I just read a post on a well-respected Christian blog that maintained that, as Christian bloggers with a public forum, we are “teachers” and, as such, are under the judgment mentioned in James 3:1:
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Hm. So we’re “teachers” simply by being Christian bloggers? “Teachers” if we discuss issues of faith? I’m not sure that leap can be made. Granted, some Christian blogs out in the ‘sphere are trying to teach, have that as a stated purpose, but not this blog.
I’m just a blogger. I write here, but I don’t call myself a writer. I share thoughts, beliefs, and experiences here, but I don’t call myself a teacher. In this forum anyway. I choose to share, not instruct. If we’re not putting ourselves out there as “teachers,” not assuming that role for ourselves, is it necessarily thrust upon us by this scripture? I don’t think so. Rather, I think the burden upon us as Christians here, in the open forum of the blogosphere, is to be mindful of our words — admittedly, a weakness of mine.
A public forum, by definition, is a place for lively discussion and interaction. In a messy, noisy mingling of people and ideas, where does one draw the line between the “teacher” and the “student”? Hard to tell who’s who when we’re all a bit of each, isn’t it?
And I just come to this bustling, casual marketplace of the mind to do a little barterin’.
Just stumbled into your blog via Marla. Stayed because your funny. The naked didn’t send me a runnin’. Love the “naked heart” take. Will have to adapt it into my working vocab.
About the teacher questions, I read the same thing. I think it depends on your purpose for bloggin. For some it may be more of a teaching vehicle. For others it’s a place to hang out and clear their head & heart.
The last line of your post is a hoot.