 We've held back one or two of the responses, which were a little too personal about David Parsons, the author of the letter; but otherwise we're including all the messages we've received, in the order they came to us, whether for or against Ship of Fools. Thanks to everyone who has responded. If your message isn't here, check back again tomorrow, as we'll be adding a second page of responses.  Unfortunately, by deploying archaic language, dressing up in silly hats and cloaks, trying as hard as possible to be irrelevant to the vast majority of the population, and struggling to get to grips with critical social and ethical matters, it is much of 'the church' itself that is busy writing its own epitaph.Folk like Mr Parsons should remember the sarcasm Jesus reserved for the Pharisees who, presumably, felt themselves to be on the wavelength not only of God himself, but of the people generally. As far as I can tell from having read the scriptures for the last 13 years, Jesus, Paul and the other New Testament writers reserved their most scathing criticism not for the unbelievers, but for the believers who, by their actions, place whacking great obstacles in the path of those who need to find God. Doesn't Paul say that we must judge each other in order to let the truth out? I think that good theology is a very important thing in today's church. Many churches suffer from this plague and don't even know it. One of the best things Ship of Fools does is to point out bad theology. Without laughing at the bad, how can we hold onto the good?
Hasn't this guy read Erasmus?line space 'We were unable to find any social, moral, or redeeming value...' It would seem that at least one elder in the church cannot distinguish between the sarcastic, the sardonic, the ironic, the titanic... WWJD? Perhaps laugh? Yours in the Christ who smiles now and then – Bruce Duncan, Storrs, Connecticut, USA.
You've misunderstood Dave's screamingly satirical letter. He is, after all, the guy who on his cunningly subversive website is offering the world 'Christian Sports Flash Weekly', a hit-list of 'Celebrity Athiests' (sic), and 'Christ-centered electronic greeting cards composed of beautiful images, sound effects, background music and verses and sentiment based on God's holy Word. Download a FREE Inspirational Moment today!' He's pulling our leg... isn't he?
I'd take the phrase 'I know and am convinced of the Spirit that the Lord is not pleased with your website' with a very large pinch of salt indeed! I'm certain that David Parsons is sincere in his belief, but usually this kind of phraseology hides no more than a personal opinion – however valid it may be, or appear to be – rather than God's definitive word on the subject.I certainly wouldn't say that Ship of Fools is overly sarcastic, more cynical, which I think comes over in the sub-title, 'the magazine of Christian unrest'. It does poke fun at the more extreme elements of Christendom – but remember that Jesus himself was no stranger to pointing out the excesses of the religious systems of his day (sometimes humorously: 'You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!'). Of course, the secret is maintaining a good balance. Ship of Fools has a good mix, with items like the tribute to Lesslie Newbigin, and Michael Roberts' 'Leap of Faith' sitting side-by-side with the Fruitcake Zone and Signs and Blunders. Regarding the title: the full quote of Jesus' words is (loosely!) along the lines of 'Whosoever says to his brother, "Raca! Raca!" (which means 'fool') is in danger of hell fire.' Surely, Ship of Fools is not calling others 'fool', but rather taking the stance of a 'fool' – that is, being 'fools for Christ'. Keep up the good work! I would ask David Parsons: does any intelligent human being actually *read* the cheesy rubbish that passes for 'Christian' magazines? Quoting scripture out of context won't change the fact that most of the magazines are repellent, inward-looking trash. Keep it up, Ship of Fools! (better stop typing before I say what I *really* think!).
Does the po-faced webmaster believe that Christ has no sense of humour, and never used sarcasm or wit to taunt the Pharisees, etc? I feel that one of our most redeaming features is the ability to laugh at ourselves, and recognise that God laughs also, hence his joy at our existence. Keep it as it is.
'The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men' (1 Corinthians 1:25). Need I say more?
This would be the funniest thing I have read in SOF – except I think the guy is serious (surely not?). Come now, SOF, you made it up, didn't you? There aren't really such Pharisee-minded phellas in Christian magazining, are there?Our Lord himself had a witty side, didn't he? Plank in your own eye – that's funny stuff. Camel through eye of needle – chortle chortle. If this guy is serious, then you must be doing something right. Time for a nap. Must go read some of Magazine Rack's fav magazines to help me snooze – Rev. Steve Chard, Sydney, Australia. Top of Page | Next Batch of Responses | Archive | Ship of Fools Central © Ship of Fools 1998 |