs a hug.....
Hey! Did someone say hug? I’m running a little short on cash. That last dog had nothing in his wallet but an old faded out picture of a Lassie.
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Mayflower
Registered Member
Date Joined Mar 2002
Total Posts : 445
| Posted 1/7/2005 8:45 AM (GMT -6) | | | | |
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Mayflower
Registered Member
Date Joined Mar 2002
Total Posts : 445
| Posted 1/7/2005 1:50 PM (GMT -6) | | .
Yup.
That's Ole & Lena, my husband's cousins from up by Lake Woebegone.
 .
Laika wrote: quote:
Good illustration of the "A-frame hug" right in the center of that picture.
Plus, Mister T-shirt isn't getting into the spirit of the hug, is he.
He's "white-knuckling" that pew....
.
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Tigress
Registered Member
Date Joined Feb 2003
Total Posts : 1252
| Posted 1/12/2005 4:46 PM (GMT -6) | | Those are probably the only types of men on Earth who know how it feels for two pregnant women to hug each other! Not that I would know or anything. I've never been pregnant. But I figure it's gotta be similar to two Sumo wrestlers.
Tigress
Tigress  "Name a shrub after me. Preferably one that's prickly and difficult to eradicate." -Captain Jack Aubrey "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" | | Back to Top | | |
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