An interaction between Mr. Mahaney and Mr. MacDonald, of the Gospel Coalition, re: written corrections, rebuttals, and chastisements via email, blogs, and internet. Neither man likes these venues. There is merit in their proposals. The youtube video is 28 Jun 2010, approximately one year before the unravelling conflicts within SGM.This proposal--no writing--is quite unworkable for the Courts. Trial transcripts, affidavits signed under the pain of penalty of perjury, depositions and bearing witness in court are in writing. So is St. Paul's robust rebuke of St. Peter over the Galatian "bewitchment" (Gal.3.1). (By the way, St. Paul didn't sell his "Epistle to the Galatians" for $7.99, plus shipping and handling. And he was a tent-maker and minister.)
This is quite an argument against the Gutenberg Press or its modern equivalent, the internet. We're sure that the Vatican disliked Martin Luther's public and written statements. We are aware of the London Bishop who had Luther's books and writings publicly burned in 1525 in front of St. Paul's Cathedral, London (called the "People's Church" versus Westminster, the "Tories" Church).
Illustratively, Mr. Ligon Duncan of First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS, and the President of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals gave a robust defense of "my friend," CJ Mahaney, waving off the "ugly and unbiblical" forum of public adjudication while--at the same time, contradictorily--using the same forum of a public blog to vindicate and support his friend--and condemn the accusers. Quite unimpressive, premature, univestigative, and quite collegial of him. Mr. Duncan's "motion for dismissal" based upon his claim of baseless charges is denied. We shall hear the case. Mr. Duncan can rule in his own court, but he has no jurisdiction in my forum. We shall hear the case. Next on the docket.
In the video, we appreciate the plea for godliness, courage, civility, dignity, decorum, and factuality. That's essential. But, we cannot rule out the use of the press, social media, print and visual media.
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