Dr. White has already responded to Mr. Ray’s latest (see here) but I wanted to address a particular line from Mr. Ray’s comment: “Every time I have tangled with him in the past I felt like I needed a shower with a good bar of antibacterial soap.”
Now, in context, Mr. Ray means to insult Dr. White. That’s perfectly clear, and I don’t want his good friend William Albrecht thinking I’m suggesting otherwise. No, it is just one of a significant number of hostile remarks that Mr. Ray provided. But there is a certain irony to it.
After all, we’ve been exhorting Mr. Ray over and over again to clean up his act.
And guess what: that advice has never been more timely. Mr. Ray: clean up your act. Like when someone comments on your blog: “Why did you find it appropriate to bring such a tragic family issue into this? Is this not the same as when others try to use clergy abuse to refute catholicism?” Don’t respond, as you did, “STEVE RAY HERE: BECAUSE WHITE BROUGHT IT UP … .” We all know you brought it up and Dr. White responded to it.
That makes you a liar. That’s not an insult, that’s not a personal attack, though it is a criticism of the way you’ve been acting. If we could clean up your act by giving you a nice fresh bar of antibacterial soap, we would, but the kind of truth-telling problem is a sin, and requires a stronger soap.
Recall the words of the prophet:
Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
Mr. Ray: clean up your act. Get right with Christ now. The soap that fullers used to use (think bleach) is not strong enough to remove your sins, but if you repent of your sins and trust in Christ alone for salvation, his blood can make you whiter than snow – both forensically (as to justification) and actually (as to progressive sanctification). Consider, Mr. Ray, placing your trust in Christ alone rather than in your church – give up Rome for Christ, and Christ will not let you down.
-TurretinFan