Finally, a decent internet connection! I’m at the coffee shop where I loitered with friends the other night when it was closed–homeless vagabonds in search of wifi in Memphis….
The most important thing to say to my friends in the blogosphere: This was a really encouraging G.A. I met people I had never met before and also met again people who I hadn’t known, or, who had changed so much it was like meeting a new person. There was lots of enouragement, lots of comfort, and lots of fellowship. This has been a truly refreshing time for me. Do not doubt that God is at work raising up leaders and shepherds who will protect his Church and understand the Gospel.
Also, I want to publicly thank Doug for his Christian advice. It helps me see the direction we should go (and experience not a little regret at ways I may have fallen short in the past). He is a true man of God.
Jesus is Lord.
I appreciate you charity and ditto your comment about Doug. I just finished viewing the discussion. I have to say I am grieved that the bulk of the time was spent debating about the ‘substitute motion’ and zero time was spent talking about the report itself.
Thanks for mentioning that GA is generally a positive experience; when people like me are watching from a distance it can look kind of bleak when the part I pay most attention is a certain vote yesterday.
Thanks also for taking Doug’s advice. My sympathies are generally with the FV camp (at least judicially, less so doctrinally), but sometimes your conduct in your own defense has actually been more problematic than any of the accusations made against you. I’m sure I’d do worse in your place. In any event, I was glad to see Doug say what he said, and I’m glad to see the advice be heeded.
FYI, Keith, it would be easier to receive or evaluate anything you find problematic if you would bring it to my attention when it happens so I’m sure what you mean.
But thanks for your kind words!
The two cases that come most to mind are cases where you apologized not long afterward, but if it should happen again and I don’t feel too hypocritical at the moment (i.e. I’m not doing the same thing) I’ll let you know since you asked.
It was nice to meet you, Mark.
I’ve appreciated your updates on the FV/NPP issues within the PCA. (I’m a conservative mainliner and have only observed this sad dispute from a distace.)
What ramifications does the PCA face by adopting this report – a report that appears to suffer from substantial misunderstandings of Calvinian orthodoxy? It seems that the GA has codified a narrow strand of revivalistic American Calvinism as the only acceptable articulation of the Reformed faith. Your reactions are understandably tempered. Yet it is no trifling matter for a Reformed denomination to adopt a statement that has the effect of reading Calvin out of the tradition that bears his namesake.
Mark, I realy appreciate this post. I’m glad to see you keeping your chin up and it is an encouragement to me.