Linkathon!

BrianD says:

1. The link re: the dying theologian is a series of updates on Calvinist/Reformed counselor David Powlinson. I read him and his colleagues, Ed Welch and Paul Tripp, when I was involved in the Reformed/Southern Baptist branch of evangelicalism a few years back.

The posts show a Christian man in the process of dying — learning he has cancer, the ups and downs that come with it, and dealing with the reality of death. If you read any of these links, this is the one to read.

2. Re the cussing article — I learned two new cuss words 🙂

Erunner says:

Like Brian, I learned two new cuss words. As to the topic of cussing/swearing I try to avoid it as much as possible. The reason being is I had such a foul mouth before coming to faith. The same as why I never drink. Came from an alcoholic home and saw up close the lasting damages it causes to others. My brief time drinking would have led to me becoming an alcoholic. Thankfully I never really liked the taste of alcohol.I do not come down on blievers who drink responsibly or who cuss a bit although at times I become a bit uncomfortable.

Em says:

Cussing? Makes me smile.. You couldn’t say darn in !y grandfathers presence because it was a substitute for d*mn… One of my uncle’s favorite expletives wad great scott!
Don’t know if either knew that it was really gries gott! Great God!

Nathan Priddis says:

EM?
That’s funny. I remember sitting on my little chair in chapel while a pastor held up flash cards with words we couldn’t say cuzz he said they where substitute cuss words meant to bypass the ban on cuss words.

Violations where actualy pretty serious.

Sue says:

I am so very saddened to see that the “theologian entering hospice” is David Powlison. I sat under David’s teaching for several years as a student in the counseling department of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. I had the privilege of meeting with him personally on one occasion, seeking him for counsel on how to view all my secular training in clinical psychology in light of my newly found fervor for the Bible and how to view all of life “biblically.” (My husband and I were transitioning out of our CC phase and into our reformed phase of faith at that time…)

David was so kind, gentle, and soft-spoken, yet deeply wise and convicting. In all the lectures of his that I sat under, it was profoundly obvious that he had spent many, many hours meditating on scripture and in prayer. I especially loved what he said (referred to in one of the posts in the link) about sin as weakness…this was at the heart of much of what he taught, and was evident in his own self-awareness and his deep compassion for others.

Reflecting back on our time at Westminster, there are many things I am grateful for, and there are things and people with which/whom I no longer agree, but David and all his writing, teaching, and mentoring, is surely one of the best things that ever happened to that place, and he left a profound mark on my thinking. I am so sad to hear of his grave condition, and will be prayer for him and his family.

Sue says:

Michael,

Thank you. Grateful to be able to give a lovely tribute for a lovely man.

Jtk says:

I’ll stop cussing when you pry my gun out of my cold dead hands…
???

(Not cussing at God or at people in anger, that’s different.)

A well-placed cussword has made my day several times.

Jerod says:

My Grandmother in law used to say, “Holy Mary Mother of God!” Not sure if that counts, but it works because it borders on the profane. It has too many syllables to be punchy, though.

Now, the fact she was raised Catholic makes it funnier. Maybe it really was profane. It’s all really very contextual. As fluid as a genderless cat…

Josh says:

FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUDDDDGGGGGGGGEEE

(Christmas Story reference for those unaware 🙂 )

Martin Luther's Disciple says:

Calling Mary the Mother of God is a cuss word in several Christian traditions. 🙂