Ok, I said I would follow up the earlier post on the kerfluffle between Ingrid Schlueter and Chris Rosebrough. I’ll keep this relatively short for a variety of reasons, not the least of which it’s Saturday, I’m sick, and I’ve more important things to do like plant veggie seeds, and the fact that all this hurly-burly is in a large degree just plain silly. This is not exactly ‘making the best use of the time’ folks. (Ephesians 5:16). More on that later.

First of all, when I posted the initial article I had no idea that there was trouble in radio land, much less between two whom I’ve respected for their work for quite some time now. I still do. It was like walking across a green meadow reading a lovely book of poems to suddenly find yourself on a hillside between two armies, like a scene out of Braveheart, kilts, war paint and all. My inbox was bombarded, both armies spewing all kinds of arguments for their position in the matter. As for the comments on the blog post, I’d guess maybe a third were deleted faster than you could say Bre’r Rabbit, either because they paid no attention to comment policy, or the comments were rants by immature, pietistic little pissants. Yes, it’s a legit word, and in this case, accurate. Their souls are significant, their rants aren’t. Get your own blog.

Both sides have valid points, and both sides are guilty of prideful moments. I’m not going to plaster links everywhere here because if you’re reading this, and you are, you know where to find them. I’m not going to rehash the whole shebang here because this is cud that’s been chewed and rechewed by multiple Tom Brokaw wanna-be’s. So…I’ll tell you what I think and I’m done with it. Do with it what you will, or nothing at all, makes no difference to me.

For the record, know two things:

1) I’ve spoken with both Ingrid and Chris. (Ingrid jumped the gun stating I ‘refused’ to contact her before I even knew she requested it. I did not “choose to repeat some lies” and Ingrid, since we’ve spoken, you can take your update down now, thank you.)

2) Ingrid did not offer to bake me brownies, and Chris did not offer to send me an eye-patch or make me an honorary shipmate.

Now, here’s a photo: You know these guys, it’s Michael Horton and Rick Warren. You know what they do and, more than likely, where each stands theologically.

What are we to make of this?

Nothing too much.

Chris Rosebrough was Right

Chris was right in one thing, photo’s don’t say it all, and they should be taken into context. I heard the audio from Lausanne, and Horton said some pretty bold things at Saddleback. For all we know, moments before this photo, Horton may have stung Warren with some loving concerns about his whacked teachings. Maybe not. I wasn’t there. I don’t know.

Ingrid Schlueter was Right

On the other hand, Ingrid Schlueter makes a few valid points of her own in this mess. Forget the term ‘Bridger’, it’s irrelevant. Does this photo lend any favorable credibility to Rick Warren and his purpose-driven nonsense? To an extent, of course it does. How much? I don’t know, and neither do you. Was it ‘sinful’? Of course not.

Knowing what I know of Rick Warren’s theology, I would personally be uncomfortable having my picture taken with the man, and I’d probably decline the opportunity, but that’s just me. No offense Rick.

Michael Horton is a big boy, a grown up. He doesn’t need to defend why he had his photo taken with Rick Warren. That’s his business, not yours. Tend your own biscuits.

Now, I do wish leading evangelicals in the Reformed camp would stop hobnobbing with those whose theology is clearly, consistently and intentionally driven by a Madison Avenue mindset. However, I can’t stop them, and neither can you, which brings me to my earlier point…..

We have better things to do with our time today.

Listen, it is such an act of grace when we even wake up in the morning. It’s another day to focus on what God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ upon that cross. In light of that, we would better spend our time communicating that message to others and mortifying the known sin in our lives because of it, out of love for Him and with grateful hearts.

I’m all for earnestly contending for the faith and appreciate the work of those dedicated to it. I appreciate the work of Ingrid Schlueter and Chris Rosebrough. Both have valid points, and both are still frail human beings, capable of prideful defensiveness. Aren’t we all?

I hope Ingrid brings back the Crosstalkblog. I profited from it, but she resigned it voluntarily. I look forward to more podcast from that zany pirate Chris Rosebrough. I profit from it as well. I pray their differences will be reconciled and work together in the cause of the Gospel and defense of the faith.

Now then, I’ve a garden to plant.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:16

Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears. – Proverbs 26:17