Cheryl Schatz

I just wanted to remind people that this blog is open for questions and for challenges from those who agree with me and those who disagree with me. I believe that as Christians we can dialog with grace even when we don’t always agree.

I am going to be really open right now regarding something that I don’t tolerate well and something that hurts me deeply. Quite a while ago I was on an egalitarians blog where there was a discussion on original sin and I commented and asked questions regarding a view that is opposite to mine. My questions were not answered and when I asked if my questions were going to be addressed the egalitarian host got mad and the comments were shut down. Now she has created a post on the same subject and has no problems making fun of my view on original sin and allowing others to do the same.

The question I would like to ask, is this the best way to handle disagreements on doctrinal issues? Since I am very open to being challenged and have yet to shut down the comments on my blog, why not come here and discuss it? I will no longer go to that blog to comment because the attitude that shuts down the opposition’s questions by shutting down the comments does not sit well with me. I have a far different philosophy. If I have the right position then I can accept a challenge and I can answer back without mocking the other person. A challenge does not weaken my position, it merely strengthens it because it causes me to work on finding ways that will answer the questions in the way that someone who is not in my head can also understand why I believe as I do.

If I am wrong I will never shut down the comments but I will be open to see where I am wrong and I will turn away from my error. I have this attitude because I understand that none of us is perfect and we all can have blind spots that can cause us to believe something that is not true. It is a win-win situation when someone can dialog/debate/passionately discuss these matters with me and work to convince me that I am wrong. I intend to do the same with them in as gentle a way as I can, and in the end even if we do not agree, we at least can have a clear understanding of why we believe as they do and why we cannot accept the opposing view.

But if our purpose is to put people down for their views and make fun of them personally this comes across as a position of weakness instead of a position of truth because the truth seeks to educate and encourage. Mocking and belittling a person comes across as a superior attitude. While this may draw people who like this attitude, I highly doubt that the attitude would be tolerated if they themselves were the subject of the ridicule. They would be greatly offended, I am sure. I was not offended so much as I was deeply hurt. I am human after all and I have feelings.

So if anyone wonders why I allow debate here and why I allow people to challenge me. It is because I believe it is a win-win situation. Truth is worthy of being challenged and it will stand. What isn’t truth should be challenged and we can all learn from it. And what is corrected and challenged with a Christ-like spirit will be heard.

It is my desire to give out my own correction to others in this same spirit. For I know that my Lord Jesus watches all that I do and what I do with a wrong spirit hurts Him. When I act in a loving, respectful way even to those who do not treat me this way, I am sharing the nature of the Lord who desires all of us to be conformed to His image.

Okay, I believe this needed to be said because the issue of challenges to my belief in original sin came up. I will no longer comment about this matter of what is written about me on this other blog. If anyone wishes to make a comment I will allow it, but I am moving on. I don’t want to dwell on things that hurt me, discourage me and pull me down. There is too much positive that can encourage others for me to focus on these negative things any longer. I will certainly accept the one challenging me to come here and pose questions and I will answer.

Okay, I’ll get to the questions posed to me shortly.