Apr 11 2008
More on Christian Argumentation
C. Michael Patton at Reclaiming the Mind is reading my mind. No sooner had I posted this piece yesterday when he posts this. It’s a great description of how we are to relate to one another in the face of our disagreements. Read the whole article (he promises two more on the same topic), but here are ten guidelines he proposes for interacting with grace:
1. Never say anything to someone online that you would not say in face to face. (2 Cor. 10:10-11)
2. Don’t take things too personally. Understand that many people are insecure and will interact with violent resolve to shield their insecurity. (Prov. 16:18)
3. Don’t take things too personally, but realize that [others may be saying] things we may need to hear. (Prov. 27:6)
4. Don’t respond immediately. Give yourself some time. Rash reactions are like drops of blood. Once the shark smells it, he will attack for the kill. (Prov. 12:18)
5. Interact with great humility. Go out of your way to recognize the right things that are said before you respond to the attacks. (Prov. 15:1)
6. Recognize that while you are separated from the other person by cyber space, there is no space that can separate you from God. (Ps. 139:7-9; Matt. 12:36)
7. Remember that virtual interactions have real people on the other end. These people are created in God’s image. Whether believers or not, they are like God. Who are we to curse someone created in the image of God? (Jam. 3:8-9)
8. Shower your response with biblical truth, but don’t shove the Bible down people’s throats. This can come across and arrogant and sloppy. Be tactful and sensitive to the context of the situation. Often, people do not avoid the Bible, they just avoid you with a Bible in your hands. (Eph. 4:29)
9. Don’t be a people pleaser. You will never satisfy everyone all the time. Speak what needs to be said without fear of reprisal from some particular group that you are trying to please. This is particularly hard for me. Sometimes when I write, I write to the donors of Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. Sometimes I shape it for the legacy of Dallas Theological Seminary. Sometimes there are particular people (other bloggers) that I am fond of that I don’t want to hurt or disappoint. There is a fine line between being sensitive to an audience and compromise to an agenda. (Gal. 1:10)
10. If you are going to take people to task, rarely do this in a public forum. Contact them personally and try to resolve the situation. Don’t use people as a public punching bag. (Matt. 18:15)
