Where to Go?

At one place I worked we had a poster up in the engineering area that said, "Arguing with an engineer is like wrestling a pig. You end up all muddy and then realize the the pig enjoyed it." Ha, ha. Some of our engineers had a good sense of humor. But it turns out that this concept is more common than you think.

In our Internet-driven social media world, it appears that there are lots of "pigs" out there. I realize it's dangerous saying that since it will surely offend those to whom I'm referring or even who perceive I'm referring to them. We could substitute some other word for "pig" here because the stigma associated with the word is not the point. The point is that a particular type of animal likes rolling in the mud and we do not, so they're like pigs in that way. On the other hand, in our Internet-driven social media world, just about anything I say will offend someone, so ...

Have you met them? They're all over the Internet. They're on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook and all. They visit blogs and vlogs and YouTube and news stories that allow comments and wrangle with people. They appear to do it sincerely, as if they're offering some insight, some valid viewpoint, some new idea. But they're not. They're generally what the Internet refers to as "trolls." An Internet troll is someone who likes to go about starting fights or stirring up trouble. They'll often lob a "bomb" of some sort and bail out so everyone can get angry about it. I'm not sure what the point is, but I've seen it. And I get my share here.

The difficult types are the ones that appear sincere. They show up to argue a point, to show you where you're wrong, to straighten you out. That's not all bad. I mean, if you're off, don't you want to be straightened out? Then it turns out that they're not helping at all. Sometimes it's random. "I'm here to help you out; try this wonderful weight loss product." I know ... those are mostly automated responses. The ones that are most difficult are the revisionists. I'm talking about the ones who are "Christians" and "share the same faith" and hope to help you out. They have their opinion on this topic and that, but you quickly find out that it's their opinion. It has no basis. Well, that's not fair. You don't share a common basis with them. Which seems odd since you both call yourselves "Christians" and "share the same faith."

For me, Christians who share the same faith as me are a pleasure to speak to. I've enjoyed disagreements with people over doctrines and ideas because we share a deep love for the Lord and for the Word. We have a different point of view, perhaps, but a common basis. So he understands that when Peter said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself" (Acts 2:38-39), he meant that children should be baptized and I don't see it that way. We disagree, you see, but we are disagreeing on the text, not on the basis. I don't read 1 Timothy 2:9 as a ban on women wearing braids or gold, but a lot of others do. I understand Paul to say, "Adorn yourselves with modesty and self control. I'm not talking about external dress, but in good works" (1 Tim 2:9-10). And, of course, there is the "scare-quote" folks who will tell me it isn't a command to avoid braids and pearls because we don't have to listen to that stuff at all. We know much better now. These people are operating on a different basis, where "we know" and "now" are their foundations. That's a mere example. There are lots of them. My point is that a discussion with a fellow believer who views God's Word as authoritative and reliable is valuable and someone who has no particular concern about God's Word is another matter.

So where do I go with these? It feels pointless to discuss the truths of Scripture with people who have no interest in the truths of Scripture. It seems futile to explain the meaning of a text to someone who not only doesn't share the meaning, but doesn't value the text. I feel like I should give answers for the sake of those who do care what God says on matters, but it appears ineffectual to wrestle with a mud-loving creature when there isn't the slightest chance that they'll see reason because they're operating on an entirely different basis and they just like the fight. Mind you, it's equally fruitless for them to point out where I'm wrong on a basis that I don't accept either. I suspect that if these weren't of the category of trolls that I mentioned they'd just disagree with me quietly and move on. So maybe this group that likes to fight about it have a different basis and an intent to incite. If that's true, it makes it easier for me to ignore them, I guess. So maybe that's the best course of action?