My apologies, somehow in correcting this post it ended up being listed before Pr. Austin's post to which it responds.
Pastor Fienen writes:
Does the fact that you all continue to ordain women mean that you haven’t considered that you could be wrong?
I comment:
What is wrong with you? I just said we could be wrong about her decision to ordain women. I just said that.
If you just read the next three words, you would have recognized that I knew you considered you could be wrong. Yet, that same question that I reflected back at you, you posed to us. Just giving you a taste of what you dish out.
Pastor Fienen:
I thought not, so why should we be embarrassed by such a question posed to us? After careful and prayerful study and deliberation, we don’t think that we’re wrong and so continue as we are.
Me:
Ok. So?
So, we end up in much the same position as you do, we have considered that we might be wrong but have concluded that we are not so we continue doing what we think and believe is right. As you profess to do.
Pastor Fienen:
Perhaps part of your problem with us is that you simply cannot conceive of the possibility that anyone could seriously consider the issue and not agree with you.
Me:
How could I not consider the possibility? It’s staring me in the face almost every single day!
You have our disagreement staring you in the face almost every single day, but are you willing to acknowledge that we, like you, have carefully, prayerfully and intelligently considered the matter?
Pastor Fienen:
You are so intelligent, kind hearted, and Spirit filled that anyone with half a brain and a love for God and people will just have to agree with you.
Me:
Thank you very much. That was most kind. But it is not this humble correspondent with whom you will eventually agree, it is God.
I try to inject a bit of whimsy and satire (well perhaps also a bit of sarcasm) into our discussion and am misunderstood, again.
It is our aim at all times to agree with God, and ultimately it is to Him that we will have to answer. Have you ever considered the possibility that it is we now who are in agreement with God, not you?