Expert: Hoyt Roberson - 9/1/2008

Question
I learned this technique from Ernie, and find it somewhat useful on this particular board.

Why would Ernie treat any other human like this:

"You are a false teacher and I would seriously prefer if you were not on this panel of experts about the church of Christ.  You do not represent the church of Christ as the Bible presents it.  You represent only those congregations who have become one with the world and are indistinguishable from it.  It is folks like you that seriously kindle the righteous anger within me and I will do everything in my power to counter you and expose you for what you are.  Your teachings will direct countless souls to eternal damnation, and no doubt many have already gone that way.

Repent, Mr. Roberson, before it is everlastingly too late."

I wonder, does Ernie's righteous anger come from the Spirit of peace and love? You will be allowed to make your own determination.

But, to paraphrase Ernie's earlier response, who would you rather discuss religious concepts with, Ernie, or Hoyt? Which one's responses read as though they accept the questioner and read as though they come from a loving and compassionate heart?

If you want to risk Ernie's righteous anger, then feel free to ask him any questions you'd like. I assure you that I will never address anyone in such a fashion.

Ernie wants others to know what he understands, and so he asks himself questions so that he can shed his light on topics he was not asked. In doing so, he misunderstands the original questions and offers responses that are irrelevant.

He then....and get this.....he rates himself all 10's for his answer!

Check this out from his ratings page, and notice the name of the rater....

Date       Rated By  K   P  T   C   N   Comments
2008-08-30  Ernie     10 10  10 10  No      
2008-07-22  hara      10 10  10 10  No      

Cute, very cute. Apparently he thinks he's pretty much the bomb.

Answer
Unlike Ernie, I don't intend to rate myself all 10's for this answer to my own question.

At least he didn't nominate himself for Expert of the Month, which is itself a glimmer of hope.

For those of you who are not members of Churches of Christ, I have to offer my apologies for Ernie's behavior. Unfortunately, he comes from a rather conservative group of folks who pride themselves on knowing proof texts and who seem to believe in a somewhat disengaged God who expects imperfect people to perfectly understand all things divine.

As you can tell, these attitudes can result in some responses that sound pretty nice from folks they think will agree with them, or those they think know less than themselves. Unfortunately, if you were to join one of their groups and then attempt to think for yourself, they may well turn on you with attitudes and language that Ernie has demonstrated in his recent responses to me.

This behavior is embarrassing to me, and I ask that those who read them try not to color all churches of Christ in light of Ernie's conduct.

In Christian love and a desire to know God more fully, I offer His blessings to everyone and wish His gracious peace to you.

Hoyt