Dear “Brother” Paul:
I’m finding it very difficult to write this letter to you since I know how you’ll respond. But I choose not to think about that. You’ve mentioned me in two of your allegedly “private letters” to brother Tim and I feel I must respond.
In the first you claim that I’ve rejected the faith and a good conscience. And, as if that was not bad enough, you accuse me of blasphemy. How would you feel if someone said those kinds of things about you? Have you ever thought of that? I thought you...
were supposed, “to correct with gentleness” the “erring brother.” I thought you were supposed “to admonish” him in private, rather then publishing your attacks in a public forum. We’ve only talked privately on two or three occasions and I feel like you don’t even really know me or what I’m about.
Yes, we disagree. I had hoped to enter into a dialogue with you (and others), but when you hand me over to Satan that puts a bit of a damper on things, doesn’t it? Not very missional. Lots of people have told me they have real problems with your letter, in particular your comments about me. Even some who agree with you, they thought you were overly harsh. Boy, that’s an understatement.
We’re dealing with some hard issues here. I thought the church was supposed to be a community of people seeking the truth and sharing our life journey together. Don’t you think we should evidence a little more humility as we try to show Jesus to the world?
And then comes your next “private-public” letter where you said I had done you “great harm.” You even say you want the Lord to repay me according to my deeds! Sounds rather vindictive to me. Sounds like you’re calling down a curse on me. How does this show the love of Jesus? You sound just like those who have a pagan worldview, to me. Can you at least try to put yourself in my shoes: How would you feel if someone wrote this kind of stuff about you?
I did what I felt needed to be done. If that was offensive to you, I’m sorry. But if you really knew me and my background, and all I’ve been through, I doubt you’d be so quick to judge me, let alone claiming God is on your side.
My only regret in writing this to you is that it could serve to dignify your attacks on good men. I hope this letter will set the record straight. I’m not going to respond to any more of your letters or attacks. I’m too busy to waste time defending myself.
Sincerely yours,
Alexander the Coppersmith
David is an ordained Teaching Elder (Pastor) in the Central Indiana Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America. Formerly serving in theological education in Africa with Mission to the World, he and his wife currently live in their hometown of Bloomington, IN.
