Apostolic Friends Forum - Article in Forward

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Article in Forward

There was an article in the new Forward written by Rodney Shaw about culture and christianity.

It was a good read, but I was disappointed with the rather blatant editing of a quote in a sidebar.

Here's the full quote:

Quote:

For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language or custom. For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do they speak some unusual dialect, nor do they practice an eccentric way of life. This teaching of theirs has not been discovered by the thought and reflection of ingenious people, nor do they promote any human doctrine, as some do. But while they live in both Greek and barbarian cities, as each one's lot was cast, and follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life, at the same time they demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own citizenship. They live in their own countries, but only as non-residents; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else, and have children, but they do not expose their offspring. They share their food but not their wives. They are in the flesh, but they do not live according to the flesh. They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws. They love everyone, and by everyone they are persecuted. They are unknown, yet they are condemned; they are put to death, yet they are brought to life. They are poor, yet they make rich; they are in need of everything, yet they abound in everything. They are dishonoured, yet they are glorified in their dishonour; they are slandered, yet they are vindicated. They are cursed, yet they bless; they are insulted, yet they offer respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when they are punished, they rejoice as though brought to life. By the Jews they are assaulted as foreigners, and by the Greeks they are persecuted, yet those who hate them are unable to give a reason for their hostility.
(Epistle to Diognetus 5:1-17; The Apostolic Fathers, trans. Michael W. Holmes)

Here's what RS printed for a quote on how Christians lived in the early church:

Quote:

They live in their own countries, but only as non-residents; they participate in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign country is their fatherland, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like everyone else, and have children, but they do not expose their offspring. They share their food but not their wives. They are in the flesh, but they do not live according to the flesh. They live on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws; indeed in their private lives they transcend the laws.

I know it shouldn't be a surprise that the first part of the quote wasn't included, since it undermines the UPC stance on outward standards ... but because of the subject and inclusion of part of the quote, the whole quote should have been used.

It's both intellectually and journalistically dishonest to edit and include part of a quote to seem as though this ages-old epistle agrees with what's written, or in this case - the current stance of the UPC in regards to outward standards.

Re: Article in Forward

You're really surprised? Revisionism is alive and well and will be for a LONG time, unfortunately. :D

Re: Article in Forward

When it comes to sanitizing RS has plenty of role models like DBK. At least it is consistent. If you are going to prooftext canon might as well with apocrypha and historical texts too.

Re: Article in Forward

Oh good grief david! The quote is too long. the thing that is relevent to the topic is the part RS printed. Stop looking for boogie monsters.

Re: Article in Forward

Here's the entire text of the letter with two other translations and commentaries.

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/diognetus.html

Re: Article in Forward

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kim Komando (Post 813994)

When it comes to sanitizing RS has plenty of role models like DBK. At least it is consistent. If you are going to prooftext canon might as well with apocrypha and historical texts too.

Everyone proof texts the canon and not only RS or DKB.

Did anyone every tell you that your writing style bears a striking resemblance to Daniel d' Apostolic.

Re: Article in Forward

Quote:

Originally Posted by mizpeh (Post 814004)

Did anyone every tell you that your writing style bears a striking resemblance to Daniel d' Apostolic.

:nah

Re: Article in Forward

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig (Post 814014)

:nah

:bubble

Re: Article in Forward

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferd (Post 813996)

Oh good grief david! The quote is too long. the thing that is relevent to the topic is the part RS printed. Stop looking for boogie monsters.

I read the article twice over ... you cannot honestly say that the quote below isn't relevant to the topic of culture and christianity. Really? It's all about culture and christianity!

Quote:

Re: Article in Forward

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kim Komando (Post 813994)

When it comes to sanitizing RS has plenty of role models like DBK. At least it is consistent. If you are going to prooftext canon might as well with apocrypha and historical texts too.

The "side bar" stuff isn't usually done by the author of the article, though the author may obviously design an article to include such.

RS doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who would delete something like:

Quote:

... But while they live in both Greek and barbarian cities, as each one's lot was cast, and follow the local customs in dress and food and other aspects of life, at the same time they demonstrate the remarkable and admittedly unusual character of their own citizenship. ...

... just to "get along with headquarters".