TWW’s Top Ten Posts for 2013

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”

Bil Keane

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=32418&picture=20132013

(This post will take the place of Wednesdays' post-giving you all a chance to sleep in.)

Another year of blogging has come and gone, and what a busy one it has been!  We are grateful to our readers who help us realize which topics are striking a cord (or nerve) in Christendom. 

Our tradition here at TWW has been to highlight what we consider to be our TOP TEN posts of the year. Each of these articles garnered considerable commentary.  Sometimes we think back to when we received our first ever comment and wondered whether anyone would care to read what we have to say.  We now find it mind-boggling that some of our posts have hundreds of comments.  They are one of the factors we used to gauge the popularity of our posts (you will find the number of comments at the time of this ranking beside the post title).

We will work our way up to what we consider to be the Number One post for 2013 and then throw in a few “honorable mentions”.

Here we go…

10.  Will The Gospel Coalition Continue to Laud Mahaney/SGM Amid Allegations of Abuse?  (287 comments) link

As Sovereign Grace Ministries' problems escalated amid allegations of abuse and cover-up, we questioned whether those involved with The Gospel Coalition would continue to back Council Member C.J. Mahaney and his 'familly of churches'.  Interestingly, Mahaney conducted a workshop at TGC's National Conference in early April. 

Then in late May, TGC finally broke its silence regarding the lawsuit filed against Mahaney, et al by issuing a statement (signatories included D.A. Carson, Kevin DeYoung, and Justin Taylor). It is certainly worth noting that the following qualification was added to the TGC letter of support:  

This statement reflects the views of the signatories and does not necessarily speak for other Council members, bloggers, and writers for The Gospel Coalition. 

9.  Elevation Church and Steven Furtick:  Volunteer to be Sued!  (297 comments) link

Dee called attention to a a confidentiality agreement that we understand must be signed by employees and anyone who wishes to "volunteer" at Steven Furtick's Elevation Church in Charlotte link. Much of the verbiage in that agreement can be found in the post.  Secrecy seems to be in vogue at Elevation Church because as far as we can determine 'Elevators' (those who attend Furtick's church) found out about their pastor's 'not so great' estate through the press, not from their leader.  (see our post in the #6 spot for more info.)

8.  Church Discipline Is Ill-Defined / Wounded Warriors (304 comments) link

In this Memorial Day post, Dee took a closer look at church discipline, which has become quite a buzzword for the Neo-Calvinist crowd.  She explained that while it may sound like a good idea, few churches carefully define the types of sins that are disciplined up front. They also do not define the method of discipline that is employed. In other words, you are subject to their decisions and their methods and have little to no say in the matter. You are just a "wee little sheep" in need of some punishment.  If you have been hearing a pastor use the phrase "church discipline", it is important that you challenge him regarding what he means and when and how it will be exercised. 

7.  Crosscon.com:  A Calvinista Student Missions Conference (340 comments) link

Just when you thought there were too many Christian conferences, the Calvinista crowd comes up with one more, Crosscon, a missions conference aimed at college students.  As the mother of a college senior, I became greatly concerned because a member of the leadership team (Sitton) indicated they need to train 'the right kind of missionaries'.  This event, which is wrapping up in Louisville, featured a host of Neo-Cal leaders which you can review on the conference website

6.  Steven Furtick – Hiding His Light Under a Bundle (370 comments) link

Last fall we learned that Steven and Holly Furtick are building a 16,000 square foot residence on 19+ acres of land near Charlotte.  They claim this project is being funded through book sales and advances.  Really?  When the "Elevators" became aware of it through the media, Furtick told the congregation that the house "is not all that great!"  The story has been widely covered by local and national news outlets, and we will continue to monitor developments in 2014. 

5.   Tim Challies Gives Accolades to Mark Driscoll (424 comments) link

In this post, I pointed out that Tim Challies is promoting yet another Driscoll book called Who Do You Think You Are? It was published after the Driscolls' Real Marriage book, and this is what Challies had to say about it:

I am quite certain that I have read each one of Driscoll’s books, and I am confident that this one displays the greatest level of pastoral care and sensitivity. Driscoll is writing as a pastor and often illustrates his points by relating the stories of people in his church, describing how they came to find a new identity in Jesus Christ. He writes humbly and with carefully-chosen words, rarely turning far from the biblical text. He dedicates this book to his daughter and it is a book most fathers would be very glad to have their daughters read."

I concluded the post as follows:  "You see, that's the problem.  Time and time again, Mark Driscoll has demonstrated his incredible immaturity and inability to show 'pastoral care and sensitivity'.  Now that he has garnered so much criticism for his crass language, for firing two beloved Mars Hill elders, for consolidating power at his church, for his 'marriage' manual, for his pornovisions, and on and on and on, Driscoll is trying to change his bad boy image, and Calvinistas like Tim Challies are helping him do it."

4.  TWW Reflects on C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries (438 comments) link

In the fall of 2008 Dee and I began to learn about C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries.  Several months before we decided to launch TWW, we went to hear Mahaney in person at a Sovereign Grace church in our area.  This post was a reflection on that experience and my concerns about SGM's then president.  We continue to pray for those who have been hurt in some way by the highly authoritarian leadership that characterizes SGM.

3.  I Kissed Dating Arminians Good-bye (507 comments) link

In this intriguing post, Dee asks this question:  "Did you know that "biblical" dating now means that one should only date those of the Reformed persuasion?"  And she shared my question in all seriousness:  "So, If a Calvinist marries an Arminian are they unequally yoked?  Dee aptly points out that Christians can change over time – Calvinists have become Arminians and  Arminians have become Calvinists. Egalitarians have become complementarians and vice versa.

2.  The Calvinist Advisory Committee Issues Statement (544 comments) link

Calvinism has been a hot button issue in the SBC for quite a while.  Frank Page, president of the SBC (who believes that the doctrines of grace include free will), appointed a 19-person committee (which included one women – a homemaker), to determine how Baptists can learn to get along despite their theological differences.  We linked to this committee's report – Truth, Trust and Testimony in a Time of Tension – and encouraged commentary prior to the SBC Annual Meeting last June.

1.  John Piper, SGM and Gender: and the Frozen Chosen (732 comments) link

This post received far more comments than any of our other posts in 2013.  In it, Dee focused on why she believes John Piper is "so, so very cold".  Back in February, Piper spoke at Sovereign Grace Church Louisville, a church plant where C.J. Mahaney pastors.  In his opening remarks, Piper proclaimed:

  "I chose to be here. No one forced me. I snatched the opportunity to be here. I love SGM and what God is doing through it across the country and the world."

Dee concluded that by choosing to support C.J. Mahaney, John Piper is actively choosing to ignore victims and the hundreds of reports of problems.  She also explained:   "I believe that John Piper has a rigid agenda and that is to preach Neo-Calvinism and complementarianism at all costs. In so doing, he has let his theology trump his love." 

Honorable Mention

Accuse Outsiders and Protect Insiders: Trite Christianity (419 comments) link

T4G, Facebook and the Games People Play (247 comments) link

'Recovering Grace' Reaches Out to Those Harmed by Bill Gothard's Teachings (273 comments) link

We are extremely grateful that Boz Tchividjian has been reaching out to those who are hurting.  His GRACE organization has been a blessing to those harmed by authoritarian and abusive teachings.   Earlier this year he challenged Christian leaders who supported C.J. Mahaney and SGM.   Please join us in praying for Boz and his important work in Christendom.

We have been inspired by Eagle's transformation from a bitter agnostic to a true brother in Christ.  May the coming year be a therapeutic one for many of you who are struggling with your hurts, anger, and frustration, just as Eagle did.  We want to be a supportive community for you in 2014.

Lydia's Corner:   Isaiah 41:17-43:13   Ephesians 2:1-22   Psalm 67:1-7   Proverbs 23:29-35

Comments

TWW’s Top Ten Posts for 2013 — 101 Comments

  1. Yes, I was and I wasted it on amazement.

    Great year ladies!

    The popular Christian culture and the movers and shakers within it are veering off the straight and narrow. Good job at being one (among an increasing number) of the voices calling it back to the heart of God.

  2. You ladies have done a remarkable thing. Your readership is extraordinary. I remember when the total amount of women blogging on such subjects were few and by few I mean you could count them on one hand, and blogging was looked on as a horrible thing. Leaders attempting to stamp it out and now are the very ones blogging. Blogging is a very power tool now, and you ladies have utilized it well.

    I still remember the privilege of meeting with both of you. That will always go down in my mind as a highlight moment, though not nearly long enough. Thank you ladies for standing for those who would have had no voice. They do now.

  3. i love it that i can always pull up a chair and squeeze in at your table in your cozy tavern, pull one of the jar candles in front of me to stare at and smell and be warmed by as I listen to the interesting conversation, and then join in. even at 2:00 am, I come in, give the fire a poke, keep it going, & there’s often someone to talk to.

  4. So thankful for WW, even though I am of Reformed persuasion. And you guys have given my little Watch the Shepherd blog a stunning flow of traffic, especially to my posts on SGM, Driscoll, family violence, and Vision Forum. I am thankful enough for that, but most of all for what you do right here. You have blessed and comforted and challenged me this year as always. Kudos to you!

  5. My favorite “top of post” quotation, “Nothing burns like the cold.” George R. R. Martin
    And nothing Collects Comments like Calvinism!
    Posts with longest shelf-life– anything about Pastor Steven. Light Under Bushel still going strong 3 months on!
    Personal favorite– Doug, Discernment, and the Dirty Dishes.
    And favorite quote quoted by me:
    ”Hence it is, that papists and Protestants are hating, fighting, and killing one another for the sake of their different excellent opinions, and yet, as to the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life, they are in the highest union and communion with one another….
    And all men or churches, not placing all in the life, light, and guidance of the Holy Spirit of Christ, but pretending to act in the name, and for the glory of God, form opinions which their logic and learning have collected from scripture words, or from what a Calvin, an Arminius, a Socinus, or some smaller name, has told them to be right or wrong, all such, are but where the apostles were, when “by the way there was a strife among them who should be the greatest.”
    Wm Law

  6. elastigirl wrote:

    i love it that i can always pull up a chair and squeeze in at your table in your cozy tavern, pull one of the jar candles in front of me to stare at and smell and be warmed by as I listen to the interesting conversation, and then join in. even at 2:00 am, I come in, give the fire a poke, keep it going, & there’s often someone to talk to.

    I’m having lunch at the Cracker Barrel with the family, and your comment is so fitting. Thanks!

  7. I think one of the keys to TWW’s success has been its broad readership. People of all persuasions are allowed to comment so long as it’s civil and not like trolls and orcs looking for a fight, there’s too much of that elsewhere. Providence grant TWW further success in the coming new year!

  8. Happy New Years to one and all. This is such a supportive and great place to hang out on the internet. I have been richly blessed here.

  9. To our readers: We need your help.
    We will be doing an analysis of church, church affiliation and group websites. Please let us know if you have a particular group or church that you would like us to analyze in a post.

  10. @ dee:

    You could do an analysis of me. Because, of course, if everybody only listened to me then world peace would break out immediately, and the elimination of war, famine and disease would inevitably follow in a matter of weeks.

    I may have jumped the shark with that one.

  11. Nick Bulbeck wrote:

    You could do an analysis of me.

    Such an analysis would surely earn me a PhD! As for jumping the shark, I did so a looooong time ago. The water is nice on this side.

  12. numo wrote:

    @ Nick Bulbeck: “may have”? LOLZ

    Maybe… the thing is that, whilst every Christian who has ever lived up to now has just invented doctrines out of thin air to slake his/her carnal desires, I – uniquely – base my theology on the Bible.

  13. Be all of which as it may, it’ll be 2014 in under 3 hours here.

    I’m hoping Flag Ken and our antipodean friends (for whom it’s already next year) aren’t watching at this point…

  14. In other news, my son is pestering me to transfer £3.02 to his bank account. What precisely he intends to spend it on at 9pm on New Year’s Eve I’m not entirely sure.

  15. Nick Bulbeck wrote:

    In other news, my son is pestering me to transfer £3.02 to his bank account. What precisely he intends to spend it on at 9pm on New Year’s Eve I’m not entirely sure.

    I could guess –

  16. Congratulations on another successful year….and by success, I mean shining the light in he darkness an providing a place for victims to find hope and process their pain. Think out for this sacrifice – I know it is often difficult.

    As to a group of churches to spotlight…..if you find I worthwhile, the The Rhema Churches (the pastor has to have been a graduate of Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, OK).

  17. Deb wrote:

    @ Virginia Knowles:
    We’ll try to send more traffic your way in 2014. Thanks for all you do!

    Oh, my pleasure! Not easy stuff to write for any of us, but glad to be in this cadre of bloggers.

  18. Deb and Dee…….

    A very Happy New Year!
    Your blog has been such a spiritual encouragement to me. May the Lord keep you and may you ladies keep shining the light into the dark places.

  19. Deb wrote:

    @ Nick Bulbeck:
    Happy New Year!!!

    Thankyou – it is</i 2014 the noo!

    Happy New Year out west in a few hours’ time (I’ll be in bed, of course, as I’ve a days’ work to do tomorrow…).

  20. Deebs!! You guys are awesome! Maybe both of you Dee and Deb were created for such a time as this? Keep up the good work!

  21. wondering if post 5 should now be relabeled Tim Challies gives accolades to the Docent Group.

  22. @ Jeannette Altes:
    Okay – I apologize for all the ‘auto-correct’ errors in my post…. O.o

    Here is how it should have read….

    Congratulations on another successful year….and by success, I mean shining the light in the darkness and providing a place for victims to find hope and process their pain. Thank you for this sacrifice – I know it is often difficult.

    As to a group of churches to spotlight…..if you find it worthwhile, the The Rhema Churches might be worth looking at (the pastor has to have been a graduate of Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, OK).

  23. DEB!! How dare you describe me as bitter!! I thought the word bitter is banned from TWW! Just for that I’m buying your daughter “Real Marriage” which was most likely intellectually stolen from Larry Flynt!! (J/K)

    Has your daughter learned how to submit? Not leave dirty dishes in the sink? And to have every counter top spotlessly clean!! :-p

  24. Nick Bulbeck wrote:

    numo wrote:

    @ Nick Bulbeck: “may have”? LOLZ

    Maybe… the thing is that, whilst every Christian who has ever lived up to now has just invented doctrines out of thin air to slake his/her carnal desires, I – uniquely – base my theology on the Bible.

    I knew it, I knew you were speschul.

  25.   __

    “Rest You Gently, For Your Hope Is Come?”

    By Sopwith

    “Christ, Jesus, 
    Heaven’s praise,
    Is bringing,
    Justice to victory,
    Rest you, therefore, 
    Your soul upon Him,
    Gently,
    For in His Name, 
    Shall all the nations,
    of the earth,
    Find their hope!
    Rest you gently, 
    for your hope is come!” **

    *

    Happiness to all, in the new year!

    (proverbial pyrotechnic display goes here)

    (grin)

    hahahahahaha

    *

    hmmm…

    Skreeeeeeeeeeeetch!

    (bump)

    He that is pastorally unjust, let him be pastorally unjust still: and he which is pastorally filthy, let him be pastorally filthy still: Yet,they that are righteous, let them be righteous still: and them that are holy, let them be holy still.

    Krunch!

    For, behold, the Master said: “I come quickly (‘His’ quickly, not ours); and my reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall (it) be…”

    Amen!

    YeHaaaaaaa!

    Blessed are ‘they’ that ‘do’ His commandments…

    ATB

    dis lit’l light O’ mine…hum, hum, hum, hum hum…

    sweet!

    Sopy
    ___
    **(c) Sopwith Productions, LTD. 2014.

  26. Happy New Year, Dee and Deb. You’re doing great work. Thank you for everything. Happy New Year, everyone. The peace of the Lord be with you all in 2014.

  27. I can’t let this opportunity slip by…I recommend MY favorite post from 2012 but still worth reading in 2014:

    We’ve Got You Covered! Fri Aug 31, 2012 by dee

    My biggest laugh in 2012. And 2013. Thanks!

  28. #5 Tim Challies is promoting yet another Driscoll book…”

    BREAKING NEWS

    More Christian publishers are investigating concerns of plagiarism regarding Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle…The controversy is also spilling into the mainstream media. The technology firm Ithenticate, which produces software to identify plagiarism, called the Driscoll controversy the No. 3 plagiarism story of the year…Ithenticate’s Jonathan Bailey made particular note of “the allegations [Driscoll] worked to silence the criticism against him,” adding, “The scandal raised serious questions about journalism in matters of religion and those questions will not likely die away any time soon.”

    Finally, folks besides TWW are taking notice that the insidiousness of the scandal is not so much that intellectual property was stolen or that lies were told, but that a perpetrator “…worked to silence the criticism against him.”

    http://www.worldmag.com/2014/01/more_publishers_investigate_driscoll

  29. @ TedS.:

    Speaking of Driscoll. I heard in an interview about a month ago (where an audio clip of Driscoll’s was played where he was being interviewed on another show) is the reason he has been wearing tweed suits, or serious jackets with patches on the elbows on them (like college professors used to wear), and has dropped the Mickey Mouse graphic T-shirts is he is now trying to market himself as a “pastor to pastors.”

    Rather than as a Frat Boy Dirty Mouth Preacher to 20 year old college guys.

    He needs to look more mature to sell himself(and I would assume forth coming books to his target niche) as a pastor to pastors.

  30. TedS. wrote:

    but that a perpetrator “…worked to silence the criticism against him.”

    We keep saying that he’s nothing but a big bully. I’m glad people are finally taking note. But it sure was a long time in coming.

  31. Daisy, I’ve never watched or heard him preach because I don’t care to. Wonder if he has many $64.00 words at his disposal. Most Floyd R. Turbo types have a limited vocabulary, not that mine’s that great, but good grief.

  32. @ TedS.:
    I read this earlier today. I am grateful the word is getting out. Also, Warren Throckmorton has taken an interest as well and he is known in some influential academic circles. Driscoll ‘s little tweet which proved he can’t even write his own tweets is getting attention as well.

    It is my opinion that Driscoll has been living off the talents of others for years. However, he is the one who got the money and the big house. How he can live with himself proves that there is something missing.

  33. TedS. wrote:

    Actually, he is now trying to re-package himself as Doug Wilson.

    The picture gives me the heebie jeebies. I got an interesting email with a link to a post about a learned Christian professor who went up against Wilson. Unbelievable! I plan to write about it. The two of them are peas in a pod.

  34. The reason I ask, is that if he’s planning on trying to build up his circle of influence with “Academia”, as CJM did, you’d think it would behoove him to prepare. Of course, it worked for CJM, the RBD’s are still circling the wagon. Not that I value education as highly as being called by the Holy Spirit. Especially, the qualifications would include agape’ love, humility, honesty, etc.

  35. @ RB:

    You mean Driscoll? He makes my stomach turn too, but I occasionally read his blog posts or listen to his sermons or interviews to see what he’s up to. It’s sometimes good to keep tabs on people you disagree with, sometimes for educational purposes, sometimes for the sheer entertainment. 😆

  36. Yes, Daisy, I did, and you’re probably right that I should at least watch or listen a time or two. He might even have some good things to say, and it’ll keep me an honest woman. 🙂

  37. TedS. wrote:

    Daisy wrote:

    He is now trying to market himself as a “pastor to pastors.”

    Actually, he is now trying to re-package himself as Doug Wilson.

    “Kirk” cult compound, Penetrate Colonize Conquer Plant, and all?

    (Was Douggie W the one who also orgasmed over the Confederate States of America and their Peculiar Institution involving Animate Property?)

  38. @ Daisy:

    Also, I’m not sure of Driscoll’s exact age, but he may be rapidly aging out of the prescribed “cool” window in evangelicalism. Youth are usually allowed to stop listening once the adult hits 40 and demand someone younger and hipper. Thus he’ll eventually be forced to switch to the adult market niche.

  39. Hester wrote:

    Thus he’ll eventually be forced to switch to the adult market niche.

    Hence, the Doug Wilson beard, the tweed jackets, and the “pastor of pastors” re-imaging when there’s no “pastoring” going on at all.

  40. TedS. wrote:

    Hence, the Doug Wilson beard, the tweed jackets, and the “pastor of pastors” re-imaging when there’s no “pastoring” going on at all.

    Is "Pastor of Pastors" anything like "King of Kings and Lord of Lords"? Wait a minute… THIS DOUGGIE W CLONE IS BEE JAY DRISCOLL? "I CAN BEAT YOU UP" DRISCOLL? "I SEE THINGS" DRISCOLL? He's gonna have a hard time with Salvation by Outbreeding the Heathen… (Single-panel cartoon from an old LosCon art show — "Sam the Sperm: You Can't Get There From Here". Cartoon sperm cell floating at center of frame with unfolded AAA road map in front of him and question mark over his "head", all bordered by the outline of a stomach.)

  41. Uh, could someone correct my last post?

    Only the word “SEE” was supposed to be boldfaced.

  42. @ Hester:

    I seriously disagree with this…look at the following John Piper has among young people. Piper is the subject of idol worship for many Neo-Cals…though they will deny this fact.

  43. Hester wrote:

    @ Daisy: Also, I’m not sure of Driscoll’s exact age, but he may be rapidly aging out of the prescribed “cool” window in evangelicalism. Youth are usually allowed to stop listening once the adult hits 40 and demand someone younger and hipper. Thus he’ll eventually be forced to switch to the adult market niche.

    According to Wikipedia, Mark Driscoll is 43.

  44. Nick Bulbeck wrote:

    Because, of course, if everybody only listened to me then world peace would break out immediately, and the elimination of war, famine and disease would inevitably follow in a matter of weeks.

    Don’t forget the unicorns farting rainbows and free ice cream for everybody.

  45. “Reformed Baptist Apologist” James White just reposted on his blog John Carpenter’s defense of Mark Driscoll of the Christian Post: http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php/2014/01/02/mark-driscoll-ergun-caner-and-the-scandal-of-evangelical-integrity/

    I had been thinking after reading Carpenter’s obsessive pro-Driscoll comments in the blogosphere that he was doing the same thing for Driscoll that other evangelicals were doing for Ergun Caner. In Carpenter’s above post, he tries to deflect criticism from Driscoll by focusing attention on Caner instead.

    Is this not hypocrisy on Carpenter’s part? Are not the Caner and Driscoll scandals identical (not only it what was done, but in the aftermath as well)? What’s worse, James White saw fit to copypaste this Driscoll defense onto his own blog after Christian Post deleted it. It’s not hard to see why White would do it when we see at the bottom that Carpenter is pastor of “Covenant Reformed Baptist Church”.

    I think to James White, “Reformed=Good” and “Non-Reformed=Bad.” Is this not tribalism? Everything White has said about the Ergun Caner scandal is true. So how can he apply double standards when he is always telling other people not to use double standards? White is also a big fan and promoter of Al Mohler, even though White is fully aware of the SGM scandal.

  46. On this page, James White gives a non-explanation for why he posted Carpenter’s Driscoll defense on his own blog: http://www.aomin.org/aoblog/index.php/2014/01/02/today-on-the-first-radio-free-geneva-of-2014/

    White claims he did it because Carpenter’s post told the truth about the Caner scandal (it did), but it was all in the context of doing damage control for Driscoll. White knows this. White is, by the way, a friend of Janet Mefferd and as even substitute hosted her show when she’s been on vacation before. So I don’t know why he’d now want to repost Carpenter.

    Concerning Carpenter’s post, he writes:

    “Is having some unknown wordsmith cranking out pages that are then packaged and sold as the work of your favorite celebrity pastor deceitful and wrong? Yes. That deserves outrage. Is incorporating a few sentences of research into what is otherwise your original work really morally depraved lying? Be serious.” [End of Quote]

    Is Carpenter implying that Driscoll is only guilty of the latter and not the former? Of course Driscoll has ghostwriters write entire books for him. And Carpenter is lying in the second sentence. Driscoll has plagiarized pages worth of others’ writings, not “a few sentences.”

  47. @ Nicholas:
    The following is laughable: “It was originally posted 12/19 at 9:25am at http://www.christianpost.com.  It was pulled within the next three hours or so.  The author, Dr. John Carpenter, has received no response to his inquiries as to why it was removed.  I, too, have written to christianpost.com and, like him, have received no response but silence.  My concern here, aside from the suppression of the truth inherent in the action, is that the executive editor of the website is none other than Dr. Richard Land, the new President of Southern Evangelical Seminary and evidently close friend of Ergun Caner as well.  I think for honesty’s sake the leadership of christianpost.com needs to explain themselves.”
    I SUPPOSE there may have been orders from Land, or something, coincidentally, but prior to the post’s removal, John C had been relentlessly commenting on his own post, making accusations against the blog moderator. The moderator kept asking him to stop, and multiple comments John C were deleted. I can easily guess at what he had been posting but didn’t see it. At the same time, some commenters from the Warren Throckmorton blog were contacting the Christian Post, telling them about Johnny C’s 900 or so nasty comments on WT’s blog in defense of Driscoll. Possibly this had something to do with the article’s removal immediately thereafter, and John C must know this– Rebecca Lynn detailed her pleas to CP both here and on WT’s blog.

  48. @ Nicholas:
    He also has a man-crush (in my lying, 9th commandment breaking opinion) on Mark Dever. Notice on his church home-page, there’s a video, not by Carpenter, as we might expect, but by Dever! Knowing this, I tried to get him to compare the two men and their ministries. Perhaps I violated the 9th commandment and need to repent for being disingenuous and NOT telling him I dislike Dever (and MacArthur) just as much as I do Driscoll… Got to repent of Hateful, now also. Anyhow, I was very guarded with my word choice so’s not to get him off on the Lying and Hateful accusations. But he made no reply. This may be a historical first amongst his many thousands of web-comments. (There I go lying again!—- REPENT! BE SILENT!)

    Reply Report abuse

    John Carpenter Dec 10, 2013 at 9:35 am
    Thanks for the affirmation. I’ve never met or directly interacted with Mark Driscoll. But theologically he is sound and there’s (as yet) been no moral failures revealed. Until there is, as an elder, he deserves more protection from accusations, not less (1 Tim. 5:19). Thank you for speaking up for him.

    Reply Report abuse

    David Dec 10, 2013 at 3:56 pm
    “But theologically he is sound”
    In your opinion. Some, like Dr MacArthur, would disagree.
    “and there’s (as yet) been no moral failures revealed.”
    By which you mean he’s not been caught with his hand in the offering plate or upon a church secretary? Personally, I consider his treatment of others, such as Mr Petry and Mr Myer a moral failure.
    “Until there is, as an elder, he deserves more protection from accusations, not less (1 Tim. 5:19).”
    Usually elders deserve the “more protection” which the evidence from 2 or 3 witnesses affords. But Driscoll has loads of protection from accusation.  He has staff for that (in my opinion). Security, PR, Legal, Reconciliation Committees etc. And he also has just maybe more than 2 or 3 witnesses. 
    “As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.”
    You may not think this applies to Driscoll. I think it does. But our opinions matter little. If his congregation(s) should conclude some day that he IS a false teacher or immoral, what chance do you think they’ll have of removing him?  If it’s slim, that’s a problem.
          Now about this present controversy: 
    In the middle of the night
    Miss Clavel (or Mefferd) turned on the light
    And said, “Something is not right” (from Evangeline)
    One thing which may not be right is the production of vast quantities of “content” under the Pastormark brand. He says, “I am now sending out literally thousands of pages of content a year, as well as preaching and teaching hundreds of hours of content a year,”  I ask “Why?” Ministers have no “Publish or Perish” mandate, do they? But do his assistants have one? Does this not increase the likelihood of borrowing material and other mistakes? How can he possibly oversee it all? Why not publish a bit less, seeing as there’s a good bit of  ”content” already available?
    Let’s compare and contrast Pastormark with another popular teacher, Pastor Mark Dever. If I do a web search for “pastor mark”, Driscoll (not Dever) pops up in numerous forms.  Driscoll’s church. Pastormark twitter. PastormarkTV. 7 books since 2008. Controversies– lots of them. But only One Mark. He’s the brand. If I add  ”Dever” to my search, I find his church and 9 additional Marks. One book since 2008. Few controversies. 9 Marks is the brand. Numerous writers are under the 9Marks brand. But with numerous writers under the Pastormark brand— well– something may not be right. 
    Hopefully they’ll make a change now, with this latest controversy.  I’m not holding my breath.

    Reply Report abuse
    – See more at: http://jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2013/12/09/mars-hill-church-plagiarism-controversy-citation-errors/

  49. @ Nicholas:
    To equate the Driscoll plagiarism situation with Ergun Caner’s manufacturing a false autobiography is absurd. There is only evidence that two brief paragraphs were copied in what amounts to little more than an internal study guide. If you have evidence of Driscoll plagiarizing “page after page”, as you said, then present it. You’ll be the first. If not, then you need to repent of breaking the 9th commandment.

  50. Nicholas wrote:

    Of course Driscoll has ghostwriters write entire books for him. And Carpenter is lying in the second sentence. Driscoll has plagiarized pages worth of others’ writings, not “a few sentences.”

    Let’s see you evidence for that. I don’t believe you have any or even understand that when you make an accusation is actually has to be true.

  51. Dave A A wrote:

    Johnny C’s 900 or so nasty comments on WT’s blog in defense of Driscoll.

    That’s a nonsense. All my Disquis comments combined, for a couple of years and comments on other blogs, amount to about 928. To assume that they are all about Driscoll is an absurdity. And my comments are only “nasty” if you consider it nasty to tell people they actually have to prove their accusations and that it is a moral failure to repeatedly make false accusations. God says so. He even made a commandment covering it. Do you know which one?

  52. @ John Carpenter:
    Might I make a suggestion, John? It is evident to me that you have a penchant for miffing off people as you travel about the blogosphere. Do you want to change minds or engage in cage fighting? We have lots of people on this blog who disagree with us. I would suggest that you take a look at anonymous’ comment under the most recent post. He is a commenter who contends well for his position and yet he disagrees with me on this issue.

    But, then again, I am probably not included in your “book of life” so I am not sure why I even bother.

  53. dee wrote:

    To our readers: We need your help.
    We will be doing an analysis of church, church affiliation and group websites. Please let us know if you have a particular group or church that you would like us to analyze in a post.

    Yes, I’d love to see you do an analysis of the independent, but affiliated Calvary Chapels … if this is what you meant, that is.

    Want to thank you, Dee & Deb, along with the regular posters for the encouragement I find here. Happy New Year!

  54. I’d also love to see someone put together a comprehensive look at IHOP in Kansas City. Know too many people totally caught up in it, selling all, moving families there, and totally submerging themselves in the prayer room coupled with a focus on regular fasting. Some are publicly saying they started eating more and spending less time in the prayer room and suddenly they could see the problems that had been staring them in the face.

    Though I have little solid info, it’s looking like the same dynamics we find in all spiritual abuse: isolationism, “We’re the only ones who get it” attitude, use up free labor (actually the kids pay to work there,) plus the endless shaking that even makes other charismatics uncomfortable, and the paying interns who question things are sent off to reprogramming camps in either Canada or Texas.

    The only real info I have is that there were three “prophets” that came from Kansas City, who told a Vineyard in Denver, that God was restoring prophets to the church and that He was choosing the Vineyard in which to do it. The pastor of the Vineyard says that those were heady days and they got caught up in it … until each of the “prophets” fell in one way or another and were disqualified from ministry. (Sexual promiscuity, spiritual abuse, faking prophecy by stealing info …) These guys returned to Kansas City and at least 2 of them are now involved with IHOP (which used to be KC Metro, then KC Vineyard, now IHOP.)

  55. 2 great resources on IHOP from outsiders:

    1) The documentary “God Loves Uganda” which came out in January 2012 follows IHOP “missionaries” in Uganda: http://www.godlovesuganda.com/ From the NYT review: “a searing look at the role of American evangelical missionaries in the persecution of gay Africans.”

    2) The 2012 report from Political Research Associates “Colonizing African Values” by Rev. Dr. Kapya John Kaoma: http://www.politicalresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2012/10/Colonizing-African-Values.pdf

  56. I just skimmed the 2012 report on “Colonizing African Values” but did not see any connection with IHOP.

  57. @ Daisy:

    Thanks for posting that Daisy. That should make anyone’s blood boil. I can’t believe that happened in 2012 and I have only now just learned of it.

  58. Thanks, Deb.

    Btw, the time frame for the “prophets” approaching the Vineyard in Denver (which returned to it’s Calvary Chapel roots after a few years as a Vineyard) was during the 80’s. I only heard of IHOP about 5 years ago.

  59. @ Katie:

    Katie, my bad, I thought Scott Lively was affiliated with IHOP and was featured in the report link above. Perhaps not. However, the author of the report, Dr. Kapya John Kaoma, is featured in the film linked above, too. The film focuses on IHOP missionaries for sure.