Pulpit Language

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> Calling a person a "fag" is inappropriate; you cannot tell me Jesus would
> have done so.

Actually, we probably need to consider the situation in which the word
"fag" was used.  I have heard Bro. Arnold preach on many occasions, as
far back as 18 years ago, and his "street talk" was just exactly what
got my attention and led me to my conversion.  He did not then, and I
do not believe he does now, call any specific person, especially any
person then actually present, any derogatory term.  

He used the word generally to refer to some person, usually in a story
he was relating.  He does this to place the audience in his shoes, so
to speak.  By letting the audience in on how he was feeling and
thinking at that point in the story, he usually gets a majority of
them to agree with him, that they too would react the same way.  This
technique draws the audience into empathy with him, at least the
expected majority of the audience.  If a person is present that fits
the category or class to which he is refering, that person may be
offended, but he will likely be caused to examine himself.  

You cannot tell me that if a sinner of any sort is present in a church
service that he does not realize his sin, and that it is not
considered good practice in his present company.  Such a person will
be more encouraged to examine himself because he will see that the
majority feels as does the speaker about the issue.  

I know that is how it worked with me.  I was present at the service of
my own free will, and I knew that the beliefs of the church members
categorized me as a sinner.  I had to decide whether I agreed with
these beliefs.  The anninted preaching of the word of God urged me
towards making the decision that I made.  18 years later, I am still
Holy Ghost filled and glad I made the decision I did.

I am not saying that Bro. Arnold's style of evangelism should be
universally adopted by every preacher.  It would loose its
effectiveness and become inappropriate were that the case.  I have
never attended a service in the church pastored by Bro. Arnold, but I
suspect that his pastoring style is somewhat different from his
evangelizing style.  There are people on Higher-Fire that attend
Bro. Arnold's church.  Perhaps they can tell us how he preaches to his
own congregation that he pastors?

-- 
--------  "And there came a writing to him from Elijah"  [2Ch 21:12]  --------
Robert Jay Brown III  rj@eli.wariat.org  http://eli.wariat.org  1 847 705-0424
Elijah Laboratories Inc.;  37 South Greenwood Avenue;  Palatine, IL 60067-6328
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