Update (4/5): I will not answer your e-mail on this topic unless you cite Scripture to support your assertions and arguments. Demonstrating some knowledge of the Bible would also encourage me to respond.
Update II (4:36 p.m.): I hope I didn’t give the impression that all the e-mail I’m getting from Catholic readers is vitriolic. Some of you have been reasonable and evenhanded. I appreciate the love, kindness and support as well.
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I’ve been the object of scorn since I started writing political columns back in late 2002. I’m quite used to the sometimes vile and often gutless and cowardly attacks from the left. My detractors are usually disgruntled liberals of all colors and proclivities, perverse and otherwise. I can deal with them. I even accept chastisement from fellow Christians, especially those who have my best interests at heart. I can always tell.
I blog about politics most of the time, and being a conservative doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a Christian. Rarely do the political discussions lead to theological debates. I don’t know if that’s a good thing, but it keeps the peace, relatively speaking. One thing that divides, however, is truth, biblical truth. Since I blogged about the death of the Pope, the e-mails have not ceased. Responses come from fellow Reformers and non-Reformers who send prayers and words of encouragement, lauding me for the sensitive way in which I’ve approached the subject. The responses I’ve gotten from Catholic readers are varied.
I’m the first to admit my timing may have been off, knowing how sensitive people can be. Emotions are running high at a time like this. But that’s all I’ll concede. What I wrote about salvation needs to be said all the time, and that was my focus. I’ve attacked no one.
What’s most disappointing is that some of the hostile folks are bloggers who’ve wholeheartedly endorsed my political views. Together we’ve ranted against liberalism. As long as I wrote what was agreeable to them, all was well. But after just one post, a mere comment on the death of the Pope, some of these same bloggers have expended the energy to e-mail their intent to de-link my site from their blog rolls.
Just like that, they’ve severed the relationship. All these months of writing in tandem on political topics, and suddenly they want nothing to do with LBC. Let me tell you something, people, my comment was mild compared to what needs to be said!
If you’ve been reading this blog long enough, you know I’m not bothered by self-important announcements about why you won’t be reading or linking anymore. In theory. I’m bothered that you’ve turned so quickly. It’s almost stunning.
I do believe God is trying to tell me something. Uncharacteristically, this whole episode has disturbed me. True to form, however, I’m fueled by it and motivated to defend my faith! It’s funny how people don’t seem to care about offending me by what they believe, but then cry like banshees when I express my faith.
Believe me when I tell you, without puffed-up pride, that while you may try to ignore me, I suspect you’ll be hearing from me. How do I know? Because I have a mission. It’s called the Great Commission:
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28: 16-20)
When I first read that verse, tears flowed. The God of Creation said he’d be with me, always. And he’s here with me right now. When we follow God’s commands rather than the traditions of men, we can rest assured in the Apostle Paul’s declaration:
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2: 1-5)
All praises belong to the Father in Christ Jesus, who is our Intercessor and Redeemer before the Father. There exists no other intercessor or redeemer between God and men, and I’m eternally grateful that my salvation depends on no man or work or tradition, but only on Christ’s unending grace and unspeakable mercy.
One last word to my new detractors. You once admired my courage to speak boldly for conservative values. The same courage allows me to speak boldly for the biblical view of the Gospel. If I’ve lost favor with you, so be it. The courage is still the same, and it will cease for no man.
