Reformers and Puritans

Josh October 30th, 2007

My accuser and left the blockquoted comments below (not the quoted Scriptures, though):

(name removed by admin), I find your interaction here evasive, dismissive, and inexcusable. It’s time for some accountability.

Josh, I do not want to debate.

Really? Then why the accusatory and provocative comments in response to my prayer?

For me there is nothing to debate.

Sure there is. Substantiating your accusations against me.

What I said I have said.

And poorly so, I might add.

I do not regret what I said about your prayer!

Who asked you to regret it? I just asked you to back up your assertions.

If you wish to parade about like a Pharisee then I can’t stop you.

And herein is what you have fundamentally failed to prove. It is time for you to demonstrate how I have “parade[d] about like a Pharisee.” Do you realize how pompous, arrogant, and Pharisaical your statement is? Do you even know the definition of Pharisaical? It means to be hypocritical and cherish self-righteousness. Which, no doubt, I have harbored in this wretched heart of mine at one time or another. So have you. So has any other man born of woman (excepting Christ, of course).

Nonetheless, you have accused me of “parad[ing] about like a Pharisee,” yet unable to point to anything in that prayer which substantiates such a claim. Since you are so intent upon labeling my prayer as that of a Pharisee, let’s consider the parable about the prayer of a Pharisee and that of a tax collector: From Luke 18:9-14 Jesus (Hey, sorry it’s not the esteemed Apostle you’re so enamored with) introduces the story:

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus:”

Now check out the prayer of this Pharisee:

‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

So, (name removed by admin), read the Pharisee’s prayer then go back and re-read the prayer to which you so pompously responded. Let’s see, in my prayer is mentioned my:

-failures
-brokenness
-guilt
-sin
-need for sanctification
-need for repentance
-need for God’s mercies
-need for God’s forgiveness
-dependence on Christ’s merit alone.

Next, (name removed by admin), consider the prayer of the Tax Collector (Read: a sinner, the opposite of, and enemy to the Pharisee):

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Now, (name removed by admin), consider my prayer again. Compare it to the Pharisee’s prayer, then to the Tax Collector’s. Which does my prayer most resemble? Furthermore, what was the difference between the Pharisee and the Tax Collector? Nothing! Both were wretched, vile, and depraved sinners. The only difference was the grace of God in the Tax Collector’s life to bring him to the recognition of his sin.

(name removed by admin), nowwhere in my prayer did I thank God that I was “not like other men.” Nowhere did I brag about foolish works of religion of the flesh. Why? Because the greatest of my righteousness is but filthy rags in God’s sight. I dare not appeal to any merit (so-called) of my own for His Divine favor. I cling to Christ alone.

I have appealed to Scripture and plain reason in my responses to you. The very Confession to which you supposedly subscribe as Cavinistic Methodist (specifically number 30) affirms my thoughts on the Law of God. I didn’t initate this. You did. I didn’t make sweeping, arrogant, and Pharisaical accusations. You came to my blog and made them. So back them up with something more than assertions or recant. Or…run away like a spineless jellyfish. But don’t lie to, evade, or dismiss me. You owe me accountability.

I write this for your own good. If you don’t either prove your assertion or recant, your integrity and credibility is called into question in front of me, God, and those who visit my blog. They know where your website (http://holyfear.net) is. Then your website loses credibility. They know with whom you fellowship (Calvinistic Methodists). They know where you go to church (Cardiff Tabernacle). They can see who your pastors are. Do you really want your careless epithets directed at me reflecting on their character? More so, David, they know the Name of the God Whom you profess. Do you want your carelessness reflecting upon Him? I should hope not.

Have you read your own denomination’s Confession of faith? If so, have you accused your elders and church denominational leaders of being Pharisees or living under the Law and not enough in the Holy Spirit? Tread carefully, Brother. Think before you make accusations you can’t substantiate. You called me out publicly, thus I do the same. In fact, I’m not so sure your church leadership doesn’t need to know about the false charges you’ve brought against me.

However, if you will either 1) adequately prove your accusations by demonstrating how I’m guilty of what you’ve charged, or 2) recant, all will be well. My blog and everything I write is done under the oversight of my Church and Elders. I am confident that I’m not beyond the bounds of our confession, which is derived from the Scriptures. You can contact them at anytime if you think I am. One way or the other you need to be held accountable for your sloppy accusations.

Write a book about this episode in your life why don’t you Josh. One day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. If I seem not to be responding as you wish Josh, forgive me, it’s just that I view time in that way. I have to go, will try to pass by soon. (name removed by admin)

Make sure you do.

• Absurd and Ridiculous , Justification , Theology General
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