Blog on the Lillypad
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
 | Father Jack asks some questions
Ralph, the longsuffering guy who works across the aisle from me, wants to make sure that people who read my blog don't think he's dumb because he's never heard of Jack Hyles or any of this hellish corruption and cover-up. "No Ralph," I tell him. "That doesn't make you dumb. It makes you normal." I must admit, the silly posts, the insults, the tantrums, and frail egos of these IFB preachers belong more to a sitcom than to the ministry. But even IFB-KJVOs fail to be as funny and clueless as my favorite sitcom, Father Ted. Click here to hear Father Jack. |
All humor aside, Ralph is a Baptist man who believes that men who cheat on their wives should be punched, and men who abuse babies and break their bones deserve to be shot (not that he would break the law to do it). After seeing how the preachers on the FFF take all this corruption in stride or cope with it by viciously denying it and accusing the people who won't let it rest of being trouble makers and gossips, it's nice to see a person be shocked by it. Well, it's not *nice* to see a person be shocked, but it's a relief. Yes, there are people who profess Christ and exhibit the Spirit in their lives. And yes, there are men who can laugh off the small stuff but be shocked by the big stuff.
| Being harangued by these IFB preachers doesn't hurt me anymore because I expect no better than what they do. They've lost their credibility with me. But I do have a problem in becoming jaded and cynical after such a long exposure to such toxic preachers. I find myself expecting all men to be willing to call me trash or tell me to "shove it" over my beliefs. Christian men like Ralph, and Mike the new guy (A Christian who works around the corner), or Kelly the Christian guy who teaches the maintenance and utility skills to the tech writers, are refreshing reminders that the Holy Spirit knows and indwells His own. I suppose that all preachers would be better in the pulpit and in their ministries if they spent a few years of adulthood in the workplace, where Christian fellowship is so very welcome. But I doubt these IFB-KJVO preachers could last long working hours like this with a standard of performance to measure up to. I'm still jaded enough to think that talk is all they're good for. |  |
