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Hmmmmm . . . and the sociological participant observers would class that exhortation as . . .

A) A reasoned, calm, Unrubberized Bible based bit of advice
B) A flip retort
C) An embittered diatribe
D) A flattering gesture

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Personally, I’m convinced we got the unrubberized Bible from . . . drum roll . . .

GOD ALMIGHTY.

He used various characters along the way in that plan . . .

finally 300-400 years later, a cluster of quasi politically powerful ecclesiastics . . . some from diverse regions . . . agreed about what God had done.

I’m sure God was quite flattered.

Ya know, Dr E . . . it still somewhat amazes me . . .

Some folks act like our pontifications are new information . . . like we are saying horribly startling things out of the blue, with no evidence, for the first time etc. etc. etc. and etc.

And that they are duty bound to erupt like Old Faithful geyser . . . full of steaming water . . . in knee-jerk fashion at every perceived hint of a slight or insult or whatever is against their construction on reality.

Given that you are such a wonderful spokesperson for the Calvinists . . .

What is WRONG WITH THEM! Why aren’t THEY acting like 2 year olds in constant outrage that all the 4 year olds don’t agree with their construction on reality?

WHY OH WHY aren’t the Calvinists CONTINUALLY OUTRAGED; foaming at the mouth; flailing about at every falling leaf; terminally incensed; rushing about like a whirling dervish in sack-cloth and ashes . . . because ANYONE in the rest of the world DARES to construe reality differently?

Are the Calvinists lacking in zeal and fervor for The truly truest true truth most truly truthedly trothed? Are THEY LACKING in backbones made of cacti?

Maybe their Sunday Schools don’t include lessons in THE IDOLATRY OF FLAILING ABOUT???

Maybe Calvinists haven’t been properly taught about the ABSOLUTE ETERNAL LIFE ESSENTIAL OF WORSHIPPING CALVINISM and all the ivy encrusted edifi, structures, organizations, and reference groups sprouting his name?

Perhaps THEIR pontifical magicstericals are . . . what . . . asleep at the switch? Trusting in GOD ALONE [the horror of it all]? Spending too much time bowing and scraping at Calvin’s bier? What?

Why no irate pontifical fiercely embittered and outraged diatribes from the Calvinists? Are they wimpy Christians?

Or are they just older than grade school?

But it must be suuuuucccchhhhh a TRIAL to endure ANYONE who doesn’t bow and scrape at Calvin’s bier. How can Calvinists stand it? What kind of meds do they take?

Maybe there’s a mantra they say for serenity’s sake . . . what must it be . . . I wonder . . .

OHHHHHH CALVIN FULL OF CHIPMUNKS [ooops, wrong Calvin. sorry.]

OHHHHH CLAVIN, FULL OF GRAPES
GRACE US WITH YOUR ETERNAL
PONTIFICAL MAGNANIMITY.

LET US ENJOY YOUR OMNICIENT
UNDERSTANDING AND PREDESTINED
INTERCESSIONS FOR OUR HUMBLE
UNCHOSEN DESTINIES.

HERE WE ARE UNGENUFLECTING
IN YOUR BEHALF BECAUSE YOU
OH GRACIOUS CALVIN DOTH
BESTOWEST UPON YOUR HUMBLE
PENITENTS SUCH WONDERUS
GRAPES—ERR GRACES.
MAY YOUR INTERCESSIONS
NEVER END OH MIGHTY CALVIN.

= = = =

Would the mantra go something like that? Maybe briefer?

I’m trying to imagine if the author of the original post of this thread had discovered Calvinists in Peru and Mexico behaving as described . . .

would the Calvinists hereon all be in need of rabies shots for all their foaming at the mouth as the fitting and holy demonstration of their holy duty?

I could sort of imagine some strong retorts of a very intellectual sort. One or two might show some slight emotion underneath all the pontifical dreary intellectualism. But, I’d think, most would kind of go—tsk tsk—what balderdash. And walk on by—unless, of course, they were clever and humble enough to consider the evidence on its merits and discuss it accordingly.

What a novel idea.