Just curious--

[Pastor Gary]

With all the smoke and heat generated by Gerald's sometimes confrontational and caustic critiques, I found myself wondering tonight how the Jude2 viewers really feel about things with this totally unscientific survey.

[dolfan]

For me, his approach negating his message is the closest of the specific choices, but for me his approach doesn't negate his message. (I voted NOTA.) I think I understand the anger, and I think it is the exact same frustration that played a large part in my re-examining my faith and that lead me to simply walk away from pentecostal belief. I was mad, sad, glad and about 10 other things all at the same time. Then, there was no household internet access to speak of, and there was certainly no forum of people familiar with the way I felt and thought (who would agree or disagree, but still hear) and no sounding board of people to bounce things off of. I waded that swamp alone. So, I can't say that Gerald's approach is wrong; if my own process had happened 15 years later, I may be doing EXACTLY what Gerald is doing now and in the same way.

When I was in college at the Univ. of North Alabama, we had a communication ethics class (I was a communications major) taught by a very conservative evangelical professor (rarity, yes). We had to do a research project and discuss our findings on problems in ethical communications. We were given a broad range of fora to explore, and I chose mass comm since it interested me most then. And, it was about the time that Hank Hannegraff's book "Crisis in Christianity" was first released. I did a project on TBN and all of their influencers. I can tell you now that it profoundly, profoundly impacted me as a then-pentecostal (we were members of a local, growing AOG church at that time, having just left COGOP). I looked around me and saw all this acceptance of the very things Gerald gets mad about today. I knew then that it was a hopeless battle, and I wasn't going to tilt at windmills.

Then, came a revival with T.J. Lowery at that church, and I've shared this before. I won't go into the boring details again, but that encounter shut the door for me, and bolted it shut forever, as it concerns being pentecostal. I wasn't mad about it then. I was smacked cold by it. Over the next several years, with no one to talk to, I did everything under the sun that is wrong -- no details needed here, either. I balled up, spiritually speaking, and just pretended that God didn't matter. It was a Wesleyan who I met through my wife's work, who was a SS teacher at a big church in Northport, Alabama, and who invited us to his class and who became fast and long-enduring friends with us, that gave me hope again about living as a Christian. That guy now pastors in Oregon for the past 5 years or so (although last word I had from him is they are moving back to the southeast this summer). The bitter waters of all that old stuff were gone, and I decided that the PEOPLE that I'd learned Christ with, and even the organizations and congregations that I'd been part of as a pentecostal, were not to blame for my crisis of faith. I came to understand it as just a part of my own growth as a believer. I also came to the point where I could not deny the devotion, maturity, insight and sheer power of the love of God that I saw in many of them, so I decided as well that I didn't have to be right about them being "wrong" about being pentecostal. In other words, I decided that them being pentecostal and me not being pentecostal meant nothing. We were all His, and that was all that mattered. The reasons for those differences in understanding God falls under the "why" category, and being unable to figure that out, I also decided that most of the "why" questions about life are best left unasked, that they are God's answers and not mine, and that when I don't know why, my best course of action is to remember Who. Now, that's cliche, but it is the best way I know to express it.

So, that's the long winded reason for my vote in the poll. Thx.

[RamboPreacher]

I don't see his "massage" being negated. However, I can see how that some might be offended or take those posts as being negating of his proclaiming heresy. I believe his approach is appropriate (if accurate, citings ands sources should be required), and i agree the direct approach appropriate.

[jinjer]

I guess because I have known Gerald for most of our lives, I don't "hear" what people hear when I read his words. He often says many things I am think or have felt or experienced. He says things I would like to say, but don't seem to take the time to put it into words.

Just MHO

Jinjer

[DaJudge]

I chose the "He's right but his approach negates his message" option, because when I see a Gerald post on Bentley or some other person he deems a heretic, my eyes tend to roll back in my head, and I say, "here he goes again". And I AGREE with him.

[Jennifer Smith]

You probably already know I would choose, if the option were listed, that I feel he is often wrong, sometimes right, but the approach is negative.

[Pastor Bill]

I agree with Gerald most of the time, but I do think at times his message is negated because he comes across a little too confrontational. I don't have a problem with it, and I do believe these things need pointed out, but at times the only ones really giving any credence to what is said are the ones who would agree already, I don't know that people who haven't seen these problems are being shown as much as "preaching to the choir".

Love you brother, and I understand the frustration, but those that are already duped by the mess are just ignoring you.

[one love]

I love Gerald. I disgree with him on many things and agree with him on most of his WOF views. However I dont agree it is ever right to attack someone for there views. People are honest hearted and should not be insulted for there faith. It is more effective to just show your view with conviction without being hurtful and insulting. Sometimes we can assume what one thinks and speak to fast.
I have been on the harsh side of Gerald and really could not understand "why is he so angry with me" I try to show love to everyone here and disagree on a number of biblical issues. It would be wrong (in my opinion) to insult everyone I disagree with and tell them they have made the Bible "toilet paper" or "you have made the bible a liar" or calling of names that can hurt and it does. We should always guard our conversation and speak with the love of Christ.
I am glad that I took the time to start to get to know Gerald In a P.M. setting and I fully understand now why he felt the way he did. I can relate to his feelings and I think a lot of him and count him as a friend. It took me to see what it was that bothered him so bad because I will be honest I just about walked from here in the begining because of the attacks against me all over the fact that I was in TCOG no other reason, I could not get that. Yet when I took the time to get to know everyone I feel they understand me and I also them.

So yes I dont agree with Geralds approach many times and many times he says exactly what is right. I just wish the name calling and assumptions would not be so widespread on forums however that is just going to be there.
Again I mean no offense to Gerald I count him as a friend and I do understand and feel he is honest hearted in his convictions. I just caution people to be careful the way we talk to one another.
May the Lord Bless you.

[MacUser]

He's an interesting character with a unique perspective... and overall I enjoy his provoking ability to make one critically think. This is good.

When a person is passionate about something things can get heated. I expect it when an engaging and challenging debate ensues.

But ultimately.. when we do our best and put forth our arguments and no good end is reached.. hold our ideals to another day and practice this:

Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

[Poimen]

I fall somewhere between choices one and two. If there were such a choice it might read...


He is more often RIGHT than wrong, but the directness is not always necessary.

[HogWild]

How about: Who cares? (LOL) If you don't like his stuff, don't read it. I really don't take the time to figure out if he is right or wrong. If it seems confrontational, I read something else... I have enough conflict in other areas of my life.

However, he is often stinking hilarious, even when he intends to be very serious. So for that very reason, I read more of his diatribes than I would of someone else....

[MacUser]

However, he is often stinking hilarious, even when he intends to be very serious. So for that very reason, I read more of his diatribes than I would of someone else.:

Bingo. Humor with serious critical thinking is what some pay to listen to.

[Jennifer Smith]

However, he is often stinking hilarious, even when he intends to be very serious. So for that very reason, I read more of his diatribes than I would of someone else.:

Bingo. Humor with serious critical thinking is what some pay to listen to.

Well, it works for Dennis Miller, anyway!

[MrDanger]

However, he is often stinking hilarious, even when he intends to be very serious. So for that very reason, I read more of his diatribes than I would of someone else.:

Bingo. Humor with serious critical thinking is what some pay to listen to.

Well, it works for Dennis Miller, anyway!

And Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity, and Glenn Beck, and, wait a minute, didn't Bro. Fisher do that a time or two during Assemblies?

[Ilovebigcats]

As someone who has gone through MANY phases with Gerald... I can say that I have come to a place where I understand him, enjoy him, and find him funny. Even when he still slaps me with his sarcasm... it reminds me of how far I've come.

Thanks, Gerald.

BTW... is this gossip?