I recently attempted to post a reply to your post about Jen Hatmaker. I was blocked and I'm not sure why. I gave my name and correct email address. Here was my post. If you don't want it to be posted that is up to you. It is after all, your blog. However, I do hope you will read and consider because it's important.

Some serious concerns and thoughts about your assessment of Mrs. Hatmakers thoughts-- from a long time evangelical Christian (southern baptist, conservative etc) who is VERY active in ministry, the church and in full submission to those God put in authority (lest you label me as some sort of fanatic and write me off :-)

I stumbled upon this post in an effort to obtain a "balanced" perspective about Mrs. Hatmaker's theology because I have read several of her articles and have found deep truth amongst the refreshing transparency and delightful humor in her writing. Still I was skeptical because I rarely ever give much credence to Christian women speakers/authors under the age of 50 because I have rarely found one who is mature enough in their faith to have much of value to say. That says a lot coming from me because I am under 50, myself.

While looking for a reason NOT to consider Jen Hatmaker's thoughts as valid, I was instead extremely concerned (and a bit convicted) by yours. Please reason with me here strictly using scripture as our guide. In light of the fact that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, and any righteousness of our own is considered filthy rags and we are saved by grace through faith lest any man should boast, does it not seem like an awfully arrogant statement when you say (in re: to His love) "It is boundless, but it has standards. The standard is this: His love must be received and returned..." ARE YOU SERIOUSLY SAYING that you had anything to do with the fact that you were able to recognize, receive and return the love that was given to you by the Lord our God? It sure sounds like it. Please consider the utter blasphemy you are perpetuating.in that assumption. It is not unlike that of the Pharisees our Savior wasted no time in condemning.

I read the entirely of Mrs Hatmaker's blog post. First, the comment in question is completely valid scripturally - while we were yet sinners Christ died for us - this is love that someone lay down his life for his brother. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that WHOSOEVER... God IS LOVE. How can He not love? Now, if your issue is one of adoption-- ie. whether or not we are His children vs. merely His creation THEN you have a valid scriptural point, but to say Mrs Hatmaker's remark is invalid based on the scriptural evidence of God's love you are seriously misguided and attempting to misguide others. The reason that concerns me so greatly is because it is that very idea - that deep seeded pride and thinking you have anything whatsoever to offer or add to Our sovereign Lord's gracious gift --that is the delusion that is tearing apart congregations and dishonoring the name and image of Christ today. It is by His grace we are saved. Make no mistake, you have done absolutely nothing righteous in recognizing or receiving His gift of salvation (love) any more than you should feel righteous by agreeing to receive a much lesser gift offered by a family member on your birthday (wouldn't that seem absurd?) You should be humbled and floored that He even offered it to you. The fact you were able to believe and others are not has nothing to do with you either. Do you honestly think you are smart or pure enough to have understood Holy revelation enough to accept the gift without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit? Please read your Bible. It's full of proof that it is by grace ALONE that you were able to hear, heed and receive the call to accept His gift of salvation. How can you possibly take credit for that? And if you deny that is what you're doing then you have no valid point in saying that others (who have not received) are any less "deserving" of His love. May God rescue us from deceit and the desire to take credit for His miraculous work. may we truly see His love for what it is- unfathomably and unmeasurably rich and vast. It covers a multitude of sins - including that hidden sin of Pride. AUTHOR: Anne Griffin AUTHOR EMAIL: sanantoniodoula@hotmail.com AUTHOR URL: SUBJECT: journeyguy.com contact IP: 107.77.64.46 Array ( [1_Name] => Anne Griffin [2_Email] => sanantoniodoula@hotmail.com [3_Website] => [4_Comment] => I recently attempted to post a reply to your post about Jen Hatmaker. I was blocked and I'm not sure why. I gave my name and correct email address. Here was my post. If you don't want it to be posted that is up to you. It is after all, your blog. However, I do hope you will read and consider because it's important.

Some serious concerns and thoughts about your assessment of Mrs. Hatmakers thoughts-- from a long time evangelical Christian (southern baptist, conservative etc) who is VERY active in ministry, the church and in full submission to those God put in authority (lest you label me as some sort of fanatic and write me off :-)

I stumbled upon this post in an effort to obtain a "balanced" perspective about Mrs. Hatmaker's theology because I have read several of her articles and have found deep truth amongst the refreshing transparency and delightful humor in her writing. Still I was skeptical because I rarely ever give much credence to Christian women speakers/authors under the age of 50 because I have rarely found one who is mature enough in their faith to have much of value to say. That says a lot coming from me because I am under 50, myself.

While looking for a reason NOT to consider Jen Hatmaker's thoughts as valid, I was instead extremely concerned (and a bit convicted) by yours. Please reason with me here strictly using scripture as our guide. In light of the fact that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, and any righteousness of our own is considered filthy rags and we are saved by grace through faith lest any man should boast, does it not seem like an awfully arrogant statement when you say (in re: to His love) "It is boundless, but it has standards. The standard is this: His love must be received and returned..." ARE YOU SERIOUSLY SAYING that you had anything to do with the fact that you were able to recognize, receive and return the love that was given to you by the Lord our God? It sure sounds like it. Please consider the utter blasphemy you are perpetuating.in that assumption. It is not unlike that of the Pharisees our Savior wasted no time in condemning.

I read the entirely of Mrs Hatmaker's blog post. First, the comment in question is completely valid scripturally - while we were yet sinners Christ died for us - this is love that someone lay down his life for his brother. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that WHOSOEVER... God IS LOVE. How can He not love? Now, if your issue is one of adoption-- ie. whether or not we are His children vs. merely His creation THEN you have a valid scriptural point, but to say Mrs Hatmaker's remark is invalid based on the scriptural evidence of God's love you are seriously misguided and attempting to misguide others. The reason that concerns me so greatly is because it is that very idea - that deep seeded pride and thinking you have anything whatsoever to offer or add to Our sovereign Lord's gracious gift --that is the delusion that is tearing apart congregations and dishonoring the name and image of Christ today. It is by His grace we are saved. Make no mistake, you have done absolutely nothing righteous in recognizing or receiving His gift of salvation (love) any more than you should feel righteous by agreeing to receive a much lesser gift offered by a family member on your birthday (wouldn't that seem absurd?) You should be humbled and floored that He even offered it to you. The fact you were able to believe and others are not has nothing to do with you either. Do you honestly think you are smart or pure enough to have understood Holy revelation enough to accept the gift without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit? Please read your Bible. It's full of proof that it is by grace ALONE that you were able to hear, heed and receive the call to accept His gift of salvation. How can you possibly take credit for that? And if you deny that is what you're doing then you have no valid point in saying that others (who have not received) are any less "deserving" of His love. May God rescue us from deceit and the desire to take credit for His miraculous work. may we truly see His love for what it is- unfathomably and unmeasurably rich and vast. It covers a multitude of sins - including that hidden sin of Pride. )