The Wartburg Watch » dee

Another Mars Hill “Testimony”: One More Reason to Beware of Covenants

dee — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:17:30 +0000

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. -Martin Luther King, Jr. Mars: Hubble I apologize that we have not gotten to the topic of spiritual abuse resources. We will get to them next week. (Promises, promises). The last two days we have focused on legal ways to leave your church. especially if you have signed a membership covenant. We said that the threat of legal action might need to be employed and this raises the question of the biblical injunction against lawsuits. Kind of sad, isn't it? 1 Corinthian 6:1-6 (ESV) When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be Continue reading →

Categories: Abusive church tactics, Acts 29, Calvinism/Calvinista, Church conflict, Church contracts, Covenants/Contracts, Ken Sande, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, New Reformed Theology, Peacemakers/CCEF, Spiritual abuse

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How to Minimize Damage When Resigning From a Mark Driscoll-like Church

dee — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:32:34 +0000

"All the best stories are but one story in reality – the story of escape. It is the only thing which interests us all and at all times, how to escape." AC Benson Free flying astronaut-NASA After reading the events surrounding the resignation from Mars Hill by Andrew and Sophia, many readers have raised concerns about the methods used against church members who decide to get the heck out of there. As recent events have unfolded, we have become aware that some churches believe that a member must “get permission” to leave the church. We have read of a variety of tactics including the euphemism “Meet with us so we can send you off joyfully.” There is no joy in the maneuvering that follows this statement. Members and pastors experience a crisis of cognitive dissonance when some people decide they no longer desire to continue associate with their church. Members and pastors must deal with the fact that some people do not appreciate their "most wonderful church on the planet. " They obviously cannot accept that their church and pastor is less than "almost perfect." When people decide to defect, it casts a cloud on these vaunted opinions. Continue reading →

Categories: Abusive church tactics, Cognitive Dissonance, Mars Hill Church

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Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll-Under Scrutiny While Another Painful Story Emerges

dee — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:53:10 +0000

“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say “My tooth is aching” than to say “My heart is broken.” CS Lewis Cat's Eye Nebula-Hubble NASA Today Mars Hill posted a Scripturally accurate, reasoned account of their disciplinary procedures. Here is the beginning and you can see the rest here. “In recent days, there has been some discussion surrounding Mars Hill Church and our process of church discipline. We do not wish to comment on the specific scenario in question, as this is a private matter between church leadership and members, all of whom have voluntarily agreed to this prior to becoming members. We do want to be as clear and forthright as possible in presenting our theology of repentance, forgiveness, and church discipline and make clear that our convictions on this come from our study of Scripture and our deep love for our members and a desire for them to enjoy the freedom that comes from walking by the Spirit in response to Christ’s work on the Cross on our behalf. Continue reading →

Categories: Abusive church tactics, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church

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Run Baby Run: Personal Insights on Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll

dee — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:20:02 +0000

To be risen with Christ means not only that one has a choice and that one may live by a higher law – the law of grace and love – but that one must do so. The first obligation of the Christian is to maintain their freedom from all superstitions, all blind taboos and religious formalities, indeed from all empty forms of legalism.-Thomas Merton Salem Witch Trials-Salem Witch Museum. Update on CJ Mahaney: Well, folks, this one is a real yawner. We called it last summer. CJ Mahaney has been declared, “FIT for duty.” However, there is a bit of a hooker. He is coming back as President of Sovereign Grace Ministries for a short time. Then he plans to leave to “start a church. “ You can read about it over at the Gospel Coalition here. However, as an alert reader informed us, no comments will be allowed. Surprise, surprise-one of their very own, Kevin De Young, Gospel Coalition, ( the other two have some ties as well) was part of the three “impartial” men who exonerated him. Conversely, over at the Christianity Today blog here, there is a lively discussion ongoing with our very own “Deb” contributing to Continue reading →

Categories: Abusive church tactics, Mark Driscoll

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Driscoll, Acts 29 Deny Haiti Relief Because of a Female Pastor

dee — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:54:49 +0000

"Do not waste time bothering whether you "love" your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone you will presently come to love him." C.S. Lewis Yvonne and Joel Trimble Haiti for Christ (link) One of our readers made the following comment that, in my estimation sums up Mark Driscoll. “MD sounds so cool with his tattoos, t-shirts, and beer but he is more legalistic than your grandma who thinks beer is of the devil.” (Robin) Yvonne Melchionne Trimble, from the mission group Haiti For Christ wrote TWW to share a personal experience with Mark Driscoll. In my estimation, her startling experience sums up the problem with Driscoll and radical complementarians who, in this instance, prove that “secondary theology trumps love”. Here is Yvonne's testimony: "My husband and I are missionary evangelists and have lived in Haiti since 1975. Two of our four children and one of our nine grandchildren were born there. We host Haiti’s most popular TV show that features the beauty of Haiti with a gospel message. Currently we are aired in 13 US Haitian markets and over Continue reading →

Categories: Mark Driscoll, Wade Burleson, Women and the church

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Mark Driscoll Should Step Down and Acts 29 Churches Should Step Away!

dee — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:33:51 +0000

The image of the Lord had been replaced by a mirror.” Jorge Luis Borges Dee visiting Alaska (Deb, your turn!) What is wrong with this picture? A few years ago, prior to the advent of this blog, Deb and I began to discuss our concerns about the rather bizarre nature of some of the leaders in what is called the Neo-Calvinist movement. We approached one Christian leader and asked about the issues with both CJ Mahaney and Mark Driscoll. We were read the riot act. He listed for us all of the really important leaders in the American church that supported both of these guys. He then pointed to us. Implying that we were nobodies compared to this group, he queried, “What is wrong with this picture?” Bad response. He didn’t know that we had both a backbone and the courage to put our thoughts to the test in the court of public opinion. So, we started this blog. What makes this statement seem all the more sad is that I actually think this guy believes that “Christian leaders” know more about “pastoring” than we pew sitters. But, as Christian blogging gets its mojo on, this stereotype is obviously Continue reading →

Categories: Mark Driscoll

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Ed Young-Blinded By the Light, A Beautiful “Bed In” and Mark Driscoll’s Interviewer

dee — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:01:12 +0000

This is a rare weekend update. Sun's Corona-NASA Ed Young Jr's Bed-In Ends in Failure? Ed and Lisa Young, according to some sources, had to stop their bed-in early last evening due to serious "ocular blindness" reportedly caused by the sun and the television cameras. Why does the phrase "blind guides, blind fools" come to mind? Mark Driscoll's Interviewer Answers Driscoll Today, I was called arrogant and holier than thou for apologizig to the British Christians for the pitiful words that Driscoll spoke. Said commenter said I should have posted Driscoll's response. I did so he didn't read very carefully. It was called A Blog Post for the Brits. The link is in Friday's post. Here is the response given by the reporter, Justin Brierly who Driscoll denigrated in his poorly worded "contextual" explanation to the British Christians. As to my apology, my response was predicated on the lack of response to Driscoll's ridiculous comments throughout the years. The silence amongst the Calvinistas is deafening. In fact, all of these men who continue to feature Driscoll should apologize as well. A Truly Beautiful "Bed-In To make up for the silliness of Driscoll and Young, I have decided Continue reading →

Categories: Ed Young Jr., Mark Driscoll

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Mark Driscoll “Puts Down” British Christians While Ed Young “Beds Down” In Dallas

dee — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:53:24 +0000

"When you invite a middle-aged moralist to address you, I suppose I must conclude…that you have a taste for middle-aged moralizing." – CS Lewis I am about to say something that will cause angst among those Calvinistas who read this blog. (We know they do). There is no practical difference between Ed Young Jr and Mark Driscoll. Ah, the outcry…”.But Mark Driscoll is an educated Calvinist, and, as such, is far better qualified to preach theology than Ed Young who has mentioned in the past that doctrine just confuses people!” And I say, “So what!” I have this philosophy about theology. Unless theology results in a positive, practical application for Christian living, it is just a bunch of facts that benefit no one. As I look at the lives of these two men, I see two guys who climb all over themselves to be noticed, and not in a good way. They both write treatises on sex which tend to miff off people, they both adhere to a hyper-authoritarian pastorate, and they both come off arrogant, vulgar, rude, egocentric and condescending to large numbers of Continue reading →

Categories: Ed Young Jr., Mark Driscoll

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All Ed Young Jr Is Saying Is “Give Me the Cash!”

dee — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:31:09 +0000

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. -Mark Twain Ed and Lisa Young-FBC JaxWatchdog (Yes, Ed is gesturing towards his crotch according to FBC Jax) Imagine this. You are in the final approach to DFW airport and the landing gear is down. Just before wheels touchdown, you fly over Fellowship Church in Grapevine (directly in the landing pattern). Surrounded by spotlights and media is a huge bed. In the bed are Ed and Lisa Young holding a 24-hour vigil, pontificating about how much good Christians need sex. (My guess is that all pilots will request that particular approach to DFW on Friday). Reformers, take special note: The Sex Gospel is born! Dee is a former member of Ed’s church You think I am joking? Oh no, I never need to make things up about Ed Young Jr. His life is a running parody that never seems to end. You see, I was a member of Fellowship Church for a short time back in the 90s when it was called the Fellowship of Las Colinas. Ed wanted to move the church, build a castle worthy of God and Continue reading →

Categories: Ed Young Jr., Southern Baptist Convention

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A “Bourgeois” Christian Longs for a Unifying Gospel

dee — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:11:06 +0000

When was the last time you laughed for the sheer joy of your salvation? People are not attracted to somber doctrines. There is no persuasive power in a gloomy and morbid religion. Let the world see your joy and you won't be able to keep them away. To be filled with God is to be filled with joy. -Anonymous S106 -Star forming region-NASA TWW received the following insightful comment from “memje.” “I decided to go to a Reformed seminary because I wanted to learn more about God so I may be better equipped to serve. It was the closest and cheapest Christian college I knew so I signed up. Little did I know I would fall straight into the world of dogmatic Christians who flaunt their theology and focus on biblical obscurities and in doing so make division out of it. I would like to affirm your claims about “Calvinistas” as I have first hand experience with them. This isn’t to say they are all like this. There are many godly men and women in my seminary. But this “YRR” is a real issue.” As most of you know, I, Dee, grew up in Salem, Massachusetts and came to the Continue reading →

Categories: Calvinism/Calvinista, Uncategorized

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