Paul's Passing Thoughts

Dear Sir,

Matt Schmucker

Matt Schmucker

525 A Street NE | Washington, DC 20002

_______________________________________________________________

Dear Matt,

I have contemplated [no pun intended] your email and have sorted through many thoughts in regard to it. I have also consulted the coalition. A decision has been made.

My first thought was Peter’s imperative to obey every ordinance of man; and the fact is, T4G has copyrighted an image of our Lord’s gospel and paid good money for it to maximize marketing effect. Since I am not a New Calvinist, I will go ahead and “leap from the imperative to the command” without contemplating the indicative first. I hope that’s ok with you.

Another consideration was the fact that you could sue me because after I gave my life to Christ, I moved beyond the cross and shared it with other people only, and have not preached the gospel to myself every day. And as your friend Michael Horton has said, if we are saved by the gospel, “and move on to something else” we lose sanctification and justification both (Christless Christianity p.62).  So, it wouldn’t be like taking another believer to court, right? Or is that to be taken literally? Does that mean the same thing in its “gospel context”?

However, since New Calvinists believe that any sin is fodder for church discipline (like non-attendance x256), and have authority over anyone who says “that Jesus is the Christ,”  it occurred to me that Capitol Hill’s elders could bring me up on church discipline for believing a false gospel. Is that why you guys call it “redemptive church discipline”? And with the authority to declare me an unbeliever whether I am or not, well geez, that’s really scary. I bet you guys have a tight ship around there.

Now Matt, is this the first step of church discipline? I’m repenting, but do I have to get elder approval on that? Let me know.

Earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints,

Paul M. Dohse Sr.

________________________________________________________________

Dear Sir,
You have presumed much in your email like who my friends are and whether or
not I have contemplated a lawsuit.  I mentioned none of that and have
simply asked you to stop using a design that you did not pay for and is
trademark protected.  Will you stop using it or not?  I think that requires
a simple answer, sir.  I would appreciate a timely response.
Sincerely,
Matt Schmucker

*
*
*
*
*Matt Schmucker**
*Vice President, Together for the Gospel
525 A Street NE | Washington, DC 20002

___________________________________________________________________________

Matt,
You can call me "Paul."
However, I commend you for respecting the elderly. You
misunderstand, I said, "I'm repenting." I wasn't talking about "deep repentance" which
would take a long time. Please interpret my email literally.  We have changed the "logo."
We have "repented." Not "deep repentance," I have no idea what "species of idol" caused me
to do what I did. For crying out loud, it took John Piper eight months to find his. I have
honored your request, but on the other hand, since I didn't do it the way David Powlison
teaches, this change of heart may not be "real and lasting change." Maybe you could have
him email me to give some advice on "reorienting the desires of my heart" 
[Matt, if you read this here, have him suggest which "X-Ray" questions I should ask myself
as well].
Geez Matt, cut me a break, I'm tryin' to do the work here! I'm trying to "get used to my
sanctification."

paul