Dee Dee Warren
June 16th 2003, 08:41 PM
Originally posted (http://theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?postid=124807&action=showthread) by Kyle in the thread An examination of "agape" love as practiced by "Socrates"! (http://theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=5654)
I must mention that Socrates, J.P. Holding, and others who use satire and are fond of "agape love", have another goal in mind as well. I'm sure that they are concerned over the lives of those they address, but I'd venture to say that there is a much more important goal on their mind.
That goal, I think, is to ensure that other Christians, sincere seekers, etc. are not troubled by the comments of atheists with regards to Christianity. The last thing Socrates and J.P. Holding want, I imagine, is to allow the smart-aleck superior intelligence tone of the atheist affect a Christian or a seeker in a negative way. In a sense, such atheists are "one-man wrecking crews", who not only ensure their own destruction but also the destruction of others.
Look at yourself from the position of a Christian, who sees atheists confidently spreading misinformation that could ruin the lives and potentially the eternities of others. Would you not wish to put them in their place and restore confidence in the seekers and Christians who are watching from afar?
Of course, it is true that many Christians prefer to operate in a different manner, such as Glenn Miller. I would consider myself to act in a manner more similar to Miller than to Socrates. Does that mean that Socrates is cruel or hateful? Nope. It simply means that Miller and Socrates have different methods (different strategies, if you will) for reaching others. Personally, I prefer to write without an abundance of satire (although I don't think I'm a pushover). However, different situations call for different strategies.
Therefore, although I don't always necessarily like or agree with their methods, I have respect for those who use an abundance of satire and "agape love."
I must mention that Socrates, J.P. Holding, and others who use satire and are fond of "agape love", have another goal in mind as well. I'm sure that they are concerned over the lives of those they address, but I'd venture to say that there is a much more important goal on their mind.
That goal, I think, is to ensure that other Christians, sincere seekers, etc. are not troubled by the comments of atheists with regards to Christianity. The last thing Socrates and J.P. Holding want, I imagine, is to allow the smart-aleck superior intelligence tone of the atheist affect a Christian or a seeker in a negative way. In a sense, such atheists are "one-man wrecking crews", who not only ensure their own destruction but also the destruction of others.
Look at yourself from the position of a Christian, who sees atheists confidently spreading misinformation that could ruin the lives and potentially the eternities of others. Would you not wish to put them in their place and restore confidence in the seekers and Christians who are watching from afar?
Of course, it is true that many Christians prefer to operate in a different manner, such as Glenn Miller. I would consider myself to act in a manner more similar to Miller than to Socrates. Does that mean that Socrates is cruel or hateful? Nope. It simply means that Miller and Socrates have different methods (different strategies, if you will) for reaching others. Personally, I prefer to write without an abundance of satire (although I don't think I'm a pushover). However, different situations call for different strategies.
Therefore, although I don't always necessarily like or agree with their methods, I have respect for those who use an abundance of satire and "agape love."