General Synod 4—Evangelical progress, I think Sandy Grant

Thanks for the updates Sandy. It is interesting to hear what is happening.

The Sydney Synod papers arrived in the mail today. You have another lot of synod meetings just around the corner!

Hi Sandy,

Thanks for these blogs, a great read. I have just two general comments.

First: Your observation reminds of what I read today in D A Carson’s book “Becoming Conversant with the Emerging Church”.

“One recalls Voltaire’s famous dictum: “I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it.” In other words, one had to disagree with someone or something before one could tolerate it. But in our postmodern world, tolerance is increasingly understood to be the virtue that refuses to think that any opinion is bad or evil or stupid. One “tolerates” everything because nothing is beyond the pale – except the view that rejects this view of tolerance: for that, there is no tolerance at all.” Page 69.

Second: I live and study theology in a city that has a strong feminist / liberation theology and I continue to be hardened in a reform theology. Not because I am stubborn rather, I am compelled by the Gospel of truth. Continually I find myself having the same debates and issues that you have raised throughout this blog. It is comforting to hear someone else have the same internal dialogue and reaching the same conclusions. So thank you.

@David, thanks for your encouragement, as writing the posts often meant a very late night after a very long day of Synod.

@Graham, thanks for mentioning your context and reminding me of the Voltaire dictum. It’s a big part of the reason why I prefer the old-fashioned liberal who will actually disagree with me clearly and will therefore actually engage in debate!

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Paul is one of the Staff Editors at Matthias Media. He is married to Cathy and has three fantastic kids. He loves student ministry, reading, writing music and playing the saxophone, and is looking forward to meeting Jesus face to face.

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