The Federal Vision, Social Media Pugilism and Real Friendship
Once he glanced at my name and I took a peek at his, it was apparent we had heard of each other.
Over the years, a host of people (well-intentioned) have implied that I need to break off friendships and relationships with people of different Christian political and theological traditions. While I will have continual public and private disagreements with them, I will also remember that 99% of pugilism on social media never translates to pugilism face-to-face.
A quick story to make the point.
During my doctoral studies, I sat in a class at RTS with several pastors, some of whom were well-published and recognized in the Reformed tradition. We had to post our names in front of our seats. While this was several years after the Federal Vision controversy, some people were still happy to relive 2002 again and again and again. The pastors in that class knew who I was and were even privately sympathetic to the objectivity of the covenant—a central thesis of the FV controversy.
As everyone began to take their seats, a particular figure, renowned for his opposition to Federal Vision and even serving as an itinerant traveler to Presbytery courts across the country, functioning as a prosecutor of all things FV—which he believed was polluting NAPARC congregations—sat down across from me.
Once he glanced at my name and I took a peek at his, it was apparent we had heard of each other. He had read some of my articles and was keenly aware of my affiliations and associations. I had read plenty about him to determine that certain human beings don’t deserve my attention, and he was a frontrunner for that title.
Face-to-Face
I watched his demeanor closely during class. The class was an overview of Puritan practices. At one time, a poem by a great Puritan was read, and he was moved emotionally. Despite his effort to condemn virtually all my friends, he was humanized in my eyes.
When the lunch break came, I immediately went towards him. I shook his hand, and my first words to him were: “How about lunch tomorrow after class?” It’s as if we both knew instantly it needed to happen.
I don’t need to go into details, but our lunch was extraordinary. We asked each other forgiveness for things that were said behind the scenes and even publicly in writing. He had already been going through some transitions in his thinking and realized that much of his disdain for the FV/CREC was eating him up inside and damaging his soul.
Ever since, we have exchanged thoughts and notes, read each other’s doctoral theses, and shared meals together here in Pensacola when he visited.
The idea that relational lines are set on social media and that friendships must be ruined makes no sense. There is a clear reason the Apostle John writes that he prefers to see you face-to-face rather than write in ink. He knew that warnings are received more persuasively through fleshly interactions.
Remember these things.
Notations
Malcolm and I never met, though we had planned to do so when we were both speaking at different conferences in Lancaster, PA. Unfortunately, a flight change derailed that happy gathering. Still, I have been a fan of his labors and his charming display of hobbitness; his weaving of gospel benedictions everywhere. This book (which I have been reading and listening to) is a fabulous display of Arthurian magic through poetic magic. I am neither a poet nor the son of a poet, but if there is a poet worth engaging, Guite is it.
Nuntium
I will be in Los Angeles in a couple of weeks speaking at Christ Church, Santa Clarita, and then doing a series of talks on virtue for a host of Bible-saturated teenagers at their Summer Sanctus, L.A. edition.