I recently received a rather terse, condescending, and snide comment at my page at Theologica that came in response to what – I must confess, even as I repent in sackcloth and ashes – was my own terse, condescending, and snide comment to this same individual’s blog post. I had suggested that perhaps the reason this individual had never received a response to his ask-and-answer, three-proof-texts, casual-and-casuistic dismissal of dispensationalism was that people could tell he wasn’t interested in learning but only in revealing the meager contents of his own mind. (I didn’t say “meager” in the comment I left: I just added it here to be clever.)

Now, honestly, I could care less about dispensationalism as a system: it didn’t die for my sins and I won’t be rewarded in heaven one day for being dispensational. What triggered my untoward response (if that is what is was) to this individual was the hubris that had produced such an aggressive, unloving, and arrogant post.

I was told by the individual that I am not mature or, at least, that he will shield me so that I might appear to be more mature than I really am – or than I seem to be. I don’t know: it’s all rather confusing.

But here’s the thing: why is it that we feel compelled to demolish the studies and theological belief systems of others when the gospel or anything critical is not at stake? And here’s another thing: why is it so difficult to ignore the provocations of someone who seems to be a puffed up fool troll?

I long ago gave up the former quest (to disprove others) and determined instead to understand their positions . I did this in the hope that I would thus be less inclined to diminish the sincere efforts of others to develop a belief systems that they believed to be true. I don’t see how tearing something down can be edifying.

More importantly, I don’t think God is nearly so concerned – if he is at all – about our theological systems as we are. Oh, I suppose one could say that Jesus attacked the belief systems of the Pharisees – except he really didn’t. Jesus was angered not by their beliefs but by their behaviors, not by their arguments but their attitudes.

Perhaps we feel superior to others if we can convince ourselves that we can successfully demolish their positions, even if it might mean undermining some of their confidence and stability at the same time.

But more troubling to me, I suppose, is why I cannot spit out the hook that some self-righteous trolls bait with obvious venom. It is obvious to me that they only want to debate, not learn, and that they get all lathered up by arguing ad nauseum over things. Nevertheless, I get sucked in time and time again, perhaps operating under the delusion that I’ll forewarn someone else of the insidious – or insipid – vitriol they’re about to encounter.

But, hey, am I my brother’s keeper?

Well, yes, I suppose I am, but most of my brothers at Theologica as well as here are quite capable of taking care of themselves and eschewing the adolescent, mendacious nonsense that such posts reflect.

I know all the proverbs that address such provocations; why is it so difficult for me – and, perhaps, for you – to ignore it and keep seeking Christ? Why do the heavy stones and weighty sand keep pinning me down?

Or, as my critic might say, why am I so immature?


2 Cor 1:13