There’s an Arabian proverb that says that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. It’s an idea that’s older than dirt, but was more recently ascribed to Saddam Hussein. One would have to think a bit about anything that came out of that man’s mouth (maybe even use a bit of discernment), yet it seems that many people are very anxious to live by this nugget of “wisdom”.
A couple of examples:
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I recently had an exchange in the meta of another blog. The blog owner, Lanny*, said several things about Steve (another blogger), one of which was that Steve had allegedly stated that Lanny wasn’t a Christian — a certainly valid complaint on Lanny’s part. A third blogger, John, agreed with several things that Lanny was saying about Steve and unequivocally stated that Steve was not a Christian. Lanny made no move to correct John for engaging in the same sin as Steve, but basically high-fived John and went on with the conversation.
I called foul. After several rounds of dodging my actual point, Lanny finally pulled out the “big guns” and accused me of believing the exact same things as Steve. This was interesting as (1) I hadn’t raised any issue of beliefs, and (2) I actually believe very differently than Steve on a great number of issues. My point was the double-standard that Lanny and John were employing. Not surprisingly, my comment pointing out these issues was never approved, and so it never saw the light of day on Lanny’s blog.
In the context of the Arabian proverb, by stretching the term “enemy” to include someone that you disagree with, and the term “friend” to include someone that you agree with:
- Lanny had set himself up as an “enemy” of Steve
- I set myself up as an “enemy” of Lanny
- Lanny assumed that I was a “friend” of Steve
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Recently, another blog was critical of a proposal that came from the Obama administration. A writer on this site proposed that maybe the other blogger’s interpretation of the proposal was not reflective of what was intended. Within just a few comments, the writer and several others on this site were labeled as “Obama fans”.
Using the same terminology as before:
- The writer on the other blog set up as an “enemy” of Obama
- Our writer had set himself as an “enemy” of that writer
- It was assumed by defenders of the first writer that our writer was a “friend” of Obama
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OK, time for a geek lesson. At its core, all data is represented by a 0 or a 1. The numerical system behind this is called binary. If something is not a 0, then it must be a 1. And vice versa. And so if something is “not not 0″, then it must be “not 1″, or 0.
This is the only environment in which “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” can hold true — in a binary world. Or to put it in less geeky terms, in a (literally) black-and-white world.
But this is not the world in which we live. If it was, then Paul was clearly in error when he wrote Romans 14, the Bible has errors in it, and we’re all doomed.
Are there black and white issues in this world? Certainly. But are those the only colors in this word? Certainly not. If they were, then God was clearly in error when He created the rainbow, God is imperfect, and we’re all really doomed.
So why are so many people so eager to doom themselves?
* Names are all changed, as it isn’t necessary. I know this will upset those that insist that we always “name names”, but seeing as how they expect nothing but bad things from this site anyway, who am I to disappoint them?
32 Comments(+Add)
It’s certainly an easier (lazy) way to engage in dialogue.
Good point, Brendt. So many Christians, especially in the discernment world, have a binary view of believers. The distancing of Steve Camp by some of his friends simply over the Miss California issue is a good example of how minute the issue can be to cause division.
Actually Rick, wouldn’t that be “the friend of my enemy is my enemy”?
Same principle, though.
I prefer “the friend of my friend is my friend.”
I think one of the ODM principles is “I am right, all my friends must agree”.
1. Your definition of black and white doesn’t hold water. Spin-meisters abound here.
2. This blog engages in the tactics that you condemn here, on a regular basis.
3. No one is required to “engage in dialogue”
We are told to avoid endless geneologies etc. There is more of that kind of pointless conversation occuring here, than on any “odm” blogsite.
4. Nothing worse than a bunch of self-righteous pietists.
5. The enemies of the Lord are my enemies.
Nathanael, we can have lunch, I’ll share my jello
A friend with jello is a friend indeed.
The jello of my friend is my jello.
(this is fun!)
Is a Spin-meister a German DJ?
#6 – Another textbook example of a self righteous monologue.
The un-holy “god”, Chris P, speaks again!
You’d do well to look in the mirror on #4, your majesty.
Once again, why, oh why, do you bother with even coming here if this site is just soooooo horrible?
What does a geneaology have to do with anything here?
If what you’re intimating is the masturbatory need to go over something again and again and again and again and again I hope you’re exercising your deity complaining about SoL’s dirty minded need to go on and on and on about sex and that stupid “controversy” over Miss California.
Seriously.
And the simple fact that you, and others like you, insist on that tired old ca-ca about “same thing is going on here” just shows what total tools you and your lurker friends are.
You people are still a joke.
As far as #5 goes…the only thing you’ve ever demonstrated about the identity of your “Lord” makes it clear that your “Lord” is really yourself.
Enjoy your self-exaltation, Chris P. It’s all you have…
You’re a sad, sad, sad, sad little man.
Enjoy that today…
Honestly, if the “true church” is really only made up of people like you, then I praise God for it’s end. Even so come quickly the total demise of that “church”.
I’m thrilled to be “apostate”.
Seriously.
Given the track record of Jesus, it’s better to be a publican, a samaritan, or a whore or at least to keep their company.
It might do you good to actually read the Bible you claim to obey.
You might see that the demise of your church might be the true God’s gracious way of getting you and your b.s. out of the way of Gospel.
I realize that Chris P won’t deign to respond, since he just does drive-by comments and then goes away. But if anyone else can make sense of his comments, feel free to chime in.
Oh, my definition is black, when it should be white? Thanks for proving my point.
Well, I’ve been told that I’m wrong. Anyone care to enlighten me on what the right answer is? You know, Galatians 6:1 and all?
Ah, the old “he did it first” argument. Mom made me give that up when I was 7.
And yet you comment on every post.
True, but beyond irrelevant to the topic.
Possibly true, but (again) beyond irrelevant to the topic.
With all due humility, I still believe my comment, “The jello of my friend is my jello” was the highlight of this comment post.
Even Rick, though he was too proud to admit it, was impressed with that line.
BTW, the AI that generates Chris’ comments is getting better. It used to have nothing to do with the topic of the post. Now it’s at least grabbing a few words and riffing off them. 8 or 9 more upgrades, and we’ll be in Eliza territory.
Oh, yeah…I heard about that AI! Isn’t called iJackass XP?
I found the jello comments offensive.
You always have been too sensitive.
As I read Chris P’s comment again I found it to be measured, intelligent, gracious, and overall a beneficial exhortation that is an encouragement to all of us. He is truly a divine instrument of redemption and a repairer of the breach.
I can find the strength to go forward now.
Gotta love the scripture twisting here… Paul teaches that we do not battle against flesh and blood and Chris P and others of his camp love to twist this around to mean they can still have enemies….
Sad, that instead of imitating Christ Jesus… who the Father sent while mankind was all still enemies to reconcile and forgive His enemies the ODM’s choose to conveniently overlook this biblical teaching so they can justify hating their brothers and sisters in Christ as well as anyone else they see fit.
While God loves, they hate. While God is just, they seek to promote their own righteousness and force it on others.
iggy
“..the strength to go forward…”
I just about spit my drink out all over my computer.
I’m disappointed he didn’t say to Brendt: “bite me”.
Scotty – “bite me” is a feminine version that seems emergent. The orthodox masculine phrase is “chew me”.
Chris P. saves his most caustic verbiage for posts that I, Chris P. write. Hmmmm?
He did not define black and white, therefore you are denying something he did not say – Fail!
True, though you omitted the fact that we are policed (sometime self-policing sometimes by others) and correct such infractions – Fail!
Since most ADM’s that we correct do not allow dialogue – relevance Fail!
Hmmm… – Irony Win!
(cf. 4 above) I know of none who post here who are enemies of the Lord… nor do we defend any enemies of the Lord. Fact and humility – Fail!
I thought that we already determined that it’s “gnash upon me”.
I just thought this might be helpful in regards to Chris P’s “Bite me”.
All this talk of biting got me to thinking:
Hey, mission accomplished one and all.
Who’sWhat’s for dinner?Yep, some are not only cannibals, they are gluttonous as well.
Rev. Hannibal Lechter
Ahhh, now we have Lighthouse trails going after Calvary Chapel, seriously.
From the Lighthouse – the blog of Lighthouse Trails Research
My response…In Defense of Calvary Chapel: Say No to Lighthouse Trails.
So sad.
RA