[Vision2020] Slavery, again and again and again

Mon, 13 Oct 2003 18:57:31 EDT

-------------------------------1066085851
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Language: en

Dear Visionaries:
Nothing seems to bring the local =E2=80=9CReformed=E2=80=9D troglodytes out=20=
of their kaverns=20
faster having the audacity to suggest that the race-based slavery of the=20
American South is morally indefensible and slave owners (black or white) wer=
e=20
ethically challenged individuals.  Doug Wilson argues that he believes racis=
m is=20
sinful and abhorrent to God, yet stoutly defends (on biblical grounds) the=20
institution that nurtured and prolonged involuntary servitude and its foul l=
egacy,=20
racism. The real questions, it seems to me, are why Doug=E2=80=99s and Steve=
 Wilkins=20
opinions on slavery worthy of front page coverage (even) in the Daily News a=
nd=20
why Doug=E2=80=99s (and by extension, Steve Wilkins) biblical exegesis is of=
 any=20
import or interest beyond their faith communities? =20
Understandably, their congregations respect and defend Wilkins/Wilson=E2=80=
=99s=20
theological point of view.  What is inexplicable to many of us is why Wilkin=
s/Wilson
=E2=80=99s theological opinions should be considered to be more thoughtful,=20=
sincere,=20
or accurate than any other student of the Bible.  (Ralph Nielsen springs to=20
mind.)  Surely neither Wilson nor Wilkins claim to wear the Roman Mantle of=20
Infallibility.  Is it conceivable that Doug or Steve could actually be in er=
ror?=20
Would they admit if they were?  And, if theologically in error on one matter=
,=20
doesn=E2=80=99t that open the door to additional scrutiny regarding other sp=
iritual=20
pronouncements? =20
I for one would like to learn more about the authentic Reformed position on=20
slavery and racism from a genuinely theologically trained and well educated=20
Reformed minister, Dr. Peter Leithart, for example.  Perhaps then, a real=20
intellectual and respectful discussion could take place.
Best,
Rose Huskey
=20

-------------------------------1066085851
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Content-Language: en

<HTML xmlns:st1 =3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns:o=20=
=3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"><HEAD>
<META charset=3DUTF-8 http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; charse=
t=3Dutf-8">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2726.2500" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffff=
f">
Dear Visionaries:
Nothing seems to bring the local =E2=80=9CReformed=E2=
=80=9D troglodytes out of their kaverns faster having the audacity to sugges=
t that the race-based slavery of the American South is morally indefensible=20=
and slave owners (black or white) were ethically challenged individuals.<SPA=
N style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; Doug Wilson argues that he belie=
ves racism is sinful and abhorrent to God, yet stoutly defends (on biblical=20=
grounds) the institution that nurtured and prolonged involuntary servitude a=
nd its foul legacy, racism. The rea=
l questions, it seems to me, are why Doug=E2=80=99s and Steve Wilkins opinio=
ns on slavery worthy of front page coverage (even) in the Daily News and why=
 Doug=E2=80=99s (and by extension, Steve Wilkins) biblical exegesis is of an=
y import or interest beyond their faith communities? &nbsp;
Understandably, their congregations respect and defend=20=
Wilkins/Wilson=E2=80=99s theological point of view.&nbsp; What is inexplicable to many of us is why Wilkins/Wil=
son=E2=80=99s theological opinions should be considered to be more thoughtfu=
l, sincere, or accurate than any other student of the Bible.&nbsp; (Ralph Nielsen springs to mind.)&nbsp; Surely neither <st1:City><st1:place>Wil=
son</st1:place></st1:City> nor Wilkins claim to wear the Roman Mantle of Inf=
allibility.&nbsp; Is it conceivable=
 that Doug or Steve could actually be in error? Would they admit if they wer=
e? &nbsp;And, if&nbsp;theologically=
 in error on one matter, doesn=E2=80=99t that open the door to additional sc=
rutiny regarding other spiritual pronouncements?&nbsp; 
I for one would like to learn more about the authentic Reform=
ed position on slavery and racism from a genuinely theologically trained and=
 well educated Reformed minister, Dr. Peter Leithart, for example.&nbsp; Perhaps then, a real intellectual and=20=
respectful discussion could take place.
Best,
Rose Huskey
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></BODY></HTML>

-------------------------------1066085851--