Two Reasonable Bloggers!

Back in December, I was impressed with a certain Erlenmeyer Flask because he took the time to see someone else’s point of view and that person's passion, and although he disagreed with much of the other Christian’s theology (he being a Calvinist and the other not), he appreciated what the other guy was doing and he said so. I wanted to tell him how much I respected that and so I came up with this silly invention called the Reasonable Blogger Award. It was just my way of saying that I respected what Earl had done, as it blessed my heart. (I wish he would start posting again.)

I have recently been so impressed to present this award to two others in blogdom. H. K. Flynn (a.k.a. Jodie) is just such a kind and reasonable person. She presents her points of view without apology, but she never seems to get flustered ... and doesn't lash out at anybody, not even in the slightest way. (I need to follow her example more closely.) Last week, she got into a 224 comment long interrogation discussion over her beliefs about the gospel of John. She never once “cracked under the pressure” of being put on the spot, but handled herself with such grace that she made me proud to be on a group blog with her. I love this sister! She truly has some different ideas than what you typically hear from modern day or “historical” Christian thought. This post woke me up to the fact that there are methods or polemic devices called diatribes, that were commonly used in the Hellenistic world. I have noticed that she has gotton herself involved with the Centuri0n on his Debate Blog and he has not put down the idea of the objector and the diatribe while they discuss James 2:18-20. There must be something to it! I want to know more.

There is another somebody who I have noticed over the past months as he has become very admirable in my opinion. The Bluecollar (a.k.a. Mark ... or Mr. Pierson) is quite a guy! He has said that he types real slow and, at one point was even considering giving up posting because of wrist problems. Then, he discovered that he could post other people’s writings and edify the Christian blog universe in this way. The truth is, he edifies by his comments also and his general attitude. In the early days, I noticed Mark lash out a time or two, but he now tells of how he asked forgiveness for curt words and he has not flared up like that again to my knowledge. He interacts with us “Non-Calvinists” in a very kind, tolerant and loving manner. His purpose, he says, in this realm, is to edify believers, not just the Calvinist ones like himself. I love this brother! He loves Spurgeon. My favorite posting that he did of Spurgeon is here. I also liked this post where he shares a little more passion, such that I can truly appreciate. (I know I am biased, but I am not giving myself the award, am I?) Mark has written a lengthy article called Abba, Father that he posted Sunday, which I haven’t read yet, but I intend to.

So there you have it. I have two Calvinists and One Free Grace advocate in my sidebar under "Reasonable Bloggers." Maybe next I will find some non-labeled bloggers that I can add to the list. ;~)

The idea of handing out an award is fun because it exercises my sense of self-importance which is so amusing. (Who am I?)