2017: A Reflection on Posts that Generated Much Commentary

“Ring out the false. Ring in the true.”

Alfred Lord Tennyson

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=197745&picture=blue-mountain-rangeBlue Mountain Range

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM TWW!!!

I still shake my head when I reminisce about my words to Dee before we ever launched this blog (almost nine years ago!) I told her my greatest concern was that I didn’t think there would be enough to discuss on an ongoing basis. Little did we know what was to come in Christendom. There is now so much to write about that we can barely keep up!

We are grateful for you, our loyal readers, and we appreciate your thoughtful comments and helpful suggestions. It is your input that makes The Wartburg Watch so meaningful to so many.

Previously, we have enjoyed going through our posts at years end and seeing which of them generated a lot of discussion. It’s been fun going through our 238 posts of 2017, which includes 52 weekly EChurch posts, and pulling out the ones with the most comments.

I have grouped the posts that are related in case you would like to read them for the first time or once again.

Dee has written a series of interesting posts concerning John Piper.

John Piper’s Recent Confession: Corporate Worship Saved His Marriage

John Piper and Friends ‘Tripping on the Masculine Feel’ of Christianity

John Piper Has Trouble Dealing With the Disturbing, Yet Sovereign, Creation of Tatas

John Piper Flirts With the Boundaries of Child Abuse. He Wants You to Sacrifice Your Kid’s Safety and Life for the Great Commission

Sola Pipera! John Piper Says Sola Fide Doesn’t Cut it and Then Seems to *Cook the Books.*

Dee also wrote a series of posts regarding the suicide of Iain Campbell, a Scottish pastor

Calvinist Leader Dr. Iain Campbell Dies by Suicide Amidst Allegations of Affairs and an Out of Wedlock Child. His Wife Gets Blamed!

Looking Further at Iain Campbell and Others: What is a Dishonest Hypocrite?

Breaking News: Dr. Iain Campbell: Guilty!

Yours truly wrote a number of posts discussing those whom we refer to as ‘Calvinistas’ (aka New Calvinists)

Some Young Calvinists Are Misrepresenting and Even Bashing Arminianism According to Roger Olson

Church Takeover Success Using Strategies From the Calvinista Playbook

How to Spot a Calvinista Pastor – Are These Some of the Clues?

Did Jesus Die For Everyone or Just the Elect? – Kevin DeYoung Defines ‘Limited Atonement’

CBMW Publishes Its Nashville Statement – Some Are Asking Why Now?

Kevin Giles on the Rise and Fall of the Complementarian Doctrine of the Trinity

Kevin Giles on Complementarians Who Now Reject Wayne Grudem’s View of The Trinity

Dee’s thought-provoking post on pastors meant a lot to our readers (see below)

The Founders Say We Need Calvinist Pastors. I Say We Just Need Loving, Christian Pastors

Here are some other posts that garnered much commentary

Jane’s Traumatic Rape and Subsequent Mistreatment at John MacArthur’s ‘The Masters College’ (now University)

Tim Keller to Step Down as Senior Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian to Pursue Teaching Role

The Billy Graham Rule Doesn’t Work for Most Who Participate in Today’s Society

R.C. Sproul Jr Is Now A Convicted Felon Alcoholic and Is One Step Away From Tragedy

Finally, if you haven’t read the following post it is definitely worth your while.

How a Letter Meant to Hurt Dee in her Church and Community Gave Her a Precious Gift Instead

No doubt there will be even more to discuss during 2018, and we look forward to discovering what lies in store. Please keep us in your prayers!

Comments

2017: A Reflection on Posts that Generated Much Commentary — 60 Comments

  1. For decades friends have accused me of being a verbal thinker but it is only of recent that I think that is true for almost everyone. Verbal expression of some form is an intergral portion of forming our thoughts. In this time when it is seems fashionable even for education institutions to limit speech, many churches practice only one way communication. They provide little venue for us to talk and disagreement is often met not by discussion but with suppression. When we allow this we are also authorizing someone else to impair our ability to think.

    So may I be the first to thank our hosts for offering a forum when I can think out loud and hear others do the same. May Dee and Deb have a fruitful New Year.

  2. Thersites wrote:

    So may I be the first to thank our hosts for offering a forum when I can think out loud and hear others do the same. May Dee and Deb have a fruitful New Year.

    Also extending thanks to the Deebs for this worthy cause with compelling posts, and to commenters for thoughtful discourse. Agreed, Thersites, discourse is good. No one has all the answers, however, everyone has something to add.

  3. And I would like to wish Dee and Deb a happy new year from the old world. It is a privilege to count them as friends.

  4. Happy New Year to the Deebs, and to TWW!
    Thank you for continuing to uncover abuse within the Church, unafraid of exposing chameleons, charlatans, cracked pots.
    God bless Deb and Dee .

  5. Keep up the good and necessary work ladies! May you both have a year full of joy and grace!

  6. Side note – My dad is very ill and in the hospital. He may not make it. I am going to see him in a few days. Please keep my family in your prayers during this difficult time. He is a Christian and ready to go home to the Lord, but as you know, this doesn’t make it any easier.

  7. Thersites wrote:

    For decades friends have accused me of being a verbal thinker

    How interesting. I have been journaling lately and it has really helped me sort out some thoughts. Maybe there is something there…

    @ Harley:
    I am sorry. My best to your family.

  8. Mae wrote:

    Thank you for continuing to uncover abuse within the Church, unafraid of exposing chameleons, charlatans, cracked pots.

    As we begin a new year, some of them are trembling in fear knowing that TWW is out there!

    DEEBS, thank you for remaining faithful to your calling. Happy New Year!

  9. Max wrote:

    As we begin a new year, some of them are trembling in fear knowing that TWW is out there!

    Bah. Certainly not the devil, who must be rubbing his hands with glee at the thought of another year of Wartburgers giving him free publicity.

    You’re all rubbish.

    Up Yours,

    Roger Bombast

  10. Well, I have it on good authority that My problem is I think I’m Nick Bulbeck.

    I can let this pass, because I’m gentle and humble in heart.

    Best regards,

    God

  11. Harley wrote:

    Side note – My dad is very ill and in the hospital. He may not make it. I am going to see him in a few days. Please keep my family in your prayers during this difficult time. He is a Christian and ready to go home to the Lord, but as you know, this doesn’t make it any easier.

    Prayed for your loved one. Very hard to watch our beloved parents age into eternity.

  12. ION: Christmas pudding

    AWWB, Christmas pudding should never be eaten until long after its “best before” date. We generally buy ours one year ahead of time; Mum bought one a couple of weeks ago which will be ready next year.

    We didn’t start ours on Christmas Day as everyone was full (it seemed a bit of a waste). So, we’ve just started it the noo; it went “out of date” in June last year. Delicious.

    IHTIH

  13. I’m not sure this is a good idea. Didn’t Jesus say that we shouldn’t celebrate new years and sabbaths, and that we should forget what is behind and press the fast forward button?

    God Bless,

    Arnold Dummarse

  14. Nick Bulbeck wrote:

    AWWB, Christmas pudding should never be eaten until long after its “best before” date. We generally buy ours one year ahead of time

    That sounds disturbing.

    BTW, can you explain ‘treacle pie’. I was watched the British bake show dude rant about how ‘sweet’ America pie is…and then they explained that treacle pie is basically made of syrup #confused

  15. Lea wrote:

    I was watched the British bake show dude rant about how ‘sweet’ America pie is…and then they explained that treacle pie is basically made of syrup #confused

    I lived in Europe when I was a kid. The German and Italian treats are divine! And yeah, American desserts are way too sugary.

  16. I would be interested in any updates you may have on “Jane”, Karen Hinckley and Julie McMahon.. Happy New Year.

  17. Nick Bulbeck wrote:

    AWWB, Christmas pudding should never be eaten until long after its “best before” date

    I’ll get flack but with Christmas fruitcake you can stop at “should never be eaten”. Yeah, I know some people love it, fine.

  18. Lea wrote:

    BTW, can you explain ‘treacle pie’. I was watched the British bake show dude rant about how ‘sweet’ America pie is…and then they explained that treacle pie is basically made of syrup #confused

    I do know “treacle” was a Euro-English term for “sweet syrup”. The term was used a lot in Victorian times — I remember it from one of the songs in Alice in Wonderland/Through the Looking Glass — but I don’t know if it’s still in general use.

  19. Treacle tart is made with golden syrup, bread crumbs, and lemon to cut the sweetness of the syrup. Mary Berry has a recipe on line at the BBC food site, https://www.BBC.co.uk/food/recipes/ mary_berrys_treacle_tart_28524
    Looks luscious to me, but may not fit with some resolutions for the new year

  20. Leslie wrote:

    I would be interested in any updates you may have on “Jane”, Karen Hinckley and Julie McMahon.. Happy New Year.

    Yes. I’ve wondered how they are all doing.

  21. Lea wrote:

    BTW, can you explain ‘treacle pie’. I was watched the British bake show dude rant about how ‘sweet’ America pie is…and then they explained that treacle pie is basically made of syrup #confused</blockquote
    Treacle is various partially unrefined sugar syrups, the least refined of which is black & is what Treacle Tart is made of, & it is actually quite bitter. It reminds me of cough medicine & black Dutch liquorice & all the other things like that I hate.

  22. Max, I have eaten more sugar this season than the last 5….In Leeds,UK we saw Treacle on a menu in a pub outside of town…..

  23. I appreciate TWW. Great source of info for developments in the Neo-Cal tribe, with a little entertainment tossed in too.

    If angels long to look into these things, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be fixated as well.

    Hope the best for all in 2018.

    The future..oh dear God..it should be banned.
    I’m telling myself to face the new year with anticipation …. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can leave.

  24. Does anyone have the reference for Piper’s bit about women being subordinate to men for eternity? Or is it an inference from various places in his teaching?

  25. Happy New Year to all. Thank you Dee and Deb for all.the hard work you put into the blog. It is much needed and appreciated.

  26. Lea wrote:

    BTW, can you explain ‘treacle pie’. I was watched the British bake show dude rant about how ‘sweet’ America pie is…and then they explained that treacle pie is basically made of syrup #confused

    Sorry, Lea – missed this. Several people have already replied, so I think it’s worth adding that treacle tart (it is generally an open tart rather than a pie) has quite a thin layer of “treacle” (actually syrup textured with breadcrumbs, as Mary pointed out).

    I haven’t seen the rant in question, so I’m clutching at straws here, but I can only suppose the redeeming feature of treacle tart is that its primary flavour is sugar. Whereas a fruit pie can be “too sweet” because the fruit flavour is swamped by sugar, in a treacle tart, there is no other flavour to swamp. Though it still strikes me that “american pie is too sweet” is rather a sweeping statement!

    Best I can do…

  27. Incidentally, I’m diabetic, and I probably still eat a poo-ton of sugar each year. Thank God for genetically modified yeast!

    (Which is, so I’ve read, where Novarapid insulin comes from.)

  28. Nick Bulbeck wrote:

    Though it still strikes me that “american pie is too sweet” is rather a sweeping statement!

    …Long, long, time ago
    I can still remember how that music used to make me smile…

    (with apologies to Don McLean)

  29. Happy New Year. (And after watching the weather news, I’ll add “Stay warm!”)

    Thank you for all your efforts to shine a light in dark places.

  30. @ Muff Potter:

    One of the worst musical performances I’ve ever heard was a bizarre kind of goth/emo cover of American Pie on a TV show back in the 1990’s. Even the studio audience booed it. A particular shame because I love the real thing.

  31. @ Muff Potter:

    ‘The German and Italian treats are divine! And yeah, American desserts are way too sugary.”
    +++++++++++++++

    …as are the fancy $4.00 coffee drinks.

    the overriding flavor in chocolate is sweet, not coco.

    i swear, my kids can only recognize and appreciate 2 flavors: sweet and salty.

    and sour. (must have their sour candy). that’s the culprit right there.

    do taste buds recover from such assault?

  32. Mae wrote:

    @ Lea:
    Isn’t that syrup, molasses?

    I’ll defer to the brits…Beaker said it was almost like liquorish? Which sounds a bit gross in a pie to me! elastigirl wrote:

    and sour. (must have their sour candy).

    I love sour and tart sweets! Tart fruits, key lime pie, etc. I confess to a bit of a sweet tooth, but make up for it with unsweet tea 🙂

  33. Mae wrote:

    molasses

    Also, the only thing I ever make with molasses is gingerbread, which I absolutely ADORE but haven’t made in a few years.

  34. One of my grandma’s made “syrup pie” which was basically pecan pie without the pecans. The other made a pie she called “chess pie” which was basically pecan pie with some cornmeal in place of the pecans.

    Oh to be able to OD on sugar now. I’d love a slice of all 3, but any of them send my blood sugar spiking:(

  35. @ Nick Bulbeck:

    Some months ago while shopping, I heard a millennial recording artist attempt a cover of a Joni Mitchell song from 1970. She sounded like she was dying of a barbiturate overdose.

  36. elastigirl wrote:

    @ Lea:
    do you prefer original Sweet Tart or Chewy Sweet Tarts?

    (i’m partial to the chalky originals)

    Original! But I prefer spree to sweet tart.

  37. linda wrote:

    One of my grandma’s made “syrup pie” which was basically pecan pie without the pecans.

    Ha! My dad always said he would prefer that. I recently tried a pecan pie that is WAY more pecans and that is the first that I’ve really loved!
    linda wrote:

    The other made a pie she called “chess pie” which was basically pecan pie with some cornmeal in place of the pecans.

    I think chess pie is more eggy, like a custard.

  38. It is indeed more custardy in some recipe books, just not the part of east Texas my grandma lived in. And what made all three extra good was the syrup was ribbon cane.

  39. @ Lea:

    ahhhh, Spree. A zillion candies in a long foil-wrapped package. i remember how wondrous of the 7-11 candy aisle was to the 7-year old eye. on the bottom shelf were long packages of Wacky Wafers in such amazing flavors as watermelon, peach, banana, & pineapple. But the ultimate had to be Lik-M-Aid Fundip… you could even eat the stick! too wonderful for words!

  40. Muff Potter wrote:

    … a millennial recording artist…

    I’ve not been to the gym in nearly 2 years. This is partly because I’ve been relatively injury-free and have done a lot of running outdoors, and partly because I got really sick of gym_music – same 4 chords, same sound, same chord-changes and the ninths done to death in every melody, and exactly one male and one female voice between all the tracks. The problem is not so much the millennial musicians as the millennial marketers and managers that manufacture their success, though, ISTM.

    Moreover, there are (as always) exceptions. For instance… our daughter recently introduced us to 21 Pilots; I can’t say I like every track of theirs, but I like most of them and at least they’ve got some identity and character.

  41. Nick Bulbeck wrote:

    Moreover, there are (as always) exceptions.

    Very true. PBS here in the states offers a couple of television venues in which I’ve seen millennials who can play and sing with the best of my generation’s recording artists.

  42. Happy New Year to the Deebs and all of the Wartburgers! I am looking forward to more insightful articles in the year 2018. God Bless Us, Everyone of Us!

  43. Well, I came to this blog on accident and have lurked a bit. But I’ve read quite a bit from both articles and comments. It’s a great source of info and discussion you have here. Keep it up! 🙂

    I like to call myself a “Catacomb Christian” btw. I was once a member of the PCUSA, but I wouldn’t consider myself a Protestant anymore per se…but I’m still interested in trends. In some cases, I respected conservative reformed educators, but I knew it took a turn for the worse awhile back already.

  44. If 2018 continues the way it started then the number of posts will very quickly outstrip the whole of 2017 in no time.