Paul's Passing Thoughts

Dear Friends,

Take care how you regard comments from men such as Bill Nash.  We are commanded in God’s Word to judge one another, and also to judge not.  This reply is written not to judge whether Mr. Nash is a believer trying to live by the principles of God’s Word, but it is written to judge his comments he posted about my husband, Paul.

Perhaps Mr. Nash spoke from a youthful naiveté, marked by inexperience and immaturity, because he certainly did not speak from knowledge.  Notice how Mr. Nash resorted to name calling, the usage of snide comments, and inappropriate inferences, and then closes his temper tantrum with trite, hippy-like clichés. Members of Southwood should take note of this elder’s words, actions, and attitudes.

Bill Nash will be referenced by his last name for the remainder of this post because the title Mr. connotes a title for a gentleman, which I do not consider this man to be.

There are four areas I would like to address:

a)     First:  Nash has no true regard for truth or for obeying God’s Word.  This concerns me, and should concern the members of Southwood as it is noted that he is an elder in that church.  Scripture commands us to put away lying (Ephesians 4:25, 29, 31), corrupt communication, and evil speaking.  Rather than approaching his disagreements with my husband’s doctrinal positions with tact, and respect, he chose to post lies, gossip, and evil speech. He chose to rely upon the gossip passed on by a William Plott.  Nash should investigate truth for himself.  Such sites as eldersresolution.com would give him the truth about Clear Creek Chapel, and the site thetruthaboutnewcalvinism.com would help him learn about the movement trying to take over his church.

b)     Second:  My husband has never lived in the basement at his mother’s house, or any basement anywhere.  This statement, meant to cause guffaws is rude, crude, and accusatory.  It also smacks of disrespect for my precious mother-in-law.  Our family lives in a church.  Yes, friends, we live in a church.  There is a wonderful story behind the how and why we live here, but that is for later blog postings.  Our family room was the platform from which the Word of God was preached when our home was originally Calvary Baptist Church.  I am blessed to say that the Word of God is still taught on that ‘platform’ while we are around the dinner table, enjoying Family Fun Night, or while Paul is helping our son with his home schooling.  Nash made this statement to infer that my husband is clandestine, a conspirator, and an uneducated man.  Paul is not the pastor of a church at this present time; he is the pastor of our home, which is a greater calling.  He has pastored in the past as an elder, has performed the job of pulpit supply in other churches, and has attended seminary and college.  Friends, people who make statements as Nash do not desire to learn truth; they would rather rely upon gossip, hearsay, and their own convoluted opinions to shape their body of belief.  Consider this:

If Nash spews forth statements such as he posted on my husband’s blog just because a godly man, my husband, provoked him to study God’s Word ,and to  learn and practice discernment, it makes me wonder what he spews forth to the church members he shepherds.  Mmmmm. Perhaps members of his church should take note of what this man’s words, actions, and attitudes truly reflect.

c)      Third:  My husband has NEVER said or written anything derogatory or negative about the beloved Apostle Paul.  Why would he?  The apostle was an instrument used by God to write, teach, and preach the inspired Word of God.  If Nash has truly read and studied articles from my Paul’s blog, he would take note that the apostle is quoted frequently and heavily in defense of the truth.  To lump the apostle with John Piper, Tim Keller, Bryan Chappell, and even Billy Graham is appalling, for what fellowship has light (the apostle Paul) with darkness?

d)    Fourth:  Why does Nash degrade the role of layman?  All of us believing pew sitters are laymen.  All laymen (believers) are commanded to be discerners of the Word, and actively discerning what man teaches and purports to be truth.  This is not a scriptural suggestion, but a command. To infer that my husband is just a “layman” reveals Nash’s belief that only church leaders and seminarians are privy to understanding the Word of God.  Don’t you find this attitude offensive and degrading?  You should.

In closing, the technical term used for my husband, “nut job”, cracks me up.  I prefer the term taken from the writings of the Apostle Paul in Titus 2:14b:  ‘a peculiar person’ zealous of good works.  Nash, I exhort you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to ask your church and my husband for forgiveness for your posting of lies, degrading words, and the spreading of gossip.

Proudly signed,

Mrs. Paul Dohse (Susan)