From: Carl W. Conrad (cwconrad@artsci.wustl.edu)
Date: Thu Apr 25 1996 - 22:47:25 EDT
I am forwarding this message to the list because it appears to be addressed
to everyone rather than to myself alone. The only comment I would make is
to reiterate that I accuse no one of deliberate intent to offend other list
members and that I posted my own all-too-lengthy message on this subject in
order to urge a common understanding of what the apostle called "the things
that make for peace." It may well be that I am mistaken in the
interpretation of the meaning of the phrase and its implications when used
in a signature. I do note that Paul uses it primarily in his salutations at
the opening of a letter where it seems to me that he is talking about the
shared bond of himself and the community addressed in the body of Christ.
>Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 20:34:25 -0400
>From: TMcconn827@aol.com
>To: cwconrad@artsci.wustl.edu
>Subject: Re: "In Christ"
>Status:
>
>Dear Carl and other list members,
>Please forgive me if in any way, out of ignorance of course, I have offended
>you or them by my saluatory closure of "in Christ". I have read what you
>have said about the members and their being christian as well as
>non-christian. I concede that perhaps some mis-understanding could take
>place or even misjudgement of sorts.
>
>By way of closure please let me say that I mean no dis-respect to you or any
>other member. I am, as I said, new to this forum and am still learning about
>these types of communicational avenues such as aol, etc. So forgive my
>ignorance concerning this medium, please.
>
>I want not to have any pharisaical overtones in my speech or in my life and
>am sorry if that is what you received it as. It was not delivered with that
>intent.
>
>Lovingly, let me say that although preaching on this prepositional phrase
>which is foundational to N.T. Teaching is commendable but let me caution you
>as you prohibit the use of such a personal expression of ones own faith. The
>salutory phrase "in Christ" used by myself (I speak for myself) if I recall
>correctly, was never used as such with Paul or anyone else. It Was used to
>describe, at the least, a person's "position" before God the Father as a
>believer in Jesus Christ. I meant it this way as I'm sure many, who
>recognize the expression, mean it.
>You are correct that this is not a theological debating ground and I entered
>this conversation not to engage in debate as II Timothy 2:14 warns me but to
>clarify a personal position that I hold that was spoken against.
>
>I beg your understanding and forgiveness. I never meant to sound like a
>predator attacking a victim. I am however more informed (due only to your
>response) about what this Greek area is for will, with God's help restrain
>myself to its course of discussion.
>
>Tom
>
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