Bombastic Blogging

by Joe Thorn on June 5, 2006

Here’s a piece of advice for Christian bloggers. Please stop trying to be the theological version of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, et al. Regardless of the merits of their arguments, the attitude of such political pundits kills any real ability to communicate with people who may think differently. Persuasion generally does not result. I understand it in the political world. It’s the world for crying out loud. Pride and arrogance are values. But in the church, I find the approach nauseating, and all together unlike our Savior.

It is not limited to one theological persuasion either. Calvinists, Arminians and people in-between often like the approach. And please stop using “zeal,” “passion” and “love for truth” as excuses to be careless with words. Show some charity. Disagree, point out error, and make sound, reasonable, biblical arguments. Yes, there is even a time for strong words. But we could all do without the arrogance and vitriol.

Look, I have no problem reading people I disagree with. I read everyone from Adam Cleavland to Challies, and with that kind of breadth I wind up reading people who I think are completely wrong in areas. Most of those guys do not display the attitude I am describing here. But there are some who seem to delight in bombastic blogging.

At this point I usually avoid such places, because it only elicits in me a similar attitude. It is a better practice for me, and I believe everyone, to read those who write with both truth and grace. For my part, I am working at watching my words carefully, and tonight I am deleting the unnecessary drama from my Bloglines.

About Joe Thorn

I am the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in Saint Charles, IL, and author of Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself. Jen is my wife, and Katherine, Elias, Madeline and Kilian are my kids.

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  • http://www.iamjoshbrown.com/blog josh

    excellent as usual. you made me laugh out loud although i’m sure that wasn’t your intention.

  • http://ryan.thewentzels.org Ryan Wentzel

    I’ve been purging my RSS reader of various blogs lately as well. I noticed that so many blogs (and I gravitate toward this at my own blog) are full of complaining about other theological/political/cultural positions. There really isn’t much value in reading or writing that kind of stuff.

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    Thanks Josh – and I laugh when I write a lot of this stuff too.

    Ryan, We often tell people to not gossip, but also to avoid people who do. I think the same applies here. Not only should we watch our words, but we should not give such hostile blogs more hits by visiting them.

  • http://www.provocationsandpantings.blogspot.com Timmy Brister

    Thank you Joe for those pastoral words. I am reminded of the difference of being ‘adrenal’ and ‘coronary’ Christians (if I can used Piper’s terms). Your fresh perspective and biblical admonishment is needed badly in the Christian blogosphere (including myself). May the Lord find us with a humble orthodoxy and a faithful witness to His character in our lives.

  • http://nathanfinn.blogspot.com Nathan Finn

    Very good thoughts, Joe. And nice use of the word “bombastic.”

  • http://jessetherevolutionary.blogspot.com Jesse Perry

    Joe
    I think I agree with you, but what exactly constitutes “bombastic”?
    The reason I ask is introspection. I’m eager to address what I percieve to be problems in culture/theology/whatever because I sincerely want to help others become whole. I don’t want that to come across as arrogant or bombastic. What sparked your (good) words of caution?

  • http://www.joethorn.net Joe Thorn

    Jesse,

    There are some guys I read that rub me the wrong way. That’s fine. I am sure it goes both ways. Not everyone can be my Steve (or Moore’s Mohler). But the kind of bloggers I am referring to are just over the top in everything. Recently it was a guy who considers himself quite the theologian, but he really comes off as more of a “hack” (a guy who understands Reformed thought only superficially). He’s a cut and paste kind of guy, good at borrowing others words. He seems to be always coming after people.

    I think we should engage church and culture redemptively, meaning when pointing out error we are also showing a better, more biblical path to follow. I think we can give our brothers and sisters the benefit of doubt when we aren’t sure, instead of leveling accusations against them. A charitable attitude goes a long, long way. Tom Ascol is a blogger who always demonstrates the kind of attitude I appreciate.

    Some people are looking to pick fights, others are looking to help. Sometimes the line in-between is fuzzy, but a few seem to capitalize on it.

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