But not on the same topic. The more I thought about it, the more I determined it would be better to just leave the rest of those quotes alone, along with the ones in the next post. So I'm just going to deal with the introduction part.
First, a clarification seems to be in order. There is a difference between true Christianity and the religion that is called Christianity. Mormons claim to be Christians; Biblically, they are not. If a Mormon leaves Christianity for Islam, they are a convert to Islam and an apostate of "Christianity." But not Biblical Christianity. Threnody was a "Christian" in that she verbally claimed to be under the umbrella of what is known as Christian. (This, by the way, includes a myriad of different beliefs, many of which directly contradict. Don't be fooled into thinking that because a thing carries the name of Christian that in reality it lines up with the Bible.) The word "apostate" is not talking about the heart - apostate is describing action and verbal claim. At one point, Threnody verbally claimed Christianity. Now she does not. Therefore, she is an apostate. "Apostate" is speaking entirely of something outward, not inward. So, it's perfectly fine to call her an apostate and it's not acknowledging that she was really a Christian - it just means that she claimed it and now she doesn't.
Why do only "ex-Christians" get told that they were not sincere? Well, I don't think "sincere" is a good word, because you can be VERY sincerely wrong. But taking what I think is the spirit of the question, the answer is, Because only "ex-Christians" have the Bible telling them they weren't. The Bible clearly states that you cannot flip-flop. There is no going back and forth. Once you're saved, you don't get unsaved. Once you're saved, you don't stop believing that God exists.
Arguing the foundational belief that Threnody was a Christian is not a personal attack, though I understand why it comes off that way. In point of fact, however, it's the only loving way to go about it. As long as she believes she was a Christian, she'll never have any reason to want to find God. If she thinks she had Him, why would she go back? And for everyone else, if they believe that she had Him, why would they ever want to go that route? Threnody isn't going to come to Christ unless she lets go of believing that she already knew Him. So while I'm sorry that she feels attacked, and she has my solemn promise that I did not mean personal harm, there is no other option here. For her and for anyone else who reads my blog. It is imperative that people understand she did not have Christ. And that is why, despite wanting to maintain our currently friendly status, I cannot cease or desist on this point. It's far too important.
Second, arguing that she is not a Christian is not ad hominem. Ad hominem is taking something "bad" about a person that has NOTHING to do with the argument and saying that's why their side should be disregarded. (One of the examples that was given when I looked it up was, "Candidate Jane's proposal about zoning is ridiculous. She was caught cheating on her taxes in 2003." Jane having cheated on her taxes has NOTHING to do with zoning proposals.)
Two reasons why what I've done is not ad hominem: One, I never said any of her arguments should be given less weight because she's not saved. I've argued with the things she's put forth because of what they are, not because of what she is or isn't. I've simply used the two to explain each other, because hey, it makes sense. Two, the question of her salvation has EVERYTHING to do with what she knows about Christianity. And that is at the very center of her trying to disprove it, and therefore, the center of my response to the blog. It's not ad hominem to say, "Don't go to Aaron for relationship advice; he's been divorced five times." The fact that he's been divorced so many times has DIRECT bearing on the topic.
There's one more thing I'd like to address. Threnody asks, "...what kind of horrible Being lets someone believe they are "saved" when they are not?" This, I find . . . almost humorous and would probably laugh if it weren't for her calling my Savior horrible. First, God revealed to her that she didn't actually believe the Bible, so she left Christianity. Now, Threnody has, what seems to be, numerous people telling her that she was not a Christian. How much more does she want from God? A note? Chances are she has access to a Bible. A messenger? If I'm not enough, she could visit a church. If she'd show them the things that she's put on her blog about denouncing God and calling Him a liar, I'm quite certain they'll tell her she's not and never was. Seriously?
If I left notes around the house for my husband, asked a friend to remind him of something, and left a message on his cellphone, and he didn't bother listening to any of those because he thought he already knew? I would get pretty upset. Now imagine God doing that for years for us. Yes, what kind of "horrible Being" is so cruel to be so patient and giving with us blinded fools?
Thank God for how long-suffering He is; if He weren't, we'd all be in Hell today.
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