So, Dr. Trueman, while I still hope that the point of my original response to your post about transformationalism is not lost, I want you to know that I truly respect and admire your role in the larger conversation.  I don’t know you personally; perhaps one day we will meet, and if we do, I don’t want you thinking that I’m gunning for you.  I’m not.  My response was the response of a pastor, not a raconteur.  I simply want to be a pastor — a pastor who equips the flock to do the work of ministry.

I’m not sure, but I suspect that I owe Carl Trueman an apology.  I am a novice in the world of blogging.  He is a pro.  So, I need to acknowledge his prowess with admiration — which I do happily!  I enjoy his style, his willingness to say provocative things.  I enjoy that he challenges conventional, bland, vanilla thinking and action.  I wish we were all a bit more like Carl Trueman in this present day and age.  The Church could do with more of a spine.

So, imagine my surprise at the reaction — pro and con — to my response to Carl Trueman’s post about transformationalism.  I was taken aback.  To all who read my response, please understand something:  I meant what I said.  I respect Carl Trueman!  That comment was not a throwaway designed to soften a blow or to deflect future criticism.  I disagreed (mildly, I thought) with one position he has articulated.  In replying to him, all I wanted to point out is that in this rough and tumble world, not every Christian who engages in the spheres (yes, I used a term of Kuyper’s) of culture is a triumphalistic theonomist or a weak-kneed collaborationist.  Sometimes Christians operate in the various arenas of culture because they are simply seeking to be faithful to God.  I just didn’t want that role and attitude to be lost in the discussion.

In it all, I did not mean to attack Carl Trueman, to belittle him, to belittle his concern, or in fact, ultimately, to disagree with him.  Overall, I think he makes very valid critiques of certain segments of the so-called “evangelical” and “reformed” world.  Many of us would do well to take his critique to heart — and I include myself in that statement.  It is very easy for me to grow comfortable trying to “influence” people, such that I forget (fear?) to tell the truth.  Again a Luther reference:  “Peace if possible, but truth at all costs.”  (I have read that one; I know it’s not apocryphal.)  I only hope that I can remember to tell the truth with genuine love and respect.

So, Dr. Trueman, while I still hope that the point of my original response to your post about transformationalism is not lost, I want you to know that I truly respect and admire your role in the larger conversation.  I don’t know you personally; perhaps one day we will meet, and if we do, I don’t want you thinking that I’m gunning for you.  I’m not.  My response was the response of a pastor, not a raconteur.  I simply want to be a pastor — a pastor who equips the flock to do the work of ministry.  That ministry, as I understand it, includes us all being salt and light in each of our respective sphere’s of influence, be it work, home, neighborhood, congregation.  For that aim to be achieved, we all need to have confidence that what we do, both as to work itself, and as to our witness to Christ in those contexts, is truly worthwhile and biblical.  It counts.  God wills to use us in the building of His kingdom.  I believe that Carl Trueman understands that perspective and embraces it himself, if I understand his writing at all.

So, I apologize for stirring up a hornet’s nest.  That was not my aim.  I want a good, robust conversation — but not ad hominem attacks. Carl Trueman is a faithful spokesman for the gospel, as far as I can tell.  Thanks to God for raising him up, among others, to call all the rest of us to remember and press on in our own callings — and to do so with faithfulness, insight, wisdom, and courage.  God bless him.

David Wallover is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and is pastor of Harvest Presbyterian Church in Medina, Ohio. This article first appeared on their website and is used with permission.