tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.comments2023-06-08T06:20:06.396-04:00Just a CurmudgeonWilliam H. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16943856892268011802noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-55606257976462512962018-05-15T15:34:45.093-04:002018-05-15T15:34:45.093-04:00Bill,
I did not know about your struggle with thi...Bill,<br /><br />I did not know about your struggle with this issue. Thank-you for being transparent. No doubt writing this was not an easy thing to do. I first read this over the weekend but haven't had time to respond until now. <br /><br />Since our paths crossed in Pittsburgh Presbytery back in the mid-90s, I have always looked up to you. Over the years I observed you at General Assembly and saw someone I wanted to emulate as far as being a faithful presbyter is concerned.<br /> <br />I have greatly benefited from your blog posts and your perspective as one who was there when the PCA formed warts and all. Like you, I am no longer in the PCA. That said, I think we both have an affection for it but also are concerned about it.<br /><br />I don't know how much retirement might be affecting you (e.g. feeling like your best days are behind you). I hope that is not the case. You have always had good things to say and you have always been a champion of doing that which is right. Again, these are things I admire about you. I pray that the Lord will continue to use you and give you a platform to teach younger generations of God's people. <br /><br />You are loved and appreciated by many - your family especially, but also all sorts of people like me, whom you have touched over the years. I pray that God will give you many more years of fruitful service. You will be in my prayers. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06635816414457220307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-85124405280078954842018-05-15T02:49:29.860-04:002018-05-15T02:49:29.860-04:00I wrote a review for 'Night Driving' in th...I wrote a review for 'Night Driving' in the latest edition of Modern Reformation. If you read it, you may pick up on some clues that when I wrote it, I was about where you were. Or have been. I am also Reformed and thoroughly endorse the book. It was a brilliant and cathartic book that I recommend to anyone who feels they have done too much to too many people and deserve the isolation they feel. <br /><br />So I can assure you that not all Reformed folk disapprove of that book. I read it precisely because I was in a place where I felt abandoned and alone. Those days still come and go but I wanted to recommend the book to anyone to whom darkness has been or does feel to be their only consistent companion. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing. Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01797142508844634260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-71062529442062461082018-05-12T17:11:26.666-04:002018-05-12T17:11:26.666-04:00I find these words more encouraging than you may k...I find these words more encouraging than you may know FR. Bill. To know I'm not alone in the struggle with depression and that there are Christians who understand the same pain as I. God's peace be with you.<br />Donald Jacobshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05978218995015708022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-66415057006468979582018-05-12T16:18:16.844-04:002018-05-12T16:18:16.844-04:00Brother William, thank you for the brutal honesty....Brother William, thank you for the brutal honesty. I would love to have a time of fellowship with you and I know that will happen sooner or later in glory. I am surprised by this confession, after reading so many of your essays I thought you had it all together, and now I know you have afflictions as all of the Lord’s children do. I encourage you to keep writing, I am selfish, I do greatly profit from your wisdom, and therefore I need you to keep doing what you do. <br />Charles Dauphinais<br />Ruling Elder<br />Knox Presbyterian Church<br />Harrison Township MichiganAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07149096380537404060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-77959611612207838772018-05-12T10:47:50.575-04:002018-05-12T10:47:50.575-04:00Diane, those who settled this a long time ago sure...Diane, those who settled this a long time ago surely attempted to and thought they were honestly reading and confessing what Holy Scripture says. They were "sola Scriptura" men. (BTW "sola Scriptura" does not mean every Christian with his Bible and the Holy Spirit may determine for him/herself what Scripture says.) So you think they got it wrong? You think Tim and David know better than they? You think you know better than they? William H. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16943856892268011802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-84113022454096919302018-05-12T08:37:51.046-04:002018-05-12T08:37:51.046-04:00The issue *was* settled long ago. But not by Sola ...The issue *was* settled long ago. But not by Sola Scriptura. 😉Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15528066705030924413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-25245634008785429112018-01-13T16:36:20.869-05:002018-01-13T16:36:20.869-05:00There are prejudiced people, so that discriminatio...There are prejudiced people, so that discrimination still exists. But I deny that the institutions of American society are so structured as to perpetuate racism and sexism.William H. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16943856892268011802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-77129923088155384652018-01-13T15:13:08.415-05:002018-01-13T15:13:08.415-05:00Do you deny categorically the existence of structu...Do you deny categorically the existence of structural racism and sexism, or would you agree that these concepts have some validity, but have been blown completely out of proportion? <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03153519974211759564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-22160830162824076212018-01-06T22:31:07.921-05:002018-01-06T22:31:07.921-05:00[continued] Part 2
I would give Tisby about ten ...[continued] Part 2 <br /><br />I would give Tisby about ten seconds and if he hadn't the sense to see his error, if he lacks the godly character to repent on the spot.... I would pray this imprecation over him out loud... <br /><br />"Oh mighty, gracious Lord, and God over all, who did appoint the times and places of our dwelling by Your all-wise providence, hear my prayer... I pray that You teach us all to be thankful for Your care over all our being. But to the unthankful and unforgiving servant, I ask in accord with Your word, that You would take away all that is his and lock him in prison until he pays the utmost farthing. I pray that you return my brother Jemar to the Dark Continent, take from him all his earthly possessions, save for a loin cloth, and acquaint him with the lot in life that would have been his had not our forbears participated in the evils they did. Yes it was evil oh Lord, but you meant it for good. Restore to my brother Jemar all that would be his prior to the intervention of your gracious loving and wise providence all those centuries ago. Take him back to Africa and grant him the lot of the unforgiving servant. Give to him the portion of the prodigal who was eating the husks with the swine after he scorned the riches of Your house and the care of your providence. I pray this for the glory of Your Name, the purity of the Church and the reclamation of my brother from the root of bitterness. Appoint him his lot with the unbelievers and the unforgiving that he might be taught not to blaspheme. In Christ's name and for His glory, Amen."<br /><br />I would have the prayer printed on a card and hand it to him afterwards and tell him that I am not going to stop praying this for him because it is for the ultimate reclamation of his soul from grievous sin and error.<br /><br />And that is all I have to say about the matter. Someone needs to call out these haters and expose their sin that dares masquerade as piety and compassion in the Name of Christ. It is an utter affront to the gospel and nothing short of institutionalized sin and bitterness.<br />gcdugashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05891496227400676880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-33824845543602112052018-01-06T22:29:53.795-05:002018-01-06T22:29:53.795-05:00I cannot tell you how I grieve over the matter. Bl...I cannot tell you how I grieve over the matter. Blood-bought black brethren are being robbed of the unfathomable riches they have in Christ in exchange for the false gospel of bitterness, resentment, covetousness, hatred and [ultimately] reparations. <br /><br />It's so sad to see how racism, in the form of guilt manipulators peddling reverse-discrimination and a "you owe us", "hate-whitey" bitter spirit has infested Christ's bride. Whatever happened to 2Cor 5:16?<br /><br />I've read with tears all the ill fruit of CRT and just want to vomit. If I had a message for the Church in America on this matter, it would be centered around the 10th commandment and it's instructing us to be content with our earthly estate. The story of Joseph has always been my favorite OT story. At the end of slavery, mugging, false accusation, chains and imprisonment he could say: "you meant it for evil but God meant it for good". In a similar fashion, we don't all know the dirt of our fleshly genesis. Some of us have the pedigree of prostitution, incest (Rahab, Tamar). Some of us have known forced migration fleeing persecution (Huginots), some of us are descended from criminals on a penal colony (Australians). Some of us had ancestors that were abused in child labor factories (Sinclair's "The Jungle"). No doubt some of us had ancestors that were the abusers rather than the abused. "But whatever our lot, Thou hast taught us to say, it is well, it is well with my soul."<br /><br />The Lord spoke to Balaam by an ass. In our day, God's Church was rebuked by the example of, at the time, the world's most famous convert to Islam. I speak of Muhammad Ali. Echoing Joseph's statement in Genesis, Ali had this to say regarding his ancestry....<br /><br />After his ‘Rumble in the Jungle,’ back in Sese Seko’s kooky Zaire, Muhammad Ali was famously asked “Champ, what did you think of Africa?” to which the Champ replied, “Thank God my granddaddy got on that boat.” (Note he didn't say "thank Allah")<br /><br />So, I'd like two minutes with the divisive Jemar Tisby to question him about his commitment to the Westminster Standards and particularly:<br /><br />Q. 147. What are the duties required in the tenth commandment?<br /><br />A. The duties required in the tenth commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his.<br /><br />Can he not say with Joseph: "God meant it for good to bring it about as it is this day"? Would he rather be back in a benighted, pagan Africa, alienated from the life of God, a stranger to the covenants of promise and running around in just a loin cloth destined for a Christless eternity, or in 21st century America with all her flaws? Is he not ashamed of himself when Muhammad Ali exhibits more sense than all those who have been ensnared in the fashionable anti-white resentment of our age and his [Tisby's] role in spreading this "root of bitterness thereby defiling many"?<br /><br />[continued]<br />gcdugashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05891496227400676880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-31266392488495233482017-12-30T16:08:51.105-05:002017-12-30T16:08:51.105-05:00I've done worse.I've done worse.dghhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14393553762521546961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-25118316111881331552017-12-19T16:08:22.972-05:002017-12-19T16:08:22.972-05:00I am a Presbyterian with a prayer book—the 1946 Bo...I am a Presbyterian with a prayer book—the 1946 Book of Common Worship (and occasionally the ‘93)—and I don’t see myself in many of these stipulations...except that I do think the Oxford Movement hijacked Anglicanism. But “not my poodles, not my dog show.” But I only wear white on communion Sunday’s, and never a cross. Thanks for the entertaining article.SBPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04297191546095964454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-74762828510010526042017-12-13T05:26:54.288-05:002017-12-13T05:26:54.288-05:00God sure has a way of picking assholes to fulfill ...God sure has a way of picking assholes to fulfill his plans for America. northierthanthouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04831362921459744537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-27519603885690078732017-11-30T12:15:53.386-05:002017-11-30T12:15:53.386-05:00I'm late too but just found Rev. Smith's b...I'm late too but just found Rev. Smith's blog and am bored so hopefully you and your internet device are alive and well enough to see this. <br /><br />Yes they *would* insofar as I am pretty sure they *would* witness to anyone. The extent to which they do/have probably varies by individual and group. Hbu?<br /><br />There is a pretty great reason federal funds cannot directly be tied to evangelizing. Even if it would be a good thing to somehow federally subsidize evangelism more than we already do, that's a slippery slope. What if like a Methodist or liberal PCUSA person or God forbid a papist worked for one of those things? then your taxes would be spreading that heresy. <br /><br />Meals on Wheels is a resource scarce organization. Feeding people is the goal. There is nothing stopping you from following up personally with any individuals who want to talk to you about religious stuff. But just think about it: you sign up for Meals on Wheels because you need some food and someone shows up and blabs your ear off about something you didn't ask to hear about. What if JWs or LDS or Vaccuum Salesmen did this. That would totally suck for the people who just want to eat.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459951481295823702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-70414066606748122072017-11-30T11:49:12.354-05:002017-11-30T11:49:12.354-05:00So, I just found your blog and disagree with a bun...So, I just found your blog and disagree with a bunch of stuff, but this is definitely one of the most fair and thoughtful articles on this subject I have seen in the whatever you wanna call it Evangelical Christian Blogosphere. Good job.<br /><br />Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459951481295823702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-84471778193916278372017-11-27T17:14:31.463-05:002017-11-27T17:14:31.463-05:00<> Aw, do you think they even know what th...<> Aw, do you think they even know what that term means, Bill? Unless they are Reformed in their doctrine, I seriously doubt it. Robin M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03431482272289041751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-52134482060522736722017-11-23T16:07:02.980-05:002017-11-23T16:07:02.980-05:00Very well said, Bill. The grandstanding and hubris...Very well said, Bill. The grandstanding and hubris, as you put it, of the millennial pastors in the PCA is nearly insufferable, and fails actually to meet the best interests of those whose advocates they claim to be. That accords with the lack of actual reflection necessary to recognize the real definition of racism and nuances of positions fuzzily lumped together with it. Although I disagree with him on this point as well, the violations of the ninth commandment with respect to Dr. Smith by those who presumptuously don the mantle of "social justice warrior" far outweigh any wrongdoing he is alleged by them to have committed.biggsenatorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13407439446935793534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-83965872893119239812017-11-19T17:40:46.236-05:002017-11-19T17:40:46.236-05:00Bill - Would you be willing (privately, if you pre...Bill - Would you be willing (privately, if you prefer) to provide some documentation for your statement that "It is interesting that the separation of the races is now promoted by African Americans who believe there needs to be a distinctively African American theology, worship, and church"? I grew up in Mississippi and I worked with African Americans at both Westminster and Biblical Seminaries and at The Association of Theological Schools. I am not aware of ever having met or read an African American who has expressed this sentiment and I really would like to explore this matter further. My email address is sloganwrf@gmail.com Thanks so much, Bill.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05509577520760336303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-53281375353233744912017-11-19T17:28:05.192-05:002017-11-19T17:28:05.192-05:00Bill - Would you be willing to share with me (priv...Bill - Would you be willing to share with me (privately, if you prefer) some indication of the grounds for your statement that "It is interesting that the separation of the races is now promoted by African Americans who believe there needs to be a distinctly African American theology,worship, and church"? I am just not aware of such African Americans and would love to follow up on this. My name is Sam Logan and I can be contacted at sloganwrf@gmail.com Thanks so much, Bill.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05509577520760336303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-84588110453922574842017-11-19T13:08:37.217-05:002017-11-19T13:08:37.217-05:00It's such a huge embarrassment for my state on...It's such a huge embarrassment for my state on the national level. I should be used to it after many years. Such a shame that Christians in Alabama are not more discerning before they endorse a candidate. Your writings are well taken.Robin M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03431482272289041751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-63513662916493499532017-11-18T22:24:14.625-05:002017-11-18T22:24:14.625-05:00This saddens me deeply. I went to school with Dr. ...This saddens me deeply. I went to school with Dr. Smith's children and remember him as a very gentle, kind man. How genuinely sad that RTS had no representatives there, if not for Dr. Smiith's sake, then, at least, for their own. After all, any honor they could have given would have been "as dung" compared to the "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" Dr. Smith surely heard. Hortondlfnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01147029159167873068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-21768148239281785242017-11-18T20:28:02.522-05:002017-11-18T20:28:02.522-05:00Well said Bill. Poor form by RTS leadership, pas...Well said Bill. Poor form by RTS leadership, past and present! Is 'cowardly' too strong a word?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18308189012848996568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-27138980208203112612017-11-17T08:03:33.459-05:002017-11-17T08:03:33.459-05:00I’m from United States, My husband divorced me 3 y...I’m from United States, My husband divorced me 3 years ago for no reason, i did all i could to get him but didn't work, until i met Dr.Agbazara of AGBAZARA TEMPLE on the internet who helped me to cast a re-union spell and within 24hours my husband came back to me apologizing. Thanks to Dr.agbazara. Contact this great spell caster on your relationship or marriage problems on:<br />( agbazara@gmail.com ) OR WHATSAPP: +2348104102662.<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02044761857050267633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-88279230103148693702017-11-13T17:08:37.899-05:002017-11-13T17:08:37.899-05:00I am a conservative Christian and not a Roy Moore ...I am a conservative Christian and not a Roy Moore supporter. However, voting for the other candidate is voting for someone who is okay with abortion, and that is an abominable practice as you will most probably agree. So, is voting as a write-in, in essence, a vote for the democrat candidate because it will give the advantage to him by taking the vote away from the Republican? It's a very hard call. SDGRobin M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03431482272289041751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5000196701682120087.post-7705504556904063832017-11-07T07:58:12.676-05:002017-11-07T07:58:12.676-05:00Just to comment on Dr. Smith's defending segre...Just to comment on Dr. Smith's defending segregation. I find it ironic to criticize him for that, given the recent quasi-canonization, by "reformed" blacks and others, of W. E. B. Du Bois. It is, or should be, well known that he was himself a staunch advocate of segregation of the races. Indeed, the revival of Du Bois is directly related to the neo-segregationism currently masquerading as "Critical Race Theory". Perhaps the folks at Witness (ex-RAAN) can find room for a new appreciation of Dr. Smith?Pip Brandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17357170631734500942noreply@blogger.com