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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>M-</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thank you for sharing both the letter from the
Kirk and your response (below).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>You are performing a real community service, and
one that ultimately is of great benefit to the church as
well. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=5>One phrase shines through in your message: "I have a high
sense of duty to pursue truth" Yes, you do, and I thank you for
it</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=5>BL</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=metzler@moscow.com href="mailto:metzler@moscow.com">Michael</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=vision2020@moscow.com
href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, May 04, 2006 5:57
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] double oops Jones
Letter & Metzler's Response</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Oops. I offer my sincere apologies for cluttering up
this list with the ecclesiastical formalities between myself and my
elders. I’ll offer a brief self-justificatory, groveling explanation and
then I’ll go away and get off the internet:
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">A friend called, and he wanted to see Jones’ letter to
me while we were on the phone; I pasted into the response I was writing up for
Aaron—I think anyway. “Hey, it is still not coming in,” my friend
explained. “Really? That’s strange…..Ah, I’m afraid you’ll have to see
it on Vision 2020!” Sensory overload or something like that; time
to go read a book….<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">At least note that I had permission to post this
letter in anyway I saw fit : -)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Last time this happened, <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilson</st1:place></st1:City> said that it was
not funny, not funny at all. For those of you interested in scanning
this letter, please note the good news: excommunication won’t do me any good,
so nobody is going to bother. Whew! <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Hey, and I think I’ll just go ahead and copy my
response below. We’re all big one happy <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Moscow</st1:place></st1:City> family by now after
all.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Michael<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 14pt"><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT"
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">May 4-th ,
2006 </SPAN></FONT><FONT size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Dear Mr. Jones,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">As I anticipated, my request for the elders to ‘pace’
themselves was not headed. Chris Schlect and Doug Wilson have both
recently leveled numerous and wildly false accusations against me. I
therefore need to offer a strong defense. Further accusations from you
and your new ultimatums is further exasperating my ability to offer my defense
before the elders. This is actually not surprising, since this action of
yours, seen properly within the broader story line, is clearly an attempt to
keep me away from expressing my concerns to the elders. I have already pointed
out beyond a reasonable doubt the deceit in your claims about a full ‘open
door’ for me—whether formal or informal. This letter from you is further
proof of just this. I finally begin getting a hearing or interest from
elders after 5 months, and your response is to immediately clamp down on my
ability to continue explaining my concerns and answering wildly false
accusation against me. The session of <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Christ
Church</st1:PersonName> has been seeking to bring “some level of closure” in
their interaction with me for the last five months, beginning with Wilson’s
refusal to speak with me normally many months ago, following up with your
disparagement of my desire to meet with the elders at the time I started
Pooh’s Think. I find it strange therefore that you would say now
that “</SPAN></FONT><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">The session of <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:PersonName></st1:place> is interested in
bringing some level of closure to our interaction with you. Humanly speaking,
for a long while now, we’ve obviously ceased to be any pastoral help to
you.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">In this letter to me, you make a series of claims that
are not only false, they are calling black white and white black. Your
claims about me, my intentions, and what and how I have actually been
addressing the elders and posting on my web site are backwards. The
claims you make of me apply to you, not me. I will therefore, in a way
that permits of robust ‘falsification,’ answer your fresh claims one by
one:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: We had hoped you
would join us in trusting in the Spirit’s work in the Supper because <B><SPAN
style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">any attempts at interaction with you</SPAN></B> only
created more tangled layers of
misinterpretations.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">MM: This is a wild
revision of history, Mr. Jones. I have vigorously interacted with all
communication you have been willing to throw my way, and yet each time you
refuse to continue any sort of dialog. You send me authoritative
utterances, I attempt to interact, agree, or challenge these utterances, and
then I either hear nothing in return, or else you just glibly pronounce that
I’m just “psychologizing.” For the last five months you have refused any
of what would be considered the most basic expression of human communicative
dialog. You refuse to hear my replies; you refuse to answer them; you
refuse to so much as have a ‘conversation’ with me. Not once over the
last three months have you attempted to demonstrate that you have attempted to
understand a concern of mine, and your refusal to answer my arguments or
criticism continues to this day. Instead, I have been belittled and
disrespected to a severe degree: I am losing it, I am spiritually
imploding, I don’t know what I am talking about, I don’t care about the truth,
I am confused, I know what I am saying is not true, I’m losing my grip, I
can’t handle the truth, I am not qualified to make a judgment about Wilson’s
false accusations against McLaren, etc. Mr. Jones, this is classic, text-book,
SPIRITUAL ABUSE, not pastoral ‘interaction.’ <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: But now you’ve
stopped communing with us. At the same time, you have continued to make public
accusations and have declined to submit any of these accusations to us to
evaluate in a biblical, accountable, orderly, and responsible manner.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">MM: We leave town every
other weekend. I therefore believe it has been two to three Sunday’s in
town since our last meeting with you at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PersonName
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:PersonName></st1:place>. We have
communed at other <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Christian</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Churches</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> during this time. I have
submitted accusations continually in an accountable and orderly manner; given
your character assignation, unaccountable arrogance, and refusal to respect my
desire to express concern, my web site is fully ‘biblical.’ And I would
think that my attempt to offer a judicious and rational (i.e. evidential and
argumentative) display of my concerns once you refused to take them ‘in house’
has certainly been done in a responsible manner when contrasted to your
irrational, authoritative, belittling responses to me. Mike Lawyer
expressing his confidence that I don’t have any more Christian friends is an
example of the level of contrast I see between the elders’ willingness to
engage in rational conversation and my own. </SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> <BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> <BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: This option would
include taking down your blog (for your sake), remove yourself from all
<st1:PersonName w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:PersonName> disputes,
seek forgiveness, and begin attending <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PersonName
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:PersonName></st1:place> again regularly.
Nothing we’ve seen in your correspondence suggests that you are in any way
inclined in this direction.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">MM: Notice here that the
path of ‘repentance’ is to basically ‘shut up and sit down.’ I am to remove
myself from all disputes. This is an amazing admission to what your
attitude has been all along. When we met privately many months ago, I
was to either forget everything, shut up, and go silently on my way, or else
there was going to be a nasty fight. Actually considering my concerns or
leaving the mere possibly open to the fact that I might provide some kind of
laymen spiritual gift for the edification of the body was rejected a
priori. A Greyfriar student with gifts like I have is simply not allowed
to express criticism or concern? This is outrageous, and one of the very
justifications I providentially received for continuing Pooh’s Think.
I’m sorry you have not been able to silence me as quickly as you did
other dissenting kirkers. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT"
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: Your
blog should be much more of an embarrassment to you and your family than to
us. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">MM: The logical options
here seem to be the following: you are either self-deluded or else you are
putting on a rhetorical magic show for the other elders. There might be
another psychological option, but I’m not sure what that would be. I
would say that about 9 out of 10 of those people without an identity attached
to Doug Wilson in any way find my web site to be largely sound and
cogent. And I would guess, from the vast correspondence my web site has
created, that about 7 out of 10 are glad I have done what I have done.
Of those individuals who would like to see me go in a more ‘positive’
direction or else just stop blogging, none of them (but for one odd fellow I
think) find my web site an “embarrassment.” Even Wilson-defending critics on
the ‘outside’ of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PersonName w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:PersonName></st1:place> usually do not
see my site as an “embarrassment.” No, only those ‘inside’ kirkers
express this sort of cognitive and emotional response. And there are even
local kirkers who are listening with agreement and mild approval. If
this is not rhetorical deception, then you need to get out of your bubble Mr.
Jones. What you say here is clearly false by the only possible standard
to which to test it. This further reveals that the people living in
non-reality currently are those loyal members of the Kirk.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: A faithful church is
supposed to generate this sort of false accusation, and when we compare its
bizarre disconnect from reality, it only confirms that we’re doing something
right. When we cease provoking sentimental men, then we will have failed in
our calling.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">This “bastard apologetic”
[penned by another local pastor] has been fully illustrated and refuted in the
Wood; you simply refuse to acknowledge it. This is one of the ad hoc
developments of the Kirk’s unique imprecatory, Enemy Theology. To normal
Christians who understand our current culture, it is basic common sense why so
many people have taken offense from our behavior. We have been
non-missional, arrogant, insulting, and rude. We have not extended a
culture of love and grace to outsiders but rather journalistic satire.
We have even done many very silly and stupid things, like writing positive
remarks about the happiness of the ‘interracial’ mixing of blacks and whites
before the civil war, and throwing around a static, ugly, theonomic position
in the face of refined liberals with a good taste for social justice. (The
property ownership and voting thing is really cute. Ah, the founding
father’s agreed! All legal regress here in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place> the last 200 years.) The
smugness and irrationality that many kirkers have consistently expressed on
Vision 2020 is simply an embarrassment. In fact, our behavior has been
so unwise and arrogant that I have marveled at how judicious many on the
outside continue to be. No sir, a faithful Christian church in our
society is NOT supposed “to generate this sort of false accusation.” As
you and others at the Kirk have revealed over and over again, it is you and
not people like me who have a ‘bizarre disconnect from reality.’ And
you, Mr. Jones, will one day have to answer for your arrogant dismissal of
concerns expressed by numerous men with hearts and personalities more in
conformity to those of the characters we see in the bible. If Jesus,
Paul, or David were at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PersonName
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:PersonName></st1:place> today, you would
have certainly labeled them as “sentimentalists” and told them to take a
hike. I’ve seen you play this game with other godly men, such as Jon
Amos. That was really your only way of defending the serrated edge:
anyone who disagrees is just a sentimentalist. This is subterfuge, Mr.
Jones. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"></SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: You’ve created a web
of unfalsifiable accusations and psychological conspiracies in which you are
always the victim. With God as our witness, our consciences are clean in
regard to your accusations, and we unhesitatingly believe that you will be
terribly surprised and ashamed of your claims when we sit as brothers on
Judgment Day. You clearly have no idea how far from reality your vision is,
and we clearly lack the means of persuading you otherwise. </SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">MM: With God as my witness Mr. Jones, I want to charge
you with lying here. You know fully well that I have addressed you with
arguments and evidence. I have given you almost nothing but the ability
to provide ‘falsification.’ You consciences’ are not clean, as your
behavior towards me for the last 8 months has been screaming loud and
clear. But you are right that you clearly lack the means of persuading
me otherwise; you lack the means of persuading any rational independent
onlooker to this. In fact, you simply refuse to even attempt a
falsification to my arguments and claims, arguments and claims that would be
easily falsified if they were entirely incorrect. What seems very apparent to
me and many others on-looking all this is that you don’t have any good reasons
for thinking that my claims are not true. What is easily falsifiable and
yet also clearly demonstrated beyond a reasonable doubt is the fact that
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City></st1:place>
misrepresented Brian McLaren’s book, to give just one example. So did
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City></st1:place> do this
or not? Most on the outside think he did to some degree. For
anyone that rigorously compared his ‘review’ with the actually book, I think
the results would be staggering; Wilson’s actions against McLaren are
atrocious, and I labored with a dozen lengthy and scholarly posts
demonstrating just this. So just how is it on this one particular claim
of mine (for mere illustration) that my vision is “so far reality”?
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Excuse me Mr. Jones, but you are simply revealing the
fact that you are not an honest man; you are not demonstrating a ‘clean
conscience’ at all. Just look at your very claims here. You call
white black and black white. Who’s claims are really unfalsifiable
here. Mine or yours. You hide behind a wall of ad hom remarks and
subterfuge whereas I want to get right down to business and lay the fact out
on the table. Can’t you see how silly it looks from the ‘outside,’ when
after all this you cannot even provide and argument, and explanation, or any
evidence to your strong accusations against me? What about just one
example Mr. Jones? Just one. Can you come up with at least one
illustration? <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT"
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: The
second option urges you to take responsibility for your accusations, justify
them coherently, and allow them to be evaluated and cross-examined in an
orderly manner before our session immediately. As always, we’re far from
perfect and always open to correction. We now lack, however, the confidence
that you are any longer able to discuss these items with us informally, and so
this option asks you to justify your accusations carefully and precisely. At
the same time, this option includes taking down your blog and removing
yourself from other disputes as evidence that you are willing to pursue these
issues in an orderly manner. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">MM: Mr. Jones, why
the procrastination and all the time spent on this long letter to me?
Let’s get started right now. Structure it any way you like. Who
goes first? Let’s dance man. For heaven’s sake, after five months,
will the elders finally start “evaluating and cross-examining” me? Go
for it. I’m tired of cross-examining <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City></st1:place>, since he turns up more guilty than I
even imagined every time—and it has now been four times. So now your
turn. Please, present some kind of reasonable argument or counter
claim. Pick a topic; ask for clarification on something. Why is it
my responsibility to figure out how to get my concerns voiced? Of course
I’m able to discuss all this informally with the Session; I discuss difficult
and controversial subjects with all sorts of people on a weekly basis.
Why do the elders get in the way of this by merely maligning my character and
declaring that I’m simply living in a fantasy world? Who is it really
getting in the way of rational discussion here? Of course I’m not going
to take down my Blog right now; I’ve got too many character attacks coming out
to defend myself about. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"></SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> <BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: Given that you have
declined to follow your membership vows to submit to our government and
discipline while pursuing purity and peace, as evidenced by your refusal to
worship with us or heed our counsel, this option has us confirming your
actions by immediately releasing you from your membership vows and our
obligations to you.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">MM: I do not have a clue
to what you are talking about. I have headed every exhortation that the
session has given me. Have I not? When have I not? I even
asked further many times if there was anything additional and particular that
the elders would require of me. Unfortunately, I have to once again
follow up and accuse you of lying here Mr. Jones. You have no authority or
right to declare that I have refused to head the Session’s demands after I
have just headed every one of the Session’s demands. That might look
like psychologizing to you, but most human beings call it straight forward
logic. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">I “refuse” to worship
with you? Two or three in-town Sundays is a “refusal”? The elders
are on record encouraging and then refusing to discourage another ‘kirker’
brother who was hatefully and irrationally threatening me with
litigation. Doug Wilson called this despicable and violent “argument”
“<B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">unassailable</SPAN></B>.” I’m sorry,
but that kind of wierded me out a little bit. It was hard enough
to continue worshiping with you as it was, but until you repent of this kind
of injustice and mishandling of me, and your wild failure to protect me and my
family through basic pastoral care, then I really am going to have a hard time
coming back and worshiping with you now. Let me know when you are
willing to discharge your basic duties on that one event and I will consider
coming back.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: This is not
excommunication or suspension; we believe those would be of no spiritual
benefit to you. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">MM: Really? Then
why is it beneficial for ____________? He thinks the same things I do
are true about you and Wilson. He has the identical missional heart and
the same fear of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City></st1:place>. So why is it helpful to him,
even though he has even already joined himself to another church for
accountability and nourishment? This is truly perplexing to me. If
you have any helpful thoughts on this matter I would greatly appreciate
it. Further, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Wilson</st1:City></st1:place> has already stated in writing that
part of his strategy with me is to not do anything that could show up
negatively on Vision 2020. Your game here is clear. If I didn’t
start my blog at all, I would not have been suspended for like-behavior?
This makes no sense to me; so again, if you have any helpful comments that
could help clarify this for me I would greatly appreciate it.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: We count you a
brother in need of great help we can’t provide. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">MM: But
<st1:PersonName w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Christ</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Church</st1:PlaceType></st1:PersonName> is one of the
best pastoral/educational churches in the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> [not
really]. Why would you not be in a position to help me? Again,
this makes no sense to me. What sin am I in that would preclude you
helping me? I’m a conservative, committed, missional Christian
faithfully married to another Christian woman and raising four children in a
‘biblical’ manner. I have a high sense of duty to pursue truth and what
it is that God has set forward in his scripture. I’m even somewhat
educated, and broadly so; this would give you plenty of material to work
with. I’m sensitive and have an imaginative mental life; it seems this
is something you could used powerfully in your desire to relieve my fears,
answer my concerns, and guide me to safer shores. Have you really even
tried to do this? Outside of just trying to get me to shut up that
is. You guys write books on discipline and counseling. What is the
unique problem with me? You can’t provide me with any help at all?
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'">DJ: Please feel free to
circulate or post this correspondence as you see fit before
God.</SPAN></FONT><FONT size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">
<BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">MM: This is one of the first honest statements
I’ve heard from you in a long time. Thank you, I appreciate
that.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">As for the various options: please send me an
official letter from the Session of <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Christ
Church</st1:PersonName> that it is their desire for me to remove my membership
if I am not willing to comply with the other two options. As for filing
formal charges, everyone on the ‘outside’ is strongly discouraging me from
doing this. Most folks appear to think that I would be lynched in a dark
basement if I threw myself at the feet of your beautiful sense of justice. But
I’ll have to talk to my wife further about it. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">The much needed defense against Chris Schlect’s and
Doug Wilson’s slander will be forthcoming. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Thank You<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 14pt"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Michael Metzler<BR></SPAN></FONT><FONT
face="GoudyOlSt BT" size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'GoudyOlSt BT'"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT
size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=4><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<P>
<HR>
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