Continuing with my farewell impressions... Although Bill Taylor only recently came onto TruthTalk and our interaction was rather limited, I have to say that much of his discussions with me have left an impact. While his mindset of the Incarnation and how that impacts evangelism is very different from my own, I see the grain of truth in his thinking and have incorporated elements of it in how I approach evangelism. I realize that saying this may be incomprehensible to some on TruthTalk, maybe even raise red flags of alarm, but it is very true nonetheless. Jesus did indeed die for the sins of the whole world, and part of our message to others is what are they doing about that fact. What is their response?
Some other ways that I have appreciated Bill is simply observing his theological training and manner of communicating. Some names dropped by him and others like Lance Muir also have blessed me in directing me toward further reading and study along theological lines. While some on TruthTalk question the value of such, I consider it all part of our culture and an area of formal training that I have lacked. Therefore, I have appreciated Lance and Bill in bringing to the table names and works in a framework with which I have been unfamiliar. Lance too has effected me positively in several ways. We approach truth differently. Lance takes a much more holisitic approach and is altogether people oriented. His criticism of my reductionism and orientation toward dictum has not gone unnoticed. It has heightened some of my appreciation for the Biblical approach to the person of Jesus Christ. After all, the entire gospel is centered more on the person of Christ than it is his teaching and sayings. This is not to say that I have forsaken the teaching of Christ altogether, but rather that I have appreciated aspects of Lance which bring attention back toward the person of Christ and even each other as people. Lance sees truth through people more than through expressions and teaching. I have learned to appreciate that about him, and to recognize its Biblical nature. I only wish we had more time to explore it on TruthTalk in a way that would have been mutually edifying. Lance also brought me into touch with Debbie. Although my interaction with Debbie has been rather limited, I have appreciated her writing ability and feel blessed to have been touched by her life. Debbie at times is able to hear and see past her own mindset, and other times she is able to forcefully articulate a viewpoint that can be quite convincing. Like Lance, she appreciates the personal over the wrangling of words, and that is refreshing and brings a different focus at times when such is needed. I had hoped to finish my impressions by this weekend, but too much has been going on. Last night we held a Strings Concert here at my home where all five of my children performed. More than 80 people attended. Then today we had church here at my home late into the evening. One of the students at UF has taken up preaching now too... great praise report... he preached for the first time last Friday and plans to continue carrying that torch every Friday. He has drawn many other students in this move of God that is happening at the University of Florida. We had praise reports of two people healed of cancer this week at church... lots of things happening. So, please forbear with me if I extend TruthTalk yet another day so I can finish saying my goodbyes. I guesss there is not much I can say to get everyone to stop posting dialogue and to say their goodbyes, so I will finish mine as soon as I can and then take down the list. God bless you all. My prayers are with you Lance and your mother during this time. Please let us know if she was a believer in Jesus Christ. Thanks. David Miller ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
