I went back yesterday afternoon. Originally I was intending to study over a good amount of coffee before a 6pm class, but the noise outside the southwest SUMC patio became too much.

Rev. Smock was back to his own ways, yelling and namecalling for no justified reason–which is to say that there are good reasons for doing so as Jesus did; Rev. Smock didn’t have one.

The epiphany came when he asked a certain skeptic whether he had been smoking marijuana. I confronted him again asking him to recall what I said to him Tuesday, he retorted back at me, and suddenly things were civil again. Rev. Smock left around 5:15pm with many of the rest of us discussing in a civilized manner.

After a conflict with one particular gentleman who became offended at me, disagreeing that one could still be respectful of a person while disagreeing in belief or principle, I went into the 24/7 prayer tent, talked about the dealings with the individual inside, and praised God for making the civil conversation possible. Throughout my 6-8:30pm class, I paid attention to the lecture but still couldn’t get my mind off what God was doing.

This afternoon, I discovered that Jed has been posting updates (1 | 2 | 3) on his website’s bulletin board. I don’t mean to be egotistic here, but I find it strange that my confrontations with him are not mentioned, despite having noted what I feel are the results of God using them to promote civility over mockery and theater.

Allow me to reemphasize that anger and loud voice in many circumstances is entirely justified. Mall preachers aren’t immediately in the wrong because of raising their voices; they are wrong when they do it for no good biblical reason. The story of the Gospel is offensive enough to man as it is.

Rev. Smock’s theology page contains a few rather questionable theological details (especially conditional love, which I believe is a matter of the specific Greek words used for love in the passages described). As far as intentional offense is concerned (which he undoubtedly utilizes), Rev. Smock cites Luke 6:1-11. Quoted version is NIV.

And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;

How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

I don’t see Jesus intentionally offending people just to be provocative. Rather, He’s trying to make a point. So yes, Jesus knew full well that they would be offended, but offense was not His primary intention. Others like Cliffe Knechtle offend people too, simply for the fact that the Gospel itself is offensive to worldly notions of self-sufficiency, responsibility, moral relativism, etc. Unlike healing a man’s hand in the synagogue in the midst of hostile thoughts, calling a well-intentioned nonbeliever a marijuana smoker doesn’t accomplish anything positive.

I think I’ll go grab lunch right now and see if he’s back.

previous confrontation

Update: I just got back from visiting the Alumni Plaza, and he’s back to his old ‘gay’ song singing ways. I didn’t confront him this time. It’s just a theater. Regardless, God is bigger than Rev. Smock. Behind the theater and exhibitionism is a modicum of real Truth.