How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? Psalm 137:4
The Apostle Peter addresses his first letter “to those who reside as aliens.” (NAS) This is an apt description for the sojourning Christian who’s not truly at home in this world. I’m one of those people, a member of that colony by the grace of God.
Theologians Stanley Hauerwas and William H. Willimon wrote a book titled Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony in which they reflect upon culture and assess Christian ministry in today’s world “for people who know something is wrong.” I named this blog after their book, and it’s my hope that this blog will be at least a dim imitation of their more profound work.
Here are some rules I wrote for myself for maintaining open, honest discussion in on-line forums:
1. Leave your ego at the door.
2. Never knowingly make a false statement of fact.
3. If you discover or someone proves a statement you made was false, admit it.
4. Don’t cling to an opinion just because it’s yours; be willing to learn.
5. Don’t take yourself seriously.
6. Stick to the topic unless someone digresses or equivocates and then gently call him on it.
7. Never digress or equivocate.
8. Don’t condescend or use other rhetorical tricks to try and win.
9. Never whine.
10. Put knowledge in the service of love. (Phil. 1:9)
