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Group Name: WHITHER ELCA
Subject: What's good and what's not so good about ELCA
You are invited to join the new group Whither ELCA.To discuss what's good and
what's not so good about ELCA in its churchwide, synod, congregational and
seminary manifestations. Intended to be a place for serious conversation about
the trajectory of the denomination, with ideas and opinions shared by those who
are discontented, those who are not, and those with mixed feelings. Although
all are welcome to subscribe, the forum is intended primarily for those with
"skin in the game" - ELCA members. Conversation is expected be frank but
courteous, dealing with facts or logical reasoning. Although human sexuality
might be one of the issues mentioned in passing or in summary, this forum is not
intended for extended discussions of human sexuality, for which another forum
exists on ecunet. Repeated name-calling, distortions of others' arguments,
disparaging of others' motives, and ad hominem attacks in general will not be
tolerated. The model of St Thomas Acquinas's theological argument is commended
to all, and is described in the following Joseph Sobran column from Dec
2002:"I've just been reading some recent theological controversies, and how I
wished St. Thomas could have stepped in to settle them. The disputes were full
of vigorous, thought-provoking arguments; but the arguments were also
adulterated by overstatements, imprecision, and even personal accusations. The
phrase odium theologicum sprang to mind. And in some cases the disputants hadn't
taken the preliminary step of defining their terms."In other words, if you're
not careful, theological debates can become alarmingly similar to political
journalism, where truth-seeking easily turns into mere partisan polemics, or
just bickering with annoying people. The goal is victory over a humiliated
opponent. This spirit is not necessarily charitable."The spirit of Aquinas is
very different. He isn't merely charitable to his opponents; he is always on his
opponent's side. That is, he wants to confront opposing arguments at their best,
even if he has to reformulate them himself and make them purer, stronger, and
more precise than their advocates have done."Aquinas has the rare quality of
wanting to know all that can possibly be said for the other side. He understands
that you can't find good answers without good questions. The human mind needs
both."There are no cheap shots or straw men in the Summa Theologica. Aquinas has
no need of them; they would only corrupt what he is trying to do. When he
debates the existence of God, he doesn't cast aspersions on wicked atheists; he
simply tries to make the strongest case for atheism before he gives his reasons
for rejecting them and for affirming God's existence. Thinking is complicated
enough, without being further complicated by personalities - even one's own
personality."
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