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Is a phrase I have been expecting to hear, buy I haven’t. It is obvious that I have exposed myself to “demonic influences” like pr0n and metal. I have rejected Christianity. This should be seen as a clear cut case of demonic interference at the least, if not full on possession.
Yet, I haven’t been doused in holy water, or prayed over, or been beaten with a Bible.
Hell…. No one of serious authority or theological know how (or a great body) has made a recent or decent attempt to “bring me back”. There have been a couple of “hey, wanna chat” emails…. but those seemed almost perfunctory. There have been no random books for me to read, no forwarded articles, and no persistence. One email does not bode well for those who are supposed to be like the shepherd who lost one sheep, and left the other 99 to find it.
Maybe they are scared that I’ll outwit them, or tempt them.
Maybe they are scared that I’m right.
Either way…. it seems that you lack the courage of your convictions. All the remote prayer in the world can not save me…. you need to take the initiative and confront me with the truth; but you haven’t. Some would argue I’ve been asking for it by still hanging around the same haunts (both virtual and physical). However, I think I’ve communicated with more podcast hosts (hi to justine) than Christians trying to re-save me.
You have failed to “reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching”
You have failed to “do the work of an evangelist” or “fulfill your ministry.”
You. Have. Failed.
Do you really want people to abduct you and tie you to a chair while quoting bible verses at you? If that’s how you’d get your jollies, I’m sure we could arrange it. But you’ve made it clear that you want to be left alone, so we’re respecting your wishes.
Now, if you’re interested in catching up with me when I’m on the Central Coast next, I’d love to oblige. I’m sure it disappoints you to know this, but there aren’t any strings attached – no cheesy Christian apologetics, no attempts to convert you. You’re on your own journey and only you can decide the direction in which you will walk. I’ve made the offer to meet up with you before and it remains open. It really is your choice. I’m not going to chase you up when you’ve made it perfectly clear that you’re not interested in seeing me.
Firstly…. yes abducting me does sound like fun….
Secondly, this rant was aimed at the evangelical types who believe I’ll spend an eternity in hell. Not a liberal like you who thinks that hell is a just a purgatorial step in the journey to heaven.
*shrugs*
You said you wanted to be left alone.
It’s a bit rich saying ‘don’t bother trying to save me’ and then turning around ‘why havent you tried to save me’.
But that aside, you do have a point. Even though I know for a fact some very well equipped people have tried to reach you anyway.
There is the simple matte rof resources, however.
There are very few people who are well equipped doing minstry. And I know one who tried hard with you, but the the rest of them have their own ‘prodigals’ they are working on. They need to see some good signs from you before they can intervene.
Okay…. lets look at the classic cliff analogy. Unbelievers are in danger of falling off, I have said “I’m going to jump off” and “Don’t try to stop me”. If you just watch me jump that is as good as pushing me off yourself.
“some very well equipped people have tried to reach you anyway” and “I know one who tried hard with you” – I must have missed that memo.
actually, emblazoned said….
your blog wont let me reply. it does that every now and then. So here is my reply:
“I have said “I’m going to jump off” and “Don’t try to stop me”. If you just watch me jump that is as good as pushing me off yourself.”
It’s not the same as that. you knew better. You made an informed choice. I have worked with suicidal people. There are strict limits to what you can do. if you bankrupt yourself emotionally for them at every plea for help, then you become nothing but a wreck needing help yourself.
“some very well equipped people have tried to reach you anyway” and “I know one who tried hard with you” – I must have missed that memo.
I suspect they shall try again shortly. But please open your mind to how people work, and look for their motivations. Someone who loves you dearly can still do the ‘wrong action’ and not reach you how you really wanted to be reached.
Now, to rebutt (since emblazoned has too many pms to reply how he replied to me)
Okay…. how it is possible for me to make an informed choice with flawed information. And isn’t the greatest love that someone would lay down their life for others? Then shouldn’t you be bankrupting yourself emotionally.
Now…. firstly, people would have to take any kind of action before they could make a wrong action. Secondly, you are playing the pronoun game. I hate it when people do that, so unless you provide specific names of people who took specific actions then I will consider that they are a figment of your imagination. So get back to me with such details and we can discuss their motivations, and then I’ll name those who I think should have done something and have done nothing.
I’m on the Central Coast. You want to catch up? There’s a free beer in it for you.
how it is possible for me to make an informed choice with flawed information.
Difficult, I imagine. But you must be logically consistent. Your illustration assumes an evangelical worldview. So from that frame of reference, you are informed. Therefore, my point stands, from that frame of reference.
And isn’t the greatest love that someone would lay down their life for others? Then shouldn’t you be bankrupting yourself emotionally.
I certainly don’t read the verse like that.
firstly, people would have to take any kind of action before they could make a wrong action.
Inaction is a choice.
Grant is presently trying to get in contact with you. maybe if you ignore him a bit more, you could blame him a bit more for not getting in touch.