Quote:
Originally Posted by SemperFideles  Rob,
I would caution you not to ascribe motive to Dr. White. He is a personal friend and, like all men, has his faults and may overstate his polemics at times. I have heard him make note that there are some who are not in the lunatic fringe that disagree. He has a tendency to overstate on some issues. You must admit, however, that the bulk of KJVO are the worst kind of friends you could hope to have on the subject. His polemics are typically aimed at them from what I've seen.
Thus, unless you have actual evidence of motive, do not use the Board to infer one. The man is extremely busy. I do not agree with him on the subject of Baptism but I don't attribute the fact that he has interacted little on this board to anything other than his schedule.
Finally, I would agree with you that not everyone is cut out for a give and take on a "radio" format. Some are able to both write and speak well but oration is not necessarily the mark of the best argument. Some very brilliant writers are not very good public speakers and the validity of their arguments should not be measured in that vein. |
Thank you Rich. I happen to agree with Dr. White concerning the lunatic fringe of the KJO movement. However, does this really need to be constantly pointed out? He harps on this issue so much that he has poisoned the well with those scholars who are legitimate on this issue. He simply has to label someone "KJO" and who will listen to the argument? Now, is that charitable?
Now, as for his motives concerning self-promotion? Well, I was in attendance at Hope Reformed Baptist Church during his "visits" to Long Island. Back in 1998 or '97 he preached at the church. The "sermon" was all about himself and full of stories and anecdotes about his apologetic work - there was nothing in it about Christ. And this was a sermon on Sunday morning! His book,
The Potter's Freedom has on the first few pages lists of various Reformed men who endorse the book. At the end of it he gives a webpage where you can read even more testimonies! Why all the self-promotion? Is self-centeredness a Christian virtue? Excepting for yourself - he attracts other such egoists like Chris Arnzen.
I do not consider James White as a friend (not that he is an enemy either), but I have enough experience with him to make some inferences. The word "I" is constantly in his vocabulary: "I did this," "I did that," "I spoke here" etc...
If you took a step back and actually reveiwed his website I think you would be able to catch the drift of this point. I am no psychologist, but I have taken several courses on the subject, and Dr. White's behavior is reminiscent of a man with an inferiority complex.
Now, is this unsubstantiated? In my opinion it is not, but simply my experience with the man as well as the objective material he has produced both on the internet and in writing. He goes after soft targets because it makes him look good. He is "too busy" to debate with people who are scholars on the subject, but he is not too busy to debate flakes.
As always I am the bad guy. I will take my lumps in the service of Jesus Christ.
Blessings to you as always,
Rob Wieland