Thanks for this discussion and your "addendum" post too, Lindsay. I hear what you say about Sprinkle being polite about his non-affirmation and Allie B thinking being polite is itself a problem. It's kind of exhausting, honestly, as I'm sure you feel writing about all this and about her book. The "transgenderism" thing is irritating and unkind. She uses it because it helps her argue that this is an ideology, a dangerous thing that's infecting our society. There is so much she could learn if she were willing to listen to the people she's so cavalierly discussing -- but she's not willing. Because that'd be empathy, I guess.
Jeannie, Thank you for reading and responding. These posts have been so hard. This one has been the hardest b/c we are talking about other people. I have to address the people who think they are the experts on other people's lives. I have been thinking a lot about Sprinkle and Stuckey--their differences and where they come out the same. I think Preston being theologically trained made a difference in how he has postured himself in a more compassionate manner, even though his theology is still not good for anyone's soul. It is still theologically cruel b/c he is speaking as an expert on what he is not an expert in and did not even bring in experts in the field on it in his book. He is pretty sloppy, just like Stuckey, b/c he is more concerned about proving something wrong than discovering what is true about it. He is lost in what he believes theologically about it, not what is true. He knows theologically he should be kind, and that does matter, and that is why I would trust him more than Stuckey if I needed to talk to someone. He is listening and changing his language to be more compassionate and kind. That has to mean something. He, too, is lost in a cult but still able to think--even if it is still low-level and not where we want it to be. Since I grew up in a church that was complementarian but not harsh, like the SBC and non-demons, I know it matters when the person cares enough to be kind and consider how the message is received, even if they are on the wrong side of the subject we are talking about. I have to hang onto the people who remain open to changing their minds about anything, having more hope to be set free than the ones like Stuckey, who is all in until you change to what she wants. She will not be kind or open in any way until you do.
But another argument must be made that Stuckey is at least more honest about who she is. Preston uses being chill and polite to cover for toxic theology (the correct use of toxic). I would love to know what you think.
That's a really good point there at the end. And it really strikes me how so many of the people talking negatively about LGBTQIA+ are on a continuum. For instance, if you google PS's name & LGBTQ you get an article by him where he responds to Rosaria Butterfield calling him a heretic. Being a bit more open and thoughtful is enough to get him labeled heretical by one of the Desiring God/TGC darlings. Sometimes it seems like there's no common ground and not even any desire for one! BUT I say this as a straight cis person. I can't perfectly judge or assess who is most problematic, and not even all LGBTQIA+ people would be in the same place in terms of who they trust. I like to think we're all on a journey, though some have decided they like where they've landed and have no intention of going any farther. I do think it's good to question the arguments/opinions of those who aren't interested in change. Yet I guess our job ultimately is to fight for the freedom of all. We sing this song in church that goes "Our salvation is bound up together as we walk through this wilderness" -- our salvation and our liberation.
Thank you. I just subscribed. I need to refer people to trans voices. I’m trying to figure out what’s effective and what’s not in the reddest state in the USA. I worried about quoting Sprinkle. I expect I’ll have to post an addendum bc I did. I just want to get this conversation with people who are avoiding it.
Thanks for this discussion and your "addendum" post too, Lindsay. I hear what you say about Sprinkle being polite about his non-affirmation and Allie B thinking being polite is itself a problem. It's kind of exhausting, honestly, as I'm sure you feel writing about all this and about her book. The "transgenderism" thing is irritating and unkind. She uses it because it helps her argue that this is an ideology, a dangerous thing that's infecting our society. There is so much she could learn if she were willing to listen to the people she's so cavalierly discussing -- but she's not willing. Because that'd be empathy, I guess.
Jeannie, Thank you for reading and responding. These posts have been so hard. This one has been the hardest b/c we are talking about other people. I have to address the people who think they are the experts on other people's lives. I have been thinking a lot about Sprinkle and Stuckey--their differences and where they come out the same. I think Preston being theologically trained made a difference in how he has postured himself in a more compassionate manner, even though his theology is still not good for anyone's soul. It is still theologically cruel b/c he is speaking as an expert on what he is not an expert in and did not even bring in experts in the field on it in his book. He is pretty sloppy, just like Stuckey, b/c he is more concerned about proving something wrong than discovering what is true about it. He is lost in what he believes theologically about it, not what is true. He knows theologically he should be kind, and that does matter, and that is why I would trust him more than Stuckey if I needed to talk to someone. He is listening and changing his language to be more compassionate and kind. That has to mean something. He, too, is lost in a cult but still able to think--even if it is still low-level and not where we want it to be. Since I grew up in a church that was complementarian but not harsh, like the SBC and non-demons, I know it matters when the person cares enough to be kind and consider how the message is received, even if they are on the wrong side of the subject we are talking about. I have to hang onto the people who remain open to changing their minds about anything, having more hope to be set free than the ones like Stuckey, who is all in until you change to what she wants. She will not be kind or open in any way until you do.
But another argument must be made that Stuckey is at least more honest about who she is. Preston uses being chill and polite to cover for toxic theology (the correct use of toxic). I would love to know what you think.
That's a really good point there at the end. And it really strikes me how so many of the people talking negatively about LGBTQIA+ are on a continuum. For instance, if you google PS's name & LGBTQ you get an article by him where he responds to Rosaria Butterfield calling him a heretic. Being a bit more open and thoughtful is enough to get him labeled heretical by one of the Desiring God/TGC darlings. Sometimes it seems like there's no common ground and not even any desire for one! BUT I say this as a straight cis person. I can't perfectly judge or assess who is most problematic, and not even all LGBTQIA+ people would be in the same place in terms of who they trust. I like to think we're all on a journey, though some have decided they like where they've landed and have no intention of going any farther. I do think it's good to question the arguments/opinions of those who aren't interested in change. Yet I guess our job ultimately is to fight for the freedom of all. We sing this song in church that goes "Our salvation is bound up together as we walk through this wilderness" -- our salvation and our liberation.
Highly recommend this series by my friends Billie and Celeste to further break down Preston's perspectives for better or worse: https://youtube.com/@celestial-navigation?si=zhWHhNsBIF4X6zYJ
Thank you. I just subscribed. I need to refer people to trans voices. I’m trying to figure out what’s effective and what’s not in the reddest state in the USA. I worried about quoting Sprinkle. I expect I’ll have to post an addendum bc I did. I just want to get this conversation with people who are avoiding it.
Yeah! Highly recommend both of their Substacks as well
Will do. I’m enjoying this conversation a lot. They are kind, know what they are talking about and seem like people I’d enjoy quite a lot.
Yes!!
Thanks for that link, Jenna! I didn't know about this podcast but I follow both of these people. It looks great!