Just a few moments of connection time after speaking at the Conference here in Toronto. I check in back at home and what do I discover? Of course, a new “I’m so smart, you are so dumb, so I will keep lying about you but won’t face you to be refuted” e-mail from Paul Owen (I had challenged him to appear on the Dividing Line to defend his slanderous statements, but as I predicted, he knows better: see below), but far, far more important than that, a regular in our chat channel wrote to Dr. Mark Seifrid, and in his response Seifrid referred him to Owen’s grossly false, utterly ridiculous, insult-filled screed! Sanity has taken a vacation! I can’t believe Seifrid would refer someone to something so patently absurd as Owen’s response. This proves Seifrid has not even read my articles (if he has, he couldn’t possibly refer anyone to such material), and, sadly, that there is no interest on his part in serious discussion of contextual, fair citations of his own book. I am simply astounded, but remain thankful that for anyone who wishes to honor God’s truth, the issues have been clearly presented, and we know before God that we have sought solely to honor God’s truth and edify God’s people. We leave the matter in God’s hands. He will judge.
And to once again document the behavior and mentality of Paul Owen, some of his more sanctified statements:
You need to drink a little less protein, and back off on the testosterone before you overdose on machismo. …YOU are the sad one James. At least I have a genuine career. I actually work for a living. You make a living off of attacking people to boost your reputation, and stirring up controversies to give yourself something to talk about as you travel on horseback across the countryside edifying the ignorant masses….the fact of the matter is, you just aren’t that bright. That is evidenced by your palpable inability to understand the theological positions of other people. When the issues get more than an inch deep, you start to drown. Take my advice: From now on, do yourself a favor and stay in the kiddy pool. You can splash water in the faces of theological toddlers all day long, but when you try to wade into the deep end, you sink very fast….You may now go back to pumping your iron, or blustering from the pulpit, or whatever it is you do in your spare time when you are not occupied with misrepresenting people.
If you are reading this blog, I guess you are part of the “ignorant masses” in the “kiddy pool” and are “theological toddlers.” “Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate….There is a kind–oh how lofty are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance.” (Proverbs 8:13, 30:13)
All day long they distort my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil. (Psalm 56:5)
Update 12/30/2014: This review eventually became a major series of posts. For those interested in reading the entire series in order I post the links below. RP
Dr. Seifrid on Imputation July 9, 2004
More in Response to Southern Seminary Professor’s Denial of Imputed Righteousness July 9, 2004
Continuing Review of Mark Seifrid’s Views on the Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness July 11, 2004
An Interesting Expansion in the LBCF, 1689 July 27, 2004
The Abstract of Principles on Justification July 30, 2004
The Imputation Controversy August 25, 2004
Imputation Controversy #2 August 26, 2004
Why I Care About “Christ, our Righteousness” August 28, 2004
Imputation Controversy #3 August 30, 2004
Southern Seminary and Dr. Mark Seifrid September 4, 2004
A Response to Southern Seminary and Dr. Mark Seifrid September 4, 2004
Listen to Today’s DL for a Full Discussion of the SBTS/Seifrid/Imputation Issue September 7, 2004
From the 1994 WTJ September 7, 2004
A Word of Rebuke to the Firebrands September 8, 2004
And Verily It Got Nuttier September 11, 2004
Yes, I Have a Copy, Thank You September 13, 2004
An Open Letter to Dr. Mark Seifrid (Part 1) September 14, 2004
Seifrid Response, Part II September 15, 2004
Seifrid Response, Part III September 18, 2004
Open Letter to Mark Seifrid, Part IV September 21, 2004
Open Letter to Mark Seifrid, Part V October 2, 2004
If I Misrepresented Dr. Seifrid, then…. December 3, 2004
