Although I have a lot of problems with James White in both the content of his theology and his overall attitude toward people who disagree with him, I actually find this video from Jesse Morrell extremely embarrassing. Admittedly, I didn’t watch the whole thing..couldn’t stomach it.
I believe Morrell discredited himself right at the start by throwing out unverifiable accusations about White’s sexuality and generally mocking him. What is the purpose of this? Is it simply to make people who already hate White hate him more? To tickle ears? How is this helpful? It reminds me of a James White video where he starts by criticizing his opponents dress code and generally making fun of him before getting to the content. Morrell takes that model of argumentation and ups the ante.
No matter how great Morrell’s theological arguments may or may not be, combining them with this level of malice guarantees that it will not change anyone’s mind, at least not in any helpful way.
To quote Greg Boyd, “If you are more interested in winning the argument then loving the other person, do the kingdom a favor and shut up.”
I know it is easy to get caught up in this stuff, and I understand the urgency we feel to show that God is good and doesn’t will any to perish and that he isn’t the author of evil.
I get it.
I feel it.
But we can’t lower ourselves to this level. It is both morally wrong and incredibly ineffective.
I’m sorry, but from where I stand, you haven’t grasped anything at all about what’s going on here.
“…this level of malice…”
The above demonstrates that you have no clue, as I suggested.
“I believe Morrell discredited himself right at the start by throwing out unverifiable accusations about White’s sexuality and generally mocking him. What is the purpose of this? Is it simply to make people who already hate White hate him more? To tickle ears? How is this helpful?”
This is quite telling. Here, you admit to having no idea as to what possible good could be motivating Jesse. But your personal lack of imagination, coupled with what little you have perceived hasn’t stopped you from your moral pontificating. Shouldn’t you just be asking questions in your ignorance?
The really incredible thing is that the answer you claim to be seeking is contained in the very words you wrote following this incredulity you displayed!…It’s just that, apparently, because you’re unable to grasp things like sarcasm and wit, you missed it yourself! Oh, the irony!!!
Now, think over carefully what you wrote and it should come to you eventually…
“It reminds me of a James White video where he starts by criticizing his opponents dress code and generally making fun of him before getting to the content. Morrell takes that model of argumentation and ups the ante.”
Interesting! I am usually accused of being too sarcastic myself.
I am not sure if you noticed, but my questions about what use this sort of thing might be were rhetorical. I think that is fairly evident in what I said.
So are you saying that Morrell is being sarcastic when commenting on White’s sexuality? Perhaps. Does that mean that it isn’t a serious criticism? I would like to suggest that it might not be the BEST thing to be sarcastic about. :) It also gives White a very legitimate excuse to dismiss Morrell’s argument – which of course White used.
I am so tired of this kind of “us vs them” thinking, this kind of tribalism. In order to think clearly, we have to hold our own side to the same standards, and we must criticize our own side when we mess up.
But hey, you are free to have your own opinion. If I am taking it all wrong, then so be it.
It was the “malice” you clearly implied, when there was no malice at all, that is the problem…and all I reacted to.
Remember? You weren’t treating his statements, originally, as sarcasm.
Pointing this out, however, is no endorsement of Jesse’s methods or of ‘tit for tat’ apologetics. You maligned Jesse severely because you misunderstood where he was coming from. Unless, I suppose, Jesse admits to being motivated by malice regarding James White. I seriously doubt it, and I doubt he would say different if asked.
Perhaps I was mistaken on the malice part…although it seems like it can easily be taken that way, and will certainly be taken that way by many. I just think more caution is needed at the very least.
God is Open 
Although I have a lot of problems with James White in both the content of his theology and his overall attitude toward people who disagree with him, I actually find this video from Jesse Morrell extremely embarrassing. Admittedly, I didn’t watch the whole thing..couldn’t stomach it.
I believe Morrell discredited himself right at the start by throwing out unverifiable accusations about White’s sexuality and generally mocking him. What is the purpose of this? Is it simply to make people who already hate White hate him more? To tickle ears? How is this helpful? It reminds me of a James White video where he starts by criticizing his opponents dress code and generally making fun of him before getting to the content. Morrell takes that model of argumentation and ups the ante.
No matter how great Morrell’s theological arguments may or may not be, combining them with this level of malice guarantees that it will not change anyone’s mind, at least not in any helpful way.
To quote Greg Boyd, “If you are more interested in winning the argument then loving the other person, do the kingdom a favor and shut up.”
I know it is easy to get caught up in this stuff, and I understand the urgency we feel to show that God is good and doesn’t will any to perish and that he isn’t the author of evil.
I get it.
I feel it.
But we can’t lower ourselves to this level. It is both morally wrong and incredibly ineffective.
I’m sorry, but from where I stand, you haven’t grasped anything at all about what’s going on here.
“…this level of malice…”
The above demonstrates that you have no clue, as I suggested.
“I believe Morrell discredited himself right at the start by throwing out unverifiable accusations about White’s sexuality and generally mocking him. What is the purpose of this? Is it simply to make people who already hate White hate him more? To tickle ears? How is this helpful?”
This is quite telling. Here, you admit to having no idea as to what possible good could be motivating Jesse. But your personal lack of imagination, coupled with what little you have perceived hasn’t stopped you from your moral pontificating. Shouldn’t you just be asking questions in your ignorance?
The really incredible thing is that the answer you claim to be seeking is contained in the very words you wrote following this incredulity you displayed!…It’s just that, apparently, because you’re unable to grasp things like sarcasm and wit, you missed it yourself! Oh, the irony!!!
Now, think over carefully what you wrote and it should come to you eventually…
“It reminds me of a James White video where he starts by criticizing his opponents dress code and generally making fun of him before getting to the content. Morrell takes that model of argumentation and ups the ante.”
Blessings, IP
Interesting! I am usually accused of being too sarcastic myself.
I am not sure if you noticed, but my questions about what use this sort of thing might be were rhetorical. I think that is fairly evident in what I said.
So are you saying that Morrell is being sarcastic when commenting on White’s sexuality? Perhaps. Does that mean that it isn’t a serious criticism? I would like to suggest that it might not be the BEST thing to be sarcastic about. :) It also gives White a very legitimate excuse to dismiss Morrell’s argument – which of course White used.
I am so tired of this kind of “us vs them” thinking, this kind of tribalism. In order to think clearly, we have to hold our own side to the same standards, and we must criticize our own side when we mess up.
But hey, you are free to have your own opinion. If I am taking it all wrong, then so be it.
Anyway, those are just my thoughts.
Peace Bro
It was the “malice” you clearly implied, when there was no malice at all, that is the problem…and all I reacted to.
Remember? You weren’t treating his statements, originally, as sarcasm.
Pointing this out, however, is no endorsement of Jesse’s methods or of ‘tit for tat’ apologetics. You maligned Jesse severely because you misunderstood where he was coming from. Unless, I suppose, Jesse admits to being motivated by malice regarding James White. I seriously doubt it, and I doubt he would say different if asked.
Perhaps I was mistaken on the malice part…although it seems like it can easily be taken that way, and will certainly be taken that way by many. I just think more caution is needed at the very least.