Homage to TVD - Tom Van Dyke

Z

Posted January 4, 2016 at 8:10 pm | Permalink

Robert, bingo. Like I always said, he was the religious version of the swinging bachelor telling all the marrieds how to do marriage. You’d think a married guy would get that. But he’s also a good example of cultural Christianity–religion is really only useful to build the polis, which should give the resident converts some pause about who’s in their corner, as well as the worldviewers (since he was so enamored with how Calvinism allegedly made America).>>>>>

Well, you know, maybe he saw how empty Calvinism really is and didn’t like the underlying anti Catholic bigotry that drives it. 

I am shocked myself. If I had been here as an impartial observer, seeing how the Catholics handle themselves with grace and kindness - and I’m a new Catholic, so don’t think I’m talking about myself - I probably would have sided with anyone but the Calvinists. 

I am a recovering Protestant who was very interested in the WCF and the Doctrines of Grace for a long time - the TULIP. I  accepted  the Doctrines of Grace as the Gospel, but it really is a dead end. It is close, but not quite true. It promises assurance, but cannot deliver. No one can ever be sincere enough. There is always a fear that maybe my assurance is a false assurance. 

Besides, Tom is the only one who stood up to Brother Hart’s bullying.  Tom is the only one who called you guys on your mistreatment of the Nice Catholic Ladies - especially Susan, and me as well. He even got called names by one of your Reformed women. How can that be?

You really should not be taken seriously, you know. 

All that focus on the sins of the Catholic Church, and brushing off your own abusive tendencies as if they were nothing is not really a good sign. 

So, I am sorry to see Tom treated the way he has been. Yes, I understand your frustration, but maybe not in the way you guys do. You get angry when someone will not bow the knee to you. Tom never bowed, never submitted, never gave in to your bullying. He has more integrity than anyone here - except Susan who is a model of Christian kindness. Well, Kevin, too. Oh, and CvD is outstanding. So was the guy from Texas. I hope I didn’t forget any of the Catholics. Well, Dan is a great guy as well. Me, sometimes, but not so much. 

And, you know, Brother Hart, why you did what you did with his initials. It was a dirty trick. You are not kidding me. 

I do appreciate some who commented, but in general, I’d say you guys are the ones who need to grow up.