An Otherworldly-Looking Bombetoka Bay, Madagascar-NASA
“You’re so pigheaded, Pa, that you’re convinced you’re the center of the universe and that without your blessing every evening star in heaven would snuff out its light and turn to ash,” she said.” ― André Aciman, Find Me
It seems to me that Jerry was drinking some of his dark-colored water when he invaded an LU party and declared that he was going to throw the “real Liberty graduation.” Luke Wilson recorded part of Falwell’s slurring invitation here.
Last night Jerry Falwell Jr. showed up at a @LibertyU party and invited seniors to an end-of-the-year bash at his house, saying, “We’re going to have the real Liberty graduation.” 🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠 pic.twitter.com/MCIWdxb5rg
— Luke Wilson (@wilson_fw) April 30, 2021
Falwell’s actions appear self-absorbed which is not unexpected.
Religion News reported on this unusual, although not unexpected, action in Falwell invites Liberty students to ‘real’ graduation party at his farm despite the lawsuit.
(Falwell) can be seen standing on an outdoor stage beneath handmade signs that include a cross, as a crowd attending what several people have identified as a comedy show look on. Holding a microphone, Falwell invites seniors to an event at “our farm” on May 8, saying, “We’re going to have the real Liberty graduation.”
It appeared that Falwell was directly ignoring his daughter’s wishes. She is a junior at the school. I feel for his daughter who is watching the implosion of her father.
In the longer video (ed; as given to RNS.), Falwell said he and his wife, Becki Falwell, were out to dinner when they heard from their daughter, a junior at Liberty, that she was at the show. He had only come to extend the invitation, he said.
He noted his daughter was “probably so pissed at me right now” and encouraged students to spread the word “as fast as you can” about the event on social media.
“We gotta move quickly,” he said.
Politico took notice in Falwell invites students to ‘real Liberty graduation’ at his home.
The appearance seemed an act of defiance from Falwell at a time when the university has taken an increasingly tough stance against him. His 13-year tenure as Liberty president, during which time the evangelical school grew to more than 100,000 students in person and online, ended after a series of scandals involving his and his wife Becki’s personal behavior. They included Becki’s affair with a former pool attendant in which Falwell allegedly participated; he has denied any participation. In addition, a former student said Becki initiated a sex act with him. Falwell also posted a picture of himself with his pants unzipped and arm around a woman at a yacht party.
But Falwell showed up partway through the event with Becki at his side, the student said. He soon hopped up on stage, lamenting that his student daughter — who he said was in the audience — had told him, “Please don’t come.”
“You’re still my president!” one student yelled when Falwell took the stage, according to a video reviewed by POLITICO. Others laughed and cheered Falwell’s name.
Is Falwell attempting a comeback?
Politico posted ‘They thank me’: Jerry Falwell Jr. says Liberty community still embraces him.
Six months after his ouster from Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr. was back at the university he’d led for 13 years, cheering on the home team.
“Congratulations on an exciting 14-9 win over NCAA team from Walsh University in North Canton, OH!” Falwell wrote on Instagram on March 13, beneath photos of a Liberty lacrosse game and himself in the stands with daughter and wife, Becki. “Didn’t realize LaCrosse was so much fun to watch.”
The posting struck some in the Liberty community as the first step in an attempted comeback — an assertion that, despite having sued the university for having removed him as president in the wake of questions about his personal life and financial dealings, he still considers Liberty his home turf, now and forever.
Falwell, who is reportedly struggling with blood clots, appears to believe that students and employees want him back at the school.
In an interview, Falwell said nothing to discourage that notion. The 58-year-old son of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell Sr. said he has been suffering from blood clots since last fall but plans to “definitely” have more of a presence on campus as his health continues to recover.
“The employees and the board have been nothing but supportive, 100 percent. The students all want to get their picture with me. They thank me,” Falwell said.
The party got canceled because Falwell was admitted to the hospital for a reported pulmonary embolism: ABC 13 News
The statement reads:
Last week at an event with Liberty University students, I announced that we would have a big picnic on our family farm for graduating seniors. Unfortunately, this weekend I encountered another bout of symptoms resulting from the respiratory emboli that were first diagnosed last year. For the fourth time this year I was admitted to the hospital for a series of tests to address my labored breathing and other effects of the emboli. As a result, we regrettably must cancel the picnic this weekend. This is a major disappointment to us since we wanted to celebrate the success of the graduating students and show them our appreciation. To them, our entire family extends our sincere congratulations and fond farewell.
Approximately one month ago, Falwell was admitted to NYU with blood clots again reported by ABC 13 News.
On Saturday, Falwell posted a photo of himself in a hospital room at NYU Hospital from last week. He said he has been suffering from clots in his lungs, specifically pulmonary emboli.
Since we are a full-service blog, I would like to take a minute and discuss alcohol intoxication and venous thromboembolism (VTE)
For many, moderate alcohol consumption can have a beneficial effect on DVT/VTE. According to one study by the NIH:
Low to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a decreased risk of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in older persons.
However, excessive intake of alcohol may lead to an increase in DVTs. According to the NIH in Alcohol use disorders are associated with venous thromboembolism:
In conclusion, the present study shows that AUD increases the risk of VTE, even in the absence of alcohol-related somatic complications. Our findings suggest that severe alcohol abuse increases the risk of VTE.
Since I am Lutheran and Lutherans happily imbibe (moderately, of course,) this is not a treatise on moderate alcohol usage. It is only a warning that heavy alcohol usage can lead to DVT and VTE.
So, do you think Jerry will have a successful comeback?
Junior needs to get over it and leave Liberty alone. He’s always been way more concerned with himself than the success of the students.
And his poor daughter…
He never expected to lose his “inheritance” and doesn’t know what to do. Apparently the party has now been cancelled. I note that clots are also a symptom of Covid-19 though I’m not sure about long Covid-19.
BTW Roger Olsen has posted a defense of Church covenants
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2021/05/a-model-for-church-discipline/
Where there has been a cult of personality, what does the personality do, where does it go, when it is severed from its cult?
Been there, seen that. A highly popular pastor retires and the church splits as the retiree still tries to run things, be in charge, while the new pastor takes his position. Even after an amiable retirement. Oh “grandma’s pickles from last year”! What does one do? That gone guy needs his following, his cult.
The burning dumpster fire just won’t go out… sigh…
“So, do you think Jerry will have a successful comeback?”
+++++++++++++++++
amongst unprincipled morons, perhaps.
gah
unfortunately my silly religion is full of, if not unprincipled morons, then misprincipled morons.
(eh, don’t really consider it my religion any more. although God/Jesus/Holy Spirit are still the bees knees)
Similar dynamic to “The REAL President” (in Mar-a-Lago)?
See above. Man, the two ex-Presidents seem to be acting more and more alike. Wonder if Liberty U is heading for its own Januray 6 riot.
“Hegel remarks somewhere that all great world-historic facts and personages appear, so to speak, twice. He forgot to add: the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce.” – Karl Marx
absolutely
This was a Metallica song that came up in a YouTube comment thread about a vocal has-been. I think it could apply to JFJr as well:
“Then it all crashes down
And you break your crown
And you point your finger, but there’s no one around
Just want one thing, just to play the King
But the castle crumbled and you’re left with just a name
Where’s your crown, King Nothing?
Where’s your crown?”
— Metallica, “King Nothing”
Cult of personality MO.
They can’t leave. They cannot lose. They can never really retire. They don’t move on.
Same here.
Muff Potter,
i sure sleep better.
Headless Unicorn Guy,
I was thinking that when (or if) Jerry Jr. gets to Heaven, he’s going to be terribly disappointed when he finds out God isn’t going to step down and give Jerry Jr. the throne.
“I shall exalt MY throne above that of the Most High!”?
Owen Strachan departs SBC, Midwestern Seminary; is taking job at new seminary run by Grace Bible Church, Conway, Arkansas:
https://twitter.com/ostrachan/status/1389279569383989248
“After 6 terrific years at Midwestern Seminary and nearly 20 years in the SBC, I am accepting an appointment at Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Conway, Arkansas.”
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thoughtlife/2021/05/a-new-season-beginning-work-at-grace-bible-theological-seminary/
“I am leaving the SBC at this time joining a non-SBC church and teaching at a non-SBC seminary”
“I will be the Provost and Research Professor of Theology…working with [Pastor/President Jeff Johnson] and several brothers to build a sound seminary in the Reformed tradition. The school is young, but has already brought lecturers like Voddie Baucham”
“GBTS is well into the process of securing accreditation. It intentionally will not come through secular accreditors, but through the Association of Reformed Theological Schools”
[Grace Bible Church of Conway, Arkansas is “independent Reformed Baptist” according to its listing in the Founders church directory. It is also a 9Marks church]
| ” you’re convinced you’re the center of the universe” |
From a cosmological standpoint, Hubble’s discovery shows that the individual observer actually *is* the center of the universe – everything is moving away from everything else. If you think theology is hard to get your head around, try making sense of this!
Jerome,
Pretty pretentious, for a guy like Strachan,to name his blog “thoughtlife”, don’t you think?
“Falwell, who is reportedly struggling with blood clots, appears to believe that students and employees want him back at the school.”
Alcohol poisoning leads to shrinkage of the brain, mental impairment, confusion, memory loss. Perhaps Falwell is looking at an alternate universe through dark-colored water. On the other hand, even the baddest of bad-boys have a loyal following, even bad actors who have been in some form of Christian ministry. Narcissists like Falwell need the limelight, with applause and admiration … he longs for a comeback, even an unrepentant one … he’ll be back on stage after he reinvents himself a bit (but not at LU!).
Narcissists only think about themselves.
It may well have been a health issue which caused Jr. to cancel his official un-official party. But possibly other than VTE. Alcohol abuse impairs decision-making and lowers people’s inhibitions, and the person may not be aware that their behavior is causing problems. After the person sobers up, there often is regret over the detrimental effects of his/her actions while impaired. Because it is an addiction, probably not enough to avoid recurrence. Often, the behavior is a symptom of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. I don’t know enough about the specifics here to speculate.
And I’m not a psychologist – just a guy witnessed his emotionally-struggling brother eventually die of cirrhosis. A person like that needs to seek alcoholic treatment at a rehab center – but at the same time is least likely to do so.
But I am a lawyer, and one issue has intrigued me. Granda made statements about their business relationship and allegations of a love triangle, which could be perceived as damaging to Falwell, and which he disputed. It would seem there are grounds for a suit based on defamation . With all the lawsuits flying back and forth, Falwell has yet to file suit against Granda. Possibly because truth is an absolute defense to defamation.
Guys like Strachan want you to think like them, to enter his thoughtlife. He’s made a pretty good living in the group-think New Calvinist movement of reformed lemmings … and is now off to reform the church even more, with the one true gospel. Only the new reformers possess truth, you know. I call that stinkin’ thinkin’.
Sorry to see Mr. Olson slipping over the to dark side on membership covenants. It’s one thing for a church to have a “Statement of Faith”, but to have members sign a contract for the purposes of disciplining them to adhere to it is quite another.
Close your eyes and “see” … there are religious dumpster fires burning all across America. When Falwell was appointed to lead LU, the fire started … it just took a while before the blaze was noticed by passersby who attempted to put it out.
Erp,
Thank you for catching this piece by Olsen
Nancy2 is that really you?! I was thinking about you last week, missing your input on TWW and hoping you were OK. Guess you’ve been planting your garden. Did you know “Lydia” passed away?
To stay on blog topic, you have Jerry Jr. figured out.
doubleplusgoodthink INGSOC.
“It is not enough to obey Big Brother, 6079 Smith W. You must LOVE Big Brother.”
Olsen doesn’t appear to understand that church contracts are alive and well and living in Reformed Baptist churches. I am going to cover this on Wednesday.
In Alky-speak, isn’t “sick” spelled D-R-U-N-K?
This is commonly called “Alcoholic Logic” or “Rummy Logic”.
Jeffrey Chalmers,
Could it be that there is a substance abuse problem at the heart of this?
Max,
It’s me – just going through a rough time. Didn’t know about Lydia, but I’ve wondered about her. I still miss okrapod.
So, Jerry Jr. may be a drunk. If he is, I don’t really feel sorry for him. But to be completely honest, if I had a daddy like Jerry Sr., my BFF might have been a bootlegger!
elastigirl,
This stufff is so prevalent in evangelical circles, I no longer consider myself an evangelical although I am evangelical in my willingness to speak about my faith.
“Theory of Relativity” doesn’t mean you and your crazy uncle.
“You can pick your friends; you can’t pick your relatives.”
— Jimmy Carter regarding “Billygate”
Max,
I believe Olsen is uneducated on this matter. I just read the post and he claims that most churches don’t have this *covenant.* He claims he has never heard of the term *church contract.* From what I understand (which may not be true) he attends a generic, nonReformed Baptist church. This is his attempt to *do something* about what he sees as failures in this sort of church.
That thought had crossed my mind as well, and knowing some of the “celebrity pastors” tendencies to be less than truthful about cases of Covid-19 in their congregation….
I skimmed the post….the usual “church covenant”, “we own you and define your life”, “we will tell you what to think”, etc., type of stuff. Very big sigh.
(The consequences of which usually result in the need for TWW posts and TWW comments…..even bigger sigh.)
Arkansas, huh??? First thing I though was, “Well, well. I wonder if little bitty Owen is joining forces with the Duggars???!!!”
I think Dee is right on with this post. I believe we are witnessing the progressive destruction of a man being crushed by the weight of his own sin. I am decidedly NOT a JFjr supporter, but it is ugly to watch. JFjr’s apparent alcoholism is playing out before us. Anyone familiar with the disease recognizes the ugly consequences. JFjr cannot control himself. The only difference in the progression of his disease is his massive (very ill-gotten) wealth acts as a temporary cushion. While I detest the man and everything he’s done, I do not enjoy this ugly show he’s subjecting the world to. I pray he listens to those around him trying to intervene before it’s too late.
Jerome,
ooooooooh! There is a story behind this one, Jerome. Strachan was a true blue soldier in the army of the Reformed Baptists of the SBTS sort. He signed on to every little deal this crowd pushed including patriarchy of the CBMW kind. Did he get woke or did he get kicked in his pants and is walking away.
Wow! This is a surprise. Thank you.
I can only think of two kinds of people who would jump into church contracts whole hog: 1) the uneducated on the matter, and 2) the evil power mongers.
In other words, it will not be accredited according to a rigorous process.
Jerome,
Sounds like Owen is dounling down . . . needs to be more reformed than the Reformed.
Nancy, so sorry to hear about your rough time. I prayed just now that God would help you in the valley and bring you out OK on the other side.
Yes, I miss Okrapod, too. I’ve also been concerned about Gram3.
Things haven’t changed much since you’ve been gone. Reports about bad-boy ministers and ministries continue unabated. The organized church, too, is in a valley … they just haven’t realized it yet.
The church that’s behind this unaccredited seminary has been featuring teaching by Michael Seewald, father-in-law of Jessa (Duggar) Seewald (daughter #3):
http://www.gbcconway.com/sermons
My thoughts exactly. SBC’s New Calvinists weren’t reformed enough for him, nor the denomination completely taken over (yet) for the new reformation. I suspect that he wants to be where “whosoever will may come” is never mentioned, where Jesus’ sacrifice for ALL people is never on their tongue.
Whoa! Now that’s a church and seminary which definitely have their wimmenfolk walking the line! Definitely “unaccredited” in my book!
Never trust someone who exits an organization with “After 6 terrific years at Midwestern Seminary and nearly 20 years in the SBC …”
IMO, he burned his terrific SBC bridge without burning the bridge with the dudebros. There’s more to this story. I suspect he will have some New Calvinist groupies follow him to his new digs to justify his unaccredited paycheck there.
I wish SBC’s new reformers had lined up with the independent Reformed Baptists in the first place, rather than destroying a once-great evangelistic denomination.
It wouldn’t surprise me in the least.
I’m an old drunk (with 25 years sobriety) who can spot another alky a mile away.
Falwell would do well to hook up with AA.
He surely is educated enough to know that 9Marks uses membership covenants to discipline the hell out of folks. Olsen wrote a book once entitled “Against Calvinism” detailing the ails of the new reformation … of which membership covenants play a role in empowering the pulpit while controlling the pew.
I repeat … the only covenant that a believer needs to enter into is the one written in red by Jesus. The Church of the Living God is a free church.
http://www.gbcconway.com/new-page-4
Elder ruled, men as spiritual leaders, biblical counseling, church discipline……
Nope, not for me! I’ve blown through Conway, AR a few times on I-49…… didn’t see any reason to stop between Ft. Smith and Memphis……. glad of it, now!
Nancy2(aka Kevlar),
Typo, I-40, not 49.
I know I’m going off the rails here, but could someone please explain to me, that as a female, in particular…..
If I have biblical counseling to keep me on the straight and narrow; church discipline to punish me when I’ve sinned; and a mortal man as my spiritual leader…………… why in the world would I have any need, or even any use for a God the Father, a God, the Son, or a God the Holy Spirit????
Great comment! The answer is, of course, that believers need the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to develop a walk of faith … men are optional. God gives to the Body of Christ various giftings to help equip believers (e.g., pastor, teacher, prophet), but finding the genuine amidst the counterfeit in what we call “church” is like looking for an endangered species.
Max,
I agree.. in the end, it does come down to this… but these “preacher boys” do not like pew peons to really thing through what they say…. I use to get in trouble in my fundy high school when I would ask these thoughtful, logical conclusions to what they are preaching… I had one of them quote OT verses about worthlessness of talking to fools! Implying I was a “fool” for questioning him!!!
dee,
A good possibility… further irony, of the saddest kind.. how many LU students have been hammered an/or kicked out for alcohol over the years??
Jerry Jr. may not be a “preacher boy”, but he paddles the same boat. He can’t stand for people to even know the things he’s said and done, let alone question him. He cannot accept the fact that he has been dethroned……. that people know that he is a mere mortal who has done some serious wrongs, and does not deserve to fill a role of a respected Christian leader.
If Jr.’s physical body can take the stress, I do believe he is planning a comeback.
They obviously didn’t know their NT very well … “Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fiery hell” (Matthew 5:22 AMP.
Some substance abuse symptoms that would fit Jerry Jr.:
Memory problems (LU faculty & students didn’t like me?)
Feeling of excess confidence (I’ll go to daughter’s party, they will like me)
Lack of inhibition (Big party at my place!)
Increased restlessness (I’m baaaaaack!)
Confusion and delusions (I did something at LU? I thought they loved me!)
Don’t do what I do … do what I say!
Max,
In the comments following his article, he says he is unaware of membership contracts and was talking about an old Baptist idea called Church Covenants. What he was proposing was his own idea based on that.
He also says he doesn’t go near fundamentalist churches so the chances are he hasn’t come across the 9Marks model. So give him a break
And as for Mr Falwell, it might be more appropriate to express sorrow for his condition than making a fool of the man. Give him a break too.
dee,
i was perusing Pet Enns’ twitter things, and went to some of the links he links to.
wow — suddenly i don’t feel so alone. could it be the ‘wilderness’ is full of people just like me (us), we just know know we’re all here together?
would he / could he do a guest post sometime?
elastigirl,
“we just don’t know know we’re all here together?”
(d@mn, i’m tired today) (daaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmnnnnnn!!!!!)
Gus,
Yes.
Surely the man gets some credit for agreeing with Jesus at this point. /s
I noticed the Reasons to Believe/Hugh Ross recommended bookmark on the side. Dr. Ross has had a paper published and peer reviewed recently. You can find it here: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/3/201/htm I have not read anything quite like it before. The title is: “Black Holes as Evidence of God’s Care.” It is not a quick or easy read but for someone looking for a break from the continuous bad news that keeps this blog busy it is unique food for thought. And all of this from a guy on the Autism spectrum? I always find it interesting the people that God actually chooses in order to do things both good and necessary on this earth.
Mr. Falwell has done that to himself. I truly am sorry for the Falwell family given the poor testimony that Falwell Junior has set before the world. Whether I come across that way in my comments, I do grieve for them and hope that Jerry will come to a place where he genuinely repents and expresses sorrow before the Lord for his sins and the consequences of them at Liberty University and the church at large.
I’m actually a Roger Olson fan … he has preached a scholastic, Biblically-based challenge to the hyper fringe of the New Calvinist movement for years. His book “Against Calvinism” is well written, offering cogent arguments about the aberrations of reformed theology as expressed in New Calvinism.
However, I disagree with the direction he has taken on church membership covenants as a mechanism for church discipline.
He didn’t have good character from the start. His father was naive about what kind of person he was. He’s always been a partier and I doubt that faith has ever been important to him. It’s just known more now because he’s a lot more famous.
Nepotism is never a good thing, but I think especially in churches and universities.
Lowlandseer,
As someone that went to 7-12 IFB school, from my perspective, “Jr” , and continued degenerate behavior is a VERY big deal…. he is supposed to be “the leader” and all these “spiritual” people have allowed him to be in power all these years.. and many know that it has all been a charade….
yet they “hammer” students with all sorts of “non-Christain behavior”… and do not give faculty tenure, or let them express their concerns….
the students are NOT really adults yet, and for at least some of these students this “cognitive dissonance” will raise havoc with them..
No, we should all be outraged… “Jr” is not just run of the mill drunk…. we were taught he was some “leading Christian figure”…. as an Academic at a large state U( secular humanist institution in fundy speak) I do not want my name associated with “Christian” and “”evangelicalism” ….
Yes, that poor dear man, so troubled he can’t even button his pants.
I feel sorrow. Sorrow that I’m incapable of running a Jesus con like these clowns. There’s good money in the religious biz. Isn’t this guy worth a few mill?
Poor sausage!
I do feel sorrow for his children, as well as the students he has snowed. As for “making a fool of the man” …… no one on TWW has made a fool of him. On the contrary, he has made a fool of himself on more than one occasion. Jr. has only himself to blame for any ridicule or blowback.
Nancy2(aka Kevlar),
Like.
Living in a garage doesn’t make you a car.
You said it for me!
Yes, many get the benefit of the doubt because of Daddy’s fine reputation … when they haven’t earned one themselves.
Nancy2(aka Kevlar),
Dang good question!
The man/husband being the leader, the woman/wife being nothing … makes him the boss over nothing. Nada. It’s one way for a person to promote themselves, but not much of a promotion. Lower the status of the other person to make something of yourself. Pathetic.
Once a “leader” does this, then the fake degrees, empty awards, meaningless titles, and home-baked seminaries & schools follow, accredited by … none other than themselves. Sometimes plagiarism, too. Fake “reality” shows. Create a bubble to make something of yourself, in your own little bubble of a world.
These types are more to be pitied than censored. Ignore & they lose their influence, which is their great goal. Denying them influence makes the boss over nothing – nothing himself.
Yeah. I know. My husband tried that little stunt. Lady Luck wasn’t on his side, and neither was I. I’ve never really been leash-broke, but I did ask him if he was going to put in a pet carrier ………. I had a few other questions, too. He didn’t answer any of them, and never bothered to ask me why I stopped attending our SBC church.
Good for you.
One may not be able to get the institution on the right track, as it goes careening off a cliff to oblivion, but one can certainly bail out from that runaway train wreck dashing as fast as it can to disaster. And then hopefully discover others who bailed.
Max,
“… men are optional”
++++++++++++++
ha… best response to complementarianism i’ve heard yet.
(well, really, what do comps expect, after years of ‘male headship’ being constantly dangled in front of us)
Nancy2(aka Kevlar),
“but I did ask him if he was going to put in a pet carrier ………. I had a few other questions, too”
++++++++++++
i really want to hear these questions!
Ava Aaronson,
“It’s one way for a person to promote themselves, but not much of a promotion. Lower the status of the other person to make something of yourself. Pathetic.”
++++++++++
another best response i’ve heard yet!
Ava Aaronson,
Good summary… problem is, they still have followers..and in some cases, large numbers of followers
Well, I meant preacher-boy men in my comment vs. the Trinity … but I get your point 🙂
A bubble is merely a small globule of gas which eventually bursts … the eventual fate of New Calvinism. Their aberrant theology is merely a vapor which will pass away, the destiny of all religious bubbles. But “Truth is unkillable” (Balthasar Hubmaier).
Max,
I agree that when one looks at human history, there are definitely Truths that stand out… both physical Truths as well as Spiritual Truths.. the problem is that aberrations come long, and led people astray, and in many cases these aberrations can causes a huge amount of damage and pain until they get corrected… look at clergy sexual abuse, both in Roman Catholic and Protestant system.. it is finally getting exposed for the depraved situation that it is… but, the human damage done is hard to even comprehend….
Yes. Real problem, in the moment.
History informs.
Back in the day, a mob selected Barabbas for his pardon, and Jesus for execution.
People make choices. That affect other people, even life and death.
End of story, however, JC chucked the grave.
Naziism was a Political Cult Bubble which functioned as a religious bubble and passed away after 13 of its 1000 years.
Look at what they did in those 13 years.
And be attacked as a TRAITOR and APOSTATE by those who don’t bail out.
Indeed! Under the name of “Christianity”, there has been a battle of the genuine vs. the counterfeit for 2,000 years. In addition to the horrible physical/sexual/emotional abuses under the banner of the church, there has been the spiritual abuse of God’s people wrought by aberrant theologies. The human damage has been tremendous, as the enemy of the church attempts to take the church off course from the Great Commission. There will be a payday someday for pulpits which have manipulated, intimidated, and dominated the pew with error and abuse. New Calvinism is just the current aberration working through the church … it, too, will fail … but will leave a multitude of confused and disillusioned in its wake. Sad, indeed … so many wasted lives, so much wasted time.
“He would burn the entire world if it meant he could be King over the ashes.”
Kim Il-Sung followed by Kim Jong-Il followed by Kim Jong-Un…
Caesar Augustus followed by Caesar Tiberias followed by Caesar Caligula…
Men have done horrible things under the banners of politics and religion.
– gaslit then groomed and in this case, grouped (a mob).
– “led astray” … “get corrected” … sounds passive. There’s choice involved, people – we – make active choices. Choosing Barabbas over Jesus was mob behavior. But apparently, God recognizes active choice: when the Earth swallowed up a mob. (In this case, the mob lived, while Jesus escaped the grave.)
There are many examples of mob behavior in the Bible, history: Golden Calf, Tower of Babel, Great Flood, WW2 Nazis, Japan’s WW2 nationalism, Southern slavery, The Long March, Cultural Revolution, Khmer Rouge, etc. “Progress” does not change the human heart.
One may not be able to sway the mob, but then walk away with individual choices. Done. “The Hiding Place” with the ten Booms. Hebrews 11. “Schindler’s List”. History, including biblical, is replete with individuals fleeing the mob, for better choices, and often at great momentary risk while they slam dunk Eternity.
After Jan. in the US, I feel more of this is coming. Time to personally fortify, pray for loved ones, and know that people will make consequential choices in two opposite directions. Barabbas (note: mob, majority) or Jesus (slim remnant). I feel we all know this. Maybe I’m reminding myself.
I’ve made choices and been mobbed. Death threats, followed, gaslighting, etc. Would I change those choices? Never. When have you been “mobbed” or been done & stood by your choice, for a better Eternity and for worse momentarily?
Look at the official story and idealized pictures/icons of a Deified Dictator.
Then compare them to the actual Glorious Leader in-person
“YOU DISHONOR ME!”
“No. You have Dishonored yourself.”
— Game of Thrones, when Sam Tarley visits his high-noble family
“We’re all Bozos on this bus.”
Once again, the word for this is “RUMMY LOGIC”.
“To an Alky, the Constitutional Right to My Next Drink cannot be infringed in any way.”
— Steven King, recovering alcoholic
Max,
i know. i couldn’t resist.
(of course, men are not optional — i have great men friends and family members whom i admire,…apart from 2 doodooheads.
if comp/christian patriarchy are going to swing so far as to make men everything and a prerequisite for leftover women’s anything, yes, there will be an equal and opposite reaction.)
That anything like the Taliban and ISIS needing to be More Islamic than Mohammed?
“Can You Top This?”
Bridget</strong
Nancy2(aka Kevlar),
All very well, that he is the author of his own misfortune, but aren’t Christians meant to offer something better than ridicule or blowback?
100
Lowlandseer,
What are we supposed to do with wolves in sheeps’ clothing?
That is exactly what I believe he is…….. living it up, while fleecing sheep.
I’m of two minds about this. On one hand, I agree that unkind and/or derisory language does appear unseemly in voices of followers of Jesus.
On the other hand, there is a sub-population of humanity within the churches that exploits the priority of grace and forgiveness in interpersonal relationships as a way of escaping consequences and, more worryingly, preying on unwary people. I hazard that we have all met people like this, and some of us have suffered serious harms at their hands. The subjects of Dee’s posts are exhibit #1 of the reality and severity of this problem in the churches.
It looks to me like JF jr. is a member of this “predator phenotype”, and I think that great caution is warranted when wondering how biblical commands related to grace and forgiveness in interpersonal relatioships might apply in his case.
Lowlandseer,
What is “Jr” trying to accomplish at this student party? Maybe we should start there… Are we to just “ignore” this”? I am sure LU has rules and regulations up the ying yang about what student can and can not do off campus….. I am sure there is some sort of rule about putting an arm around a women that is not your wife, with a dark liquid typically used to hold hard drinks, with your zipper down…. is it going to be that kind of party???
Best ever summation of authoritarianism. It’s never, ever about public good.
Thanks for posting that, HUG. I’d never seen it, but I gather it’s from Game of Thrones.
How do you know we are not? What should we offer to someone who is harming others?
Yes, we can pray for him and his family. But I am sick to death of people offering prayer and nothing else, while telling others they should not say anything negative about a leader in or out of the church.
This man is dangerous, not only to himself but to every person that looks up to him. He is a wolf and should be exposed so people and institutions aren’t harmed or abused by his actions.
It’s not just JF that we should be concerned about or mainly concerned about. It is those harmed or un the way if harm who should be our first and main concern.
Just because people are exposed here on this site does not mean that they are not also prayed for.
Samuel Conner,
I totally agree. There are some who exploit grace/forgiveness to try to escape the consequences of their actions. I agree too that churches need to exercise caution and wisdom when guarding the flock.
One of the problems is that some people who are not “in church” or not in “that particular church” feel free to say whatever they like about a person or situation. Upthread, for example, Jeffrey Chalmers took umbrage that, some years previously, someone had insinuated he was a fool and he mentioned Matthew 5:22. Here the Lord amplifies the definition of murder to include thought and intent. Dan Doriani explains it thus –
“Besides anger, Jesus also prohibits casual insults and contempt….’Raca’ expresses contempt for someone’s minds; ‘fool’ expresses contempt for someone’s heart and character…At a literal level, we should avoid contemptuous words..and treat no-one as if he has no value. Anger and and contempt are interior states that can lead to murder. Indeed, they are a form of murder and deserve murder’s punishment.” (Reformed Expository Commentary on Matthew, vol.1)
So I still think that Christians should offer something other than ridicule or blowback.
There’s a whole book. It’s called The Liberty Way. But several of the accusations against Junior and Becky were about coercing students to have sex, which is definitely “against the Liberty Way” (a phrase you hear often at LU). And until recently, Junior thought he was impervious to repercussions. He and his wife don’t seem to care if students endure repercussions for things that they pressure students if the allegations are true. Plus, he was drunk and he is supposed to be banned from campus and interacting with students and staff outside his family.
Great song. I learned it for the first time at a Dallas Stars hockey game when the opponent was the LA Kings.
The senior Falwell died of a heart attack and I don’t think he touched a drop of the stuff. Alcohol may not have anything to do with junior’s problems, it may be simply genetics.
The Duggars are as far from Deformed — oops, I meant Reformed — theology as you can get. BG was Independent Bible (EFCA; though John MacArthur was part of them he ultimately left and they were glad he did).
Plus they’re in NW Arkansas; Conway is just north of Little Rock in the central part of the state.
Lowlandseer,
“So I still think that Christians should offer something other than ridicule or blowback.”
++++++++++++++++
i posit that ridicule and blowback would be considered nothing more than honest, frank appraisal in cultural places where blunt and sarcasm are normal.
where perhaps mere eye contact and a momentary tight smile (as a step up from ignoring completely) are interpreted as a friendly “good morning!”
Why does this make me think of the *Red Dwarf* episode with the wax droids? 😀
Well, Jerry Jr. himself said that he was never meant to be a moral leader, so perhaps congratulations are in order???
I really do wonder how many of those true blue ‘complementarian’ guys in various Christian circles truly believe the shtick, and how many of em’ just go along to get along.
Let’s not forget that these are people who are in the public, making public comments, gaining attention by their words. No one is required to be in the same church as them, nor in church at all, in order to comment on someone’s public persona. (We’ve been down this road many times.)
Sadly true!
We could remind each other of a better Holy Spirit powered way (this Ascension tide) than the people who have fallen short of good example. A lot of the comment here assumed the same fundamentalism as those who are being critiqued. You can’t solve a button pushing problem wholly within a button pushing system (Gödel). Believe in Holy Spirit. He doesn’t do pincer movements nor reduce us to figments of the machine. He makes alive.
Don’t just go around wishing Falwell would be slightly more similar to his manifest destiny dad, or what a good thing it is that identical forms of fundamentalism “don’t” talk to each other, just believe in Holy Spirit and pray for just quality of government in your country, and these things that may or may not be your own business (and most of them do uncomfortably resemble or were connected with mine) will fall into their right places for you.
Our part in our recovery:
– where it hurt us each
– how we each with Power Greater than ourselves, Who wants a good life for us each, hope for the damage to not spread any further one day at a time
The wit St Paul so earnestly enjoins on us to have (and his is strong sometimes), has its place if we remember the spirit that must rule it. II Cor is about the subjects in this blog and ironically it was Don Carson who wrote a fairly good commentary on that.
It is a bit funny since his dad was the leader of the moral majority…
Interesting.
Jr stepped into Dad’s role as college prez?
So, leader, decidedly not moral though?
With Dad’s salary?
Did Jr further increase numbers & profits/endowment at the college?
With more personal assets gained?
And more power over college assets? Yachts, health club facilities, etc.?
Interesting how this all plays out.
Not over yet.
Just a reminder to everyone standing by, of what’s next.
Are we there yet? Almost. Patience.
Ever grateful, Dee.
This quote. That’s the comment. Thx, HUG.
🙂 (I’ve never heard this one before….)
Catholic Gate-Crasher,
“He would burn the entire world if it meant he could be King over the ashes.”
“Why does this make me think of the *Red Dwarf* episode with the wax droids?”
++++++++++++++++++++
my all-time favorite episode.
“it’s Winnie The Pooh”
“If only we numbered 21, then at least we could form an equilateral triangle”
(some of my favorite moments)
Just as going to church doesn’t make you a Christian.
Make it an even 28 and we could form a square?
So look with care for the shape of a square…
Oh, the Winnie the Pooh line absolutely *killed* me. 😀
Muff Potter,
“Make it an even 28 and we could form a square?”
+++++++++++++++++++++++
i’m sure we could!
oh, muff, if you want a fantastic laugh watch Red Dwarf episode called “Meltdown”. here it is!
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6hsyou
(The premise of the series follows the low-ranking technician Dave Lister, who awakens after being in suspended animation for three million years to find he is the last living human, with no crew on board the mining spacecraft Red Dwarf other than Arnold Rimmer, a hologram of Lister’s deceased bunkmate, and Cat, a life form which evolved from Lister’s pregnant cat. Also featured: Kryten, their trusty android, and Holly the ship’s computer.)
I don’t think enough Christians offer blowback. The culture of compliance is part of the reason why these clowns are allowed to run rampant.
Do I judge guys like Falwell? Heck yeah! Do I hold them in contempt? Double heck yeah! I believe that only Christians can stop this. The rest of us just pay our taxes (something these churches don’t).
I would waged that Junior’s salary was higher. But it seems that the answer is yes to the rest. Property that belonged to the school was sold to friends and family for cheap, such as Trey’s house and the pool boy’s land.
Now, way back when, Senior did own all of that land, but he gave it to the school. I can’t help but think that Junior still believed they were entitled to it, even though his father gave it away. But whether that was legal is questionable and the lawsuit will investigate that.
Junior did greatly increase the school’s assets, particularly through the online university offerings. But Liberty already started online courses during Senior’s chancellorship, so it may have just been a natural progression of the university. Who’s to say if someone else couldn’t have done the same. I would even question if Junior was heavily involved in that and someone else was the one that provided the impetus and drive.
IMHO part of what makes the original series so great is the interplay between Lister (a good-natured slob) and Rimmer (the ultimate uptight martinet).
I love Kryton, too. He definitely added a lot.
The Cat wasn’t my favorite character, but when he ate too many fish dinners or tried to eat mechanical goldfish, I LOLed.
Remember when the crew encountered the alternative Rimmer from another dimension or universe or whatever? “Smoke me a kipper!” Wish I could do an ROTFL emoji!
Catholic Gate-Crasher,
…i’ll be back for breakfast.
It took decades (centuries?) for sex abuse scandals to come to light in the church. By the time the Boston Globe published its first Spotlight story, a secret hierarchy was firmly entrenched to allow priests to commit horrible crimes with impunity throughout their adult lives. The public did not automatically believe the victims, either. A great deal of official power was arrayed against them too.
Bullies are drawn to places where they can dominate. Of course they want the little people to be nice. It’s insidious.
LOL!
After all, he IS Heir to the Iron Throne of House Falwell.
(Hmmmmm… “Joffrey” Falwell?)
Don’t you know “offering prayer” is Christianese for doing nothing and feeling all Pious and Righteous about it?
“You have a saying: ‘I’ll Pray For You’.
We too have a saying: PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS!”
— paraphrase of a classic line from Babylon-5
The “Beauty of Complementarity” (= bondage of female believers) promoted by the New Calvinists would come to an abrupt end if the wimmenfolk would rise up en masse, declare “Enough is enough!”, and start dragging their sorry husbands/boyfriends out of the mess.
SBC certainly has certainly seen its share of New Calvinist oppressors, in church plants and church takeovers. Through stealth and deception, they control the congregation with manipulation, intimidation, and domination. These bullies wouldn’t last long at regular jobs, so they go into the ministry where the pew trusts the pulpit (you’ve got to be careful doing that these days!).
And the best Rimmer was the one who failed his school exam as a child. Failure made him a better person.
Red Dwarf resonated with my roommates and I because it reminded us of ourselves. Late eighties misfits that we were!
Keeping in line with the post, nobody is perfect and failure is always an option but clowns like Falwell dig their own hole. Sorry but yeah, I don’t feel empathy for them or even their families. They live off the faith of others, prophets of profit. While I weld another patch in floor of my 20 year old Toyota Corolla.
I wish I had in me to run a Jesus con job but alas, I don’t.
No charisma, and I couldn’t keep a straight face, maybe I could pass it off as holy laughter…or holy gas or something…
Jack,
I once knew a guy – today we call him “Flaky Cat” – who used to wear one of those “I EVOLVED FROM THE SHIP’S CAT” buttons. And I’m not sure he didn’t.
We shared a condo for four-five years. Guy was a real horndog, drew himself as an anthropomorphic black cat (as well as similar imaginary critters), and actually mewed and purred in his sleep. (I even used to threaten to slip saltpeter into his Little Friskies and he’d hiss at me.) Oh, and he had five nipples – two normal in the usual upper chest position, three vestigials arranged below in the mammalian double line, vertical spacing 15cm. I was there when he realized what those hair-sprouting hard “lesions” on his lower chest really were.
My Honda Accord is 20 years old this June and still runs like a charm.
Our Corolla runs great. Unfortunately over the years, road salt takes it’s toll on the body. If you keep on top of it, you can extend the life of the car significantly.
Hah! I have y’all beat. Honda Accord wagon, 1995. Still going strong. Apparently Honda made those wagons for only a few years in the mid-1990s. I’m told they have the strongest transmissions Honda ever made.
A former pastor once cracked, “Diane’s car is so old, it’s held together with bumper stickers.” That was probably 10 years ago. I bet he’s bought a new car since then, while my old clunker is still alive and kickin’.
1996 Honda Del Sol here (after four econoboxes in a row, I figured it was time for a midlife-crisis car).
Hondas generally last for around 250,000 miles (400.000 km). Mine’s about due for its next SLEP refit.
Headless Unicorn Guy,
You don’t see many cars older than the nineties in my neck of the woods. Especially imports. My first Corolla was an ’85. Ran great for 16 years but in 2001 the frame was too rusted out to be safe. By that time the body was more bondo than metal and the floor was made of wood.
That means you live in snow country where they salt the roads all winter.
I know a couple guys in Pennsylvania, and there the frames rust out completely in 5-10 years.
At the opposite extreme is southern Arizona; in Tucson, you see Fifties/Sixties-vintage cars in perfect condition except for sun/UV damage to the finish and upholstery.
“THERE IS NO ‘YOU’
THERE IS ONLY ME!
THERE IS NO ‘YOU’
THERE IS ONLY ME!
THERE IS NO F’IN ‘YOU’
THERE IS ONLY MEEEEEEEEE!”
— Nine Inch Nails
Excetpt the JFJrs add “GAWD SAITH!!!!!!!”