All the blog entries about Yertle the Turtle, save one, have disappeared from the archives of the Three Rivers Episcopal blog!
Here's the only one left from December 5, 2008 - "I've gotten a lot of positive feedback about the Yertle references. Thought it might be nice to get the full text up. So here it is - sorry no pictures. If you want to buy the book, Barnes and Nobel is having a "Buy Two Dr. Seuss Books Get One Free" sale!"
Hmmm. Makes you want to scratch your head and ask why?
Next thing you know the "Lemming Pledge" blog entries will disappear too! My favorite is this one, "Lemming Pledge #13"
For the uninformed, ACNA Bishop of Pittsburgh Robert Duncan was compared Yertle the Turtle and all of us realigners were labeled lemmings on this blog. The blog entry label for Yertle is"new province" and the label for Lemming Pledge is "realignment". Unfortunately the ability to post public comments on the Three Rivers Episcopal blog was eliminated sometime in early 2011.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI would agree entirely that many things were said in the heat of the distress, during 2007 and 2008 especially, that we would all probably wish could be unsaid today. The "Turtle" and "Lemming" references were I think unfortunate--though they weren't actually the sharpest of the verbal spears tossed back and forth across the divide in those days . . . .
ReplyDeletePerhaps at some point in the future we can plan a liturgy together of forgiveness and blessing, to be followed by beer and pizza and then --why not?-- an evening of dancing, as in the old "Ball in the Fall" gatherings . . . .
I miss the "Ball in the Fall". I fear, however, when the property confiscations begin any chance of reconciliation will be years if not decades in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEthan -- I think Dave's original point is that Jim has deleted the "turtle" posts from his archive. I don't know why that was done. But let's assume the best . . . .
ReplyDeleteBruceR
Hi Bruce,
ReplyDeleteI did realize that David posted about Jim taking down some of those unfortunate posts, but the others remain and I'm not sure why. I do assume the best in Jim's taking down some ... just wish he'd take down all.
E
Ethan and Bruce
ReplyDeleteAssigning the best of intentions to Dr. Simons, one would have to conclude he removed the Yertle blog entries out of remorse and as an act of repentance. He, however, has never posted a comment on my blog, and I would be absolutely astonished if he did, so we may really never know why for sure. I on the other hand did comment on his blog from time to time before the ability to comment was eliminated.
I've been considering more seriously the theological doctrine of Imputation (that is, God regarding us as righteous, even though we are not, because of Christ's law-abiding life and judgment-absorbing death ... the fruit of such 'reckoning' is on-the-ground righteous living). I think that Imputation (a doctrine of pure grace) has horizontal implications. Just as God recons us righteous when we are still sinners, we ought to 'impute' goodness to those who may or may not be very good.
ReplyDeleteI want to consider Imputation as we deal with TEC, and I hope that they consider the doctrine as they deal with us. I think that beautiful truth is a solid place to start. Imagine what would happen if both sides imputed 'righteousness' to the other party ... we might begin to become what we are reckoned to be!
E+
Ethan writes, "we ought to 'impute' goodness to those who may or may not be very good". Sure, but there is also the doctrine of total depravity which reminds us that "we are miserable sinners and there is no health in us". Toplady had it right in his hymn "Rock of Ages".
ReplyDeleteNothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
Perhaps Jim Simons was truly repentant --- imputed righteousness, or perhaps it was CYA --- total depravity. Don't know the answer?
And for me to say it was CYA would be impugning his intentions wouldn't it
ReplyDelete