After my first book was published, I was getting some vicious and irrational criticism from a speaker. I asked Walter Martin for his advise. (He had endorsed the book.) He said that given that this person was somewhat influential, I should send him or her a registered letter in which I rebutted all the charges, and then drop it. Then he said, "You can fight a skunk and win--but who wants to?"
I have not aways lived up to that sage advice, but I am trying. On the Internet, there are hordes of skunks--those who take cheap shots, don't use their real names, insult without arguments, and so on. So this should be kept in mind.
Thanks for the reminder. Unfortunately, I already had a rather rough reminder this weekend when I called out another Christian for their blog behavior. And I've decided that there are more important things to focus on.
ReplyDeletehttp://grasshoppersdreaming.blogspot.com/2009/07/4-lessons-from-jim-west-thingy.html
Michael C Thompson
I like that advice. Verifiable, but not broadcast, replies to critics. Shows responsibility but doesn't turn it into a public wallow. I'll remember this--thanks!
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