A Word to Young Bloggers

If you’re anything like me you often feel compelled to write something in response to certian blog posts. I have been reading some of the blogs dealing with the current Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) controversy. As I scrolled through the comments of one particular blog post I wanted to respond to the arrogant remarks of a former WTS student. By the grace of God I did not. It was not because I thought I would not have contributed anything significant (I think we can have a false humilty at times and say “Well, I really won’t be adding much to this discussion.”). But, I didn’t respond because I would not have sufficiently thought through what I would have written. Nor would I have done it prayerfully. Nor would I have helped bring the discussion to a place of conclusion since it had already gone on far too long and was multi-dimensional. Finally, I would not have been respected by this particular individual or by others who would read the comments based on the evident bias of his theological (or lack thereof) convictions. The words of James certainly apply in this situation, “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” This is not to say that the well known theologians on this blog should not have written. I, for one, am glad that they respond to arrogant rebuttals.

This was a good lesson for me, and I think a good lesson for many young, eager students of theology. There is so much to read, so much to learn, and so much to consider before making your opinions known to the world. You should always take advantage of speaking God’s word in the appropriate time and you might even be called upon to defend the truth in a public forum. But do not be too eager for this. If God does not raise up others to defend the truth in the public sphere, then He may raise you up to do so in time. But be patient, prayerful, and discerning.