Peter writes:
I am not afraid of being mocked or excluded or whatever. I’m simply pointing out that any discussion to be had with progressives inevitably leads there.
I ponder:
You mean like being told you are un-Biblical, non-Lutheran, incapable of understanding the Bible, doing theology on the basis of modern trends rather than theology and scripture?
Peter:
If one does not begin to “progress” in their desired direction, one simply becomes an object of scorn.
Me:
You mean like... (see above)
Peter:
There is such a thing as an impasse. Further discussion serves the progressive cause, not the conservative cause, because the only purpose of the discussion is to put the conservative position up for further consideration.
Me:
What? You have no faith in your part of the discussion ever - ever? - prevailing? Or is it - as I suspect - all or nothing. We could agree on 11 matters, but if we did not sign on 100 percent to three others, the agreement would fail.
You simply do not trust the possibilities of fraternal discussion. But I think you are just afraid that you might end up letting go of some favored "thing", that you or some of your company might walk away from the all-or-nothing we-got-the-Word-of-God camp.