Dave

Hi Pinklight! I find I cannot stay away from my friends here for too long!

Craig, I was not having a go at you. I have been encouraged by your open and honest dialogue that to me appears to be seeking the truth. My frustration has to do with the “M” man.

I assume others have noticed that this conversation with Mark goes around in great big circles (as well as lots of little ones). Along the way Mark is asked LOTS of questions and lots of good points are made. These he does not respond to. He responds to anything he thinks he can use to discredit the egal argument, but not to anything that will hurt his perspective. In the meantime I have seen others like Cheryl and Kay and others (all of you) patiently explain and re-explain and try very hard to respond to EVERYTHING Mark says.

One example for me is the issue of whether or not authority is tied to submission. We have never been given the reference details or the entire definition of submission from Mark’s Oxford Dictionary that seems to be the only dictionary supporting his view. He either ignored other definitions I offered or argued over the wording in a way that demonstrated no desire to see or accept what the definitions were actually saying. Mark is trying to change the meaning of a word – and this is an English word. Obviously with the meaning of Greek words from 2000 years ago we can keep a discussion going for ever!

Can we move forward in a discussion where one or both parties take this tactic? I think not. As a result I have concluded that my role in this discussion with Mark from now on will mainly be one of prayer! I have found my attitude has changed towards Mark. The same happened when I blogged for extended period with an Athiest group here in Sydney. I came to a point where I realised they did not want to know the truth. I was surprised I had not come to this conclusion sooner! I am not saying Mark is an Athiest(!) but I am saying that I have come to the conclusion that he is not seeking the truth in this issue. I realise I could be wrong, I realise that I am commenting to some degree on Mark’s motives, but I am being honest about how I feel. I am struggling with this conversation more and more. I think it has shown in my comments and I hope by expressing this I can be more my cheerful self again. I am sorry for my negativity and I think it has been a credit to others here that this has not been contageous.

Just keep seeking the truth in love Craig. I think your questions and your contribution have been great.