West Main

FOOLISHNESS  AND  FACEBOOK

All right, I admit to every once in awhile getting upset and losing control of my better judgment. Recently an acquaintance of mine who shall go unnamed posted a Facebook comment that really got under my skin. I believe I have been pretty good at ignoring inflammatory posts of late and just not reacting. However, my self-control has limits and those limits were breached this past week.

What was the post that troubled me? Here is the portion of the post that ruffled my feathers: “I was raised in a religious tradition which teaches that a person could be ‘saved’ by grace one moment, and damned by works the next. So salvation centers on the person and works of sinners/Christians. In stark contrast, the apostolic tradition declares that salvation centers on the person and work of Christ alone.”

Now you may look at the above post and think, “What is so bad about that? Is it not true that grace and not works save us? Looks like correct theology to me, Terry, so why so upset?” Well, I will tell you why I got so disturbed. The religious tradition my acquaintance was raised in was the Church of Christ. The Facebook post was a damning false accusation and a gross mischaracterization of the people I know and love. The post was saying that the Church of Christ is in “stark contrast” to the truth of the “apostolic tradition” of being saved by grace in the work of Jesus Christ.

Now when I first saw this post, let us just say, I did not react well. I started to immediately respond in a visceral way. As I was typing my better judgment kept saying, “You know you should just Ignore this post. If you respond too negatively, you know it will kick off a firestorm of responses. Just let it go.” I said to myself, “True, but shouldn’t such blatant false characterizations be challenged? Sometimes, as Scripture says, ‘Answer a fool according to his own folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes’ (Prov 26:5).”

What was my response post? Here you go: “You must of been raised in some kind of evil tradition. I am glad you found ‘true’ religion where no one obviously speaks falsehood and legalism has never appeared. Of course there was that guy Michael Servetus tortured and burned alive, and the whole limited atonement damned to hell with no hope thing, but why quibble over theology and church history? Look long enough and narrowly enough and we all find skeletons of evil in our so-called traditions.”

You may not realize, but the above retort is delivered with a note of sarcasm and a jab at my acquaintance’s own religious tradition of Calvinism. As I looked at my response, my finger hovered over the “reply” button. I thought, “Terry, you should not.” Yet, impulse won the day and my finger hit the reply button and my response was posted.

Scripture also teaches, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself” (Prov 26:4). Does my response make me as foolish as my acquaintance’s post? Should I have answered or not answered a foolish Facebook post (Prov 26:4,5)?

– Terry

THERE WILL BE A CAR WASH this Saturday, July 21, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the building. If your car is dirty and needs a good wash job, we have the teens to do the job. This is a fundraiser for our PUMP trip which is coming up next weekend July 28-August 3.

OUR NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR SUNDAY NIGHTS AT LEWIS PARK continue this Sunday evening, July 22, at 6:00 p.m. We will begin with a few songs and a short devotional. In addition, we will provide free hamburgers and hot dogs to whomever chooses to come. Please come join us for an evening of fun, fellowship and food and invite your neighbors to come join us! *You might want to bring a lawn chair or two.

****There will be NO SUNDAY NIGHT SERVICE ON JULY 29.****

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY MEETING  --  On August 12^th, immediately after morning services, there will be a meeting for all members who work with our children in any capacity, including camp, in the nursery and in children’s worship. Anyone who would like to work with children in the future should also plan to attend. The purpose of the meeting is to review the West Main Child Protection Policy and to update you on some changes in the background check policy. Our children’s safety is of great importance to all of us, so the Elders strongly encourage you to plan to participate in this meeting. If you have any questions please talk with one of the Elders. Thank you all for your continuing work in His service.

PRAYER REQUESTS . . .  For Landon Amburn who is serving our country in Afghanistan - please pray for his protection...David Mayes asks your prayers for his friends, Cora and Barbara for their spiritual growth and outlook on life, and for him to be more considerate...For our President and all of our military men, women and families.

SYMPATHY  --  Our sympathy is extended to Marian Groth and Betty Butler on the passing of their brother, Billy Gene Kezer on Tuesday, July 10. Our prayers and sympathy are extended to their families.

July 28-August 3: PUMP

Neighbor to Neighbor Sunday Evenings at Lewis Park at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:

July 22 and August 5 & 12