“The discussion is now open and public.  Everyone gets to have an opinion and hopefully, some of those will be backed by serious thought and serious spiritual self soul-searching.”

I wanted discussion with other Christians on a difficult subject. My opinions are a “work-in-progress.” My opinions are not an attack on the Bible. They’re not meant as a replacement of it. They are my own feeble attempt to understand it and ask others to clarify me.

Since then, I have been pretty viciously and personally attacked for even raising the subject and offering some thoughts to begin a discussion.  Even worse, many of these have been directed toward friends, artists, and co-workers who had nothing at all to do with the post.

Since this episode began last week, my life has been in turmoil. It is one thing to see these vicious attitudes expressed in other SG blogs and forums; it something else entirely to have them aimed directly at me, the people I work with, and artists I work for. Some of my friends have said “What were you thinking? You had to know this would happen. This is a subject you just can’t talk about. It’s not worth it. It affects all of us.”

So. To anyone who has been hurt or offended by my attempt, especially artists and co-workers, I sincerely apologize. That was not my intention. I have removed the post.

I believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God. I believe those who wrote it had their thoughts, hands and pens guided by Him. Unfortunately, I am not inspired as they. I am a fallible human being, saved by Grace.  I often do not understand His Word because my thoughts and pen are not so inspired. And, like all of you, because I am not so inspired, I often have to grapple and struggle to understand what is in there.  I try to do that. I pray, read books, ask questions, and have discussions with other people. I study. Sometimes these efforts help me understand. Sometimes not.  Sometimes I make mistakes, seek forgiveness and go on.  We are all learning as we go. None of us “has it right” yet.

For those of you who seem to be way more certain than I, and who wish to shout judgments from the rooftops, I say, “Have at it.” You get to have your say.

For those who know me and know that I have sincerely dedicated many years of my life to bringing people to Christ through music, I would certainly welcome your forgiveness for putting you in a bad position because of your association with me.

I continue to be dedicated in my own fallible way, to pray for direction, and to listen to Him.