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My Comment Was Deleted — 391 Comments

  1. Blog: Challies.com
    Post: Should You Go to T4G? http://www.challies.com/interviews/should-you-go-to-t4g
    Date: 10/18/11
    Editor: David Kjos
    Comment: “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” Jer. 6:14 and 8:11 
    Deleted: Same day
    Deleted because: The article referred to praised C J Mahaney as “exactly the kind of man we want to stand with”. These identical verses by Jeremiah expressed my opinion that CJ is NOT the kind of man we should stand with–that CJ has seriously wounded many, and caused much strife, which T4G brushed aside lightly. 
    More at http://thewartburgwatch.com/2011/11/04/tim-challies-deleting-both-scripture-and-hurting-people-a-request-from-sgm-refuge/

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  2. This isn’t a Christian blogsite, but I wanted to make a stand for the many victimised by Sir Jimmy Savile OBE KCSG. He was interviewed by Louis Theroux and asked outright about his ‘predilections’ which he deftly shrugged off. The comment has moved to moderated to total disappearance.

    Blog: Louis Theroux
    Post: Jimmy Savile
    Link: http://louistheroux.com/blog/jimmy-savile/
    Comment:

    • time for an inquiry, on October 24th, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    “I am so sorry for those who had to suffer at the behest of Jimmy Savile, protected by the Establishment though he appeared anything but. I also think of all those who were no doubt complicit, in particular his loyal staff. Did they also share Jimmy’s “values” ?

    These blog words of Louis’ stood out:

    “Seeing Jimmy on the road moving between his various residences – penthouse in Leeds, seafront flat in Scarborough, picturesque cottage in Glencoe – I was struck by his network of friends and helpers he had in each place and their loyalty to him.

    I left Jimmy feeling that I was in a small way a part of his “London team”, as he called it.”

    Background:

    Exposure – The Other Side of Jimmy Savile 2012 (documentary now on YouTube – warning – graphic descriptions from victims)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nHDZfSl36g&feature=related

    True upfront confessions by Savile himself on HIGNFY (Have I Got News For You). There are many more. He was ‘hiding’ in ‘broad daylight’.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtUuOIXLawg
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AIjtAUEzD0&feature=relmfu

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  3. Blog: Challies.com
    Post: “Is My Wife’s Job Harder Than Mine”?

    My comment: “Why insult your readers like this, Tim?” at around 2:20pm on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.

    The comment was pulled sometime between 4 and 7:30pm on the same day.

    It was asking why Tim would insult his readers by so obviously acting like nothing major was going on with CJ Mahaney, who he was interacting positively with in the article. Although I did not mention Mahaney or the lawsuit in particular, I guess it was enough to be pulled.

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  4. Blog: Gospel Coalition
    Post: Tracing the Logic of Liberalism

    My comment – What I said seemed so un-inflammatory to me that I didn’t think to copy the exact statement. As I remember, I questioned if the author was not speaking against freedom of thought and of religion. I also said that it is my belief that worldview apologetics, which is what this post seemed to be rooted in, leads, if followed to its logical conclusion, to theocracy.

    The comment was published in the morning on October 29th and was taken down sometime between October 29th and October 30th.

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  5. I’ve never had a comment deleted, I don’t think, though I don’t suppose I’ve posted all that many.

    How about another category for people like me? Something snappy like, My Comment Didn’t Stir Up Any Controversy Because It Was So Long That Everyone Lost The Will To Live Halfway Through It? I could contribute to that one.

    Well… maybe “contribute” isn’t quite the right word.

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  6. Oh, the irony. We have to be “deleted” by commenting on a celebrity blogger’s blog who deletes us so we won’t diminish the celebrityship, and by them deleting us as a non-celebrity, we become a celebrity.

    Meanwhile, I’ve not yet, to my knowledge, been YRR deleted, though I’m fairly sure I’ve been moderated without moderation.

    The internet … The Great Equalizer — or Squeakualizer!

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  7. Anon 1 and Nick,

    I don’t comment over at the Gospel Coalition too often, and they don’t delete everything, but this is probably the 3rd or 4th time I’ve been deleted over there. Challies, on the other hand, will delete you without a second thought. I find it helps not to mention specific names of their buddies – any time I’ve mentioned Driscoll or anyone else by name in a critical manner, it is often an automatic delete. So now I usually make my references more general. It makes them feel better.

    And the worldview stuff, I agree – this is so rarely explained and when it is I’m always troubled by it. I mentioned the conservative politics element of the so-called Christian worldview on another recent Gospel Coalition post and the author responded and essentially proved my point without knowing it – he couldn’t understand why any Christian would even consider not being on the right. I didn’t bother responding to that one..

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  8. Blog: http://www.dennyburke.com
    Name of the Post: Why Was Rachel Held Evans on the Roof?
    Editor: Denny Burke
    My comment: “Why endorse the views of someone who acts like such a jerk and inspires others to call for ‘ridicule at every opportunity’? The smug chauvinism of you and your friends is driving far more people away from the church than it is bringing in. It is repulsive.”

    Time of comment: 6pm on Oct. 31. It was deleted by 9am on Nov 1.

    Admittedly, I used slightly more inflammatory language than I usually do. However, given the condescending, arrogant, and dismissive tone of the post (and the Doug Wilson post to which it referred), I think that the tone was called for. And if Mr. Burke wants to dish it out, he should be able to take it. Note that another commentor ‘dittoed’ my comment before it vanished into the ether…

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  9. Caleb, I’m amazed at what our spiritual ‘leaders’ (self appointed or otherwise) believe that they can dish out while at the same time, they are so thinned skinned themselves they can’t take anything. It has become laughable.

    I’m a firm believer that if a person feels they have the right to dish it out, they had better have the intestinal fortitude to take it. If they don’t then they had better stop with the dish it out free for all they engage in while they hide behind their moderated blogs.

    These men who think they are men, they really aren’t. They are boys pretending to be strong, confident, and right.

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  10. http://www.challies.com
    Post: How Many Children Should We Have?

    My Comment. I asked another commenter who was very concerned about other people giving selfish excuses for not having more children “Why do you care how many children other people have?”

    Time of comment – afternoon on November 7. It was deleted by the morning of November 8.

    Reason: I guess that is not a legitimate question? We should all be worrying about and talking about how many children other people are or are not having?

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  11. Caleb W,

    I am no fan of Challies. Unfortunately, most of my family members are… I wish they would see that he’s a petty, thin-skinned excuse for a man. Any person who would rather delete comments that offer a different viewpoint than engage them is weak, in my opinion. I think that Dee and Deb are more manly than Tim Challies. :p

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  12. “Post: How Many Children Should We Have?

    My Comment. I asked another commenter who was very concerned about other people giving selfish excuses for not having more children “Why do you care how many children other people have?”

    Time of comment – afternoon on November 7. It was deleted by the morning of November 8.

    Reason: I guess that is not a legitimate question? We should all be worrying about and talking about how many children other people are or are not having?”

    Oh, I just HATE it when Christians tell each other Christians how many kids they ought to have! And the accusations of selfishness… grrr…

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  13. He doesn’t seem to understand that a blog is part of the public square and if you say outlandish things (or in this case, if your commenters do – it is a made up topic but Tim was being reasonable) you might be questioned. I don’t know what he is afraid of!

    Searching, a lot of folks in my former church circle were the same – they love them their Tim Challies. In my more charitable moods, I think he means well but is grossly underqualified to speak on about 80% of what he does. But you’re right – he can be very petty and dictatorial. The result – a lot of over-the-top stuff and some plain weird blog topics. I can’t help but feeling sorry for the person who felt the need to ask Tim Challies to address how to decide how many children to have! Who cares what a web designer with minimal formal training has to say about that?

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  14. Sophie,

    I know! I honestly think (and this is not a slam against stay-at-home-moms/homeschoolers with big families) that the only reason anyone is talking about this is because there are certain stay-at-home-moms whose favorite things in life are: having children, raising children, talking about raising their children, and homeschooling their children who tend to populate churches and who are insecure about their decisions and feel the need to make everyone else justify why they don’t have large families. There is nothing wrong with being a stay at home mom with lots of kids – but that is your decision! The rest of us aren’t selfish for having 1, 2, or 3 children. In fact, there is a kind of emotional/familial selfishness that can also motivate a ‘quiverfull’ lifestyle that those with fewer kids ought to bring up the next time they are accused of being selfish or materialistic for having smaller families.

    There are so many things wrong with the whole discussion and the way it is framed – very frustrating!

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  15. ‘Insecure about their decisions’ – yep, I think you may be on to something. I also hate the implication that women who aren’t crazy about the idea of repeated motherhood have some kind of deficiency in their femininity. Recently when a rabbi blasted Sarah Silverman for her decision not to have kids I was so annoyed on her behalf because this rabbi referred to ‘the basic desire of the feminine soul’. What makes religious men think they know more about ‘the feminine soul’ than, you know, actual women? I’ve heard plenty of this ‘here’s what women are all like, deep down’ stuff from Christian men and it ticks me off!

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  16. http://www.challies.com
    Post: How Many Children Should We Have?

    My Comment. Okay, this is getting serious. One woman wrote the following tragically misguided comment: “Here’s our situation: After 6 years of intense study, we have made the decision that we will not use birth control of any kind anymore. We have every reason to limit our family size – we have very limited means, and I get intensely sick (hyperemesis) during pregnancy. However, we have decided that (1) God can safely be trusted to determine our family size, and (2) the Bible says that children are a blessing, a heritage, a reward – and we have decided to believe that in deed as well as in word.

    If God truly is sovereign in the conception of each and every child, and children are not an accident, then I can also trust God with our family size. Do we honestly think that God would give us a child whom he did not want conceived or whom he did not want in our family? “Oops! Sorry! I didn’t realize that I shouldn’t have given you that child! My mistake!” I truly trust in God’s total sovereignty and knowledge and wisdom, and I can trust him to add to our family exactly as he wants children. If he wants to close my womb, HE can do so. I don’t need to do it for him. When I use birth control, I am telling God, “I don’t trust your plan for my family, and I don’t want your blessings.”

    If I had had my own way, two of our three children would not be here right now (“unplanned”). After seeing how great of a blessing they are to our family, we decided that we can let go and trust God to plan the rest of our fertile years rather than dictating to him.

    I know this is controversial, and I would be happy to (calmly!) discuss it. I don’t expect a ton of agreement, and, as I said, it took six years for us to come to this difficult conclusion. Six years ago, I was on birth-control pills and would have considered living without it to be something along the lines of insanity.

    Cheers!”

    I responded to this commenter with the following: “God also gave you a brain, and he wants you to use it. To refuse to do so, to reject your capacity for wisdom and reason, seems like a reckless rejection of his good gifts.
    We would all do well to read Psalm 127 (a poem, not a reverse command) in its entirety and then ask ourselves about the validity of the reasoning that goes “If children are a blessing from the Lord, then to plan my family size is a sinful/selfish rejection of his blessing.”

    I left the comment just after 3pm on Saturday November 10. It was deleted almost immediately.

    The reason? Insanity. That is the only justification I can imagine. To let this woman believe this, given her situation, without challenging her, is irresponsible.

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  17. I just knew Challies would quote Psalm 127:

    “Children Are a Blessing. The Bible is clear that we are to regard children as a blessing and not as a burden. Psalm 127 tells us that “children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Where our culture may see children as a financial, emotional or psychological burden, the Bible tells us that they are a blessing and a reward. Further, Many Children Is a Great Blessing. God gave no conditions to his command that we be fruitful and multiply. He did not say “multiply up to and including eight children at which point you must stop.” At the same time he did not say “be fruitful and multiply until you have exceeded two children.” We are given no rules about how many children are appropriate in God’s eyes. We do hear hints, though, that God approves of large families and that many children represent a special blessing. Psalm 127 continues, “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.” Many children represent many blessings.”

    If Psalm 127 is an indication that God favours large families, then what do we do with Psalm 139?

    “Happy is the one who takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks!’.”

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  18. Denny Burk lauded Mary Kassian for her review of Rachel Held
    Evan’s book A Year of Biblical Womanhood on his blog. Here is her review:

    http://www.girlsgonewise.com/review-of-a-year-of-biblical-womanhood/

    Of course she leave no room to comment on her blog, so I left the following comment for Mr. Burk but it was deleted:

    “Poor Mary! As I read her review, what kept coming to mind was Alexander Haig in the White House on the day Reagan was shot as he kept proclaiming “I’m in charge!” She needs to stop reminding everyone of her role in complementarianism a generation ago and recognize that the more she tries to address the present day confusion, the sillier and more hypocritical she looks!

    “Either Mary is being disingenuous or she has no communication with her complementarian colleagues who now embrace the term “patriarchy;” it is also apparent she has not done her research into the influence both Debi Pearl and Stacy McDonald have had on women in conservative circles. Had she done so she would have discovered that solid Bible teaching churches in a variety of denominations have handed out the Pearl marriage books by the case! She also would have discovered that McDonald’s book was not only endorsed by Nancy Leigh DeMoss but McDonald and her co-author, Jenny Chancey (who also does not believe in woman’s suffrage), were guests on DeMoss’s radio program . What Mary considers straw men are teachings that have been made central to the Gospel and are even behind the creation of new and questionable doctrines. Until she stops dismissing the truth of this, she has no credibility!”

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  19. thatmom,

    Thanks for attempting to speak out on Denny Burk’s blog.  He, Mary Kassian, and their ilk live in a bubble that will soon burst.  I saw that Kassian’s post was featured over at TGC but have not yet taken time to read it.  I will take a look tonight or tomorrow. 

    It’s rather humorous hat there’s not that much difference between what Evans and Kassian are doing.  They are both authors, bloggers, etc.  Rachel Evans has definitely struck a nerve!

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  20. I commented this on http://www.girlsgonewise.com/sex-in-the-shadowlands/ at the time when it was new (I still had the comment in the word file from which I copied and pasted in on her blog):

    —————–

    Mary, where does the Bible say the ultimate goal of sex is to tell the truth about God? We should be careful about claiming to speak for God, when He was silent. It seems to me (correct me if I am wrong) that the “men leaving parents, cleaving to wife, become one flesh” verses, has a “therefore” in it – and the “therefore”(the reason for them to become one) is not “so the message of unity between us and God can be pictured.”
    And I explained the gospel to many 6- and 7- year olds in my life who have no idea of marriage and sex, so I can honestly tell you: People who don’t understand sex and marriage do not have a tough time to understand the gospel. Statistically, very few people come to God after marriage, and unmarried people like me can understand the gospel, so sex and marriage is not needed to understand the gospel.
    And to whom should sex tell the story of God? To the Christian husband and wife who already understand the gospel, or to the world?
    If to the world, should we get the message to them by:
    a) Telling them what to do in their intimate lives while they are unbelievers, so they can understand the Christian message from it, or
    b) by making DVDs of Christian couples in the bedroom, so it can tell the story to them?
    If marriage and sex is the greatest way to remember these things, why did he not make an equally powerful picture for those who stay single (something God finds good!) and children?
    If sex stands for the intimacy between us and Jesus and, by the diagram, us and church elders, the correct symbol for that would not be sleeping with only one person. Because Jesus and church elders are not the same. The correct symbol would be sleeping with A who represents Jesus and B who represents the church elders, but B should also sleep with A.
    ——————
    (Kassian later deleted all comments on that blog entry, but mine was never even approved, even in a time when she did take comments on the post.)

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  21. Blog Name: Gospel Coalition
    The name of the post: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/11/19/leaders-tell-the-truth/
    The name of the editor: Excerpt from Al Mohler’s new book

    My comment:

    I really appreciate the subject of this book in light of the many abuse cases in churches. What astonishes me the most is that Mohler has been very aware of the moral decisions his good buddy CJ Mahaney has made with regard to the mishandling of abuse cases in Sovereign Grace churches. Al Mohler was the first to speak out in DEFENSE of his friend, CJ, after CJ’s leave of absence and now more than a month ago we all found out about the lawsuit filed against SGM, CJ and several pastors brought on by 3 victims/families for failure to report to authorities, failure to protect children from sexual predation, etc.

    Here is part of the lawsuit: “The Church provided sexual predators with free legal advice and counsel on how to evade accountability, and repeatedly worked with sexual predators to mislead law enforcement. The Church was willing to, and did, make false statements to law enforcement officials and in courts of law in its efforts to protect sexual predators.”

    CJ has been reading this book (as noted by his Twitter tweets), but it makes one wonder if Mohler read his own words from his book:

    But laws and commandments are not enough. Leadership requires the possession and cultivation of certain moral virtues that allow leadership to happen. If the leader does not demonstrate these essential virtues, disaster is certain.

    Leaders are subject to the same laws, moral principles, and expectations as the rest of humanity, but the moral risks are far higher for them. For that reason, there are certain moral virtues that are especially crucial in the leader’s character and life.

    Who is going to act morally regarding the SGM case? Mohler and Gospel Coalition friends need to quit playing buddy/buddy with CJ, and look at the real moral issues they are trying to cover up or avoid. It still is a moral choice to “avoid” dealing with moral issues. God sees and will judge this apathy.

    The time it was left: 11:28 AM
    The approximate time it was deleted: It was gone when I checked 20 min. later
    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious): Because I’m a blogger and a woman and I told the truth.

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  22. @ Caleb, Sophie & Stormy (per the lots of kids thing):

    Here’s my take on the children are a blessing thing (I can’t remember if I thought of this myself, or if I read it on an anti-Quiverfull blog).

    It’s clear from Psalm 127 that children can be a blessing from God. What are some other things that can be blessings from God?
    – Wine/alcohol.
    – Wealth (see David, Solomon, Abraham).
    – Food (see manna).

    So how does God tell us to use these blessings?
    – Drinking too much wine is called drunkenness and is a sin.
    – It is clear from the rich young ruler and various other parts of the Bible that single-mindedly accumulating wealth is NOT pleasing to God.
    – The Israelites were forbidden to take more manna than they needed and gluttony (eating too much food) is repeatedly called a sin.

    It should be clear from the above that just because something is a gift/blessing from God, this does NOT mean we should automatically try to get as much of it as we possibly can. This activity is, almost without fail, condemned in the Bible. So why should we treat children any differently – esp. when a large number of children forces the family into poverty or threatens the mother’s health (see 1 Timothy 5:8 and Ephesians 5:28)?

    So in my view, the idea that Christians are obligated to have as many children as possible because they are a blessing from God is “child gluttony.”

    As for “be fruitful and multiply”:
    1. You can multiply by 1. Off sarcasm. ; )
    2. It only takes 4 children per couple to double the population every generation, but it’s almost a sin in Quiverfull circles to “only” have 4 kids.
    3. Let’s assume both that the average Quiverfull couple has 7 kids, and that their dream of this being the norm for every couple was realized. If this happened, in a single generation the population would be (at a minimum) FOURTEEN TIMES larger than it had been the previous generation (and this only counts “breeding” couples, not everyone else). And Quiverfull folks want this to be repeated in the next generation and every generation after that! How is the food supply supposed to keep up with this level of population growth? Widespread adoption of Quiverfull ideology would of necessity lead to famine and severe societal upheaval.

    Oh, that’s right…God will provide. Never mind.

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  23. Hester, My take on the whole quiverfull position is that bearing children is one of those immutable laws at creation that was corrupted in the fall. Be fruitful and multiply was replaced with “go and make disciples” in the New Covenant.

    How are we to look at this concept when drug addicts can continue having children they leave in trash bins but but a believing woman who desperately wants children is left barren? God designed us so that sperm and egg meeting might make babies. The fall corrupted that so it does not always work. The quiverfull movement (and others who believe in the determinist god) thinks b is being barren is some sort of punishment from God. It is cruel.

    Carolyn Custis James has some interesting things to say about this subject in her book, “When Life and Beliefs Collide”. She was also barren and ended up adopting.

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  24. “if you look at the twitter hash tag for the book (#conviction2lead) on Twitter, CJ has been tweeting about the book for days. He’s probably tweeted the most. Hmmm. Wonder why?”

    Desperation? Promoting his protector? He is now in Louisville under Mohler’s protection just as he was at CHBC under Dever’s protection before. But more and more SBC folk are questioning Mohler’s BFF status with someone like Mahaney for more reasons than we think.

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  25. The Gospel Coalition may not like me. Here’s another one that got removed.
    Posted: November 25, 2012 at 9:01 pm
    Removed: I checked it a couple hours after posting and it was gone

    I think it was removed because it references CJ Mahaney, their beloved (even though I did not spell out his name). I have a post ready to publish on this topic and now get to add this little tidbit. Oh joy, this is so much fun.

    http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2012/11/25/the-church-the-gospel-and-violence-against-women/?comments#comments#comment-104537

    Thank you so much for addressing this very important topic. One very big concern I have: only 3 of the above articles mentions notifying civil authorities when violence occurs (I did not check the CCEF articles which cost $$). A member of TGC and his church and several pastors are currently being sued because of failure to report abuse cases, etc. This issue must be addressed from the highest level of leadership on down. Additionally, what is the responsibility of leaders when one of their peers has failed to protect wives/children by failing to report to civil authorities? This silence must also be broken. 


    This criticism is given in love – love to protect the victims who not only are victims of spousal/child/sex abuse, but also become victims of spiritual abuse when their church leaders fail them by dealing appropriately with the abuse. The church must wake up to this very dangerous problem. Romans 13:1 is the correct biblical response to crime. Physical violence is a crime which must be reported. God uses civil authority to produce godly sorrow and restitution.

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  26. Hester, Another thought is what about those who can’t have kids or for various reasons are only able to have one child. I’ve heard Mac Arthur in a sermon take issue with those who only want one child. Like it is really his business anyway… What I find is that people want to take a hard line with something that is supposively scriptural but then what is their reasoning when for instance if a woman is unable to conceave. You can’t say that this scripture is only talking to the people who can conceave(to have several children).But this is basically what they are doing. Another for instance, say that someone is not able to attend church due to illness. What we hear is that you are out of God’s will if you are not at church fellowshipping,serving and hearing from God. Again, there is a clear contradiction in their so-called beliefs.

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  27. Blog: Justin Taylor

    Date: November 27, 2012

    Time: 7:43pm

    Post: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2012/11/25/the-church-the-gospel-and-violence-against-women/

    Comment: Russell Moore doesn’t seem to be truly concerned about church leaders who fail to report abuse to the authorities. Read this: http://thewartburgwatch.com/2012/11/07/phillip-gunn-sbts-al-mohler-legal-rightmoral-right/

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  28. Blog: Owen Strachan/Thoughtlife

    Link: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thoughtlife/2012/11/why-abusive-men-repudiate-true-manhood-letter-to-an-abusive-husband/

    My comment (still in moderation – looks like it might just stay there):

    All I can say is that if I were to be abused in my home, I hope that Owen Stachan is not all there is to stand between me and my abuser.

    This letter is all about Owen’s manliness and theology. A victim of abuse needs people who know what to do and law enforcement. I’m sure Owen is a nice man, but I hope he takes a pass on handling abuse and gets victims to someone who can actually help.

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  29. Nicholas

    I read that comment thread. Julie Anne’s comment prevailed because she did not name CJ Mahaney, merely alluded to him. It is a mortal sin to name anyone  who is a Calvinista and in trouble. That is why they could call out Dinesh D’Souza and Billy Graham by name recently for their apparent sins but will never, ever mention Mahaney or Mohler . They show their weakness in this strategy.

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  30. Dana

    Strachan’s lettter is just that, a letter. he said that “next time” he could come with the menfolk to rescue the wife and kids. Next time? The time for action is now. They should report the incident to the police (even if the wife drops the charges), help find the woman shelter and kick that man’s sorry butt outside of the church. They can recommend that he attend church but it should be another so the wife does not have to see her abuser in the church. 

    What do you want to bet that groups like SGM, in the past, has made the woman forgive her abuser?

    I believe this “we are against men beating their wives” stuff is due to the fact that spotlight is now on these “comp” churches and some of the odd doctrines that have been developed. So, they want to show that “we, too, don’t like this.” 

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  31. I also believe that the comps have discovered that the “we are against men beating their wives” is an excellent piece of rhetoric to show the gospelly goodness of their Most Biblical Masculine Manhood. There is nothing in the world that doesn’t show the that kind of gospelly goodness. Except the evils of feminism.

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  32. Dana: THANK YOU for your comment. It really hit the nail on the head, even if they DID let it out of moderation. 
         Too bad Owen hasn’t responded to any of the comments, including the first, which began, “I have to confess this is truly awful! Awful!”
         I must say it did not start out awful, when Owen said, “if I could talk with a man who was abusing…” Good–he’d talk to an abuser given the chance!  Then things go south quickly when Owen continues  “abusing… his headship of his home.”  What!? Not abusing a person? A fellow heir of grace? The woman he promised to love and to cherish? Nope! Abusing “HIS headship of HIS home! ” 

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  33. “I believe this “we are against men beating their wives” stuff is due to the fact that spotlight is now on these “comp” churches and some of the odd doctrines that have been developed. So, they want to show that “we, too, don’t like this.” ”

    I think they are also concerned because there is now a precedent for institutions to be held responsible for what they choose to ignore.

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  34. Dan Phillips @ Pyromaniacs

    Just deleted this comment – Twice – in 15 minutes. 😉

    http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2012/11/forum-on-female-commentators.html

    When going to post it a third time (Hoping for some feed back)

    Found they closed the comments box. 😉

    “New comments have been disabled for this post by a blog administrator.”

    ———————

    DJP

    I agree when you start this post about – a female pastor…
    “Scripture is clear: there is no such thing as a female pastor under Christ’s Lordship.”

    Was wondering…
    Can you show – clearly – from the scriptures…
    Such a thing as “a Male pastor?” As we see them today?

    And – Can you show – clearly – from the scriptures…
    How many of His Disciples?
    Were “Called” – “Pastor/Leader/Reverend?”
    “Called” themself – “Pastor/Leader/Reverend?”
    Had the “Title” – “Pastor/Leader/Reverend?”
    Were “Hired – Or Fired” as a – “Pastor/Leader/Reverend?”

    The only one I can find with the “Title” Shepherd – is Jesus.

    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
    them also I must bring, and they shall **hear My voice;**
    and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
    John 10:16

    One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice – One Leader

    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}

    ——————-

    Well – These questions didn’t seem to be to tough. 😉

    So much for – the “inerrancy” of the Bible…
    And -The Bible says…

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  35. Dee: “You sly person! Your comment regarding Mahaney prevailed because you did not name him. Everyone knows to whom you refer. ”

    Yup – I learned the hard way. Last time I mentioned SGM or CJ, it was deleted.

    Nicholas- BRAVO!!! Your comment is still there and it’s a good one.

    I’m getting annoyed at the way they remove comments and shut down the comments coincidentally when the comments get more on the egal side or are a challenge. These guys, like my former pastor, talk about strong men as leaders, yet look at their behavior. One minute they say they want to defend and protect women against abuse, the next minute, they are discussing women’s influence over men and arguing about what context they can “listen” to women.

    I already know they have issues with homeschool moms blogging. Do you suppose they have issues with guys reading my blog?

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  36. I was deleted from Denny Burk’s martyr to the cause post. I can’t remember exactly what I wrote, it was about four days ago. I responded to one of his comments about ‘real churches’, questioning that phrase. That comment is published (using the name Pam B). I got a snarky response from Dan Phillips of ‘wouldn’t it be nice if there was a book we could read to find our answer?…oh wait’.
    My deleted response was along the lines of pointing out that many Christians disagree on the interpretations of passages about the role of women, and that we shouldn’t judge other Christians for that. My post was apparently removed or never even published. I’ve just written another comment on the exact same thing, but given I commented on my deleted post and called Denny unethical, I’m guessing it won’t be published.
    I’m hoping he’ll take the bait of being called unethical though – gives him an opportunity to cast himself the martyr.

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  37. Nicholas

    I did get a kick out of his response. Do not look at the past, only the future. The Gunn story is not really the past and is ongoing but who cares? Just wait until the SGM lawsuit takes a very hard look at the past. Those that do not look at the past are doomed to repeat it. Boy, oh boy, will the SGM thing throw them for a loop.

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  38. Yes – I’ve been deleted again @ pyromaniacs. – 😉

    http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=21212024&postID=1080762985936023186&page=1&token=1354988671850

    I figured I was on borrowed time – with Heb 13:17, being thrown around.

    In case you’re interested – this is the comment that was deleted.

    And – They had to read it – To delete it…

    ——————–

    DJP

    OK – I’ll try to stay on topic. You begin your post…
    “As I preach through Titus,”

    As I’ve searched for “qualified leaders/pastors/overseers”
    Using Titus 1:5-9, as a guide, I also became very discouraged.
    Some of Pauls “Qualifications” are kinda tuff – Yes?
    1 – Must be blameless. 2 – Just. 3 – Holy.

    Titus 1:6-8 KJV
    If any be **blameless,** the husband of one wife,
    having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
    For a bishop **must be blameless,** as the steward of God;
    not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine,
    no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality,
    a lover of good men, sober, **just,** ** holy,** temperate;

    Why would someone become a pastor/elder/overseer?
    If they are NOT Blameless? If they do NOT qualify?

    1 – For a bishop *must be* **blameless**… Titus 1:7 KJV

    *Must Be* is Strongs #1163, die. – It is necessary (as binding).
    Thayer’s – necessity established by the decree of God.

    That *must be* is the same Greek word as:
    …You *must be* born again. John 3:7.
    Seems *Must be* is a small word – but very important. Yes?

    1 – **Blameless**… How important is this word?
    Strongs #410 anegkletos an-eng’-klay-tos
    KJV – blameless 4, unreproveable 1; 5

    Thayers – Blameless
    that cannot be called into account, unreproveable, unaccused,

    Dictionary
    Without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure.

    How many “Elder/Overseers,” who honestly examine themselves, seriously considering this one **qualification,** (*Must Be* **Blameless,**), can see themselves as **Blameless,** without fault, above reproach, and thus qualify to be an “elder/overseer?”

    And if you can see yourself as **blameless:** Is that pride?
    And no longer without fault? Oy Vey! 😉

    Aren’t ALL “Qualificatios” for elder/overseer important?

    Which “Qualificatios” can we “Ignore?” Or “Twist?”

    —————-

    Well – Once again – These questions didn’t seem to be to tough.

    Why would someone become a pastor/elder/overseer?

    If they are NOT Blameless? If they do NOT qualify?

    Aren’t ALL “Qualificatios” for elder/overseer important?

    Which “Qualificatios” can we “Ignore?” Or “Twist?”

    So much for – the “inerrancy” of the Bible that these guys preach.
    And -The Bible says…

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  39. This comment is still in moderation at Justin Taylor Blog – since – March 6, 2010 at 11:57 am. 😉
    His post was about a book “Leaders Who Last” by Dave Kraft a pastor at Mark Driscolls. 🙁

    Dave says, on the cover of his book – Only 30% of Leaders last –
    Well – That means to me – 70% Fail. Ouch!!!

    I questioned Justin about Jesus telling His Disciples NOT to be called leader.. Mat 23:10 NASB
    And, of course, like ALL Abusive Leaders,” – He throws out Heb 13:17, “Spiritual Abuse 101”
    Thinking that should end the discussion. NOT likely… 😉

    http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/02/28/leaders-who-last/?comments#comments

    I tried answering this comment by Chad West…

    ———–

    Chad West
    “Jesus told us not to be leaders? That is hilarious and some people are wrapped around the axle.”

    ———-

    Justin left me in modertion and closed the comments after only 8 comments – Go figure…. 🙂 🙂

    ———–

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.
    Chad West

    You write…
    “Jesus told us not to be leaders? That is hilarious and some people are wrapped around the axle.”

    Sounded funny to me at first also.
    Don’t blame you much for seeing this as hilarious.
    But in the end, when 70% of “pastors/leaders” Fail and leave the “ministry”
    1600 a month at the latest count, that’s 19,000 a year Chad, That’s NOT hilarious, is it?
    “Each Year” 19,000 families, who are burnt, burnt out, kicked out, or crawled out,
    of “The Religious $ Corporations” they thought were “the Church of God.”
    That’s a lot of broken hearts. Feelings of failure. Depression, Sadness. Anger twords God.

    One of the fastest growing segments of “Christiandumb”
    Is ministries minestering to “Pastor/Leaders” and families who are suffering.

    Here are only two. Check out the states and see if it’s still hilarious?

    http://www.pastoralcareinc.com/statistics/

    http://www.intothyword.org/articles_view.asp?articleid=36562&columnid=

    80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families.
    77% say they do “not” have a good marriage.
    71% have felt burned out or depressed.
    70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
    50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years.
    38% are divorced or seriously considering divorce.
    33% state that being in the ministry is an outright hazard to their family.

    And remember, these states are from ministries helping “Pastor/Leaders.”

    If “pastors/leaders” (as we see them today) are of God?
    He’s not taking very good care of His “pastors/leaders”; Is He?

    In His Service. By His Grace.

    Comments are closed.

    ————

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  40. Blog Name: The Gospel-Driven Church (at The Gospel Coalition)
    Post Title: Safeguarding Against Abuse in the Church
    Written by Jared C. Wilson

    My Comment: “Has anyone at the Gospel Coalition reported or commented on the botched handling of sexual abuse cases in Sovereign Grace Ministries, and the subsequent lawsuit? I don’t recall seeing anthing here at the GC blog.”

    Time comment left: December 14, 2012 at 9:35 am

    The comment never made it through moderation. It was deleted without ever being posted. Jared Wilson did email me with an explanation as to why he didn’t allow the comment.

    This is what he said: “thanks for your comment. I am not approving it for publication mainly b/c given what I’ve seen of the discussion related to the SGM abuse cases online, there is much heat, and little light, and because experience has taught me it would open the comments to gossip. Not to mention that discussing specific cases is not really the point of the post.

    Assuming that your question was not rhetorical and you are sincerely asking, no, I don’t think anyone at TGC has commented on that case publicly. At least, I have not seen anyone do so.”

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  41. Oy Vey!!! I think even my aliases have been banned from the TGC blog of Thabiti Anyabwile.

    He actually had an informative post and video about today’s “Illigitimate Bishops”
    And complained that in the interview “no basic biblical definition of “bishop” was given.”

    Thabiti did NOT like the interview with these Bishops who thought they were “Legitimate.”

    http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/thabitianyabwile/2012/12/20/bishop-mania-and-confusion-about-biblical-church-leadership/?comments#comments

    Now, “Fake Titles” in “The Corrupt Religious System” used “to control” – is a pet peeve.
    Senior Pastor, Lead Pastor, Associate Pastor, Doctor, Bishop, Reverend, Most Holy Reverend,
    Cheif Executive Apostle, (No kidding I really saw that “title”) 😉

    And – Pastor/Elder/Overseers who say they believe the Bible, Then “Ignore” and “Twist” the qualifications, for Pastor/Elder/Overseer found in 1 Tim 3:1-6, and Titus 1:5-9, – is also a pet peeve.
    And I love to pet my peeves. 😉

    These two comments, posted by Amos as – Jimmy Justice – did NOT see the light of day.

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  42. Thabiti

    Your first point was “First, no basic biblical definition of “bishop” was given. The guests failed to “open their Bibles” and show that “bishop” is simply another term for “pastor” or “overseer.”“

    IMO – Most of the time, people with titles “Fail to open their Bibles” and use “Basic Biblical Definitions” is because they know they do not meet the qualifications for elder/overseer that is given in 1 Tim 3:1-6, and Titus 1:5-9.

    I’ve noticed, most elder/overseers today, and most congregations, “Ignore” or “Twist” or “Re-define” the “Qualifications” in 1 Tim 3:1-6, and Titus 1:5-9, so they could obtain for themselves, or hire someone for, this postion. No, most today do not pay attention at all to 1 Tim 3:1-6, and Titus 1:5-9, because they are to difficult to fulfill.

    When you believe the lie you start to die…

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  43. Thabiti

    Does anyone really care today about the qualifications in 1 Tim 3:1-6, and Titus 1:5-9?

    Just look at 1 Tim 3:4-5, where this elder/overseer is
    “One that “ruleth well” his own house, (ESV – “manage his own household well” – Manage Well)
    having his children in subjection with all gravity;
    (For if a man know NOT how “to rule” his own house,
    how shall he take care of the church of God?)”

    “Manage Well “ – “ruleth well” – – This “Rule” is – Strongs #4291 proistemi
    Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament- Has “Rule” – proistemi as…
    to set or place before – to set over – to be over
    to be a protector or guardian – to give aid – to care for,

    “Ruleth well” “Manage Well” here also speaks of – protecting – guarding – careing for – Well.
    If this pastor/elder/overseer is NOT protecting – guarding – careing for his family – well.
    “how shall he take care of the church of God?”

    Here are statistics from ministries helping pastor/elders/overseers and families who are hurting.

    http://www.pastoralcareinc.com/statistics/
    80% of pastors spouses wish they would choose a different profession. (Pastors NOT caring well)
    80% say pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families. (Pastors NOT protecting well)

    http://www.intothyword.org/articles_view.asp?articleid=36562&columnid=
    77% of pastors say they do “not” have a good marriage. (Pastors NOT manging well)

    With 80% of pastor spouses NOT happy with this profession? And 80% of pastors saying pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families? And 77% saying they do NOT have a good marriage? That shows me, as I search for – “qualified pastor/elder/overseers” – I already know – 70% – 80% of folks who have that title – Do NOT Qualify. – Because – They do NOT “Manage Well” or “Rule Well” their own house.

    Nope – 70 – 80% are NOT “Managing Well” – protecting, guarding, careing for the family – Well.
    And – biblically that means…
    70% – 80% of these with the title pastor/elder/overseer can not manage well the church of God.
    And they do NOT qualify to have the title pastor/elder/overseer.

    And the rest of 1 Tim 3:1-6, and Titus 1:5-9, is real tough also.
    This is just one qualification that todays religious sytem will – “Ignore” or “Twist” or “Re-define”

    But – Why use the bible to see who qualifies?
    We’ll just have someone else, another pastor/elder/overseer, who does not qualify to
    validate todays wanna-be pastor/elder/overseer, who does not qualify.

    Just like the so-called bishops in this video.

    Who cares if they qualify — As long as they are validated.

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  44. Nicholas

    Yes – I’m in agreement with you – “the Apostle Paul says to appoint elders”
    Also – “the Apostle Paul” gives instructions, “Qualificatios” for “Elder/Overseers.” – Yes?

    Have you aver looked at ALL the “Qualifications” Paul gives for “Pastor/Elder/Overseer?”
    Are you, or your “Pastor/Elder/Overseers” – living examples of Pauls “Qualifications?”

    Why did Paul give “Qualifications” if NOT important?
    And very tough “Qualifications.” – Yes?

    The Bible talks about “elders/overseers” and **qualifications** for “elders/overseers.”

    You can’t have one with out the other – Can you?

    My point is…
    “I’ve noticed, most elder/overseers today, and most congregations, “Ignore” or “Twist” or “Re-define” the “Qualifications” in 1 Tim 3:1-6, and Titus 1:5-9,”

    And the reason the “Pastor/Elder/Overseer” “Ignores” and “Twists” the “Qualifications.”
    Is… They do NOT “Qualify.”

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  45. A. Amos Love,

    The way “church” has evolved (or not evolved) is prohibitive to pastor/s attaining and maintaining the “qualifications”.

    It’s ridiculous. Perry Noble is an extreme example — pastors’ private lives turn into twisted, contorted messes because of the troublesome members, therefore the only solution is to stay on the periphery and not care.

    Just wish change weren’t so slow to come by. Thankfully, I think the times enable faster change.

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  46. Nicholas

    Could this list of very tuff Qualifications be a test of someone’s “Integrity?”
    Seems, in the Bible, God tests and proves His people – a lot…

    What would you call a pastor/elder/overseer…
    Who does NOT qualify to be a pastor/elder/overseer?

    Could the list of very tuff Qualifications be a test of someone’s “Integrity?”
    Seems, in the Bible, God tests and proves His people – a lot…

    Why would someone assume the role of pastor/elder/overseer?
    And say they are a pastor/elder/overseer?
    If they know they do NOT qualify to be a pastor/elder/overseer?

    Could it be a lack of “Integrity?”

    What would you call a Medical Doctor, who said they were a Medical Doctor,
    and who knew they did NOT qualify to be a Medical Doctor?

    What would you call a Lawyer, who said they were a Lawyer
    and who knew they did NOT qualify to be a Lawyer?

    Would you recommend a Medical Doctor or a Lawyer to a friend?
    If you knew they did NOT qualify to be a Medical Doctor or a Lawyer?

    Wouldn’t it be dangerous and expensive to trust and depend on
    a Medical Doctor and a Lawyer who does NOT qualify?

    In my experience…
    It is dangerous and expensive to trust and depend on
    pastor/elder/overseers who do NOT qualify.

    Maybe that’s why “The Corrupt Religious System” of today…
    is in such a mess – pastor/elder/overseers – who do NOT qualify…
    “Spiritually Abusing” – The Church of God, God’s ekklesia, God’s sheep.

    The Bible warns us – a lot…
    About False Apostles, many False Prophets, False Teachers, False Christs’, False anointed ones.

    To trust NO man. To NOT trust in princes.
    Let no man deceive you. And the list goes on…

    And lot’s of scriptures about trusting Jesus.

    No thanks – Never met a pastor/elder/overseer, in “The Corrupt Religious System,”
    who meets ALL the “Qualifications” in 1 Tim 3:1-6, and Titus 1:5-9.”

    Could this list of very tuff Qualifications be a test of someone’s “Integrity?”

    Jesus… I’ve returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of my soul… Jesus…

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  47. Challies.com
    “When A Good Guy Writes A Bad Book” (1/9/13)
    Tried posting it about 8:15 PM on 1/9/13. Got a message that I’m not allowed to post on that thread – no doubt because sometime last year I tried several times to comment on Mahaney – haven’t tried again until now.
    Comment is below:

    Mr. Challies – I will take your word for it that Driscoll’s book is solidly biblical. But does it not strike you as ironic that a book on Christian identity has been written by someone who has, over and over again, for years, publicly displayed grossly sinful behavior? He used to be called “The Cussing Pastor” – that seems almost quaint now. Have you heard his sermon on “The Song of Songs,” one of many instances of his obsession with graphic sexuality? Have you read all of his childishly macho statements, such as, “I wouldn’t respect Jesus if I could beat him up?” Do you know that on Facebook he solicited, for his own amusement, stories about effeminate worship leaders? There are many more examples.

    His pattern is to apparently repent of his behavior, and then, after a short while, continue it. I’m sorry, but I think you do new and young believers a disservice by not mentioning these things in a review of a book on Christian identity. (“Who Do You Think You Are?” would be an appropriate question for Driscoll.) From what I read, most of his “fans” are young people, so they know about him already. Do you think they might be confused that so many mature believers treat him with kid gloves? I think that anything less than outrage would qualify as that treatment.

    If the book is solid, then the best that could be said about him is that he’s a hypocrite – “Do as I say, not as I do.” I think that, in Driscoll’s case, criticism of his public life is legitimate in a review of one of his books, particularly one about this subject.

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  48. Facebook posting on Atlee Community Church-Scottsville Campus was deleted. Posted Monday morning, Jan. 7, 2012, both comments deleted by that afternoon. I am new to the area and visited this church on Jan. 6th.

    Comment 1 under “Recommendations”: “‎66 books in the Bible, yet no studies on a single one???”

    This was to address that all their small group studies are “christian” published books (what I personally call “The Word according to [insert name of author]). In the Jan. 6th sermon video (link of the Facebook page), the pastor talks about how he wants all to be reading scripture, yet all of the small group studies at the Scottsville campus are not from scripture.

    Comment 2 under the “Real Marriage” small group announcement, directly after another woman’s posting of how this book “more than likely saved [her] marriage”. I copied a quote from the “Real Depravity” article at discollcontroversy.com: ‘Among the activities that the authors deem permissible within this taxonomy are masturbation, felatio/cunnilingus, sodomy (on both spouses), menstrual sex, role-playing, sex toys, birth control, cosmetic surgery, cybersex, and sexual medication. The Driscolls are careful to stipulate that these are activities spouses may participate in by mutual agreement, but not that they must participate in (p. 180). No spouse should be manipulated into doing anything that violates his or her conscience (p. 178)…

    Yet the Driscolls give explicit instructions to wives about how they might sodomize their husbands in a pleasurable way (p. 188). Yet where in the Bible is such an activity ever commended? The Bible only contemplates such activities in the context of homosexual relationships. The Bible condemns the “unnatural” use of bodies between persons of the same-sex (Rom. 1:26-27). Why would Christian couples emulate that unnatural use in the marital bed?’

    Both of these comments were deleted and I received the following email:
    Good Morning Lola,

    I would like to speak to you in regards to your comments that you posted on Facebook. We prefer to handle comments like this outside of the social media. This course has been offered in the past and taken by many of our attenders and I have not heard one negative comment about it until today.
    You also commented that none of the Scottsville small group studies were on books of the Bible. Studies are decided by the leaders and I can assure you that we highly recommend studies on books of the Bible and currently have 6 different studies being offered at our Mechanicsville campus.

    Please call me when you get a moment so we can discuss this matter. In the meantime, I have passed along your comments to our senior leadership at Atlee for their review.

    God bless,
    (I will leave the name anonymous)

    I wrote back:
    Ah, I see that those in Christ should not be publicly warned that “Real Marriage” (and yes, I have read the entire book), is nothing but a glorified sex manual and is the allurement of the lusts of the flesh (2 Pet 2:18). This is a graphic publication and those who profess to be Christians need to be aware of it. Silly me, questioning what has happened to “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Pet. 1:15)? I guess we can ignore the direction to “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:14).

    As comments are being passed along, please also pass along an encouragement to quote entire verses. It is ” Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Prov. 29:18). The word “vision” does not refer to goals or directions for an organization. It is Strong’s word H2377 meaning “specifically a vision from God respecting future events, prophetic vision.” Other uses of it from scripture are found in 1Chr. 17:15, 2 Chr. 32:32, Psa 89:19, and Isa. 1:1 – all having to do with visions given to the prophets. Interestingly, Jer. 23:16 refers to prophets speaking visions of their own hearts.

    This message was seen, but have not gotten a response back.

    This is a very small area/town, and it is very disheartening to see a tiny local church being influenced by the mega-church idols.

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  49. Denny Burk had two interesting posts recently: the first was titled, “A Sad Tale of Feminism Gone to Seed,” which discussed gadly author Elizabeth Wuerzel’s recent admission that the lifestyle she pursued for 20-odd years left her very unsatisfied; the second was “ESPN Apologizes for Commentary; Season Over,” which discussed the uproar over announcer Brent Musberger’s fawning commentary on the appearance of the girlfriend of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron, which many considered sexist and over the top. So in the comment section of the post on the ESPN story, I wrote the following comment:

    “I, for one, was outraged by Musberger’s commentary. I blame feminism.”

    My comment never saw the light of day, despite my using my first AND last names, the criterion Burk typically points to as the reason for comments’ not being approved or for being deleted.

    Hmmmm…..maybe he just doesn’t like hyphenatedlast names?

    SMG

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  50. Blog: true BGBC survivors
    http://www.bgbcsurvivors.org/the-suing-pastor-really/
    Jan 3, 2013
    Full week so far in moderation
    COMMENT
    “Could you please clarify one statement you make, and give some specifics about Job’s friends?
    By “criminal accusations” do you mean that the accusations themselves are criminal? Or that they falsely accuse you of being a criminal?
    Second, who are some ministers, churches, or associations who have, in your opinion, been true friends (unlike those of Job) toward you in this past year? Who, outside of your church, family, and personal friends, supports your decision to sue as the BEST approach in this particular situation? Posts or website links would be much appreciated. Thank you!”
    Reason moderated? Unknown. Attempted to be totally on-topic and polite with these questions, which I think any reasonable person might ask, and could not find answered elsewhere on the website. 

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  51. http://www.dennyburk.com
    Post: “Albert Mohler Weighs in on the Debt-Ceiling Charade”
    Note: I am sick to death of hearing “Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr.’s” opinion on everything.

    Another commenter said that Mohler was oversimplifying the issue. So I replied something to the effect of “Of course Mohler is oversimplifying. That’s his job. It’s what he is good at. On another note, I hope that picture is tongue-in-cheek” (the picture that went with the article of Mohler sitting at his desk with a bow-tie and his name pretentiously displayed on his desk in an old script).
    I left the post sometime this morning (January 17) and it was deleted shortly thereafter.

    Did it contribute to the post? No. But certain bloggers don’t seem to get just how sick we all are of having Mohler’s views repeated throughout the Christian blogosphere, ad naseum.

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  52. Denny Burk’s site would not accept this comment.

    The thread: http://www.dennyburk.com/feminist-says-baby-is-a-life-worth-sacrificing/

    The comment:It is horrible. But why do anyone call her a feminist?
    Williams never, in this article, calls herself a feminist. And she is not promoting feminism here. Feminism say male and female should have the same rights. And she is not argueing for women and men to have the same rights concerning baby killing.
    ( Abortion cannot equate to feminism. Because we cannot even talk about men and women having the same rights with respect to humans growing in their bodies. Humans don’t grow in male bodies.
    The mere fact that China and India are – by virtue of different expectations of boys and girls – the countries with the most abortions, show that abortion does not equate to feminism.)

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  53. Well, my comment wasn’t deleted, but my Twitter account has been blocked by Steve Whitacre of SGM – he’s the son-in-law of SG. I commented on this (and it’s still there) https://twitter.com/SGCLouisville/status/294808224580915200
    and then when I tried to “follow” Steve, it says he has blocked me. Hmph! Some people just can’t handle the truth when it’s handed to them on a platter.

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  54. The post is on The Gospel Coalition blog. A review by someone named Matt Smethurst on Driscoll’s book about Christian identity. It was, of course, totally positive, and included an interview with Driscoll comprising softball questions. I figured it would be deleted, so I kept it short: “Driscoll writing about Christian identity is as appropriate as Mahaney writing about humility.”

    I left it late afternoon/early evening on Jan. 29. It wasn’t deleted immediately, but it was deleted.

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  55. The Tolling Bell has been reporting that a student at the Sovereign Grace Ministries “Pastors College” has been kicking up quite the online dust storm lately in defense of the “family of churches”… So I took a peak in at young Caleb’s blog out of curiosity. The “About” section of the blog says, and I quote, “This blog is designed not only to be informative, but also interactive. Blog comments are welcome!”

    So I left the following comment, which has not been allowed out of moderation:

    “Hi Caleb,

    I hope this message finds you well! We’ve never met, although facebook tells me that we have a mutual friend (that you went to college with, and that I went to grad school with…small world!).

    To be perfectly up front, I found your website because your recent tweets with Justin Holcomb and Boz Tchividjian about SGM seem to have kicked up a bit of a dust storm online… taking a quick look around your website, it seems possible that you’ve become associated with SGM relatively recently. So I thought I would offer myself as a resource or dialogue partner: I was once a pastoral intern and assistant care group leader at an SGM church before my wife and I decided to cut our ties with the organization in 2007. If it would be helpful, I’d be happy to give you some background about why so many of us who spent so long with SGM have very, very deep concerns about it (even beyond what’s alleged in the law suit).

    Feel free to shoot me an email, or just reply to this comment!

    All the best in Christ,
    Ryan”

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  56. This is not a comment that was deleted but rather else more interesting. I once sent a comment (through contact us) on the Mahaney girl blog. I actually now, don’t even remember what my question was. That’s how insignificant it was. Probably challenging them on how they only talk about teaching their children to obey or something.

    I sent the message from my work computer (i work for the US government). A few days later, a person from IT came to my desk with a note that they got a message that someone from my IP location was sending inappropriate messages to their website.

    So assuming, I wasn’t hacked (possible, but I work for the government and in a position that getting hacked would be bad) They were able to track down my IP address (which is actually masked) and is generated from a location that is not near my physical location for security reasons. But they found me. So they have some really sophisticated IP trackers

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  57. Philly

    Unbelievable! This comment is worthy of a post in, and of, itself. Remember, these churches are in the DC area. It is quite possible that they have someone from the government who is drinking their Koolaid and is helping them out. If said person is doing private work for a church using his governement position, this could be major.  They could get in trouble for such a thing. I am going to send this comment to a friend who works in such circles. If there is truly someone using his work connections to out someone’s private correspondence, there could be ramifications.

    I Hope Someone From SGM Central Is Reading This.See What Happened in the FBC Jax Lawsuit.

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  58. This is the typical pattern we see in spiritually abusive environments: bully behavior. What would be a typical Christian response? First of all, post the dang comment and dialogue. See if there is any truth to the comment. That is the way I would deal with it and I know Dee/Deb would deal with conflict. Put it on the table and talk. Is that really so difficult? But they are in a posture of defending and damage control and image control. They cannot let anyone know there are problems in the infrastructure, so they resort to bully tactics.

    The next best thing they could have done was ignore the comment. But noooooooooo, they have to pull an aggressive maneuver. They didn’t even have the courtesy to e-mail a response saying why they had concerns – they had to go all aggressive. And I think it’s interesting that they go to “authority” when it benefits them, but when victims come to them begging and pleading for help, THEY are the authority who handles all abuse cases. This is whacked, people. And it looks like I need to step away from the keyboard before I . . . . . .

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  59. Julie Anne

    I think this one could go waaaaay beyond just being CREEPY. Creepy and Mahaney are so synonomous that it is expected.

    If a site solicits comments via a “contact us” page then, unless the comment was threatening, or there were a series of over the top comments that were unsettling, then there is the issue of harrassment. It gets worse. If this was a protected government computer, then some sort of security breach could be involved. That should be very concerning to the government.

     Now how could such a thing happen? 

    One possible scenario could involve a person who is “friends” with the SGM brigade and who works internally within this government division. If he/she, for example, were to  breach security to carry on a church vendetta I think there could be some potential issues. 

    Also, the IT guy has copies of what was sent and said that it was not threatening. Therefore, could the whiny, weak girls at Girltalk have gone crying to daddy to make the bad people stop disagreeing with them? Could daddy have called in a favor? Time will tell.

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  60. dee wrote:

    Could you let me know when this happened?

    I just looked through my work email archives to see the communication with IT. Thursday, September 13 was the day I was contacted by IT. I was on leave on Friday, Sept 14, so that was the day IT “confiscated my computer”. I had another email on Wednesday, Sept 19 saying that there was nothing “inappropriate”.

    So because IT never told me what the questionable comment was, I went back to the girl blog and looked through the archives, and then I remembered! On Sept 10, they posted a “challenge” to lay off social media for like 2 weeks or something, and I posted something after the first day via their comments section, basically pointing out the irony in that they were using social media to talk about getting off social media, all the while they were still active in posting FB posts and tweets, and I think at that time they were having yet another “sale” on pictures with generic bible verses.

    I vaguely remember writing a fairly lengthy criticism via their comments pointing out all of the ways that this was strange and wrong. I wish I had the actual comment.

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  61. Philly

    I have come to the conclusion that the Mahaney family are a bunch of whiny whackadoos. You know, the weird bully who finally gets punched in the nose and runs home to cry to mama. However, it appears that they may have stepped over a line once too often as evidenced by the lawsuit.

    There are all sorts of comments flying around SGM Survivors about Chad, baby brother, who has been protected by the whackadoo machine.Things are starting to emerge about their family. I bet that something is very, very strange with these girls who have grown up in such an enivironment. They continue like nothing is wrong yet their little world is starting to resemble the Truman Show.

    In the meantime, I am looking into a few things. We have “friends” too.

    SGM reminds of a movie called King of Hearts, in which inmates escape an insane asylum and populate a deserted town just before the Germans arrive. I hear rumor that two more churches are leaving the “happiest place on earth.”

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  62. Ryan,

    Not one person from TGC has responded to my tweets. When commenting on their blogs, I have to very carefully word comments – basically disguise words, in order for them to post my comments. They know what I am talking about, but at least I can word it in such a way that it doesn’t name SGM and they feel more comfortable (ja: rolling eyes here). I am pushing them and they know it. There is nothing wrong with reasonable dialogue. These malignant church systems, when challenged, typically shift to the NO-TALK mode. And they act like bullies to enforce this rule (ahem, lawsuits). Guess what? I have a keyboard beneath my fingertips. I know how to do screen shots. Now, when leaving comments at those sites, I take screen shots because I know how they work. If they are not going to approve my posts, I do not have a problem posting them in a place where people can see them, here, on twitter, etc. They are doing exactly what my former pastor did – attempting to silence. We are attempting to draw attention to problems that have harmed countless people, leaving them without a voice. We, who are strong, have an obligation to speak up. I am not going to play their games anymore. I am not afraid of them. I will be a bully for victims. Sue me. Do you sense this triggered me? It did? I hate being silenced.

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  63. Julie Anne

    Wait until you see what Deb dredged up for next week. it seems like a certain “leader” is trying to delete his supportive comments of CJ Mahaney. However, in the blog world, words float around until Jesus comes again and they can be found. TWW plans to do a public service post to help them remember what they said. 

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  64. Anon 1 wrote:

    Nick, you cannot claim entrance into the wild west of the blogosphere until you have been deleted (or moderated) by the YRR!

    Oh, I remember that “The Newsroom” had an episode about a certain ‘trollgroup’ whereby if you wanted to join you had to start a flame war on an innocent blog somewhere. Some folks get their jollies out of it – google ‘troll outed’ for lots of stories.

    Anyhow, jest aside, I’m grateful for the ability in this thread to see how sincere, thoughtful and questioning comments are being ignored and cast aside. And Nick, verbosity is boringness usually in my case, but definitely never in yours ! (flattery, flattery)

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  65. @ Julie Anne: Julie Anne, No one has responded to your TGC tweets? Shocking… I must say, though, that silence from that crowd seems to me to be a huge change from where that crowd was just a few years ago. When I left SGM in 2007, whenever I would post things critical of them or the other YRR on facebook or on different blogs I would get vehemently ATTACKED. Now? I haven't heard a peep out of anyone in probably 2-3 years, and I post criticisms just as frequently…Honestly, young Caleb's dust storms feel a bit like an anachronism. As my Irish forebears would say, "their silence speaks volumes." If their only remaining strategy is to try to pretend that no well-informed dissenting opinions exist, then they know in their hearts that they are wrong…

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  66. I admit that I’m out of the loop on much of what is going on. I had to take a step back and get away from all the negative stories.

    That said…

    I’m somewhat sympathetic to people changing their mind about things. There were blog posts I wrote when I started blogging in 2005 and 2006 that I have since removed. I changed my mind about some topics. That doesn’t mean I was insincere or duplicitous. I sincerely changed my mind. I’m sure there are people who have stood up for some of the big dogs who are starting to regret it, have second thoughts, feel convicted, realize they’ve been deceived, etc.

    I guess I wouldn’t be so quick to condemn them. The Holy Spirit can change people’s views about things and open their eyes to the truth. Look at how many of us have changed our minds about doctrines, people, books, churches, etc.

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  67. About a week ago I left a comment telling Denny Burk that he should enlist in the military so he can protect all of the weaker vessels in the military that he is apparenlty so concerned and offended about the United States sending into combat. I may have said something about their ability to run circles around him.

    Needless to say, it was pretty quickly gone.

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  68. blog name: G. Craige Lewis Blog
    post: Super Bowl Sunday
    editor/moderator: G. Craige Lewis
    Comment: How many times did you watch the half time show to be able to give such a detailed report? Are men the only ones who can hear God’s will? Can God’s will be revealed to women?
    Time: around 5pm on February 6th, 2013
    The comment was never published.
    Why it was deleted: I wasn’t praising or whole heartily agreeing with the post or what everyone else was saying in the comments. I simply asked those three questions, and I doubt they/G. Craige Lewis liked being questioned.

    http://gcraige.blogspot.com/2013/02/super-bowl-sunday.html

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  69. Caleigh

    Welcome to TWW. Well, just when I think it can’t get any worse, we now have some “Christian”dude, claiming to share only the truth,  discussing how the Illuminati is behind the Half Time show in the Super Bowl! Dee is banging her head on the kitchen table, scaring the pugs. I am now going to get another cup of coffee to shore up my constitution. Thank you for sharing this with us.

    Kevin Swanson meet G. Craig Lewis. You have a lot in common.

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  70. To this thread (maybe I was snarkier than I intended?):

    http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2013/02/12/how-to-stop-church-killing-gossip/?comments#comments#comment-113218

    Ray, at what point will you know all of the facts, and what steps are you taking to get to that point?

    I think that sounds like a prudent course of action, but it also has been a long time of fact finding, unless no one is actually looking.

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  71. @ Jeff S:
    Wow! A couple minutes ago there were 21 comments and I was about to address Ray with #22. Suddenly, there are 18 and comments are closed! I wanted to ask him to consider addressing the man in question in depth, if he doesn’t want to address commenters. Also that, though he may not feel obligated to blog readers/commenters, he, Trueman and DeYoung ARE obligated to the man in question and to the Church as a whole to reassess their prior evaluation, and publicly affirm, modify, or retract their stamp of approval of 19 months back– based on a whole lot of additional facts. I would have let him know I think his evaluation, back then, was too hasty, but one now would not be.

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  72. Caleigh wrote:

    blog name: G. Craige Lewis Blog
    post: Super Bowl Sunday
    editor/moderator: G. Craige Lewis
    Comment: How many times did you watch the half time show to be able to give such a detailed report? Are men the only ones who can hear God’s will? Can God’s will be revealed to women?
    Time: around 5pm on February 6th, 2013
    The comment was never published.
    Why it was deleted: I wasn’t praising or whole heartily agreeing with the post or what everyone else was saying in the comments. I simply asked those three questions, and I doubt they/G. Craige Lewis liked being questioned.
    http://gcraige.blogspot.com/2013/02/super-bowl-sunday.html

    Ok, just clicked over and read that blog, and oh my goodness, I think the crazy’s going to infect me through the computer screen! The line ‘Knowledge of self is the enemy of God’ is mind-bogglingly stupid. Why do we have brains and intellects if we’re not allowed to use them? And why would having self-knowledge be a bad thing? It just makes no sense! And the whole Illuminati thing has always seemed bizarre to me, especially when promoted by Christians. They’re basically saying that there are ‘forces’ more powerful than God – hang on, but wouldn’t that be pretty blasphemous to say? But I guess my questioning is illegitimate because a) I’m female, and b) obviously bought by the Illuminati.

    It scares me that guys like him are listened to by people in an echo chamber of paranoia.

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  73. Pam

    Illuminati, et al demonstrate that humans love a godd conspiracy theory.It’s kind of nice to blame the messed up world on “them” instead of plain old human screw up. I, too, love conspiracy theories when they are confined to fiction. Then, when my nose comes out of the book, I have to face reality once again. I had high hopes for a new television series called Zero Hour since it seemed to  combine conspiracies with sy fy stuff. Unfortunately, it runs like a bad Dan Brown novel with uninspiring actors. Darn. Waiting for Falling Skies this summer. Well produced show!

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  74. It was’t my comment, but in a post by Adrian Warnock advertising a new book by Mark Driscoll. I was contributing to comments on Mark Driscoll and reports about some of his statements.

    The original comments were questioning whether what was referred as a possible darker side of Mark Driscoll should be challenged, some viewing them as abusive. Adrian Warnock replied. I comment on Adrian Warnock’s comment, fairly bluntly, but I believe fairly.

    Someone called Charles also posted a comment. This was moderated and removed. He then wrote roughly the same thing and it wasn’t removed. The original comments were then reinstated (looking at the posts you will see there are now two similar comments by Charles). I have wondered why the first one was originally removed, since it was faily innocuous.

    The overall comments address the issue as to whether to take notice if a church leader has a darker side. The debate then focused on whether the people around a person should speak out and I am pondering why they don’t. I am quite interested in this issue and in my comment drew a historical parallel – it has puzzled historians why apparently good people don’t speak out (see the comments). I have various candidates: apathy, ignorance, wishful speaking, blinded by hero worship, false sense of loyalty, not wanting lose influence and power and fear of negative consequences.

    For example, take the case Adrian Warnock. He can’t really be said to be ignorant. He is trained as medical doctor and a psychiatrist. He must know about personal interaction and the potential effect of abuse in a power relationship and be sensitive to the harm this can do, particularly to vulnerable people. His professional work code and environment would suggest that quite a few things Driscoll says should clearly not be tolerated. He is obviously a decent person and I have enjoyed reading his blogs. But he doesn’t seem to be able to bring himself to call a spade a spade (sorry if in the USA this gets lost in translation) when it comes to blogging about Mark Driscoll.

    Why not? I am trying to be charitable, but objectively, if he did speak out would that would be the end of his ability to have access to people like Driscoll, Molher, Piper, possibly Virgo, i.e. the powerful people in the new Calvinist movement that fuel his blogs and make them popular? I am not saying that is necessarily his reason.

    post to be found on

    http://www.patheos.com/blogs/adrianwarnock/2012/12/who-do-you-think-you-are-by-mark-driscoll/

    See below for moderated/removed/reinstated comments:

    Charles says:

    January 8, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    Hi Phillip,

    I take your point about compartmentalising things – I suppose the issue is the extent to which we ignore these type of remarks and don’t worry about them.

    Adrian seems to be saying go to a smaller church and experience a different type of leadership, if I understand him correctly, but I don’t quite understand what this has to do with smashing people’s faces in or running them over. Sorry if this sounds a bit depressing but is this a vision of strong leadership? Positive strong leaders I have encountered seem to be more at ease with themselves and don’t go around threatening people with violence. Maybe I have misunderstood Adrian on this point and apologies if this is the case and would welcome a further explanation.

    I am interested in your point as to whether journalists should feel responsible for challenging people. Again, it would be interesting to hear from Adrian on this point – have you ever felt you should challenge Mark on some of the things he has said? Would this be appropriate or would it just create a negative reaction and damage your good relationship with him. i.e. do more harm than good?

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  75. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/03/18/9-things-you-should-know-about-duck-dynasty/?comments#comments

    Blog: The Gospel Coalition. I commented on the above post.
    My comment: “I am so depressed about American Christianity right now.”
    Time of Comment: 5:40pm on March 18, 2013.
    Time of Deletion: Immediate.

    Reason: Duck Dynasty is apparently above criticism in the eyes of the GC because they sound like they might be conservative evangelicals and a lot of people like them.

    The Result: I am even more depressed about American Christianity.

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  76. I give it about 10 minutes at most before this is deleted on http://jaredmoore.exaltchrist.com/2013/03/22/top-christian-blogs/#comments

    I don’t believe that you have never heard of SGM Survivors, which is frequently mentioned on The Wartburg Watch. You have made your prejudices VERY clear. And you are denying the entanglements and financial benefits that exist among blogs like yours, Cruciform Press, Tim Challies, The Gospel Coalition, SBC Voices, and others. You are defending the trough where you all feed. And if you expect to make money off of your discernment you better not quit your day job. I say to you as you said of The Wartburg Watch. You are a public liar.

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  77. This one, which was my response to his asking for a response, was deleted.

    I want to begin by commending you for not deleting my comment and for responding to it. This is unusual among the prominent blogs of the reformed stripe.

    That said, in calling the ladies of The Wartburg Watch liars you mentioned in support of your accusation, two issues that are matters of interpretation. If you disagreed with their interpretation (what you call “connecting the dots”) you needed only to comment on their blog. They have a well-deserved reputation for encouraging, often soliciting and responding to dissenting points of view. In giving a fairly general critique of their blog you gave the impression that you are actually familiar with it but you are now saying that you have only ever read two or three posts (the ones containing the matters of interpretation.) Liar.

    Also, you parsed the answer to the inquiry about SGM Survivors very carefully so that it may not be technically untrue. (Clever device, asking for the web address.) However, I do not believe that you, as a person clearly familiar with SGM, are not aware of the existence of that blog. And I notice you didn’t respond to this in your responses to me. Liar.
    Also, I do not believe that you are so stupid that you don’t know that “on the payroll” is not the only beneficial financial relationship. That was deceptive.
    And you’ve admitted that you make money off your blog and advertise items for sale on it; which is NOT true of the Wartburg bloggers. You are at the trough.
    You have every right to list your top 200 blogs. Just don’t claim that your list was made solely according to some unbiased numerical algorithm. You admitted you were pro SGM and anti certain blogs regardless of numbers. Liar.
    Finally, you evidently feel that your blog is enough of a platform that people care about your Top 200 list and maybe you’re correct. But you haven’t used that platform to even acknowledge the pain of the many child and adult victims of sexual and other abuse within SGM. Worse than liar.
    Finally, if numbers are all that matters, a certain Jewish carpenter who only ministered in a small eastern nation and worked closely with very few would not be included. And He said, “My temple should be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”

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  78. I’ve just replied to Gavin on Jared Wilson’s blog – He made the claim that his comment there is what got him banned from TWW. Gavin has stated that if anyone wants to reply to him then please ask Dee for his email address & he’ll answer in private. I decided not to take him up on his offer as he made his statements publically, how on earth could he deny public right of reply to others? It’s a very interesting tactic – say something outrageous in public & then ask for private response only, so as not to ‘take up space on the blog’…simper simper…hysterically manipulative & passive agressive. Here’s my reply to him:

    Oh Gavin, you & I both know that’s not why you got banned from TWW. It was just the final straw after numerous crass remarks & patronising comments, & your inability to allow people to disagree with your reformed theology. You had had a warning & short ban before, & unfortunately just couldn’t play nicely when allowed back.

    You have, in short, displayed all the signs of someone trolling the website looking for trouble. I wish you well, but have to say quite clearly that TWW is not anti-Christian, that’s just ludicrous. It is pro-having a wide communion of believers, agreed on the primary issues, & genuine discourse with others, which you may believe is anti-Christian, but most do not. Please reconsider your words.

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  79. Well I’ve not been deleted yet, but Gavin has asked that I discuss anything with him via email. Lovely – he can make any public claim he wants, but all criticism has to be in private… Here’s my reply:

    Hmmm Gavin, you get the opportunity to publicly say on this blog that you believe the TWW is anti-christian, & somehow I don’t get the same public right to reply to say ‘no they’re not’? Don’t hide behind the blog excuse, it’s exceptionally disingeuous.

    Jared, I apologise for interacting with Gavin in this way if it offends, I just felt that a public response was called for to his very serious charge. I get a huge amount out of the Christian blog world & am very grateful for its existence.

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  80. Wooo…now I’m ‘disrupting’ things…
    ‘ Dear Mr Moore
    I am sorry for the disruption to your blog but I think what has happened amply demonstrates the tactics of the Wartburg Watch. Could you please block all comments addressed to me? I am quite happy to deal with these people directly.
    Regards
    Gavin White
    Reply
    Beakerj says:
    March 30, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    Dear Jared, in my time reading TWW I have discovered that they are more scrupulous than most in researching their facts, & are hugely more open than most to being critiqued. I highly recommend you ask Deb & Dee questions if you have them. I’d also like to point out that one of your commentators is making unsubstantiated claims about the christian character of TWW, why he was eventually banned from commenting & on ‘tactics’. There were no tactics here, just me pointing out some lies. If truth telling is a tactic, so be it. I have no idea why someone would want to say such serious things in public, but only get criticism privately, do you?’

    And that, as the Actress said to the Bishop, is that.

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  81. This was very difficult for me; but I just sent Jared an e-mail apologizing for my tone and attitude and asking his forgiveness. A conscience can be a very uncomfortable thing; but I don’t dare not listen to mine.

    As someone who very regularly makes an ass of herself I have learned to be good at apologizing. Sigh. And thank you, Jesus, for your patience with me!

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  82. “I don’t believe that you have never heard of SGM Survivors, which is frequently mentioned on The Wartburg Watch.”

    Phoenix, I did not believe it either considering the blogs I have seen Jared comment on. A lot of these guys played dumb about Driscoll, too, when a bunch of really bad stuff became more publicly aware like Joyful Exiles and the Discipline scandals. Even though his teachings were everywhere and they had been promoting Driscoll for years. One would think they would have been aware of Driscoll’s sermons, books,videos and aware of his type of thinking/behavior. Me thinks they wait for their leaders to send the signal for them to know what and how to think on issues.

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  83. Dee, one of the difficult things about apologizing for my attitude was that I don’t want to leave the impression that I am not 100% supportive of my Wartburg ladies! You are right, it is definitely a good instinct; but I responded to that good impulse in the wrong way. Sigh.

    God help us all.

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  84. @ Julie Anne:

    To many people and organizations a blog is a PR device. As such of course they will delete comments.

    Remember there is no internet police force that enforces conduct on blogs and other web sites. Of course Russian, Cuba, China, and others WANT there to be such a thing. And at times the US Congress starts to pass laws which would allow such things. (This is done by both parties so don’t be quick to make this a political debate.) But to date these efforts have been stopped.

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  85. The name of the blog: Lysa Terkeurst
    The name of the post: Will You Join Me (http://lysaterkeurst.com/2012/11/will-you-join-me/)
    The name of the editor (if more than one): Unknown
    Your comment: Written below
    The time it was left: November 28, 2012 PM
    The approximate time it was deleted: She would not post it.
    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious):I was asking financial questions.

    What I wrote:

    My family and I get together to research organizations for our annual giving. It is something we do with our teen-age children as well as my parents in order to have my children understand the process and give wisely.

    I like to use Charity Navigator as well as Guidestar to guide our decisions.

    I’ve used both to get information to evaluate what you’ve written in your blog post.

    Perhaps you can give additional information based on what I’ve found? In the 2011 Form 990 for Proverbs 31 Ministry, Inc., you are listed as receiving compensation. Of course, Form 990 is not listed for this year, so it’s difficult to know if or how much compensation you may have received.

    In addition, in 2011 you set up a limited liability corporation(LLC) in NC. I believe this would be how your speaking fees are received, i.e. separate from Proverbs 31 and received solely by you?

    Technically, you are correct about receiving little to no compensation from Proverbs 31, but you have the LLC to receive speaking monies. Do you fund Proverbs 31 out of the LLC? In other words, how do you donate on an ongoing monetary basis to this non-profit (Proverbs 31) you are asking monies for today?

    I firmly believe transparency is vital when asking people to give hard-earned money and also when so many folks have been taken by scams in the past. Thankfully, tools exist on the internet to guide our giving decisions.

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  86. The name of the blog: Challies.com
    The name of the post: Joni and Ken: An Untold Love Story (http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/joni-ken-an-untold-love-story)
    The name of the editor: Tim Challies
    Your comment: Written below
    The time it was left: April 11, 2013 @ 10:51 a.m.
    The approximate time it was deleted: It was NOT deleted
    Why you think it was NOT deleted: Because hard-core Complementarianistas are incapable of detecting sarcasm.
    NOTE: Comment posted under my real name: Ted Kijeski

    BACKGROUND: This comment thread concerns Challies’ review of Ken and Joni Earackson Tada’s new book. I read through the comments eagerly to see if anyone was going to be insensitive enough to pull the “where-is-her-husband-card” with someone like Joni Eareckson. Sure enough, someone did.

    a commenter named Diana Dar wrote:

    It’s a huge question for me how can a marriage be biblically right and a good example to follow if the wife is the one on stage and the husband is always beside her?! Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around?! Of course it is. I am a wife myself by the way. 🙂

    To which I responded:

    Just so, Diana! I was thinking almost the same thing and I was hoping someone would speak out Biblically. I have admired Joni over the years and even listened to her radio program, but I always wondered: Where is her husband in all this? Of course, the world–and worldly Christians–will argue that after all, she’s the one who’s a quadriplegic; she’s the one with the testimony; shouldn’t she be the one ministering? But any Titus 2 woman worth her salt would have her husband speak for her: the woman is to remain silent. Ken Tada can give Joni Eareckson Tada’s testimony for Joni Eareckson Tada. She can appear on stage with him, if necessary, but she is not to speak. If someone in the audience has a question that Ken can’t answer, then that audience member can ask her own husband at home.:

    Not only was my comment not deleted, but it was actually responded to by none other than Tim Challies himself, who wrote:

    There is nothing in the Bible that forbids a woman from speaking on a stage at a conference or event. And certainly nothing about her husband speaking and her having to ask her own husband at home. There may be a seed of truth to some of that in the context of the worship services of a local church, but Joni isn’t a preacher and isn’t taking the place of one at any conference I’ve seen.

    The original commenter, Diana, did actually rejoin the conversation, but did not address my comment. So both she and Tim Challies believed my comment to be totally serious. This despite the fact that I suggested that a woman who poses a question to Ken Tada about his wife Joni that Ken cannot answer, that this woman is to ask her own husband at home! Apparently no one realized I was being facetious (except, possibly, one person, who posted a comment, “Seriously?” in response to my comment).

    So you see, boys and girls (well, maybe just the boys ;), sometimes we can learn as much from the comments that aren’t deleted as we can from those that are.

    Here is the LINK to the comment thread.

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  87. SMG – Now that’s funny

    I vote for – This is the – BEST COMMENT – Of the year – And – Attempted Biblical Answer.

    And that Challies attempted to give you the “True” biblical understanding is “Priceless.”

    “but Joni isn’t a preacher and isn’t taking the place of “one” at any conference I’ve seen.

    So – If Joni took the place of a preacher? – That would disqualify her????

    Maybe they have already been turned over to a reprobate mind???

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  88. Sergius!!!! I am spewing coffee here!!

    They seriously do not see how ridiculous they are!

    (When there is a building and elders are present, women cannot read scripture aloud in front of men. Got that? It right there in 1 Corin 14…. right after Paul talks about women prophesying in the Body in chapter 11. :o)

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  89. Challies has sort of painted himself into a corner there. We get back to what is the definition of the ekklesia. Obviously it is NOT when believers gather… anywhere…. to him. Obviously he thinks it is some special building with those who have Christianese titles in charge of the other believers.

    I guess the conference cannot be a a gathering of the ekklesia so it is ok for her to teach men (which is exactly what she is doing whether it is reading scrpture or giving a testimony)

    Guess those with the indwelling Holy Spirit did not show up and that is what makes it not a gathering of believers?

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  90. A. Amos Love wrote:

    SMG
    Don’t know if you noticed but
    http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/joni-ken-an-untold-love-story#disqus_thread
    A couple of folks are questioning Ted – you – there…
    It’s only polite to respond… Don’t ya think?

    I’m really torn on this, Amos. The woman whose husband died in prison really got to me. If anyone deserves a response, it’s that woman. However, I’m concerned that by doing so I might make matters worse.

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  91. Mara wrote:

    Would it be wrong for someone to clue them in that your comment was sarcastic, or would that defeat your whole purpose?

    Not sure, Mara. I guess I’d feel better if someone did that. I can’t figure out how someone could read that and not realize that a suggestion for a woman to ask her husband to answer a question about Joni Eareckson Tada that Joni’s own husband couldn’t answer could possibly be serious.

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  92. Sergius Martin-George wrote:

    I can’t figure out how someone could read that and not realize that a suggestion for a woman to ask her husband to answer a question about Joni Eareckson Tada that Joni’s own husband couldn’t answer could possibly be serious.

    I always find it sad when women are going to these gurus about the rules for this or that. I mean every single contingency as I used to really watch this stuff early on in blogging. It reminds me so much they live in a sort of Talmudic Christianity with no power of the Holy Spirit.

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  93. Blog: Ed Stetzer: The Lifeway Research Blog

    Date: 4/22/13, comment left this morning

    Post: http://www.edstetzer.com/2013/04/morning-roundup-042213-holy-spirit-is-the-bible-true-obama-on-abortion-ministering-to-boston.html

    Comment: “Mr. Stetzer, please acknowledge this open letter written to you by Christa Brown of SNAP: http://stopbaptistpredators.blogspot.com/2013/04/dear-ed-speak-up.html You spoke up about ABWE. Please do not be silent now.”

    Note: When I left the comment this morning, no comments were published on Ed’s post. Now he has published a comment by Bob Cleveland, but he has not published my comment. I also sent an e-mail through his website over the weekend linking to Christa Brown’s open letter and asking him to acknowledge it and speak up against the scandal in the SBC. I haven’t received a reply.

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  94. I got blocked on Twitter by Matt Chandler and now have decided to keep track of all of this foolishness on my blog. I have a tab at the top entitled “Negative Responses” in which I will keep track of people who have blocked me on Twitter and also will start the list that Dee told me to start over a year ago in which I failed to do – – – keeping track of silly names people call me (ie, Jezebel, Woman of Mass Destruction). I should be able to recall some of them. Check out this exchange that got me blocked. Wow. It never ceases to amaze me. I’m such a threat, evidently.

    http://goo.gl/hbToU

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  95. Blog: Peter Lumpkins: SBC Tomorrow

    Date: April 30, 2013

    Post: http://peterlumpkins.typepad.com/peter_lumpkins/2013/04/sovereign-grace-ministries-and-cj-mahaney-wants-lawsuit-to-end-.html

    Comment: Peter, I am glad you are writing about the child abuse and coverup scandal at SGM. Mahaney’s neocalvinist T4G celebrity-pastor friends won’t acknowledge it because Mahaney is one of “their men.” These celebrity pastors lack conscience. I’ve learned much about this situation from the news and websites like The Wartburg Watch and SGM Survivors.

    But I want to ask, Peter, why have you never acknowledged the work of Christa Brown and SNAP? Mrs. Brown has worked for a long time to document the child abuse and coverup scandals in the Southern Baptist Convention at her websites stopbaptistpredators.com and stopbaptistpredators.blogspot.com. Mrs. Brown has tried to help the SBC put an end to the child abuse and coverup scandal in the SBC, but they have both ignored and attacked her. As far as I know, the only Southern Baptists who have positively acknowledged Christa Brown are Wade Burleson and Dwight McKissic. Not only is there no mention of Mrs. Brown’s work on this site, there is no mention of the ongoing Prestonwood scandal involving the pedophile John Langworthy. Why are you only talking about child sexual abuse and coverup scandals outside of your own denomination?

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  96. dee wrote:

    @ Nicholas:Now you’ve gone and done it. He dislikes Wade Burleson. He is also an extremist about consumption of alcohol.

    True, but it looks like I was incorrect about him deleting my comment (it had appeared that he did earlier). He has published my comment and responded with a denunciation of child abuse and coverup in all denominations, including the SBC: http://peterlumpkins.typepad.com/peter_lumpkins/2013/04/sovereign-grace-ministries-and-cj-mahaney-wants-lawsuit-to-end-.html?cid=6a00d83451a37369e2017eeab4ff3d970d#comment-6a00d83451a37369e2017eeab4ff3d970d

    I am glad that he didn’t respond like commenters on the SBCVoices blog have responded to Christa Brown’s work in the past.

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  97. Hi Dee and Nicholas,

    Nope, Nicholas’ comment was never deleted. I found the comment in the spam bucket as I sometimes find even regular commenters’ contributions in the spam bucket (including my own at times!!). My spam filter seems way too sensitive, but alas we’ve learned to live with it. For the record, then, I posted the comment as soon as I discovered the comment.

    As for Dee’s apparent reasoning why she seemed to think (and think wrongly recall) I deleted Nicolas’ comment, I find to be of the strangest sort. Apparently Dee reasons that since Peter Lumpkins a)”dislikes Wade Burleson”; and b) remains “an extremist about consumption of alcohol,” then c) it follows I would delete Nicolas’ comment containing a question about why I never have acknowledged the work of Christa Brown and SNAP, et al.

    Is this the level of reasoning skill I read on many original posts coming from this site? Happily I can say without reservation it is not. Indeed I read much here with which I have agreed. And, for the most part, I’ve noted the original posts seem to offer those whom they criticize an honorable reading when they choose to engage. Fortunately, the sad reasoning Dee offers above cannot and should not be viewed as a model representing the more sober side of TWW.

    With that, I am…
    Peter Lumpkins

    P.S. I’d love to send you a complimentary copy of Alcohol Today: Abstinence in an Age of Indulgence (Hannibal Books, 2009) for your consideration. While some see it, as you put it, the view of “an extremist about consumption of alcohol,” I but view it as a sober (no pun intended) interpretation of the biblical text coupled with a modern application of revealed Christian ethics. Drop me an email and I’ll gladly send you a copy…

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  98. peter lumpkins wrote:

    ’d love to send you a complimentary copy of Alcohol Today: Abstinence in an Age of Indulgence (Hannibal Books, 2009) for your consideration

    And trying to be more “sober”, I will take you up on this offer. My poor deceased father will turn over in his grave. He was a Russian and a doctor and firmly believed that spirits, in moderation, were beneficial to one’s constitution. However, in keeping with my policy of reading diverse thinking as opposed to restricting ideas, I’ll take you up on your offer.

    I do have one question. There is this Chantix commercial on TV. It is a smoking cessation tool and they say you are allowed to smoke for the first week of the program. Can I sip a glass of wine to calm my nerves while I read your book?

    dee@thewartburgwatch.com

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  99. @ peter lumpkins: “Fortunately, the sad reasoning Dee offers above cannot and should not be viewed as a model representing the more sober side of TWW.’
    Dear Mr Limpkins– As legal console representing the more sober side of TWW (note my initials– AA–) I must insist that you desist (and seize) from impugning the sobriety of glorious blog queen Dee on your blog at SBCtalks. ;0 🙂
    David of AA, Legal Console, Freedom and Dignity University

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  100. I readily admit that I have control issues. I strongly dislike it when someone tries to control what I can and cannot say. Last night I commented on Denny Burk’s new article (wp.me/p1I00q-6mj ) asking him to define “feminism” because it appears that his definition is different from mine. I was the first commenter and it immediately went to moderation. I went back to look at it and 2 other comments were approved. They came in around 30 min. AFTER mine. ARGH. I posted the screen shot with my blog post here: http://goo.gl/UKwiO. What do you know, Gary W., one of my readers just informed me that Tom Parker got to ask the same question. As far as I know, Tom Parker is a dude. I am not. His question got posted, mine did not. Go figure. Blech. Did I say the topic was on “feminism?” The irony of all of this.

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  101. @ Julie Anne:

    Just read the article and left my own comment, which almost certainly won’t be published. So here it is for when it’s inevitably rejected:

    Hi Denny, I haven’t read much on transgender issues, but from what I have read it isn’t as simple as you present it in terms of sex and gender. Many transgender people (if it wasn’t 1am here I’d find some stats and journal articles) actually have brain chemistry that matches the ‘other’ sex (i.e. the one they identify with), and there are also those like buddyglass mentions who have chromosomal differences, such as XXY, XYY. Then there are people born intersex (what used to be called hermaphrodite), who have both sex and gender issues to deal with. While for most people sex = gender, be careful before making assumptions about why those who identify differently do so.

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  102. Marge: So, 8 hrs later my comment was posted – within 30 minutes of the personal e-mail I sent asking him why it wasn’t posted. Keep in mind, that he was surely getting hits from my blog as well as a ping-back. He surely read my blog post and the pressure was on. I have had no response as to why the delay. I just added a new comment that posted immediately (got a screen shot just in case):

    I am troubled that it took 8 hours for my original comment to get posted. I am especially disturbed that commenter Tom Parker asked the same question as me and his question was posted, but mine was not. Can you please help me to understand why my comment was delayed for so long when it was the same question? I’m sure my readers would be interested to know, too.

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  103. Ok, so it appears that all of my comments are getting posted, but an interesting thing is happening. It’s like he intentionally doesn’t answer my question that I’ve asked now twice publicly and once via e-ail: “what is your definition of feminism?” And Pam, btw, I told him via personal e-mail that I knew of another post that was in moderation and identified yours. I notice that he hasn’t published it.

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  104. I’ve never posted on here (I like to lurk) but this got me a little fed up, so I decided to go ahead and post this.

    The name of the blog: The Gospel Coalition
    The name of the post: Why Rising Social Awareness in the Church Should Be Encouraging
    The name of the editor (if more than one): Justin Holcomb
    Your comment:
    I’m sorry, but I find it somewhat insulting to run a post about the importance of social injustice for the oppressed and victimized when this site has yet to acknowledge the oppression and victimization happening under your noses with Sovereign Grace Ministries, much less shown care for the victims.

    To not sound too antagonistic, I will pose this question: In regards to how this post claims we should act with social injustice, how should The Gospel Coalition (having ties with Sovereign Grace Ministries) respond to the alleged victims of these crimes? How should they act in “tangible acts of love, service, and mercy” as you stated?

    The time it was left: 1:24 AM
    The approximate time it was deleted: Sometime in the night
    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious): Never got past moderation. I said the “Ministry-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”. Or maybe it was my one spelling error 😛

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  105. Posted on the same blog post that Invalid_Nate did – same result :

    The name of the blog: The Gospel Coalition
    The name of the post: Why Rising Social Awareness in the Church Should Be Encouraging
    The name of the editor (if more than one): Justin Holcomb

    Your comment:
    And yet, there is no compassion or outcry of support for the victims named in the SGM lawsuit. You don’t have to condemn the defendants to support the abused.

    The time it was left: May 17, 2013 at 9:09 AM
    The approximate time it was deleted: Around 11:00 AM the same day
    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious): Also never made it past moderation. I’m guessing the reference to “SGM” had something to do with it… 😉

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  106. Just as an FYI, I posted the following on TGC and it WAS NOT delete:

    “And the church is largely no different: we will go to the mat for protecting the life of the unborn, but when there are innocent children at stake who are born and alive under everyone’s definition (for example, those sexually molested in SGM churches who were NOT defendend by the church and continue to be ignored by the Christian community at large), it makes it clear that pro-life is a stance taken for the sake of something other than the protection of innocent life. When the church doesn’t protect these lives, the credibility of pro-life position is really shot.”

    http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/05/03/how-to-change-a-society-in-5-easy-steps/?comments#comments

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  107. The name of the blog: — OutofUr.com

    The name of the post: — “Dallas Willard Changed My Ministry Forever”

    The name of the editor (if more than one): — There are several editors: Skye Jethani, Marshall Shelley, Drew Dyck (and of course, my favorite Url!)

    Your comment — I was commenting about Dallas Willard, a man who was well deserving of praise. A truly honest man of integrity. Then I said that Christianity Today’s Out of Ur blog needs to post about the Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit. I said that I had seen Skye Jethani speak in person and I know he cares about what non-Christians, the unchurched, and the dechurched think about Christianity. I urged him to speak up.

    The time it was left up — About 2 days.

    The approximate time it was deleted — Still missing in action

    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious) — I think that people at Christianity Today haven’t read the 46-page lawsuit yet.
    http://spiritualsoundingboard.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/2nd-amended-lawsuit-filing-may-14-2013.pdf

    If they had, they would be sounding bells and not be so frightened. This is not going to end well for SGM and Mahaney. Starting with paragraph #29, you read more than 180 separate horrifying accusations giving names, locations, and descriptions of the acts that were allegedly done to little children as young as 2 years old by leaders of Sovereign Grace Ministries and Covenant Life School. No average person can read this and not think there is something behind these allegations. Several of the alleged victims have revealed their names. And we heard on Janet Mefferd’s interview with attorney Bill O’Neil (on 5-16-2013) that more alleged victims are coming forward to be added as Plaintiffs on this class action lawsuit.

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  108. Christianity Today appears to be protecting the Sovereign Grace Ministries big-wigs who made public Victory Tweets celebrating that most of the child sexual abuse lawsuit against their buddy C. J. Mahaney was thrown out of court. These include Tweets from: Denny Burk (@DennyBurk), Kevin DeYoung (@RevKevDeYoung), Justin Taylor (@BetweenTwoWorlds), and Owen Strachan (@ostrachan)

    – * – * – * –

    The name of the blog – Christianity Today Gleanings

    The URL for the blog post – http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/05/judge-dismisses-sovereign-grace-ministries-abuse-lawsuit.html

    The name of the post – Judge Tosses Out Most of Abuse Lawsuit Against Sovereign Grace Ministries

    The name of the editor (if more than one) – Harold Smith.

    Your comment – “In my second comment (above) I mentioned there were several public tweets from Christian leaders who are sympathetic to defendant C. J. Mahaney, regarding the judge’s action yesterday. Julie Anne Smith, a blogger on church abuse, has posted screenshots of their tweets on Spiritual Sounding Board.”

    The time it was left – 6:50 pm ET 5-18-2013

    The approximate time it was deleted – 8:30 pm ET (less than 2 hours later)

    For the attorneys: Everything from this point forward is “alleged.”

    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious) – In my opinion, “Christianity Today Magazine” is protecting the Sovereign Grace Ministries big-wigs who made public Victory Tweets because their friend C. J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries got off most of the allegations in the lawsuit due to the statute of limitations (when the victims turned 21). Two victims are still under 21 and that part of the lawsuit is still active.

    See the Tweets here:
    http://spiritualsoundingboard.com/2013/05/18/sovereign-grace-ministries-lawsuit-whirlwind-recap/

    Why are these men celebrating? Don’t they realize how horrifying this lawsuit it, and that the victims need to tell their story and the defendants need to demonstrate their innocence, if possible?

    – * – * – * –

    Here’s a few highlights adapted from the lawsuit. GRAPHIC.

    The Sovereign Grace Ministries child sexual abuse lawsuit is a public document and is available online. It is a class action civil suit.
    Download it here: http://spiritualsoundingboard.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/2nd-amended-lawsuit-filing-may-14-2013.pdf

    Nearly every paragraph is horribly graphic, detailing names, locations, and description of sexual abuse.

    Summary of some key paragraphs, which are abridged and not quoted verbatim:

    Paragraph
    #1
    Describes this as a lawsuit seeking damages for all persons harmed by an ongoing conspiracy that permitted sexual deviants to have access to children for purposes of predation.

    #2
    Abuse of children occurred at church buildings, school buildings, during church retreats, and other events.

    #29
    From 1982 to present conspiracy of defendants to permit sexual deviants to have access to children for purposes of predation.

    #34
    8 year old child was forced to meet with the defendant who molested her and another defendant and was told to “forgive” the molester. The defendant did not report the molestation.

    #36-37
    Youth ministry leader Morales molested several boys who admitted it to Chris Glass but were cautioned against talking about the facts. [Ed: Morales is in jail for child sexual abuse as of 5-18-2013.]

    #51 Defendant David Adam was convicted and served jail time. He was welcomed back into the church without the church taking any effective steps to prevent him from having continued access to children.

    #75-77
    Second-grade girl pushed down and gang-raped by defendants and by others who were wearing masks.

    #109
    Defendants Ecelbarger, Mullery and V. Hinders, conspiring together with Mahaney and Loftness, violated the mandatory reporting obligations and conspired together to cover up [name withheld pending court ruling on defense motion]‘s molestation of children.

    #128
    The church provided babysitting services for Home Group members, many of whom homeschooled their children, but failed to advise them that the defendant had raped and assaulted Jane Doe.

    #131
    Defendants made a series of misrepresentations to the parents of Jane Doe to prevent them from attending court appearances and to prevent them from filing a victim impact statement…

    #132
    …Defendants falsely claimed that they were speaking on behalf of the parents of Jane Doe, and falsely claimed that the parents did not wish to participate in the court proceedings regarding the sexual assault…

    #138
    Discovery will show that Defendants Mullery, David Hinder and Vince Hinders (sic) spoke with Maryland-based Defendants Mahaney and Loftness, and together conspired to prevent any reporting to the secular authorities. 

    #150
    Defendants conspired to permit the pedophiliac to have unfettered access to children…in a back hallway where children routinely played

    #157 – Mahaney alert
    Rather than report the ongoing abuse to secular authorities or take any steps to stop the abuse, Defendants informed the father that his children had reported the abuse.  This led to further abuse by the father.  In exchange for the conspiracy of silence, the abusive father paid to send Defendants Mahaney, Ricucci, and Layman and their families on vacation to the Kiawah Islands, South Carolina.”

    #173
    …they permitted Griney to teach and have unfettered access to children, and conspired to cover up the facts.

    #177
    On or about August 17, 2011, Defendants admitted during a meeting that they placed protecting the churches from lawsuits over and above the safety of children. This admission revealed ….[they were] acting for financially motivated reasons, had designed and agreed upon a plan to obstruct justice, yet permit predators to continue to have unfettered access to children in church and school settings.

    #178
    Defendants permitted David Adams, a known pedophile, to attend church-sponsored sleepovers without advising parents about his sexual deviance.

    – * – * – * –

    I think the victims deserve their day in court. And if C. J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries and Covenant Life School are not culpable (2 Defendants have already gone to jail for child sexual abuse), then let them be exonerated in court.

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  109. Nicolas —
    “Christianity Today” has now posted 2 articles on their Christianity Today Gleanings blog on the Sovereign Grace Ministries child sexual abuse lawsuit since 5-14-2013. At least the online version of CT is doing something. Let’s see what the print side does. That’s better than “Christian Post” and “World Magazine,” which have been completely silent.

    What’s so interesting is that The Wartburg Watch has gotten more than 1200 reader comments in the past 7 days on these stories. No other Christian website is getting that level of reader activity right now. What does that say?

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  110. Janey wrote:

    That’s better than “Christian Post” and “World Magazine,” which have been completely silent.

    Those publications are both sympathetic to these guys. Richard Land is one of the heads of CP. Al Mohler makes contributions to it.

    Marvin Olasky is Presbyterian. World Mag has done exposes of men outside the neocalvinist camp, such as David Barton for his fraud and Dinesh D’Souza for marital unfaithfulness. I hope that they will write about the infinitely worse sins of child abuse and coverup engaged in by a group within the neocalvinist camp, that being SGM. But the fact that they haven’t already covered it is bad enough.

    And to my knowledge, neither CT, CP, or WM have covered the child abuse and coverup scandal of the SBC which has been known for even longer. Among the Christian newsmedia, Bob Allen of EthicsDaily.com and Associated Baptist Press has done the most to cover that tragic story.

    I agree that we should give credit where it is due, and CT is at least publishing the story. But you are correct that TWW has done more to make this story public than any official Christian news publication.

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  111. The name of the blog — The Alabama Baptist

    URL – http://thealabamabaptist.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/sbc-leaders-stand-by-accused-colleague/#comments

    The name of the post — SBC leaders stand by accused colleague

    The name of the editor (if more than one) — Bob Terry and Jennifer Davis Rash

    Your comment — (See below)

    The time it was left — approx 7:10 pm ET on May 29, 2013

    The approximate time it was deleted — It was never posted.

    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious) — I hope it’s not a code of silence to protect perpetrators rather than children. But that’s how it seems.

    My comment was in response to an earlier commenter:

    Griffin, let me give you actual paragraph numbers that show a different story…

    (Everything beyond this point is “alleged,” for the lawyers out there.)

    The vast majority of the 218 paragraphs are horribly graphic, detailing names, locations, and description of sexual abuse. Summary of some paragraphs, which are abridged and not quoted verbatim, are below:

    Paragraph #:
    #1
    Describes this as a lawsuit seeking damages for all person harmed by an ongoing conspiracy that permitted sexual deviants to have access to children for purposes of predation.

    #2
    Abuse of children occurred at church buildings, school buildings, during church retreats, and other events.

    #29
    From 1982 to present conspiracy of defendants to permit sexual deviants to have access to children for purposes of predation.

    #34
    8-year-old child had to meet with the defendant who molested her and another defendant and was told to “forgive” the molester. The defendant did not report the molestation.

    #36-37
    Youth ministry leader Morales molested several boys who admitted it to Chris Glass but were cautioned against talking about the facts.

    #51
    Defendant David Adams was convicted and served jail time. He was welcomed back into the church without the church taking any effective steps to prevent him from having continued access to children.

    #75-77
    Second-grade girl pushed down and gang-raped by defendants and by other adults who were wearing masks.

    #109
    Defendants Ecelbarger, Mullery and V. Hinders, conspiring together with Mahaney and Loftness, violated the mandatory reporting obligations and conspired together to cover up [name withheld pending court ruling on defense motion]‘s molestation of children.

    #128
    The church provided babysitting services for Home Group members, many of whom homeschooled their children, but failed to advise them that the defendant had raped and assaulted Jane Doe.

    #131
    Defendants made a series of misrepresentations to the parents of Jane Doe to prevent them from attending court appearances and to prevent them from filing a victim impact statement…

    #132
    …Defendants falsely claimed that they were speaking on behalf of the parents of Jane Doe, and falsely claimed that the parents did not wish to participate in the court proceedings regarding the sexual assault…

    #178
    Defendants permitted David Adams, a known pedophile, to attend church-sponsored sleepovers without advising parents about his sexual deviance.

    #138
    Discovery will show that Defendants Mullery, David Hinder and Vince Hinders (sic) spoke with Maryland-based Defendants Mahaney and Loftness, and together conspired to prevent any reporting to the secular authorities.

    #150
    Defendants conspired to permit the pedophiliac to have unfettered access to children…in a back hallway where children routinely played

    #157
    Rather than report the ongoing abuse to secular authorities or take any steps to stop the abuse, Defendants informed the father that his children had reported the abuse. This led to further abuse by the father. In exchange for the conspiracy of silence, the abusive father paid to send Defendants Mahaney, Ricucci, and Layman and their families on vacation to the Kiawah Islands, South Carolina.”

    #173
    …they permitted Griney to teach and have unfettered access to children, and conspired to cover up the facts.

    #177
    On or about August 17, 2011, Defendants admitted during a meeting that they placed protecting the churches from lawsuits over and above the safety of children. This admission revealed ….[they were] acting for financially motivated reasons, had designed and agreed upon a plan to obstruct justice, yet permit predators to continue to have unfettered access to children in church and school settings.

    For the entire lawsuit (which is a public document), do an internet search for: SGMsuit – SGM Survivors pdf

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  112. The name of the blog : Denny Burk

    The name of the post : “Mohler, Dever, and Duncan issue statement in support of C.J. Mahaney” (http://www.dennyburk.com/mohler-dever-and-duncan-issue-statement-in-support-of-c-j-mahaney/)

    Your comment : “The allegations are extremely serious. Mahaney should step aside for now and you guys should stop welcoming him with open arms to every speaking engagement in the Western hemisphere. If he is innocent, he should be spearheading his own investigation into what actually happened to the victims(remember them?) and get justice for them”

    The time it was left : Approx 10:30PM on 5-JUN-2013

    The approximate time it was deleted : Never made it out of moderation.

    As an aside, this is the 3rd comment I have tried to leave at his blog that has never seen the light of day.

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  113. The name of the blog – Out of Ur, a blog owned by Christianity Today, which has stubbornly refused to talk about this issue.

    The name of the post – Friday Five Interview: Kevin DeYoung
    http://www.outofur.com/archives/2013/06/for_todays_entr.html

    The name of the editor (if more than one) – Harold Smith, the President/CEO, but Skye Jethani, Marshall Shelley, and Drew Dyck are also listed on the blog.

    The time the comment was left 7:40 am ET on 6/20/2013

    The approximate time it was deleted – was never posted

    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious) – Christianity Today is part of the cover up, which is so obvious, since the Christian Post, Huffington Post, Associated Baptist Press, Washington Post, and ABC TV affiliate WJLA have all reported on it since the new horrifying and graphic allegations came on publicly on May 14, 2013.

    What I posted:

    Kevin, it’s important that you and Don Carson and Justin Taylor apologize to the 11 alleged victims of child sexual abuse in the Sovereign Grace Ministries cover up lawsuit for your May 23 statement. Nearly 1/3 of the defendants in the lawsuit have already been convicted either criminally or proceeded in the juvenile system. Rather than siding with your friend C.J. Mahaney, the senior pastor for years at one of the churches, you should have shown concern to the children. Penn State and the Catholic Church teach us that cover ups happen and leaders turn a blind eye to the pedophiles in their midst in order to shield their institutions.

    Jesus said a lot about the lure of money and image, and those who sacrifice children to get it are in deep trouble with the Lord.

    + + + + +
    Know the Basics of the Sovereign Grace Ministries Child Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Allegations in 15 minutes or less

    1. ABC TV Overview + discussion of defendants who have already been convicted for other child sex crimes (4 minutes, ABC TV affiliate WJLA) – http://www.wjla.com/video/2013/05/church-sex-abuse-allegations.html

    2. ABC TV Update on the lawsuit (2 minutes, ABC TV affiliate WJLA)) – http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/05/sovereign-grace-ministries-class-action-civil-lawsuit-involving-child-sex-abuse-88894.html

    3. Huffington Post article about the evangelical pastors who are standing up for Mahaney, the key defendant- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/24/c-j-mahaney-scandal-evangelical-leaders-defend-pastor-accused-of-abuse-cover-up_n_3334500.html

    4. Christian Post article featuring updates from Boz Tchividjian, grandson of Billy Graham, and Janet Mefferd, Christian radio host. Discusses the surreptitious change in the statement by C. J. Mahaney supporters Al Mohler, Mark Dever, and Ligon Duncan
    http://www.christianpost.com/news/billy-grahams-grandson-responds-to-sovereign-grace-ministries-lawsuit-97590/
    + + + + + +

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  114. The name of the blog: The Gospel Coalition
    The name of the post:“The Least of These”: An Example of the Right Doctrine from the Wrong Text
    The name of the editor:Justin Taylor
    Your comment:
    I’m sorry, but I am a bit confused. Justin, are you actually implying that when Jesus says “the least of these” and “the hungry and thirsty” he is talking about pastors and religious authorities? If so, I would have to say I am very concerned. Not only is that a complete twist of that passage, but it doesn’t match up with any of Jesus’ teachings on helping the poor and oppressed.
    I don’t think I have ever seen an American pastor hungry or thirsty, especially ones associated with TGC. I believe that the entirety of the passage (because there is more then just those 5 verses you provided) is directed toward pastors and missionaries, as in when he talks about the sheep and the goats. The hungry and thirsty are those that need to be taken care of within the community they are part of, not the leaders of the community. Leaders are in place to feed, not consume. To bring justice to the oppressed, not bathe in the followers splendor.
    I am a bit questioning the timing of this post, but I can definitely say that there are quite a few victims of sexual abuse that are in need, and that TGC could make Jesus’ teachings a reality by helping them out instead of defend your pastor buddies, who I highly doubt are starving right now. Just a thought. If this post even makes it past moderation I’m sure I’ll get a stern talking to.

    The time it was left: 8:59 am
    The approximate time it was deleted: Within minutes of posting
    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious): I questioned his interpretation of scripture and suggested he care for victims of sexual abuse.

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  115. @ dee:
    It just blows my mind that they will accept zero form of push back. It’s not like I was sending “hate mail” (which I also got a comment deleted for asking about hate mail via blog comments) but a question with serious concern for that teaching. It’s exactly like you said, the Pharisees are now the least of these. Good Lord save us.

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  116. The name of the blog: Christianity Today Gleanings

    The name of the post: Three Interesting Decisions Made Today by Southern Baptist Leaders
    http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/06/interesting-southern-baptist-convention-resolutions.html

    The name of the editor (if more than one): Harold Smith, Melissa Steffan

    Your comment – See below

    The time it was left – June 12, 2013 10:44 pm ET

    The approximate time it was deleted – My comment was never posted

    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious) – I’m clueless as to why they didn’t post this. It was factual and informative and in no way sensational or accusatory.

    Christianity Today’s main headline news website has not published any article on the Sovereign Grace Ministries child sex abuse and cover-up lawsuit or the ongoing criminal investigations since the new and horrifying allegations came out on May 14, 2013. Of the 10 individual defendant about 1/3 have been brought to the attention of the authorities for child sex crimes: 2 have been convicted; 1 proceeded in the juvenile system, and 1 case is currently ongoing in Maryland. The cover-up and collusion allegations against Pastor C.J. Mahaney, the senior pastor for two decades, are quite serious. Here’s a quick overview of the situation from ABC TV affiliate WJLA – http://www.wjla.com/video/2013/05/church-sex-abuse-allegations.html

    ——- This is the comment I left ——-

    Here are some of the key paragraphs from the “On Sexual Abuse of Children” resolution that was passed by the Southern Baptist Convention this morning. SBC pastor from Georgia Peter Lumpkins made the resolution. He has been writing about and monitoring the Sovereign Grace Ministries child sexual abuse and cover up lawsuit for many months.

    —-

    
RESOLVED, That we remind all Southern Baptists of their legal and moral responsibility to report any child abuse to authorities in addition to implementing any appropriate church discipline or internal restoration processes; and be it further

    

RESOLVED, That we likewise call upon all Southern Baptists to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials in exposing and bringing to justice all perpetrators, sexual or otherwise, who criminally harm children placed in our trust; and be it further 

RESOLVED, That we strongly urge Southern Baptist churches to utilize background checks like those provided through LifeWay Christian Resources (www.lifeway.com/backgroundchecks), databases of sexual predators such as the US Department of Justice sex offender database linked at SBC.net (www.SBC.net/localchurches/ministryhelp.asp), or other relevant resources in screening all potential staff and volunteer workers, particularly those who minister to children and youth; and be it further



    RESOLVED, That we encourage pastors and church leaders to develop and implement sound policies and procedures to protect our children; and be it [further]

    “RESOLVED: that we encourage all denominational leaders and employees of the Southern Baptist Convention to utilize the highest sense of discernment in affiliating with groups and/or individuals that possess questionable policies and practices in protecting our children from criminal abuse; and be it finally”

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  117. Now that I’ve looked a little more closely at the article on the Christianity Today Gleanings blog, it appears that Christianity Today is deliberately trying to avoid the fact that the Southern Baptist Convention child sex abuse reporting resolution that passed was directly connected to the Sovereign Grace Ministries lawsuit.

    We know that the resolution is connected to the SGM lawsuit because Peter Lumpkins proposed it and has been blogging about the SGM lawsuit for months. I mentioned Peter Lumpkins in my comment, and I’m guessing that might be the reason my comment was not posted.

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  118. The name of the blog – Christianity Today Gleanings, owned by Christianity Today

    The name of the post – Alan Chambers Apologizes to Gay Community, Exodus International to Shut Down
    http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/06/exodus-international-alan-chambers-apologies-to-gays.html

    The name of the editor (if more than one) – Harold Smith

    The time it was left – 1:00 am ET on June 21, 2013

    The approximate time it was deleted – It was never posted.

    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious) – I have no idea why my comment (below) wasn’t posted. It is a reasonable comment, far more measured than many of the incendiary and even silly comments the Gleanings editors had already approved (see Angelina’s comment as an example). One possibility is that I’m being banned from commenting on Christianity Today due to my criticism of their silence on their main news website about the SGM child sex abuse lawsuit and defendant C.J. Mahaney. The lawsuit and ongoing criminal investigations is American Evangelicalism’s worst sex scandal, and yet Christianity Today’s main news site and print magazine is silent. Christian Post, Huffington Post, Associated Baptist Press, ABC TV affiliate WJLA, and many others have run the story of the alleged cover up and the pastors involved, but not Christianity Today on their main headline news site. Silence. Silence. Silence. (World Magazine hasn’t run any articles yet either. It’s shocking that Christians’ best information comes from blogs like The Wartburg Watch.)

    Comment that wasn’t posted:
    I was posting about Alan Chambers’s decision to shut down the ex-gay ministry Exodus International:

    I wrote: “Alan Chambers was courageous in what he said and what he did. Whether people agree with him or not, I hope people read his statement closely.”

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  119. My comment was nev published:

    http://www.dennyburk.com/gender-bending-ad-to-discourage-teen-pregnancy/

    I left a comment on this article yesterday at about 3 PM, saying that the point was that boys have a stake in teen pregnancy. I also posed the question “where are all the teachings directed to boys to watch what they do?”. And teenage boys (and i inferred its a problem with men too) show a lack of commitment. The comment was never published. What’s wrong with that?

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  120. VelvetVoice wrote:

    The comment was never published. What’s wrong with that?

    VV — I think that it shows that certain Christian bloggers cannot handle the common sense observations of normal people. It’s impossible to have a reasonable conversation with an unreasonable person. Keep up the good work and keep commenting. Their pattern of deleting and censoring will be evident to everyone.

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  121. A few observations about Christianity Today and their punitive censorship

    1. All of my comments on the Christianity Today blogs have been respectful. However, ever since the Sovereign Grace Ministries allegations became public on May 14, Christianity Today has deleted or never published most of my comments. Note: Christianity Today regularly approves all manner of silly and even disrespectful comments.

    2. They have blocked my old proxy IP address. No problem, I’ve got lots of proxy IP addresses and have no trouble getting around their blocks, but that tells me that their censorship of me is deliberate.

    3. So why have I been singled out for this? Since it started on May 20, I believe Christianity Today is part of a cover up about the Sovereign Grace Ministries child sexual abuse and collusion lawsuit.

    4. Called by nationally syndicated Christian radio host Janet Mefferd, “American Evangelicalism’s Biggest Sex Scandal,” the SGM story and the child sexual abuse allegations have been covered by many other news sites in the past 6 weeks, including the Christian Post, Huffington Post, Associated Baptist Press, Washington Post, and ABC TV affiliate WJLA. All have reported on Pastor C. J. Mahaney and the new horrifying and graphic accusations — but not Christianity Today Magazine.

    For those of you who wish to comment freely on Christianity Today’s blogs, I recommend you use a proxy server.

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  122. @ William David Wallace: It is interesting. He does not seem to have any ties to the Neo-Calvinists who have been involved in defending some of the ministries to which the statement alludes. Perhaps it is due to some of the more conservative ties of those involved on the GRACE board ? A couple of people brought up the connection to a Mars Hill pastor. Mark Driscoll’s church is somewhat on the outs with some of the more moderate Christian thinkers. Same with Liberty University. Just a thought. I, on the other hand continue to believe that common causes make strange bedfellows.

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  123. Jared Wilson posted the following Tweet:

    “Charlie Brown can forgive Lucy without ever taking another run at that football.”

    …to which I responded:

    “Yes, but will got grant Lucy repentance? Does she even know how deeply broken she is?”

    It stayed up for about 10 minutes. Then it was gone. I noticed someone else’s response–which came later than mine–was still there.

    I’ll leave it to y’all to speculate as to why he deleted it.

    SMG

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  124. It would appear as though I have a permanent ban on internet monk. I can’t remember the particulars on my previous comments, but they never saw the light of day. Today I submitted a respectful comment on their current thread pertaining to the Virgin Mary. I used a different moniker thinking perhaps that ‘Muff Potter’ might carry a certain unsavory ring to it, but to no avail. Maybe my ip address alerts the censor(s) that the comment is to be s#!t-canned on sight.

    I fully realize that it’s their blog and they’ll do as they see fit. Like a wandering medieval Jew (metaphorically) who may or may not be allowed a money changing booth next to the brothel, I can really appreciate how genuinely different TWW is from the rest.

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  125. Blog: The Gospel Coalition
    Article: The Problem with the Childfree Life
    Half my comments on this site get “lost” in moderation. The one’s that get through are the ones I had to bend over backwards in sugary sweet submission in order to not ruffle feathers.

    My comment:
    Wow, just wow. When did being a parent to a child get confused with being a follower of Christ? The argument about a person controlling their environment sounds like helicopter parenting but it is also the argument against birth control in general.

    (I want to be a mother and a wife and it is so sad that the concerns of my sisters in Christ are being dismissed because they do not conform to other peoples ideas about who they should be)

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  126. I forget how many days ago it was, but I had recently left a comment on this post on JD Hall’s blog: http://pulpitandpen.org/2013/02/28/why-ive-left-the-convention/

    Here was my sole comment:

    “Shouldn’t this also be a reason to leave the SBC?: http://www.stopbaptistpredators.org/index.htm” [End of Quote]

    My comment went into moderation, but now Hall has deleted it. Neither in that post, nor in his sermon calling for repentance from the SBC, did he ever mention the child sex abuse and coverup scandal in the SBC.

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  127. JD

    Welcome to TWW.

    I do not know what you mean by using one’s blog as a forum. People raise issues over here all the time. Blogs are a place for discussion and asking questions. I think that is far more important to encourage a free exchange of ideas as opposed to just listening to us blog editors bloviating. I frankly get tired of listeing to myself all the time, don’t you?  That is why I love challenging comments by readers. Nicholas is asking a reasonable question. He is a valued reader and commenter on our blog. You do not need to be afraid of him “using you blog as a forum” whatever that means.

    I think it is great to get comments, lots of them. Have you followed the discussions on this blog? It is awesome to learn from others.

    Christa Brown’s blog is one of the best ones out there in terms of documenting the problems of child sex abuse in the Baptist world. Her blog carefully documents, via links to news stories,  pedophiles arrested, sent to jail and the response of various churches. In fact, she well documented the trial and conviction of a pedophile in a church that I was attending.  The church’s response to him was one of the reasons I left that church and committed to exposing child sex abuse and the church. It is one of the reason that I left the SBC as well.

    I hope you are aware of Christa Brown’s blog Stop Baptist Predators. If you care about the SBC and the welfare of children within the SBC, you should avail yourself of that information. Frankly, you should have clicked on the link that he provded and educated yourself. It would have opened your eyes. I always like to click on links and read what our readers send us. Your readers can be your greatest resource.

    I do not see why he needs to send your more supporting links tohave his comment punished. Click on the one he sent you. There’s enough reading there to keep you busy for aa week. If you need further information, let us know. TWW has similar information.

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  128. JD PS

    We look on people who visit our blog as valued guests. If they leave a comment and we delete it, we put a comment on my blog for deleted comments. We also have a policy that they can protest to us that their comment was deleted and we reconsider it. If we do not print a comment from someone who is new, we try to contact them to tell them why. Now, if it is a comment that is full of cuss words or is indicative that the person is nuts or if they threaten us, we do not respond to those. But, those are very few.

    I find it odd when I vist blogs and only read comments that are suck ups to the editor. “Oh, you are awesome.” X 50. Yes, you will get lots of compliments. But, you should get pushback. That is where the rubber meets the road. 

    We havea an awesome list “What the world is saying about TWW.” On it are the names that we have been called. We have published all of these names in the comments. It keeps us humble. You can see it under our about us but here it is. I have such a good laugh over this.

    • Wartburg witches
    • Obscure 
    • Wenches
    • O glorious wenches
    • Minions of Satan
    • Hatemongers
    • x#&**#xx!@
    • Narcissistic zeroes
    • Morons
    • Warthogs
    • Quite a gossip column
    • How did we ever get along without you?
    • Assyrians
    • Philistines
    • Full of ****
    • Bored housewives
    • Yellow journalism
    • Discernment Divas
    • Feminist Heretic
    • Discernamentalist Diva Mafia
    • Poor reading comprehension
    • In Need of ESL
    • Anti-Christian bigot
    • E Pharisee
    • Discernment blogger

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  129. Boo Hoo

    Deny Burke deleted a comment – Twice…
    http://www.dennyburk.com/the-weekly-task-of-pastoral-ministry-revkevdeyoung/#comment-128575

    He quoted a Kevin DeYoung Tweet – “The weekly task of pastoral ministry”

    The weekly task of pastoral ministry:
    read yourself full, write yourself clear,
    pray yourself hot, preach yourself empty.

    And I responded with…

    ———–

    Was Wondering…

    Is any of what DeYoung said – in the Bible?

    Seems when you actually search the scriptures about pastoral ministry…
    And you can NOT find today’s “pastoral ministry” in the scriptures…

    Paid – Professional – Pastors – in Pulpits – Preaching – to People – in Pews.

    You might want to ask some different questions as you search…

    Did any of His Disciples call them self – pastor/leader/reverend?
    Did any of His Disciples call another Disciple – pastor/leader/reverend?
    Did any of His Disciples take the “Title” – pastor/leader/reverend?
    Were any Disciples , Hired or Fired, as a – pastor/leader/reverend?

    Seems, the only one in the Bible with the “Title/Position”
    Pastor/Leader/Reverend – Is…

    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}

    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
    them also I must bring, and they shall “hear My voice; “
    and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
    John 10:16

    One Voice – One Fold – One Shepherd – One Leader

    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}

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  130. I don’t know if this WILL be deleted, but I wouldn’t be surprised, so here it is:

    “Christiane November 13, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.

    DAVID MILLER
    as moderator, will you not at least take a look at this before you admit certain guest bloggers, please:

    http://thewartburgwatch.com/2013/09/06/the-senseless-death-of-hana-williams/

    is it ‘disruptive’ to want to protect children?

    have you read Vanatta’s other posts on his website?

    I don’t understand.

    Reply
    – See more at: http://sbcvoices.com/gospel-parenting-part-1-by-jeremy-vanatta/#comment-211888

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  131. I did just check again, and my comment was deleted.
    I am concerned that SBCVoices would promote a guest who advocates certain ‘disciplinary’ practices.

    How widespread is hitting children to the point of pain in Christian fundamentalism? Has it gone so far as to be ‘acceptable’ to the SBC itself ?

    ? . . . very concerned

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  132. http://timfall.wordpress.com/2013/10/24/hospitality-lacking-the-gospel-coalition/

    The link above is to a post I wrote about my experience recently at The Gospel Coalition. TGC had a fairly decent post written from a comp perspective no pastors encouraging women teachers. I complimented the post and suggested that those same pastors should also sit under those women teachers in order to learn from them. Deleted. And when I contacted them as to why, no response.

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  133. i am very impresed with it.The link above is to a post I wrote about my experience recently at The Gospel Coalition. TGC had a fairly decent post written from a comp perspective no pastors encouraging women teachers. I complimented the post and suggested that those same pastors should also sit under those women teachers in order to learn from them. Deleted. And when I contacted them as to why, no response.thanks keep it up.

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  134. This is an apology. I deleted a comment on this site by mistake last night/early this morning. It was by a new commenter and I hit the wrong button (TWICE!) and the comment is now gone.

    So if you commented for the first time last night and it never showed up blame me. And please try again. This does not happen often. In fact it’s the first time in 4+ years for me.

    Sorry.

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  135. The liberal Christian blog Hacking Christianity censored my comment from this discussion:

    http://hackingchristianity.net/2013/12/redefining-marriage-has-biblical-precedent.html

    One might assume it was censored in light of differing from the predominant theological views expressed therein (shorter contrarian posts were allowed from other conservatives, whereas the liberal theologian posting under the name zzyxz made several posts of great length).

    Strictly speaking, redefining marriage does not have biblical precedent; rather, certain forms of marriage that were permitted under Mosaic Law, and indeed, certain modes of divorce, were prohibited either implicitly through the Golden Rule, proclaimed by Jesus Christ, or explicitly, in the case of the new restrictions on divorce. It is worth remembering that the Mosaic Law was intended to govern a people under a time that one might euphemistically describe as “harsher” than the world we live in; compared to other law codes we have from the same era, it is certainly one of the more merciful. At the time it was written, before the establishment of the Israelites in Palestine, the nation of Israel was essentially a roaming hoard, similar to the nomadic bands of Tartars, Mongol raiders of more recent memory. Their survival was, to a large extent, dependent on plunder. Thus, one might to some extent say that portions of the Mosaic Law are, by contemporary standards, a law for pirates and brigands; however, such banditry is now expressly prohibited by the imperative of Christ towards mercy, enshrined in the Golden Rule, which overrides all Levetical commandments.

    This would preclude all forms of non-consensual marriage that were allowed the Israels, for example, in the case of the Midianite virgins. However, Levirate marriage is legal and expected in many parts of the world; I see nothing unethical in it, provided the marriage is consensual. Marrying the brother of the deceased husband, or for that matter, the sister of the deceased wife, might well offer substantial consolation, and provide for a social safety net that otherwise would be lacking.

    Regarding Polygamy, the situation does become somewhat more cloudy. Paul, in his Epistles, commanded that deacons and elders should be husbands of one wife; which implies the exclusion of those with more than one wife from the clergy. Throughout the New Testament, monogamous marriage is consistently held up as an ideal of love, and also as the model between Christ and his Church. However, polygamy is not explicitly condemned. Of the Church Fathers, St. Basil the Great likened polygamy to fornication; St. Augustine deprecated it, and Tertullian declared it unlawful; it was also unequivocally condemned by Justin Martyr and my beloved St. Irenaeus. However, in a lost work, Eusebius of Caesarea, the illustrious author of the Ecclesiastical History, who was later condemned as a heretic for attempting to serve as a peacemaker between the Orthodox and Arian factions at Nicaea, may have offered a partial reconciliation of polygamy to the New Testament.

    The Patristic condemnation of polygamy did not stop Martin Luther, who it must be remembered did exhort us to “sin boldly”, and who did write many horrible things about the Jews, too terrible to mention, illustrated in the most perverse and scatological manner by his friend Lucas Cranach the Elder, but at the same time, who did successfully stand up to the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, and who did with great brilliance (aside from the ill advised rejection of the Septuagint) translate the Holy Bible into the German tongue, and who did preach the doctrine of a loving god, a message of hope, to many despondent Christians in Northern Europe, this man, whose personal morality is very much within what one might call a “shade of grey”, did himself say that he could find no scriptural injunction against polygamy, and speculated that at one point in the future, Christian men might legitimately take multiple wives.

    I cannot help but feel in light of this there is no Biblical precedent for the idea of reforming marriage; rather, certain forms of marriage allowed under the Torah were implicitly prohibited through the commandments of Christ. Another form, polygamy, became deprecated; however, as Luther points out, this deprecation is not scriptural; rather, it is on the basis of Church Tradition that we do reject polygamy. I would agree with Luther, that certain emergencies are foreseeable that could re legitimize various forms of plural marriage; the huge disparity among the Han Chinese between the number of men and the number of women, resulting from the disastrous One Child policy, may well force polyandrous marriages to become the norm in China in the next few years, at least amongst the Han majority, in order to avoid civil unrest due to the gender imbalance. In like manner, an event that substantially depopulates the earth, such as a survivable nuclear war, if such a thing is possible, might well legitimize polygamy, as a means of facilitating the most rapid re-population of the planet. However, in countries with an even balance of men and women, it seems to me the most ethical course if for one man to marry one wife, and for the two to, without resort to abortion or contraceptives, aim to have two children, maybe three or four, but not so many as to create unsustainable population growth, as is occurring in Africa.

    Lastly, I would propose that the modern church, and society, given the general depravity of the population that has led to such a high rate of adulterous affairs and divorces, consider polygamy as a possible alternative to divorce, especially in the case of families with children. As undesirable as polygamy is, it seems to me to be almost infinitely superior to the manner in which houses are now routinely torn asunder. The current prevalence of divorce was not a situation faced by the Church Fathers, who either prohibited it in most cases in the Roman patriarchate, or strongly discouraged it in the Eastern patriarchates. Perhaps polygamy, having not been expressly prohibited in Holy Scripture, except it would seem for clergy, might be a legitimate answer to the exceptionally high divorce rates, and the damage this is doing to our society. I should like to close by restating that I feel very strongly that any married priest who divorces his wife ought to be immediately defrocked; this would instantly rid the Methodist church of hundreds of men of dubious virtue, who presently occupy our pulpits in a state of pure hypocrisy.

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  136. http://thewartburgwatch.com/2010/07/26/what-is-spiritual-abuse/#comment-6749

    This comment SHOULD be deleted.

    This post is not true and the information is bogus. There were some issues for sure at BT but this is simply false accusations. I would have hoped that Wartburg would be responsible when it comes to exposing charlatans. I am all for that. But this information is heresay and slander. Its not based on proof or facts but somone who has a personal vendetta. The links do not work for this post because most are just bogus. Plesae expose RESPONSIBLITY and not just by gosspip or heresay.

    Please delete this post.

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  137. RLady

    Many links do not work after a period of time. I will remove the comment for now since the links are outdated. It is important to realize that the links did work in the past. However, I will put it back up if the person who posted it can give updated informaion.

    However, R Lady-can you tell me if Pastor Cymbalta lives in an expensive home? What do you mean by “some issues for sure at BT?” Remember, slander can go both ways. Are you absolutely sure that Cymbalta is not now living, or has ever lived, in a $3 million home? 

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  138. My following comment was deleted from The Gospel Coalition blog under the post “Preventing Sexual Abuse in the Church” by Matt Smethurst (January 7, 2014).

    MY COMMENT:
    It’s very difficult to read articles like these knowing TGC’s past stances regarding the alleged sexual abuse within the TGC camp and/or affiliates. If we claim to care about preventing the sexual abuse of children, we must care about doing so for ALL children, regardless of when or WHERE the abuse occurs.

    “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe.” — Elie Wiesel, The Night Trilogy

    I shouldn’t be surprised that this comment didn’t survive TGC’s moderation, but I am sad nonetheless.

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  139. @ Sara:
    Mine isn’t deleted yet, but just in case,
    ‘Obviously, this brief article and video aren’t comprehensive, yet they did miss something very important. Mr Holcomb suggested that churches “investigate every allegation”. Not quite. REPORT every allegation of sex abuse, which is a CRIME, to the proper authorities. Churches are easily hoodwinked by perps. Let trained, experienced investigators do the investigating. Policies must direct churches NOT to handle these investigations “in house”.’
    Of course,I was careful not to mention TGC or their humble buddy from a certain “family of churches”. I wanted SOME pushback to show up and stay up there against church leaders thinking they can “handle” sexual abuse themselves (sometimes by hushing up the victims).

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  140. Dave A A wrote:

    @ Sara:
    Mine isn’t deleted yet, but just in case,
    ‘Obviously, this brief article and video aren’t comprehensive, yet they did miss something very important. Mr Holcomb suggested that churches “investigate every allegation”. Not quite. REPORT every allegation of sex abuse, which is a CRIME, to the proper authorities. Churches are easily hoodwinked by perps. Let trained, experienced investigators do the investigating. Policies must direct churches NOT to handle these investigations “in house”.’
    Of course,I was careful not to mention TGC or their humble buddy from a certain “family of churches”. I wanted SOME pushback to show up and stay up there against church leaders thinking they can “handle” sexual abuse themselves (sometimes by hushing up the victims).

    Dave A A, your point is excellent and you articulated it much more effectively than I did! Here’s hoping your comment stays up and that there are more comments like it.

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  141. This I just left, and Dave’s comment was still there.

    Another key to prevention is to set up spaces so that there is nowhere that is not visible from outside the space when children and youth are present. Glass is a marvelous prevention device. ALL offices should have glass, walls if possible, large “windows” otherwise. And staff must be taught that they are NEVER the best person to counsel anyone one-on-one. Refer the person to an outside counselor or do counseling as a team. It is dangerous for one staff member to counsel, too much opportunity for accusations, false or otherwise

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  142. Not much interest in preventing sex abuse at the old’ GC. 🙁
    In other news, I tried to comment on Scott Brown’s NCFIC blog over 24 hours ago — never mde it out of moderation– nor have any others– at all. https://ncfic.org/blog/posts/nine-ways-church-elders-are-to-be-held-accountable. Strangely, the website is asking folks to be the first to comment– not saying comments are closed.
    He had hundreds of comments about rap musicians last month. The current topic of holding church elders accountable must be of no interest. Keep in mind that Brown’s BFF Phillips claimed lack of accountability as a factor in his waywardness– just a couple months back– a fact I may have mentioned to Brown in my attempted comment.

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  143. Website: Associated Baptist Press

    Post: http://www.abpnews.com/opinion/commentaries/item/28204-ergun-caner-and-the-integrity-of-baptist-institutions#.Us2ijq2A3mQ

    Comment: “Good article. If only this wasn’t the same John Carpenter claiming that Mark Driscoll has never plagiarized or ghostwritten. This same Carpenter got his post deleted from Christian Post due to how rude he was to others, including the CP moderator. Hundreds of rude comments from Carpenter at Warren Throckmorton’s blog as well. It seems Carpenter won’t apply the same rightful standards to those in his own “reformed baptist” camp as he can to those outside of it. Will Carpenter support his denominations ongoing relationship with Mark Driscoll and Acts 29? Yes. C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries? Probably.” [End of Comment]

    My comment was publicly posted yesterday (1/7/14) and deleted sometime today (1/8/14).

    Carpenter responded to my ABP comment over here: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2014/01/06/dreamweaver-the-visions-of-mark-driscoll/#comment-1192040020

    He probably requested that ABP delete my one comment under his article.

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  144. Nicholas on the above mentioned Dreamweaver article:

    “So now John Carpenter is defending oral and anal sex, all for the sake of dying on the hill of Mark Driscoll. Will you also defend his heresy and blasphemy in the Scotland sermon?”

    Very good comeback.

    And if John Carpenter is reading here (and I assume he wouldn’t be caught dead anywhere near this ‘gossip’ blog) it wouldn’t hurt to reconsider Mark Driscoll as being worthy of hill-to-die-on status.

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  145. I’ve been able to leave a couple of new comments at The Gospel Coalition blog under the post “Preventing Sexual Abuse in the Church” by Matt Smethurst (January 7, 2014). The comments don’t implicate TGC in anything untoward so hopefully they’ll stay up. As a survivor, I feel so strongly about this issue. And if I’m speaking up about this issue until my final dying breath — whenever that is — I still don’t think it will feel like enough to me.

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  146. I left a comment at the sgmsurvivors.com which immediately went into moderation, and then vanished. Usually when a comment is in moderation you can still see it there, but mine appears to have been removed and deleted.

    If you go and look at the sgmsurvivors.com site, the comments have stopped at #57 as of the time of this writing. It’s possible that my comment was moved out of moderation and deleted by accident, but it’s doubtful since this has happened to me there before. And also because my comment doesn’t reflect positively on the moderator.

    In any case, here is my comment word for word (warts and all). I took a screenshot because I suspected it may be removed. I’d also like to share that I was one of the first commenters on the sgmsurvivors.com site when it launched in Nov. of 2007. If anyone would like copies of the screenshots, feel free to contact me. Thanks.

    58
    Paula Rice Says: Your comment is awaiting moderation
    February 22nd, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    Stunned, at first I thought Kris was going to close the blog itself. Personally, the impression I’ve always had is that this was a forum, more or less, for SGM Survivors – that’s certainly what’s insinuated in the name. Kris’ ongoing commentary has resulted from the information she’s gleaned from the comments people have left under her posts. Since she didn’t have an SGM experience of her own to write about, naturally her thoughts have been formulated through her interpretation and analysis of what others have shared.

    A lot has been unpacked here, and the comments aren’t serving much of that same purpose anymore ie they aren’t providing new insights and information for Kris to post on.

    So, it appears what Kris is planning to do is close just the comments, and just continue to share with the world her thoughts, analysis, and conclusions regarding SGM when she feels like it, and doesn’t like people squabbling over doctrine, especially the ones that bring her out of lurkdom, the ones she’s seemingly keen on protecting because they’re rooted in fundamental Christianity, which is what she seems to believe about male hierarchy.

    So, I hope she does just that honestly. And I think that blogs for the most part, are exactly that – a personal place for the individual blog owner to share with the world their personal views. I’m all for it.

    Many blogs close comments altogether, and aren’t really designed for close interaction. I’m sure it’s very time consuming.

    I do think that Kris has done a good job taking in a lot of information about SGM that’s been shared with her, and through analysis and her break-down of the organization and events as they have unfolded, has provided a place for people to gather and discuss SGM. It’s been rather fascinating, and for her, unexpected. And even if she’s reluctant to say so, I think she has benefitted in many ways from her having voluntarily entered into the whole event and has learned a lot, in many ways, that has enriched her life and made her more the wiser. So, it disappoints me to see her appear seemingly ungrateful, as though this has all been more or less a burden she’s carried all these years.

    I think if she closed comments, most people would understand, but I think she would miss that component, especially if she were to remain fixated exclusively on SGM. But she knows enough, thanks to all of us, to take it from here. But I think a name change would be in order, something like “Kris’ Thoughts on SGM As She Sees It.”

    But maybe she’d be happier blogging about her own personal experiences and sharing her beliefs through a broader lens, and not one that’s only focused on SGM. After all, she doesn’t have a dog in this fight, so what’s the use? I personally think she’d be happier, and it would be healthier for her to let this all go.

    But not without a word of thanks and appreciation. That’s my opinion anyway.

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  147. Internet Monk just $hit-canned another one of Potter’s comments on sight. The comment was relatively innocuous and in response to Miguel’s comment on a fundamentalist mega preacher’s insistence that communion at a college chapel they run not be done anymore. Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot? as Eagle would say.

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  148. I have heard several names mentioned as possible successors to Elliff: Fred Luter, Paul Chitwood, David Platt, John Floyd, David Rogers (Adrian’s son), and Johnny Hunt.

    1. Maybe Platt can be radical in an attempt to rescue international missions from the American dream.

    2. David Rogers doesn’t even want to be considered, and that’s probably wise. He admittedly has the right DNA – Do Not Apply.

    3. Luter should change his first name to Martin and nail his application to the front door of IMB’s Richmond headquarters. Then he could try to reform the Baptist Identity movement among the trustees.

    4. Chitwood was Chairman of the Board when Rankin retired and appointed the search committee that eventually found Elliff. Being from Tennessee, maybe he could Volunteer for the job in light of impending budgetary troubles.

    5. My personal endorsement for IMB Prez: Wiley Drake.

    6. If you think Chitwood won’t become prez, don’t forget that he sat on the search committee for the KBC Executive Director spot before actually taking that position. He knows how to get good positions and is politically clever….plus, his buddy Hershael York is a trustee and a Landmark, Baptist Identity guy.

    7. If Chitwood becomes prez, I’ll make a motion from the convention floor in 2014 and speak in tongues over the microphone….just to show my support for his Baptist Identity crusade.

    8. If John Floyd is chosen as IMB prez, and Ronnie Floyd becomes SBC prez, they should blare Pink Floyd over the sound system at the SBC. After all, when it comes to fundamentalists, “we don’t need no education.”

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  149. Blog: ABP News
    Heading: Critics question support of former ministry head accused of covering up abuse
    Editor: Bob Allen
    My Comment (posted under a different screen name):
    “Yes, yes, and yes! Mahaney and all those who support him need to be called out and held to account. Brent Detweiler said it best — their attitude is “unconscionable”.

    I hope that more media outlets pick this up, because it needs to be discussed.”

    (Note: I had to edit my post while it was in moderation. Hit “post” to early — computer’s acting up.)

    Time posted: Around 12 noon Japan time on May 17th. Was deleted within half an hour.
    Reason for Deletion: (shrugs) I checked their comment policy, and I don’t see how I violated it. They deleted another of my comments on a similar article just the other day. What gives? Is this a new thing with ABP News? Or have I been banned and no one told me?

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  150. Blog: The Gospel Coalition
    Heading: TGC Council Meeting: Day 3
    Editor: Matt Smethurst
    Posted: Friday, May 16, approx. 11:45 PM using a different handle; received message that comment was “in moderation” but still not posted as of 10:30 AM Saturday, May 17
    Reason: Evidently they’re not interested in posting comments questioning the actions of TGC council members

    Comment: So when will we hear a response from C.J. Mahaney and Joshua Harris, as well as the rest of The Gospel Coalition council, regarding the Nate Morales trial? Also, what about Grant Layman’s testimony under oath that he didn’t report the sex abuse allegations even though he knew about them? Covenant Life Church and its current and former pastors, along with their supporters in TGC and Together for the Gospel, have much for which they must answer.

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  151. I tried to post this (twice) today on Joe Carter’s 9 Things You Should Know about the Southern Baptist Convention. My comment went from “Waiting for Moderation” to simply disappearing. My comment seems entirely “fair” (I think Joe does not like criticism. Or, if Joe is at the SBC annual convention today, whoever the moderator is.) Here is the comment:

    These two parts of the article don’t fit together:

    From point 3:

    As church historian Miles Mullin explains, southern Baptists desired to make slavery a non-issue, while abolitionist forces in the North (and among northern Baptists) desired the convention to take a moral stand against it. The following year group of representatives from Southern churches created a new denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention.

    From point 4:

    In 1995, on the denomination’s 150th anniversary, the Convention voted to adopt a resolution on racial reconciliation that apologized for its racist roots

    If southern Baptists desired to make slavery a “non-issue” in the founding of the denomination, why did they apologize for its “racist roots?”

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  152. Thanks.

    As of this morning, my comment was in the thread at Joe Carter’s article (at TGC), as was a response from Mr. Carter (good for him! Seriously.)

    I’ve posted a response to his response just now. It too seems to have disappeared, but I suspect/hope/believe it will eventually show up.

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  153. @ Nick Bulbeck:

    Nick Bulbeck wrote:

    @ Philmonomer:
    Completely off topic here, but is the “monomer” bit a play on the chemical term? Just curious…

    Nope. Phil + Philmont + Misnomer

    BTW, my reply never appeared in the comment thread (and I didn’t save it! Ugh.) But I suspect it is more likely that it got lost in transmission, rather than deliberately not posted. But that is just a guess.

    Maybe I will try to recreate it today. It wasn’t particularly long.

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  154. In the interest of disclosure, TWW posted about the death of Braxton Caner on 8/5/14. We specifically requested, for this post alone, that no comments discussing the concerns about Ergun Caner be posted. Just for this one post.

    Unfortunately, people have disregarded our request. We have deleted a number comments, stating that we have down so in the comment section under the post, giving the reasons why we did this.

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  155. Blog: The Gospel Coalition
    Heading: WHY WE HAVE BEEN SILENT ABOUT THE SGM LAWSUIT
    Editor: I don’t know, but the authors are (of course) Don Carson, Kevin DeYoung, Justin Taylor
    My Comment (posted under a different screen name):

    I find this unconscionable.

    You published this statement over a year ago. You’ve had ample time to recognize your misrepresentations, and correct them. And yet, not a thing has changed.

    “As to the specific matter of C.J. participating in some massive cover-up, the legal evidence was so paltry (more like non-existent) that the judge did not think a trial was warranted.”

    This is a blatant lie. Hearings in this case haven’t even reached the evidentiary stage, and you ought to know that. You have no basis for making it look as though there are no grounds for a case against Mahaney. The judge hasn’t ruled on that one way or another.

    “…the sole allegation against him in the Complaint is that he founded Sovereign Grace Ministries and is currently its President… He is not specifically identified or alleged to have performed any other act or omission throughout the 143-paragraph Complaint.”

    I’m not sure where you (or SGM’s lawyers) got this from. Mahaney is mentioned multiple times in the second amended complaint. You’ve made a gross misrepresentation here, not at all what anyone should expect from Christian leaders.

    I don’t see how I can take seriously anything you say on this subject. If the three of you want to be acknowledged as leading voices in Christendom, you will have to change the way you speak and act.

    Feel free to delete this comment. You’ll only be living up to my expectations of you. But don’t imagine that you’ll silence me (or anyone else) by doing so.

    Time posted: Around 12 noon Japan time on June 1st. Was deleted within a day.
    Reason for Deletion: My guess — because I ticked them off.

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  156. Blog: Patheos
    Blog Post: Jonathan Merritt Should Apologize to Kevin DeYoung
    Link: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/inklingations/2014/09/29/jonathan-merritt-should-apologize-to-kevin-deyoung/#disqus_thread

    My comment was submitted about 60 minutes ago. It is no longer there. There was this comment posted by a person I assume to be the editor:
    samueljames Mod • an hour ago
    As always, comments should be 1) civil and 2) on topic. Off-topic or uncivil comments will be deleted asap.

    My comment was words to the effect of:
    Jonathon Merritt should retract his statement and apologize to DeYoung just as soon as DeYoung retracts the statement he, Justin Taylor and Don Carson signed on May 24, 2013 in support of C.J. Mahaney. He should also apologize to the victims of sexual abuse and their families.

    I then went on to highlight how the Gospel Coalition statement was factually incorrect and implied it was speaking for all in the Gospel Coalition. Outrage by supporters of the victims and also those within the Gospel coalition forced them to altar the statement, and this was done underhandedly. They submitted a revised statement without a notification that it had been changed.

    I also said it has now been 16 months since the statement came out. 40 of 100 churches have left the Sovereign Grace Denomination, Nate Morales has been tried, convicted and sentenced to 40 years for abusing boys in Mahaney’s church and Grant Layman, former assistant pastor at Mahaney’s church and brother in-law of Mahaney, has admitted under oath that church leaders knew of the abuse, knew they should inform authorities but chose not to; yet still no apology or retraction of the statement of support for Mahaney by DeYoung, Taylor or Carson.

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  157. Just noticed this feature. If I had saved my Gospel Coalition comments over the years, I would have at least 40 other comments to add. Thanks for offering this public place to share. Hopefully more people find this and see how often sincere questions are deleted.
    The name of the blog: Moore to the Point
    The name of the post: http://www.russellmoore.com/2014/09/09/the-church-and-violence-against-women/
    Your comment:
    What would your response be, then, to previous complementarian speakers who have said wives should be subject to their husbands in all things, such as Wayne Grudem in his work on feminism, and John Piper in a now deleted video in which he said “wives should endure abuse for a season” and focused on whether the wife was at fault. Dr. Dobson of Focus on the Family wrote in his book “Love Must be Tough” that wives may be asking for abuse for the sake of winning trophy bruises. Or even Bill Gothard, who taught complementarian ideology before the label was developed, who had flowcharts for counseling abuse victims that asked them if it was their fault for not following the system? I have been told by a complementarian who is an acquaintance of mine that these examples do not count. However, if what you say by “An abusive man is not an over-enthusiastic complementarian. He is not a complementarian at all. He is rejecting male headship because he rejecting his role as provider and protector” is TRUE, then perhaps these other complementarian teachers are not complementarians at all.
    Thank you for your time.
    Lauralea H.
    The time it was left: October 14th, October 20th, October 25th, 2014. None appeared. Will continue to try as long as possible.
    The approximate time it was deleted: Not sure, probably in moderation as it did not appear at all.
    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious): I’m a woman (sarcasm). It could be because I’m using other complementarians to refute him. If he read the writings across complementarian authors on abuse, it’s not pretty and directly contradicts what he wrote. What is a real complementarian, and why are you so hesitant to define it, Russell?

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  158. I need to get this one on record before it goes away. An admitantly flippant response to Rachel Held Evans’ post at 10:50:

    “Rachel, I am not going to ‘inundate’ your comment section with ‘rumors,’ but you do realize that this kind of response resembles the silencing techniques used by CJ Mahaney, TGC, and co. to marginalize those ‘gossipy’ abuse victims? Yes, I get that Tony Jones is a self-styled ‘theological provocateur’ and christianity could not possibly move forward without him, but please, from one egalitarian to another, do what’s right…not what sells tickets and books.”

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  159. Sensible wrote:

    @ Sensible:
    Well what do you know? Five minutes in and it’s already gone. Figures.

    That’s very disheartening. I hope she’s just taking the weekend to reflect on all that’s happened and is going to come out with a straightforward response – otherwise, if not, it seems RHE may have been bitten by the Celebrity Christian bug and employing the same tactics of silence and the DELETE key to avoid addressing questions raised about them in hopes that it will simply disappear. My Respect-O-Meter with respect to RHE is wavering.

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  160. JeffT wrote:

    My Respect-O-Meter with respect to RHE is wavering

    Likewise…I suspect what this issue is all going to boil down to is a classic skirmish between the “little” bloggers (who do the real legwork of standing up for the abused) and the “big” book and conference industry. I would like to be surprised, of course…but I am not holding my breath…

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  161. @ dee:
    Thanks Dee! I just emailed you a screenshot (so if anyone is charged with “gossip,” it is at least documented “gossip” :). You all do a thorough, consistent job advocating for ALL victims of abuse, regardless of what camp or tribe they are running from…and that makes TWW a refreshing read! Keep up the great work!

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  162. My comment on Rachel Held Evans’ blog was deleted. I commented on the post titled “Post-Evangelicals and Why We Can’t Just Get Over It.” My comment was in response to a comment by Danica Newton, in which she expressed concern that Rachel is planning to speak at a conference organized by Tony Jones and linked to the Naked Pastor thread in which the allegations against Tony Jones by his ex-wife Julie McMahon were discussed and where Julie McMahon appeared to tell her story. This is my comment that was deleted:

    Karl Rachel Held Evans • 18 minutes ago

    This is the first I’ve heard of these allegations.

    I’ve long thought the tenor of Jones’ response to his critics (‘no, I have zero problems you are just either misunderstanding me or intentionally misrepresenting me’) was kind of similar to Driscoll’s tone when responding to his detractors – similar unbending attitude in response to criticism, different theology. But I didn’t know anything about Tony’s ex-wife’s allegations or the silencing she claims to have experienced. Reading that Naked Pastor thread is really sobering. I know there are two sides to every story but dang, this doesn’t sound good.

    I’m curious Rachel, whether your investigation included talking with Julie to get her side?

    One commenter in the [Naked Pastor] thread says:

    “If you read through the comment thread on this post you will get a taste of the length with which people have gone to protect the Emergent brand and do harm to Julie. I had one interlocutor email me to tell me Julie was “batshit crazy” — except, when I confronted him, he admitted he had never met Julie. He simply trusted what he was told by Emergent Village leaders.”

    My comment was deleted along with all the other comments responding to Danica’s; Rachel posted her own comment indicating that she had thoroughly investigated the situation and did not find Julie’s story credible (though it has later come out that the thorough investigation did not include speaking to Julie to get her side of the story – something I’m pretty sure Rachel would have insisted was an absolute must if the alleged abuser was a conservative evangelical pastor) and Rachel then closed comments on the post.

    The screen shot that includes all the since-deleted comments can be found here:

    http://emergent-nightmares.tumblr.com/post/108173035142/responses-from-rachel-held-evans

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  163. Got a comment canned again, under my Disqus name.

    Blog: The Gospel Coalition
    Post: “5 Actions Churches Should Take in a Changing Legal Culture
    The name of the editor: Christiana Holcomb (I think)

    My comment:

    So, Christiana… Is this membership “covenant” something that the pastor and/or elders sign as well, or is it only the joining member who signs? Does that covenant outline the leadership’s duties and responsibilities?

    You say it should outline discipline procedures, but does it also define what actions can be “disciplined”?

    In your own words, the membership “covenant” is supposed to protect the church. How does it protect the member who signs it? If the covenant doesn’t do so, what is there to protect him or her? Somehow, I get the feeling that your group won’t be doing that…

    The time it was left: Roughly 1 p.m. on Saturday EST.
    The approximate time it was deleted: Probably within the next 24 hours.
    Why I think it was deleted: Sinfully craving answers, I suppose.

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  164. blog: internet monk
    time: Sat 18apr15 @ 20:53 PST
    comment: picking up on something numo said about Putin & Russia

    My comments usually get $hit-canned on sight so I guess nothing’s new.
    Maybe it’s my moniker? Maybe they can’t stand Twain?
    Maybe they don’t like Jews or Native Americans.

    Anyhoo, here’s my comment:

    Mother Russia has always been ruled by strongmen, and it is only more American hubris to think that we can force the exportation of our ‘democratic’ values onto her. But this merely incidental, the real issue is that we now have American boots on the ground in Ukraine in an ‘advisory’ capacity.
    How long before Dylan’s Masters of War bang their war drums enough for escalation of the idiocy that destroyed both Napoleon’s Grande Armee and the Wehrmacht?
    God help us all.

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  165. Peter Rollins wrote a post saying we shouldn’t judge the narcissistic “defences” of people (like Tony Jones). I left the following comment on his page and he deleted it and blocked me. What a man!

    Peter Rollins wrote: “…categorizing people via their symptoms is a reductionist and violent act that allows for dehumanization and lack of empathy.”

    My response was: “On the other hand, calling out the abusive (even violent) behaviour of a narcissist is not “shaming”, it is protective. It is both humane and empathetic to want to keep people safe from this type of abuse.”

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  166. The name of the blog : Duggar Family Blog

    The name of the post : http://www.duggarfamilyblog.com/2015/05/tony-kornheiser-he-was-kid.html

    Your comment : “Yes, Josh was still a kid. But his parents were not. They knew what was going on and did not report it for over a year. And when they did, it was to a state trooper friend who also did not report it. And when their church found out, they did not report it either. What Josh engaged in was repeated molestation for a long period of time. It was not a “mistake”. It was not “normal”. It was not just “curiosity”. It was sinful and it was illegal and 5 little girls were violated. At no time has Josh received counseling to help him with this. At no time did his sisters receive counseling. Deliberately ignoring this real need falls squarely on the shoulders of the parents. The forgiveness of God does not negate His justice.”

    The time it was left : 2pm and again at 10pm on 5/28

    The approximate time it was deleted : It had to be approved. It never was despite other comments that day being approved.

    Why you think it was deleted (If not obvious) : Too “negative”. Not entirely sure because there were other comments that were allowed that did not support the Duggars.

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  167. Name of the blog: Girl Defined
    Name of the post: Why Feminism and Christianity Can’t Mix http://www.donotlink.com/fmq0
    Comment: If you want to know more of the origins of feminism, look up people like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was distressed about things like widows losing their homes, mothers not getting their share of custody, and people caught up in slavery. In short, she cared about what Isaiah 1:17 say:
    ” Learn to do right; seek justice.
    Defend the oppressed.
    Take up the cause of the fatherless;
    plead the case of the widow.”
    And all feminism is equality feminism. The dictionary definition of feminism is: “the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.”
    Granted, some feminists prefer not to use the word “equality” in their definition, for reasons like this: “”A commitment to sexual equality with men is a commitment to becoming the rich instead of the poor, the rapist instead of the raped, the murderer instead of the murdered.” – Andrea Dworkin
    But even they want to have equal opportunities, equality before the law and being equally safe as men – they emphatically do not want women to oppress anyone.
    If you say “Most feminists aren’t too fond of God’s design for gender,” make sure you actually know what His design is. Unlike what you may think, many Christian feminists love to know “of Eve being created as a helper to Adam”. We know that “helper” does not mean an assistant who is ordered around. The Hebrew (the language Genesis was written in) word is usually used for God, and always for a strong person mercifully helping a weaker person – never for a servant whom you can order around. I want everyone to know that God made woman as the kind of helper that can also be translated with “strength” or “rescuer”, but not with “maid” or “secretary” or “assistant”!
    As for “almost all feminists stand for the following” that is you are stereotyping. Christian feminists usually does not stand for those things. And if you put Christian feminists into one camp with unbelieving ones, the same could be done to Christian and non-Christian non-feminists. As in, for example: “Rape is higher and less prosecuted in non-feminist societies. The countries with the highest abortion rate, India and China, murder unborn girls because of gender inequality. Non-feminist countries are much poorer, except if they happen to have oil.”
    I agree that “If [I] currently claim to be a feminist, I [should] carefully consider what that word means and what it’s largely associated with.” By the meaning, I am one. I cannot help if others associate it with negative things. For example, me and you probably both call ourselves “Christians”, even though some people associate that with judgementalness and hypocrisy. https://biblicalpersonhood.wor
    You speak of “agreeing 100% with feminism” , which I find the same as “agreeing 100% with Christianity”. No feminist agrees with all theories put ahead by all other feminists, and no Christian agrees with all modes of baptism, all ideas on the rapture, or all ideas on how to get saved, ever put forward by other feminists or Christians. But the basic idea of feminism is completely suitable to man and women both being created to rule the earth (Gen. 1:26-28), and no believer being supposed to lord it over another (Matt. 20:25-27) – that is for worldly people.

    The time it was left: About 1 hour before this comment here.

    Approximate time deleted: 5 or 10 minutes after being posted.

    Why it was probably deleted: For not agreeing with her on feminism.

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  168. The name of the blog: Stephen E Strang
    The name of the post: https://www.facebook.com/stephenestrang/posts/667775273366997
    The name of the editor: ?
    Your comment:
    “‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

    This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.’

    ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.’

    #lovewins”

    The time it was left: June 27 approx. 8:30 a.m.
    The approximate time it was deleted: Between then and June 30 approx. 2 p.m.
    Why you think it was deleted:

    Because I publicly disagreed with my uncle, who apparently does not want opposing viewpoints presented on his Facebook page? No explanation has been given to me, but another aunt (not his wife) defriended me in that timeframe for having put a rainbow on my profile picture. I was able to tell her I loved her before she defriended me, but I’m sorry to see that Steve Strang does not want to have alternate Christian viewpoints presented on his public page.

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  169. The name of the blog: Joy Filled Bloggers

    Post I commented on: https://joyfilledbloggers.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/more-big-changes-for-our-family/

    The blog is a joint effort between Brian DeWire and his wife Sarah. Sarah actually authors most posts. The post I commented on was authored by Brian. In it he talks about his time as an SGM employee coming to a close. My comment was made on July 29 and was in moderation for about 4 days prior to it being removed. I received no notification or communication of any kind.

    Brian DeWire was dismissed from his job of Communications Director for Sovereign Grace Ministries after about one year of service. I will be writing a blog article about DeWire’s short tenure at SGM.

    My comment was:
    “I would consider yourself fortunate to be leaving. Humbling to see your own sinfulness and weakness? Sounds like Sovereign Grace Care group “speak.” As an ex SGM’er I have been observing your work and I think you have done a great job. Don’t be too hard on yourself. May God bless you and your family in your new endeavors.”

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  170. Blog: The Gospel Coalition
    The name of the post: John Piper Reflects on Mark Driscoll and the Mars Hill Implosion
    The name of the editor (if more than one): Not sure
    Your comment: (in response to a comment by “gfkdzdds” lauding Doug Wilson)

    You’re welcome to your opinion. And I stand by my opinions: Doug Wilson has said some of the most backwards and ignorant things I’ve ever heard from the mouth of a professing Christian. Mark Driscoll is a plagiarist, a misogynist and a bully.
    And John Piper should probably step out of the public eye and into retirement. His words in this interview were mostly useless. And many of his other recent pronouncements and teachings (on a variety of subjects) have been either confusing or downright nonsensical to me. I worry about him, truly. I fear he’s turning into another Pat Robertson.

    The time it was left: Around 6 a.m. EST on Friday, August 14

    The approximate time it was deleted: Not sure. It had to be approved, and it never was.

    Reason for deletion: Well, they approved other comments of mine on the same page. (My handle on Disqus is “And I’m Cute, Too”.) They offered no reason for deleting this one. Maybe I was too honest in my opinions about their BFFs. Think it’s worth my while asking them?

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  171. Blog: SBC Voices
    Date: Saturday, August 16, 2015
    Category/Subject: Church Discipline

    Dave Miller never posted my post over at SBC Voices which has been there since yesterday: The story of watching one of conservative Pastor John MacArthur’s (Grace Community Church, Southern California) long-time, close personal friends (a godly doctor, married for more than 45+ years) get excommunicated and shunned at my former Gulag NeoCal Church in another California city.

    The godly doctor’s “crime”? He disagreed in private with how the pastors/elders were running the church and based it on the Bible. The senior pastor told the entire church that they had *tried to work with him for years* but he just wouldn’t come around. Read: Obey their un-Biblical nonsense. The senior pastor said that all of the elders were in agreement that the doctor was to be excommunicated and shunned.

    The senior pastor told the entire church to *pray for the [doctor’s] wife*. Curiously, when I spoke to the doctor’s wife after I left that Gulag NeoCal Church she told a different story: She said she had never liked the senior pastor or the elders or the church and HAD ALWAYS WARNED HER HUSBAND THAT THEY SHOULD NOT GO TO CHURCH THERE!

    The excommunication/shunning/dragging-the-doctor’s-name through the mud of Pastor John MacArthur’s good friend outraged Pastor MacArthur, which Dave Miller doesn’t want posted on his blog. It discredits Mark Dever/Jonathan Leeman/and 9Marx.
    It shows just how bizarre their movement is, completely lacking in credibility.

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  172. I’ve never had a comment deleted before! Interesting.

    The name of the blog: SBC Voices

    The name of the post: Church Authority and Church Discipline (Anonymous)

    The time it was left: Evening of 8/18/15

    The approximate time it was deleted: Late morning of 8/19/15 (Went to moderation and now not there)

    Why you think it was deleted: I’m an egalitarian woman? I linked to my own website? I’m not SBC? I’m too opinionated? Who knows…

    Your comment:
    I think this is the first time I’ve commented here so by way of background… I grew up Baptist (Baptist General Conference) and was baptized in a Baptist church. I left the Baptist denomination primarily because I became convinced from studying the Bible that the egalitarian view is more correct regarding women in the church and home. (Dr. James Willingham – I appreciated your comments here.) I’ve been in a few other denominations since then including the CRC. All that to say that while I’m not in a Baptist church, I still am a Baptist at heart who has been “in exile” while trying to find a church home that is theologically conservative but egalitarian.

    I have signed Baptist membership agreements in the past like the one David linked to. I would not do it again. There is too much ambiguity. Too much is left to interpretation. What is “tattling”? What is “backbiting”? Who gets to decide? What does it mean when it says “always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay”? Who gets to interpret that? In the same way, I would never sign a membership covenant. I would never consider a church affiliated with 9 Marks or TGC. I think they are, by and large, landmines waiting to go off.

    I agree with the anonymous author of this post. There is much that is troubling about these trends toward heavy-handed discipline and authority. I believe it is not going to end well. And I do believe it is driving people away from the local church and causing a surge in the number of Dones (people who love Christ and desire to live out their faith, but are not in a church). I currently do not have a church home. If I had the privilege of leading someone to Christ today, I have absolutely no idea where I would point them for a church home. None.

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  173. I left a post on reddit.com/r/reformed which linked to a post here about the on going Wilson scandal. My title was “How Douglass Wilson married a known pedophile, who then molested his own baby. Downvote me all you want. You can’t ignore these scandals forever.”
    It received 14 comments and was at the top of the page for approximately 8 hours (posted on 1:32 Sep. 6th)

    I received a message at around 9 PM saying “There is an appropriate place to post accusations against an elder. This isn’t it.” And my post was promptly deleted.

    Kool aid sippers. All of em’

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  174. I posted the following comment using another handle.

    Blog: Preventing Grace
    Post: What a Shame: Silence, Women, the Church
    Editor: Anne Kennedy
    Comment: I’m not sure Doug Wilson is a good authority to cite regarding the treatment of women in the church, especially considering the controversies in which he’s currently mired. Here’s one example:
    http://spiritualsoundingboard.com/2015/09/27/sex-abuse-victim-natalie-rose-greenfield-the-timeline-doug-wilsons-attempt-to-shift-focus-off-the-real-story/
    And another:
    http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/scandal-in-moscow/?utm_content=buffer4eedc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=plus.google.com&utm_campaign=buffer
    When: I posted the comment about 90 minutes ago; it was deleted sometime while my computer was running a software upgrade
    Why it was deleted: The author cited a Doug Wilson article in her blog post. Evidently she’s not interested in dissenting viewpoints.

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  175. Recently I had noticed on http://www.challies.com that Tim Challies had decided to completely remove the comments section. Instead, in his own words: “In lieu of a comments section I now accept and publish Letters to the Editor. Letters to the Editor is where you can express your opinion and give your point of view. Every week I publish a selection of these letters.”

    So I guess that will take care of any unfavourable comments, especially those that reference Tim’s own questionable entanglements. Let me elaborate.

    I am a former member of Grace Fellowship Church of West Toronto, the same church that Tim Challies attends. According to GFC’s Senior Pastor, Paul Martin, Tim Challies had “resigned his duties as a paid staff member” as of September 30,2015.

    Only recently did I find out that GFC is a registered charity and that Tim Challies (having the title of an Associate Pastor) together with Paul Martin were official Trustees of that said Charity. According to the financial records for the fiscal year 2014 the two of them split a staggering amount of $155,547! We are talking about a small church, with an average weekly attendance of 50 adults.

    So the question that begs itself to be asked is what lured Challies away from receiving a generous compensation of at least $50,000/year as an Associate Pastor??? And I would love to pose that question on Challies.com but I no longer am able.

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  176. The blog is called SGM Survivors
    The person is Kris
    The following comment I attempted to post a couple of days ago.

    ***

    Late-

    I agree with what Brent said, actually I wrote about this topic last Friday at my blog. Regularly you hear about how “Christians are trying to preach the Gospel” or how “Christians are trying to reach the lost.” All this talk, all these conferences, all this effort of evangelism and yet consider this.

    Christians today don’t admit their mistakes. They don’t say they are sorry or that they are wrong. Christians hurt and causes deep wounds and frankly many really don’t care. I think this is part of reason why the world doesn’t respect or look highly on Christians. They see through the façade. Many people are not fools, those on the inside need to stop and listen to those on the outside. It’s sad that I even have to write about this because we’re talking about faith 101. All this talk about doctrine, all this talk about “the Gospel” and yet people can’t even practice basic faith.

    Mark Mitchell is an example of this….

    Mark Mitchell’s comments hit a nerve with me. Three decades of misconduct and criminal allegations. Three decades of broken lives. Three decades of covering up child sex abuse. I had a person who emailed me the other day who told me how most of her family wants nothing to do with God because of how CLC was run and operated. So against all this the Washingtonian writes this article and Mark Mitchell responds by saying “CLC is under satanic attack.” I would like to know from Mark…is it the “The Gospel” to force an infant to forgive her abuser? Is it “The Gospel” to obstruct civil authorities and not respect God ordained law enforcement? If Mark Mitchell doesn’t get it and that is his response then this is what should happen. God should be honored by driving a bulldozer through CLC and tearing it down. Tomorrow’s post on my blog is going to be an open letter to Mark Mitchell.

    Three decades of misconduct, allegations of criminal issues and child sex abuse and his response is to claim satanic attack? What a fool….

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  177. @ Eagle:
    When you posted a bunch of comments over there about being a spy at an SGM service, she replied with a comment in which she said you were, in her estimation, going too far, and that was that.

    She is pretty free with the ban hammer; I’ve been there myself and haven’t even tried posting there in at least 3 years. If you notice, fewer and fewer people either bother commenting there and/or actually *can* comment there. Probably a bit of both.

    I gave up because my comments went into permanent moderation. It seemed pointless to try and continue with it; it would only serve to make her more annoyed with me and therefore even less likely to release my comments from mod.

    Maybe you didn’t see the series of replies where she said that she was putting the hammer down? I wasn’t surprised, because it has happened to so many people. Whether it’s fair/right or not is a whole other issue. It is her blog; presumably there are other places where more productive discussions can be had, like here.

    Just my .02…

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  178. It looks like a pretty dead blog, I guess it’s her right of course, but she gets what she asked for. Funny, though, I don’t recall censorship being a tenet of Jesus or any of the disciples–but it sure was and is practically a fetish of the SGM cult. Maybe the lady left SGM, but SGM never quite left the lady.

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  179. Lydia says
    February 10, 2016 at 7:55 am
    Since I am not supposed to mention SGM and child molestation on a post about abuse, perhaps I can add that if I remember correctly one of the issues in the Patterson/Gilyard situation was that Patterson told one of the victims she needed 3 witnesses to accuse Gilyard.

    http://sbcvoices.com/a-sick-abomination-in-southern-baptist-life/

    Another pastor commenter brought up SGM and was told by moderator Dave Miller, it was anti Calvinism to mention them in that thread about abuse. A comment about SGL polity was allowed. But the child molestations were verboten. SGM victims continue to get the shaft by the SBC and partners.

    Paige Patterson comments concerning Gilyard were allowed. SGM-totally protected.

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  180. This is the article where my comment was deleted. http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/our-pro-woman-complementarian-jesus
    And this was my comment that they deleted: “I left this comment: “No, Jesus did not choose women. Neither did he choose Gentiles, slaves, the very young, or the very old. To say His choosing male disciples matters yet none of the rest do is special pleading.
    De Young also ignores that it was women who were the last at the Cross and they were the first witnesses of His resurrection. He encouraged Mary to learn when most complementarians would have sent her to the kitchen.
    Sad that the secular world welcomes women into leadership, yet complementarianism, with its heavy emphasis upon male authority/female subordination still insists upon preaching a gospel that comes in pink for girls and blue for boys.
    Nothing expresses the love Jesus has for women like the Old Boys Network that runs the church and the world defending a hermeneutic that says it is the Old Boys Network that should be running the church and the world.”

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  181. Same thing happened to me, Jeannie.

    Blog: The Go$pel Coalition
    Post: http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/our-pro-woman-complementarian-jesus
    Editor: Kevin DeYoung, I think (He authored the post, at least.)

    Two of my comments were deleted (under my Disqus name):

    Comment #1: In response to a complementarian defender, who said, “I don’t think anyone here has stated that [egal] churches should not be allowed to practice their faith with a clear conscience before God (Romans 14), can the contrary not be tolerated?”

    My comment: “Tell that to the people running the CBMW. They’re the ones trying to turn gender roles and stuff like that into a primary doctrinal issue. They claim that complementarianism (which my spell checker still hates) is somehow central to the Gospel.”

    Comment #2: In response to a comp defender who said, “I feel sad for people who remain in a congregation where they are not happy.”

    My comment: “I feel even worse for wives who are forced to remain in such a congregation by husbands who’ve decided, “We’re going here, ’cause this place is biblical.”
    It happens.”

    Comment #1 was posted about 3 days ago (morning of Feb. 16), and #2 was posted yesterday (morning of the 18th). I think both were deleted within minutes.

    Reason for deletion: Perhaps RevKev is allergic to facts. But then again, we knew that already, didn’t we? 😉

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  182. Blog: Homeschoolers Anonymous. Post: G. A Henty, racist. Comment: The idea that G. A Henty was a racist is ridiculous. Oh, sure, there a few things that Al Sharpton wouldn’t like but why worry about offending him? My comment was obviously deleted because I mentioned Al Sharpton and because I was the only commenter to disagree with the author of that stupid article.

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  183. Blog: The Gospel Coalition
    Post: https://blogs.thegospelcoalition.org/melissakruger/2016/04/05/is-complementarian-theology-the-root-of-domestic-abuse/
    Editor: Melissa Kruger, I think (she’s the author)

    Commenter Dalaina May wrote the following (April 6, 11:48 am): My question to those who ascribe to complementarian interpretation is this because I’ve never seen anyone able to answer it before: “If our theology is right, then what are we doing wrong that is causing so many to abuse our theology?”

    In reply, I wrote the following: “I’ve got another question: In light of so many examples of complementarian leaders and churches responding poorly to cases of abuse, how can groups like the CBMW claim that they are the most pro-woman group in the world?”
    (This might not be the exact wording. Silly me, I decided not to take a screen shot.)

    Time: About 12:00 pm on April 6, I think.
    Time deleted: Maybe about 24 hours later. I saw it still in moderation for a while.
    Why you think it was deleted: *shrug* No reason given. Maybe I’ve become persona non grata at TGC.

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  184. Lydia says
April 18, 2016 at 6:58 am
    

Your comment is awaiting moderation.


    “Much of the ire of clergy sex abuse victims’ advocates is directed at the problem of SBC churches passing along perps to another church rather than hold them accountable. ”


    William, a big part of it is not holding an SBC entity employee accountable for his part in promoting and protecting one who has protected something akin to a child molestation ring for years. Now, even mocking victims.

    That is not a church autonomy issue. But it is the elephant in the room. The last resolution was ignored.

    
I realize nobody here wants to talk about holding entity employees accountable.




    http://sbcvoices.com/preface-to-a-resolution/#comment-

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  185. Blog: Adam Stetzer’s blog
    Post: Capitol Hill Baptist Church Weekender Conference (Debriefing)

    My comment (under by Disqus handle):

    Dear Adam,
    I just read this article of yours today. I hope you don’t mind my doing this out of the blue (and anonymously), but I would very much like to point out a few things that concern me.

    Mark…resolved to, at the very least, pastor those cranky sheep to the grave …

    Those are Dever’s words? Somehow, it doesn’t sound very loving, or Christlike, to me.

    What makes CHBC so shocking? They stand behind the historic Baptist principles that made our denomination so strong. Some of those principles are: a strong view of membership which leads to a dedication to church discipline.

    A “strong view of membership”… that’s part of the Baptist tradition? Does that include the contracts that so many 9Marks churches are using these days? The ones that force members to sign away their civil rights, and leave them with no way to hold leadership accountable? I find it hard to believe that Baptists have always had those.
    They don’t seem Biblical to me either. In fact, I remember that Jesus once rebuked his disciples for trying to halt the activities of another believer, simply because “he wasn’t one of us”.
    I’ve been reading a lot about Mark Dever, and the fruit of his 9Marks system. So far, I’m not impressed. I see a lot of potential for spiritual abuse, with far to much deference towards the institution and its leaders, with little recourse for victims except to leave and be shunned.
    Brother, I ask you to be more than just “a sponge” when you go these seminars, and read Dever’s books. A sponge doesn’t think — it just absorbs. Your congregants need you to think and discern what you hear. The Good Shepherd has put them in your care, and they’re counting on you to not simply follow a guru.

    The time it was left: May 22
    Time deleted: Not sure. It was “pending” for at least a week.
    Why I think it was deleted: I tried to be respectful. I see no other comments there at all — maybe the comment box is just for show…

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  186. ‘A Resolution against Requiring Women to Register for the Draft and to Serve in Combat Units’
    By Denny Burk on June 5, 2016

    my comment, this:

    ” Christiane Smith June 6, 2016 at 1:50 am #

    Hi DENNY,

    Sacred Scripture does record for us the story of Deborah and Ja’el in the Book of Judges. I can’t see some of the girls of today fighting for their country, not because they are incapable, but because they do not know their own biblical heritage of strength in battle. I think these girls deserve a choice, not being forced into combat OR told they are unfit to defend their country.
    “22 And behold, as Barak pursued Sis’era, Ja’el went out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” So he went in to her tent; and there lay Sis’era dead, with the tent peg in his temple. 23 So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel.”

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.”

    Why did it not make it through ‘moderation’? It should be ‘obvious’ to me, but my comment makes such a strong point that I wonder if it was ‘too strong’.
    The first comment that was allowed is extremely strange and very much something from patriarchy and male idolatry ….yikes!

    But there it is. I did try. It was a good comment.

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  187. NAME OF BLOG: Denny Burk
    NAME OF POST: “Ware, Grudem, Sanders, Erickson, Giles to come together to talk about the Trinity”

    my DELETED COMMENT:
    ” Christiane Smith July 6, 2016 at 1:39 am #

    An alternative ‘model’ for Christian marriage which is also biblical:

    WHAT GOD HAS JOINED TOGETHER . . .

    1 Corinthians 7: 1-7
    Directions concerning Marriage

    “Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: ‘It is well for a man not to touch a woman.’
    2 But because of cases of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.
    3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
    5 Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time, to devote yourselves to prayer, and then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

    6 This I say by way of concession, not of command.
    7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind. ”

    If you continue to read the teaching into verse seven, you find these words:
    “. . But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind. ”

    Notice how closely these words mirror the biblical descriptions of the Body of Christ, where the members each bring their own gifts to share with one another and to build up their union, with Christ at the head.
    The language in verse seven is not a coincidence. It is very telling.

    The connections are shown between:

    A. the marriage union model (as the two becoming ‘one flesh’ under the Authority of Christ as the Lord of Life);
    and
    B. the descriptions of the Body of Christ (we are ‘in Him’ made one).

    The Authority in each model resides in Lord Christ.

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.”

    POSSIBLE REASON FOR DELETION:
    my comment offers an alternative to the application of ESS to the pattern of male authority in a marriage.
    I have no idea WHY it wasn’t accepted because it was not ‘argumentative’, but it certainly provides a biblical alternative to Patriarchy as a model for Christian marriages …. I don’t think my comment could have been easily shot down, so perhaps it was perceived as too challenging to a model already under so much scrutiny and opposition. ???? (sigh)

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  188. NAME OF BLOG: YELP
    Post Review of : Grace Bible Fellowship of Silicon Valley
    Address: 653 W. Fremont Ave Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (rents from the Seventh Day Adventists)
    church’s website: http://www.gbfsv.org/#

    Date Posted: July 10, 2016
    Date Deleted: July 11, 2016 [No explanation given by YELP. All former church members who’ve been abused at this church had their negative reviews of the church deleted by YELP.

    MY DELETED REVIEW:

    “It was very disturbing to be a member of this church and to see the level of mistreatment shown by the GBF pastors/elders to adult Christians, an iron-fisted authoritarian control over adult Christians’ lives and demands for “obedience.” There were excommunications and shunnings ordered of dear Christians for any independent thought.

    Grace Bible Fellowship of Silicon Valley is one of the growing number of authoritarian, NeoCalvinist churches spreading across the U.S. and it’s not *Biblical*.

    *Heavy Shepherding. GBFSV practices the 1970’s heavy-Shepherding movement’s un-Biblical control of Christians’ lives by the pastors/elders. The Florida founders of this movement repented for its abuses and un-Biblicalness. The GBF pastors/elders have not repented and the damage is growing in the lives of the Body of Christ at GBF.
    GBFSV copies the model of Mark Dever (Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.
    9Marks organization. It is a heavily criticized model, including by Conservative Christians, who have said that there is only ONE Biblical mark of a healthy church: Love. The other 9Marks are un-Biblical and it’s the Heavy Shepherding Movement all over again with new language.

    *Membership Covenants. Members are told to sign them because they’re *Biblical* and back to a Biblical basic. In point of fact they aren’t Biblical and are used to exert authoritarian control over members’ lives. Jesus required people to sign how many pages to follow Him? Correct answer: 0 pages.

    *Congregational vote. GBFSV wants your money but doesn’t believe in a true Biblical church honoring the Holy Spirit’s work in Christians lives and giftedness. It is more authoritarian control exerted by a few yes-men over the Body of Christ, hobbling the power of the Holy Spirit to truly work. I will never go to a church again that is run like GBF or any others like it. I will never give money to one again.

    *Women. GBF pastors/elders promote Complementarian/Patriarchy doctrine and that women are to “obey” and to “submit” and basically be second class citizens. At GBFSV they live under the old Covenant and not the new one we are to have in Christ. GBF pastors/elders espouse the Council on Biblical Manhood Womanhood which teaches a Semi-Arian Heresy by Bruce Ware and Wayne Grudem called the Eternal [a lie] Subordination of the Son to justify the subordination of women. It is untrue and it is trinatarian heresy. GBF has put this man-made doctrine on par with The Gospel. If you reject Comp you reject The Gospel. Nonsense.

    *Teaching. GBFSV does not permit Godly women to teach the Word of God. They base this on the writing of the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote Timothy about one woman [original text in Greek said “the woman”] to teach one man error. Paul wanted her to learn correctly first. The issue wasn’t her being a woman, the issue was error – and that would be true if it was a man or a woman. Manipulative anti-woman Bible translators conveniently changed the text to something Paul never said: I don’t permit a woman [plural, all women] to teach.

    *Nouthetic Counseling. GBFSV pastors/elders believe that Bible is sufficient counsel for everything. They have no professional training and licensing, do not follow California law, and frequently cross over the line into the Unauthorized Practice of Medicine (a crime in California that can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony). This bogus form of non-counseling comes from the un-trained Jay Adams and his books. It should be called what it is: malpractice. Examples of the GBF pastors/elders doing same were: not getting an older woman alcoholic to the care of a physician to supervise her treatment and spending months with members discussing “gossip” and drawing pictures on the blackboard. In the end this woman, her adult children, and church members were harmed.

    Additionally, the GBFSV pastors/elders held me responsible for the genetically inherited brain disorder – Dyslexia – of a woman church member. That woman, like the GBFSV pastors/elders, does not believe in medical care and says that Jesus could heal her if He wanted to. He could, but He hasn’t. He gave her medical care and special groups, which she has refused to use for decades. Instead she can’t remember entire events and accuses other people like me of lying. Dyslexia isn’t just a reading problem but a memory problem involving short-term memory problems, working memory problems, and auditory memory problems.

    Excommunications/Shunnings/Stalking. A godly woman left GBF for a saner church and was harassed by church members on the orders of the GBF pastors/elders. A godly doctor was excommunicated for dissenting in private. I was excommunicated because the GBF pastors/elders blamed me for someone’s memory problems. A truly bizarre church!!!

    *Credentials. Snr pstr’s *Ph.D*. is from a MO. diploma mill.

    **************************
    I learned that I know more than I thought I did & I will never listen to a bunch of men
    again.”

    ——————————————————-

    Additional note: This is covered by California’s Anti-SLAAP Law.
    http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/anti-slapp-law-california

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  189. My YELP review about my ex-church was taken down, again, today and I received an email.
    Thanks to 38 people here who voted it has helpful.

    It was very disturbing to be a member of this church and to see the level of mistreatment shown by the GBF pastors/elders to adult Christians, an iron-fisted authoritarian control over adult Christians’ lives and demands for “obedience.” There were excommunications and shunnings ordered of dear Christians for any independent thought.

    Grace Bible Fellowship of Silicon Valley is one of the growing number of authoritarian, NeoCalvinist churches spreading across the U.S. and it’s not *Biblical*.

    *Heavy Shepherding. GBFpractices the 1970’s heavy-Shepherding movement’s un-Biblical control of Christians’ lives by the pastors/elders. The Florida founders repented for its abuses and un-Biblicalness. The GBF leaders have not repented and the damage is growing in the lives at GBF. GBFcopies Mark Dever’s (Capitol Hill Baptist, Washington, D.C.) 9Marks organization. It is a heavily criticized model, including by conservatives, who have said that there is only ONE Biblical mark of a healthy church: Love. The other 9Marks are un-Biblical and it’s the Heavy Shepherding Movement all over again.

    *Membership Covenants. Members are told to sign them because they’re *Biblical* and back to a Biblical basic. In point of fact they aren’t Biblical and are used to exert authoritarian control over members’ lives. Jesus required people to sign how many pages to follow Him? Correct answer: 0 pages. (Don’t sign!)

    *Congregational vote. GBF wants your money but doesn’t believe in a true Biblical church honoring the Holy Spirit’s work in Christians lives and giftedness. It is more authoritarian control exerted by a few yes-men over the Body of Christ, hobbling the power of the Holy Spirit to truly work. I will never go to a church again that is run like GBF. I will never give money to one again.

    *Women. GBF pastors/elders promote Complementarian/Patriarchy doctrine that women are to “obey” and to “submit” and be 2nd class citizens. At GBF they live under the old Covenant and not the new one in Christ. GBF pastors espouse the Council on Biblical Manhood Womanhood which teaches a Semi-Arian Heresy by Bruce Ware and Wayne Grudem called the Eternal [a lie] Subordination of the Son to justify the subordination of women. It is untrue and is trinatarian heresy. GBF has put this man-made doctrine on par with The Gospel. If you reject Comp you reject The Gospel. Nonsense. Read: Wartburg Watch blog for more info.

    *Teaching. GBFSV does not permit Godly women to teach the Word of God. They base this on the writing of the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote Timothy about one woman — original text in Greek said “the woman” — teaching one man error. Paul wanted her to learn correctly first. The issue wasn’t her being a woman, the issue was error – and that would be true if it was a man in error. Manipulative anti-woman Bible translators conveniently changed the text to something Paul never said.

    *Nouthetic Counseling. GBF leaders believe that Bible is sufficient counsel for everything. They have no training and licensing, do not follow Cal. law, and frequently cross over the line into the Unauthorized Practice of Medicine (a crime in California that can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony). This bogus form of non-counseling comes from the un-trained Jay Adams and his books. It is malpractice. GBF pastors/elders did not get an older woman alcoholic to the care of a physician to supervise her treatment and spent months with members discussing “gossip” and drawing pictures on the blackboard. In the end this woman, her adult children, and church members were harmed.

    Additionally, the GBFSV pastors/elders held me responsible for the genetically inherited brain disorder – Dyslexia – of a woman church member who refuses medical care. She can’t remember entire events and accuses other people like me of lying. Dyslexia isn’t just a reading problem but a memory problem.

    Excommunications/Shunnings/Stalking. A godly woman left GBF for a saner church and was harassed by church members on the orders of the GBF pastors/elders. A godly doctor was excommunicated for dissenting in private. I was excommunicated because the GBF pastors/elders blamed me for someone’s memory problems. A bizarre church!!!

    *Credentials. Snr pstr’s *Ph.D*. is from a MO. diploma mill.

    GETTING OUT: Don’t tell them. Send a certified/return receipt letter & resign, no details. Call 911 and contact an attorney if they bother you. Read: Wartburg Watch blog for details.

    DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Women – call domestic violence shelters/support groups for help getting out. Call 9-1-1. Read: A Cry For Justice blog by pastor/cop.

    BOOK: Churches That Abuse, Dr. Ron Enroth (FREE online).

    SEARCH TERMS: Spiritual Abuse, Membership Covenants, Authoritarianism, NeoCalvinism, Homeschoolers Anonymous, Wartburg Watch, Spiritual Sounding Board,Steve Hassan

    **************************
    I learned that I know more than I thought I did & I will never listen to authoritarian men again!

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  190. I submitted a comment at R Scott Clark’s blog
    http://heidelblog.net/2016/09/a-chronological-comparison-of-some-english-translations-of-genesis-316b on 12 Sept 2016 Melbourne time.

    I was responding to a commenter who had asked: “”Is this related to complementarianism the whole Eternal Subordinationism controversy?”

    I checked today (a day later) and my comment was not published.

    Here is MY COMMENT:

    “Is this related to complementarianism the whole Eternal Subordinationism controversy?”

    It is related to the ESV’s change of Genesis 3:16. You can see the ESV’s announcement of their changes at esv dot org /about/pt-changes/ (you can turn that into a real url…)

    In my opinion, the ESV’s change of this verse IS very much related to the Eternal Submission of the Son doctrine which has been so controversial recently. I think they are two sides of the same coin, the coin being an agenda to keep women (and especially wives) down and keep husbands in authority. That’s a bold statement so let me explain.

    If ESS is wrong (which I believe it is) who will suffer the most harm from it? Women, and particularly wives who are married to abusive husbands.

    If the ESV’s change of Genesis 3:16 is wrong (which I believe it is) who will suffer the most harm from it? The very same group: wives married to abusive husbands.

    I have written about the dangers of Susan Foh’s interpretation of Gen. 3:16 — which is the interpretation the ESV has used in making this change — at A Cry For Justice.

    If you are interested search for “What is the woman’s desire? How Susan Foh’s interpretation of Genesis 3:16 fed steroids to abusers.”

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  191. Comments have disappeared from Jonathan Leeman’s 9 Marx article about my Amazon review of the book (critical) and my abusive 9 Marks church. (Todd Wilhelm wrote an article about it.)

    Todd’s partner Jana was able to recover the comments that have disappeared from the 9 Marks website. Ken F wrote the 9 Marks webmaster to ask if there was a computer problem. I haven’t seen a response yet.
    https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:wPn2s9xNhI8J:https://9marks.org/article/dont-be-a-9marxist/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

    And I’m Cute, Too • 4 days ago
    Jonathan Leeman, this article raises so many more questions for me than it answers. These are just off the top of my head, but I can come up with plenty more.

    Formally, there is no such thing as a 9Marks church. We are not a denomination.
    So what’s your “Church Search” page for? And exactly what criteria does a church have to meet to get “approved” to appear on it?

    There’s a temptation young pastors and 9Marks-types are susceptible to: we can love our vision of what a church should be more than we love the people who comprise it.
    Are you that surprised? Out of all of Dever’s “nine marks”, not one of them is love. This even though Jesus said that love would be the distinguishing mark of all His people. So why isn’t it on Dever’s all-important list? And considering that fact, why wouldn’t “9Marks-types” be susceptible to loving something more than their congregants?

    A group of well-meaning but tired elders might get highjacked by a bad strain of thinking in their meeting at 10 p.m. on a Thursday night. But Sunday’s congregational meeting will serve as a useful reality check.
    Not if those church members are terrified of gainsaying the elders or pastors. Which they might very well be, if they know they might face church discipline for “divisive behaviour”.

    You see, I hear that phrase is listed as a punishable sin in a lot of membership contracts. Listed, but not defined. Which means that the elders and pastors get to define it as they see fit. So how can any member who has signed that contract speak against their leaders without fear?
    see more
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    Jerome • 6 days ago
    “…what he calls a 9Marks church. Formally, there is no such thing as a 9Marks church.”

    What he calls?
    No such thing?

    Huh?

    Are you unaware that many churches are identifying themselves as “9Marks churches”?
    6 • Reply•Share ›
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    John Palma • 2 days ago
    Here’s a quote from the article – and my question(s) / observations follow.

    “Our church requires membership classes and interviews and signing a statement of faith to join the church, for instance. It’s our judgment that these are prudential forms for implementing the biblical element of church membership. You have to adopt some form, after all. The Bible doesn’t quite say how to join a church. But beyond these few things, I cannot think of anything else we require not required in Scripture.”

    Specifically – my questions revolve around a couple of “snippets” from the quote which are:

    1.) It’s our judgment that these are prudential forms for implementing the biblical element of church membership. You have to adopt some form, after all.

    “It’s our judgment” and “You have to adopt some form, after all” are sort of weird to me.

    First, to say that a foundational point (point #1) is NOT to require what scripture doesn’t require – then to require what scripture doesn’t require – quote “membership classes and interviews and signing a statement of faith to join the church” doesn’t make sense to me.

    Either you do or you don’t have what scripture doesn’t require.

    You then use an element of justification for YOUR PARTICULAR REQUIREMENT because 1.) quote – “You have to adopt some form, after all” and 2.) quote “It’s our judgment” etc, etc, etc.

    The problem I see with this – is that if you open the door to a “It’s our judgment” call – then the next guy can do the same based on his or her “judgement”.

    2.) Next is the statement that “The Bible doesn’t quite say how to join a church.”

    That’s a bit lame.

    “Doesn’t QUITE say” leaves a LOT of wiggle room for defining and implementing what ISN’T said at all.

    Here are the minimal requirements. “Attending a class, interviews and then signing a statement of faith” – where is that AT ALL in scripture?

    The reason this is so flawed is that the church I previously attended had in their “statement of faith” that one couldn’t drink alcohol of any kind, sell alcohol of any kind if they owned a business, or work at a place that provided alcohol.

    I’m not an alcohol drinker, I don’t sell it, and I don’t work at a place that does.

    BUT – none of those “commands” exist in scripture.

    There were a number of like minded statements – and to be a member, you HAD TO AGREE with each and every requirement in the “statement of faith” or you couldn’t be a member.

    I simply couldn’t sign off on EVERY statement in the “statement of faith”.

    The document was really a statement of rules – which are add-ons to scripture.

    And if you weren’t a member – you couldn’t do ANYTHING within the church.

    I even volunteered to vacuum the sanctuary – and couldn’t even do that.

    I guess I have a bit of trouble understanding the position of “do not require what scripture does not require… EXCEPT blah blah blah.

    The EXCEPT opens the door for who knows what.

    So – as a believing and redeemed man – I had a “statement of faith” straight jacket me to not being able to do anything in the church.

    Prior to moving here – I and many others were in a church that has existed for over 37 years – and membership was never brought up.

    We all served as God gifted us – and in all the years it was never even a issue.

    Honestly – we loved each other like a big family.

    We never “joined” – but were a fully functioning and unquestioned part of the body.

    Just thinking out loud.
    see more
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    And I’m Cute, Too John Palma • 2 days ago
    Good thoughts, John.

    First, to say that a foundational point (point #1) is NOT to require what scripture doesn’t require – then to require what scripture doesn’t require – (quote “membership classes and interviews and signing a statement of faith to join the church”) doesn’t make sense to me.
    Of course it doesn’t make sense. Because in the real world, outside the 9Marx bubble, that’s called “talking out of both sides of your mouth”. And considering that Jesus commanded us to let our “yes” and “no” mean what they say, it’s mighty difficult to justify.

    Next is the statement that “The Bible doesn’t quite say how to join a church.” That’s a bit lame.
    Agreed. Especially since the Bible doesn’t command anyone to “join a church” at all. Not that Dever and Leeman are gonna let a little thing like that bother them — they’ve got books and conferences to sell…

    The reason this is so flawed is that the church I previously attended had in their “statement of faith” that one couldn’t drink alcohol of any kind, sell alcohol of any kind if they owned a business, or work at a place that provided alcohol.
    They were simply trying to control you in that church, John. I’m glad you got out. That “statement of faith” sounds no better than the kinds of membership contracts that get pushed in 9Marx-style churches, except there the control is enforced by the threat of “church discipline” for ill-defined offences.

    Prior to moving here – I and many others were in a church that has existed for over 37 years – and membership was never brought up. We all served as God gifted us – and in all the years it was never even a issue. Honestly – we loved each other like a big family.
    That sounds wonderful and beautiful — and very much like what Jesus had in mind for His people.
    see more
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    Ken • 5 days ago
    One of the greatest challenges for any teacher is not just to teach in a way that can be understood, but to teach in a way that cannot be misunderstood. Regardless of the intent behind the nine marks teachings, those teachings have been understood (or misunderstood?) by many church leaders in a way that has resulted in abusive leadership and destroyed lives. This abuse has left a trail of destruction that will be difficult to undo.

    Jonathan, it’s very good that you put out these 15 points. 9Marks has a lot of work to do to repair the damage that the misunderstandings have caused up to this point. Healthy churches are important. But if pastors and elders miss the mark (so to speak), The good intent to create healthy churches will instead result in turning people away from the faith. I am hoping and praying that the leadership of 9Marks will take
    concerns like this seriously and do their best to seek corrective
    feedback so that they can repair the damage already done.
    4 • Reply•Share ›
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    Anonymous brother • 6 days ago
    What a vitally important contribution to the 9Marks literature this is, thank you Jonathan! Never have I been so hurt by a Christian brother as by my 9Marks practicing pastor (whose pulpit you’ve shared). New to the church, I was invited to meet privately with him. In that meeting, after sharing my testimony, I had the chance to share my biblical perspective on membership. What followed was a declaration of my spiritual weakness, the pastor informing me that he assumed no accountability for me and then a closing prayer. Since that cold meeting nearly two years ago, the pastor has not uttered a single word to me, despite my faithful weekly attendance. Rather than being coldly judgemental and rejecting, 9Marks ascribing leaders would be far more effective in carrying out Christ’s mission by demonstrating the love, grace and humility prescribed in your ’15 Marks.’ This is especially true for those whom they encounter whose hearts are not in some blatant rebellion, but rather who have been determined to be ‘weak brothers’ or misguided on some non-core doctrinal issues.
    4 • Reply•Share ›
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    mirele • 6 days ago
    Apparently, Jonathan, you weren’t able to tell that the writer of the review (which you didn’t link, so I had to go hunting for it) was a woman. Can you go back and correct that? Oops, you might take down this article, because you can’t possibly respond to an uppity woman who had the temerity to question your “nine marks.” Which, by the way, don’t include the ONE mark that Jesus said we’d be known by: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

    There’s so much I could comment about, and I doubt even this brief paragraph will see the light of day, so I’ll sign off now and go to bed and get my beauty sleep, the better to picket the execrable Mark Driscoll on Sunday morning.

    Regards, Deana Holmes
    4 • Reply•Share ›
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    Living Liminal • 6 days ago
    Jonathan, you say you “don’t often hear criticism with language this strong”. I would suggest that is because too many of those abused and damaged by the church are so beaten down they fear speaking out about what happened. They’ve learned that speaking out just leads to more abuse – they’ve been silenced and controlled for so long, they’ve lost their voices.
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    George Clark Living Liminal • 4 days ago
    I don’t disagree with your statement of what happens to most church goers who read their bible and try to stand up for what they see in the bible but I hope you don’t think it is acceptable for a true Christian to back off speaking up when they see biblical sin happening. If we only stand up for truth if we are not persecuted or mistreated to much, then are we really trusting and following the Lord of the bible? Luke 14
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    Living Liminal George Clark • 4 days ago
    Thanks for the response George, I agree with you. It is vitally important to speak up when we see that type of behaviour in the church!

    The point I was making is that victims of abuse often cannot speak up for themselves because they have been so badly damaged by the abuse.

    Unfortunately, those who do have voices (and could help correct the evil) often won’t use them for fear of being targeted themselves. Thus, in protecting themselves, they enable the abuse 🙁
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    George Clark Living Liminal • 4 days ago
    Thanks for your gracious reply. I do agree with you that as Christians we should come along aside the weak and those who are hurting and stand up for them. Jesus did not ignore the religious leaders wrongs over those under them but came to the aid of those who had been hurt by those religious leaders. People pleasing, peer pressure, and cowardly and selfishly kissing up to the wrong people happens as much in the church as in the world. Yet, doing it inside the church brings greater penalty. And that if we don’t speak up against those who are miss using their leadership position, we share in the wrong they do because we did not sound the warning.
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    George Clark Living Liminal • 4 days ago
    Would enjoy being friends on FB if you want to send me a friendship request, I will gladly accept it. https://www.facebook.com/georg
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    Living Liminal George Clark • 4 days ago
    Thanks George. You might want to check out the Living Liminal Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Livin
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    A Amos Love • a day ago
    Christopher Erwin

    I noticed in one of your comments… You are…
    “now an elder at a church that emphasizes those 9 marks…”

    Mark #1, in this article begins…
    “We should be very reluctant to require anything
    not expressly set down in Scripture.”

    In the book “9 Marks of a Healthy Chuch.”
    The 9th Mark is “Biblical Church Leadership”
    At the end of Chapter 9, page 59, Dever mentions
    Qualifications for “elders” in 1 Tim 3, and Titus.
    ———-

    2. Read Titus 1:5. Understanding that final authority
    in the church rests with the assembled congregation, why
    do you think Paul nevertheless thought it wise to have elders
    in every church?

    3. In I Timothy 3:1-6, Paul gives a list of the qualifications
    for an elder. Spend some time thinking about why
    those character traits are important in the leader of a
    church. Who in your church fits these qualifications?
    ———-

    Christopher, I’ve noticed over the years that many, in “Today’s Religious System,” “The 9 Marks System,” will mention these “Qualifications.” Often they will call them, “Biblical Qualifications.” But, in my experience, NOT many, if any, potential elder/overseers, existing elder/overseers, actually study the “Qualifcations,” to see if they “Qualify.” Most elder/overseers tend to “Ignore,” or “Twist,” these very tough “Qualifications,” so they can maintain their postions of authority. Their Power, Profit, and Prestige.

    Was wondering… Since you call yourself an elder…
    Have you ever studied the “Qualifications” in 1 Tim 3, and Titus?
    Over 17, very tuff “Qualifications,” “expressly set down in Scripture?”

    To see if you “Qualify?”
    To see if the elder/overseers where you fellowship “Qualify?”

    Would you agree, that an elder/overseer who…
    Does NOT meet these 17, plus, tough Qualifications…
    Should remove themselves…

    And become a good example to the Flock?
    see more
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    A Amos Love A Amos Love • 14 hours ago
    Christopher Erwin

    If 9Marks really wants elder/overseers who follow their teaching…
    To achive the ideal of -“NOT being a 9Marxist.”
    “NOT being a church leader who abuses authority.”

    Wouldn’t knowing, and implementing…
    The very tough Qualifcations for elder/overseer…
    Found in 1 Tim 3, and Titus…
    Be a good place to start?

    Preventive?

    If they do NOT meet the Tuff Qualifications?
    “…expressly set down in Scripture?”

    Shouldn’t the potential elder/overseer “GO” and Do something else?
    Shouldn’t the existing elder/overseer “GO” and Do something else?
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    Dwight Gingrich • 7 days ago
    This article urgently needs to be added to future editions of your books on church discipline, membership, and government, as an appendix or, better still, a preface. I have witnessed your book being “the wrong sermon” and reinforcing bad fruit because it did not include such warnings clearly enough. Thank you for writing this, and God bless.
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    Jonathan Leeman Dwight Gingrich • 7 days ago
    Thank you, Dwight.
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    Christopher Erwin • 4 days ago
    Well, as someone who was baptized at a church that practices the 9 marks well, who grew in Christ largely due to the presence of those 9 marks, and who has been serving as a deacon and now an elder at a church that emphasizes those 9 marks, let me say: Praise the Lord for the great good He has done through churches that are implementing them rightly. And there are many. For those of you who’ve been hurt in a “9 Marks church,” consider carefully whether your issues are with them, or with the flawed human beings who have misunderstood and misapplied them to you. And if it’s the latter, well… maybe stop yelling at Jonathan.
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    Todd Wilhelm Christopher Erwin • 4 days ago
    Christopher,
    We are all “flawed human beings.” Unfortunately, the problems of abuse among churches subscribing to 9Marx doctrines are not limited to a few young, wet-behind-the-ears preachers lacking in wisdom. This is the narrative that Leeman and Dever would like us to believe.

    When so much abuse is occurring in churches that subscribe to the 9Marx manifesto, it would be reasonable to suspect there is a systemic problem.

    I have written a blog where I share some details from my 9Marx experience in United Christian Church of Dubai. The senior pastor there was an assistant pastor under Mark Dever for several years. Dever and this pastor are good friends. Leeman and Dever have conducted seminars at his church. One would think if anyone should be able to correctly practice the 9Marx manifesto, it would be this pastor.

    Another senior pastor, Matt Chandler, has also had major issues of spiritual abuse within his church. Chandler is one of the Christian celebrity preachers that thousands fawn over.

    My point being, that if these two highly experienced pastors can’t get it right, it may be a tad unrealistic to expect a newly graduated M.Div major from SBTS to get it right.

    Most of the 9Marks I have no issue with; it is articles VI and VII that are the root cause of most spiritual abuse.

    Kind Regards,
    Todd Wilhelm
    see more
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    Christopher Erwin Todd Wilhelm • 4 days ago
    Todd —

    You said, “My point being, that if these two highly experienced pastors can’t get it right, it may be a tad unrealistic to expect a newly graduated M.Div major from SBTS to get it right.”

    Well, my last six years I’ve been at a church where the situation you described above has happened, and the brother has very much “gotten it right.” So again, is it the principles, or the hearts, words, and actions of the man/men implementing them?

    Or, if you’re arguing that the theology behind these principles are SO fundamentally flawed that a pastor has to be exceptional to “get them right,” well, then we’d have to get into a discussion of how the 9 marks principles are biblically flawed. And to be clear: I AM NOT suggesting we do this here. All I can say to that is, I don’t think that argument can be made persuasively.
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    Ken Christopher Erwin • a day ago
    There needs to be room to discuss controversial topics among believers. Just because someone expresses disagreement does not mean they are “yelling.” One mark of an unhealthy church is the inability for members to wrestle through differences without the discussion turning ad hominem.
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    And I’m Cute, Too Christopher Erwin • 4 days ago
    “Stop yelling at Jonathan”? Why, is he some kind of innocent bystander here?

    Leeman and Dever are the ones touting these “nine marks” as The One True Way of Building Genuinely Healthy Churches. Dever came up with these “nine marks” (none of which is “love”, by the way), and now he’s making significant bank off of selling them. If these two want to get rich off 9Marx books and conferences, they can’t wash their hands of their product when things go wrong.
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    Living Liminal Christopher Erwin • 4 days ago
    Christopher, I wonder if you realise how dismissive and invalidating your comment appears? I don’t know if that was what you intended, but it sounds like you are saying that your experience trumps that of others. But how would you feel if someone said to you, “I have had nothing but pain and grief in “9 Marks” churches, so if you’ve had a good experience, it’s probably only because the people were really nice anyway, and not because there’s anything right about the “9 Marks” brand of theology”? I can’t imagine you’d be blessed by such a response 🙁

    If someone says they’ve been hurt or damaged by another person or their ideas, a good place to start is with compassion, not a defence of that person/philosophy. When people are in pain they need empathy, not correction; they need to feel heard, not judged.
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    Christopher Erwin Living Liminal • 4 days ago
    Hey brother (or sister, sorry, don’t know),

    A comments thread is of course not the best venue to have a full-fledged discussion of all the matters that have come up, as there’s not room for fuller, more nuanced dialogue.

    Having said that, I did not say my experience trumps all others. In fact, my motivation in posting was nothing more than to counteract all the negative postings regarding “9Marks” and “9Marks churches” which, to that point in the comments thread, had gone without counter.

    My comment was, in other words, one man’s experience in two churches that teach and live out the principles contained in the 9Marks publications, etc, motivated by the first number of comments in this thread which were, in no uncertain terms, attacks on the entire impetus behind the 9Marks principles.

    I have to say, it seems to me that however well intentioned it may have been, your response here is, in its own implicit way, attempting to invalidate MY response by comparing it to the others before mine.

    I can’t control how people interpret or feel about my comments. All I can do is, just as these other folks were, share my experience, and try to do so in careful words. How people feel in response may be due to my carelessness, or it may be for a thousand other reasons I can’t control.
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    Living Liminal Christopher Erwin • 4 days ago
    Christoper, I appreciate the reply 🙂

    I can understand that if you have had a positive experience with “9 Marks” you might want to share that, but in doing so, I urge you to be sensitive to those who have experienced real harm from the implementation of that teaching.

    While you can’t control the feelings of others, I think you *could* be more sensitive to them. You may not have intended to add to their pain, but neither did your comment convey any compassion 🙁

    The choice is yours, of course, but again I urge you to consider the very real pain others are feeling, and trying to express, before jumping in with a defence of your own experience.
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    Ken Christopher Erwin • 3 days ago
    Christopher,
    Two points. 1) It’s not just a few scattered stories of abuse by churches associated with 9Marks. There are many painful stories on the web, and many people have first or second-hand knowledge of this type of behavior gone too far. 2) If 9Marks did not sense blowback then Jonathan would never have published this article now. One does not take so much time and effort to address a problem that does not exist.

    To their credit 9Marks recognizes the problem, which is very good. But articles like this might be too little too late. But that remains to be seen.

    9Marks should probably think hard about how they choose to let churches be associated with their name. If there are abusive churches listed under “Church Search” tab on the top of their site, then some cleanup might be in order.
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    A Amos Love • 14 hours ago
    Jonathan

    You end your introduction, just before the 15 marks, with…
    “Mark Dever helped me brainstorm fifteen marks
    for NOT being a 9Marxist, that is,
    NOT being a **church leader** who abuses **authority.**”

    Then in Mark #1, You begin with…
    “We should be very reluctant to require anything
    NOT expressly set down in Scripture.”

    Don’t know if you ever checked, BUT, **church leader** is a term…
    “NOT expressly set down in Scripture.” (It’s NOT in the Bible.)

    Did someone add **church leader** to the Scriptures??? Why?
    To gain “leverage?” advantage? **authority?** *over* some of WE, His Sheep?

    Did any of His Disciples call them self **church leader?** Or leader?

    How can WE, His Sheep, His Ekklesia, His Body, be like those in Berea???
    Who, “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
    When **church leader* is NOT in the Scriptures?

    How can WE, His Servants, His Ekkleia, His Church, know…
    Who is a “Biblical” **church leader?** Doing it well?
    When calling yourself **church leader** is NOT “Biblical?”

    Seems, just calling one self a **church leader.** To gain an advantage.
    Is already an abuse of **authority.**”

    Even when this “fictional” **authority** of a **church leader**
    Is, “NOT expressly set down in Scripture.”
    ———-

    Jer 50:6
    “My people” hath been “lost sheep:”
    **THEIR shepherds** have caused them to *go astray,*

    1 Pet 2:25
    For ye were as *sheep going astray;*
    BUT are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
    see more
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    Emily • 2 days ago
    Thank you for writing this article! I am a fan of 9marks and The Gospel Coalition, but I have also been a part of hurtful churches. One church in particular sent me into the darkest spiritual depression that I have ever been in. When I met with the leaders, they told me, “Well, we try to teach with the same style and doctrine as John Piper.” The comment took me so off guard because I had just finished his book “Desiring God” and it healed my heart from the damage that church had done. So, I appreciate your efforts to correct how 9marks can be used inappropriately, though since we are still not yet perfect, I assume there will still be ones who use it for their own glory rather than God’s. I will pray for 9Marks!!
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    Dominic Stockford • 3 days ago
    Weekly service review meetings – well, there’d be a fine thing in many tiny congregations! It would be nice, but quite impossible to do when you’re on your own with 30 great Christians who are not terribly well theologically trained, and no fellow elder with ministerial or worship training.

    Occasionally I read articles, listen carefully to some of it which does sink home with a jolt, and then realise that much of the rest doesn’t touch the reality of a small, simple (but perfectly formed by God) congregation.
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    Russ • 8 days ago
    Thank you for a most timely discussion. I have had a critical attitude in recent months with processes and procedures I did not believe to be ‘right’. This has lead me to think again, I have made my position known so must rely on the discretion of the Elders. Thank you for your wisdom. Russ
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    David Russ • 4 days ago
    Great article, Jonathan. Pendulum swinging is alleviated by the fullness of God’s truth.

      (Reply & quote selected text)  (Reply to this comment)

  192. dee wrote:

    Well done, Velour. Thank you for providing us with these comments.

    Thanks Dee. The hard work of getting the link goes to Todd Wilhelm’s wonderful partner Janna. Once I had the link, I just copied and pasted the comments and the link over here.

    Many thanks Janna all the way over in United Arab Emirates!

      (Reply & quote selected text)  (Reply to this comment)

  193. Max, Ken F. and others reported that other 9 Marks articles have comments, including from Wartburgers, that have been scrubbed/deleted/hidden. Max retrieved these by opening his Disqus account and getting the comments that way which show up. If other people have commented over at 9 Marks, please open your accounts to retrieve comments.

    The Abuse of Authority in Prosperity Gospel Churches
    D.A. Horton, 9Marks Leadership Blog, 9-21-2016
    35 Comments

    Matthew Boedy • 2 days ago
    First, this smearing of a group is not good thinking. With no evidence, no individual cases discussed, it would fail a basic argument class. It is the worst kind of generalization and naturalizing anecdotal evidence. And the idea that those wounded by abuse of authority need as their first lesson a lesson on authority shows a tremendous misunderstanding of trauma. And if you are targeting prosperity gospel churches who abuse authority, why this venue? Clearly you imply so many prosperity gospel churches don’t read/follow 9Marks – so preaching to choir? Finally, again, a self-reflection would be better first move.

    Ken • 2 days ago
    “I hope this article will jumpstart a worthwhile discussion that will
    ultimately recalibrate hearts toward a biblical understanding of
    authority as a good gift that God intends to be expressed in the context
    of a healthy local church.”
    What do you mean by a worthwhile discussion? Are you open to disagreement?
    The NT is very clear that believers are to relate to each other in terms of love and mutual submission, not in terms of authority and control. The NT is also abundantly clear that we are each accountable to God alone – we are not accountable to each others for our spiritual growth and maturity. There is not one passage in the NT that tells us to hold other believers accountable or to place ourselves under the accountability of other believers. An emphasis an accountability among believers is a mark of false teaching because it is not Biblical. Therefore, running away from church accountability could be a very healthy response.
    Have you ever done an exhaustive NT word study on accountability? The results might surprise you.

    Richard Ken • a day ago
    How can we practice church discipline if we don’t hold others accountable?

    Ken Richard • a day ago
    “How can we practice church discipline if we don’t hold others accountable?”
    That is the $1M question.
    A related question is “what place does accountability have in church discipline?” When I was much younger I was a big fan of Christians holding each other accountable. It made sense to me and it was what I was taught. I never had reason to question it. But about 20 years ago I decided to make the case for it by doing a word study on it. I was shocked to find that there is not even one verse in the Bible telling us to hold each other accountable. I never expected that. I looked hard, but only found verses describing our accountability to God alone. Early in 2015 I wrote a paper on this, but I don’t know how to post it here (if you are interested maybe something can be worked out through the web master).
    I believe that Christians are free to hold each other accountable if they want to. But they have no Biblical justification for doing so. If a ministry claims it does not go further than what the Bible teaches, then accountability has to go. Christians can practice it, but they should know that it is not Biblical.
    Christians are also free to use accountability as a basis for church discipline. But they cannot claim to be practicing the Biblical model of church discipline if accountability is one of its foundations.
    As much as I wanted to be a fan of Christians holding each other accountable, I had to let go of that hope because there is nothing Christian about it. It’s a secular model that has no place within the church. The “one another” verses offer a much better model to follow.
    I guess my question back to you is, “Why would you want to
    hold Christians accountable to each other when it’s not something the Bible teaches?
    Richard Ken • 9 hours ago
    My question was a sincere one – how can we practice church discipline if we don’t hold others accountable? You say “That is the $1M question”. Are you saying the church has not yet some up with a solution?
    Surely the discipline passages presume accountability.
    1 Tim 5:20 – As for those [Elders] who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
    Are the Elders here not accountable to the church?
    If you can’t link to your paper, can you point me to other resources on this online?

    Max_T Ken • a day ago
    The Promise Keepers movement was big on men being a member of an “accountability group.” These guys would meet weekly, confess their sins to each other, receive rebuke and correction, listen to counsel … then go right back out and do the same stuff over. I know of accountability groups still meeting years later – some of these guys never get victory over personal sin, but they are proud to be accountable to each other!
    Ken Max_T • a day ago
    Accountability does not require relationship. The one anothers do.

    Max_T • 2 days ago
    “Throughout the duration of my service in the pastorate, I’ve regularly
    encountered believers bearing scars from wounds caused by church
    leaders … these injuries happened because of their former leaders’ abuse of authority … this abuse of authority took place in prosperity gospel churches.”
    There are an increasing number of reports re: authoritarian leadership abuse in patriarchal, elder-ruled New Calvinist churches, as well.
    JP Max_T • 2 days ago
    Great point. This has been a trend, amongst the Neo-Cal/elder heavy/authoritative churches, for a few years now (beginning, in the modern sense, with the Mark Driscoll scandal). Such issues are clearly not regulated to Prosperity based churches. 9M, and others, have merely managed to legalize and systemize authority into its membership policies.
    In fairness, I am not saying that “systemized authority” is always or even mostly abusive or authoritatively oppressive. Rather, I am saying that in a practical, day to day sense, there is a fine line between having authority and abusing it. Humbleness should be a defense against abusive authority. This article lacks humbleness; to not call out your own camp for authoritative abuses just shows how out of touch they (9M and others) are.
    Lastly, the Neo-Cal’s have a big celebrity pastor presence with many exhibiting big egos.

    A Amos Love • 9 hours ago
    Richard
    “…how can we practice **church discipline**…”
    Seems **church discipline** is another term…
    NOT found in the Scriptures.
    How can WE, His Servants, His Kings and Priests, know?
    Who is doing **church discipline** correctly? Biblically?
    When **church discipline** is NOT in the Bible?
    How can WE, His Sheep, His Ekklesia, His Body, be like those in Berea???
    Who, “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
    When **church discipline** is NOT in the Scriptures?
    And, NOW “self proclaimed leaders” can just make up… err… stuff…
    That suits their fancy.
    The Title of this article begins… “The Abuse of Authority…
    Lot’s and Lot’s of “Abuse” today…
    When, “(Leaders) practice **church discipline**”
    That’s why these 9 Marks churches want you to sign “a legal contract”…
    Oooops, I mean a “church covenant.” Which becomes a legal document.
    To protect the leadership and their 501 c3 IRS Corporation…
    When leagal action begins because of **Abusive Church Discipline.**

    alaskashivers • a day ago
    It seems that there is a bit of negative feedback on this article. That is very unfortunate because the article is well-written, one of the best I have read on what is a very important subject, the abuse of power by church leadership. Thank you for writing it. The extreme pain inflicted by abusive authority is real and especially damaging, as the instigators insist that they are acting as God in the situation. Finding a way out of this abuse is difficult. An excellent follow up to this article would be to highlight other churches or religious authorities that misuse power as well.

    Max_T alaskashivers • a day ago
    “It seems that there is a bit of negative feedback on this article … An excellent follow up to this article would be to highlight other churches or religious authorities that misuse power as well.”
    While the article does contain some useful information, negative comments were prompted by the title and the opening paragraphs. With a string of leadership abuses within other church groups, including New Calvinism, singling out the “Prosperity Gospel” folks as a “common thread” of leadership abuse of authority leads one to believe that it is primarily characteristic of those churches. When, other expressions of faith have their bad actors as well. For example, “armor bearers” submitting to prosperity pastors can be likened to elders submitting to authoritarian reformed pastors. It is the man, not the system, that is the culprit … even though some systems create environments for unhealthy control of members through misuse of power.

    A Amos Love • a day ago
    And Richard
    I’m glad we’re in agreement…
    In the Bible…
    You can NOT find – and – I can NOT find…
    One of His Disciples who called them self an “under-shepherd.”
    Haven’t you ever wondered Why? in the Bible?
    NOT one of His Disciples called them self shepherd?
    Or pastor? Or leader? Or reverend? Or undershepherd?
    NOT one of His Disciples had the “Title” shepherd?
    Or pastor? Or leader? Or reverend? Or undershepherd?
    NOT one of His Disciples was “Hired” as a shepherd?
    Or pastor? Or leader? Or reverend? Or undershepherd?
    NOT one of His Disciples was “Ordained,” “Licensed,” as a shepherd?
    Or pastor? Or leader? Or reverend? Or undershepherd?
    NOT one of His Disciples ever became a…
    Paid, Professional, Pastor, in a Pulpit,
    Preaching, to People, in Pews?
    Jer 50:6
    “My people” hath been “lost sheep:”
    **THEIR shepherds** have caused them to *go astray,*
    (Notice it says THEIR shepherds. NOT God’s shepherds.)
    1 Pet 2:25
    For ye were as *sheep going astray;*
    BUT are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}

    Jason • 2 days ago
    I appreciate your perspective and for sharing your experience. I especially like how you define the focus of your attention on churches who preach prosperity gospel and not specifically denominations that are or are not Episcopal, SBC, SGM, 9Marks, elder led, elder ruled, etc. It’s obvious that this issue is not limited to any group.
    Everyone should consider your points that it emerges from unbiblical thinking and no one is immune. I would add that it also has 2 sides to the coin: 1. the proud “savior complex” of the leader and 2. the historic issue that people like their idols.
    Therefore, I think it is wise by directly teaching a biblical view of authority. We often respond with an unbiblical interpretation, throwing the baby out with the bath water. In these situations, usually it’s not just the leader, but the followers that also have an unbiblical view of authority.
    To teach we are all on our own is to deny we are the body of Christ. “And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other” 1 Peter 5:5 – The Message.

    A Amos Love • 2 days ago
    Hmmm?
    Conclusion
    “This enables **the leaders’ nurture and care**
    to more likely lead the people into
    a corrected and **biblical understanding of authority.**
    There’s no greater evidence of trustworthy **leadership**
    than **leaders** who have a **high view of the biblical qualifications**
    and a low-view of self.”
    Can’t seem the find the term “leadership” in the Bible…
    And Jesus, has a unique take on “Leaders” for His Body – “ONE”
    Jesus taught His Disciples NOT to be called “Leader.”
    For “ONE” is your Leader, that is, Christ.
    And, His Disciples must have believed Jesus because…
    In the Bible NOT one of His Disciples called them self “Leader.”
    Mat 23:10-12 NASB – New American Standard Bible
    Do NOT be called leaders; for “ONE” is your Leader, that is, Christ.
    But the greatest among you shall be your “Servant”.
    Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled;
    and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
    Mat 23:10-12 – The Message
    And don’t let people maneuver you into taking charge of them.
    There is only “ONE” Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.
    **Do you want to stand out? – Then step down. – Be a servant.**
    If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you.
    But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
    If someone calls them self “Leader?”
    Allows others to call them “Leader?”
    In “Rebellion” to what Jesus taught His Disciples?
    In “Rebellion” to what His Disciples did?
    NOT submitting to the “Authority of Jesus?”
    NOT submitting to the “Authority of The Word of God?”
    They are NOT one of His Disciples…
    And have NO **biblical understanding of authority.**

    Richard A Amos Love • a day ago
    Luke 22:26 – But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the LEADER as one who serves.

    A Amos Love Richard • a day ago
    Richard
    In the Bible…
    Can you find one of “His Disciples” who called them self “Leader?”
    If being “one of His Disciples,” is important???
    Wouldn’t “His Disciples in the Bible?” Be a good example?
    To show WE, His Sheep, His Ekklesia, the way?

    Richard A Amos Love • a day ago
    Again, it’s not a matter of using particular terms. But you seem to be suggesting the concept of leadership in the church is biblical. You said “Can’t seem the find the term “leadership” in the Bible”
    But Hebrews 13:17 say – Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
    A Amos Love Richard • a day ago
    Richard
    You begin with…
    “Luke 22:26 – But not so with you…”
    When I begin at verse 24 I kinda get a different picture. His Disciples were arguing about. “Who Is The Greatest.”
    Today, do you think it’s okay, for a believer, in your fellowship, to call them self “THE GREATEST?”
    If you do NOT think it’s okay for “one of His Disciples” to call them self, “THE GREATEST?” Why would it be okay for that believer to call them self “LEADER?”
    Luke 22:24-26
    24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as “THE GREATEST.”
    25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.
    26 BUT NOT SO WITH YOU.
    Rather, let “THE GREATEST?” among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.
    I’m-a-thinkin, Jesus, is instructing His Disciples to become as the youngest, and one who serves. NOT take on the attitude, or life style of “THE GREATEST? or “LEADER?”
    Richard A Amos Love • a day ago
    Jesus is talking about the attitude and what it means to be the greatest, to be a leader. He is redefining what the world thinks that should entail, not doing away with leadership, of which he is the supreme example.
    A Amos Love Richard • a day ago
    Richard
    In your fellowship…
    Do you have folks who call them self “LEADER?”
    Do you have folks who “YOU” call “LEADER?”
    In your fellowship…
    Do you have folks who call them self “THE GREATEST?”
    Do you have folks who “YOU” call “THE GREATEST?”
    Why is one okay? But NOT the other?
    Neither one is HUMBLE.
    Having a modest, low estimate of one’s own importance.
    Yes, as you say, Jesus, “he is the supreme example.”
    And, Jesus, as man, humbled Himself…
    Made Himself of NO reputation…
    And took on the form of a “Servant.” Phil 2:7-8.
    Today, Do you know many, if any, “Leaders?”
    Who had a modest or low estimate…
    of their own importance?
    Seems todays battle cry is…
    “Everything rises and falls on leadership,”
    Is that “True?”
    Where is Jesus?- The “ONE” Leader?

    Richard A Amos Love • 9 hours ago
    The elders do not go around calling themselves leaders but that is what they are. If we did not know who the leaders were, how would we know who to obey and submit to? (Heb 13:17)

    A Amos Love Richard • 9 hours ago
    Richard
    Simple – WE, His Sheep, His Ekklesia,
    His Church, His Body, His Servants…
    Submit – one to another… 😉
    Eph 5:21 KJV
    Submitting yourselves
    **one to another** in the fear of God.
    1 Pet 5:5 KJV
    Likewise, ye younger, (age)
    *submit* yourselves unto the elder. (age)
    Yea, all of you be
    *subject* one to another,
    (Submit, Subject, same Greek word=hupotasso.)
    and be clothed with **humility:**
    for God resisteth the proud,
    and giveth grace to the **humble.**
    Hmmm? **Humility?** **Humble?**
    Having a modest or low estimate
    of one’s own importance.
    Know many, if any, who Quote Heb 13:17?
    And call themselves “The Leader” in Heb 13:17?
    Who are “clothed with **humility?**” Humble?
    Having a modest or low estimate
    of THEIR own importance?
    ——-
    Who is the “leader?” In Heb 13:17?
    NO Pastors. NO Elders. NO Deacons, NO “Titles,”
    ARE mentioned in Heb 13. Hmmm?
    How do WE, His Sheep, recognise this “Leader?”
    Do WE, His Sheep, have to “Obey” and “Submit”
    to an elder/overseer who calls them self “Leader?”
    But, does NOT meet the very tuff Qualifications for elder/overseer? In 1 Tim 3, and Titus?

    Richard A Amos Love • 9 hours ago
    OK. This could go on forever! I am done now. Anyway, was good to interact and sharpen. God bless.

    A Amos Love Richard • 8 hours ago
    Richard
    Thanks for the respectful conversation…
    Then they that feared the LORD
    spake often one to another:
    and the LORD hearkened, and heard it,
    and a book of remembrance
    was written before him
    for them that feared the LORD,
    and that thought upon his name.
    Malachi 3:16

    A Amos Love • 2 days ago
    Hmmm?
    Sixth paragraph says…
    “I’ll conclude with **a biblical rationale**
    that considers **the role of authority**
    in the life of the believer,
    focusing on three of its God-intended sources:
    our sovereign God, the Scriptures,
    and **biblically qualified under-shepherds.**”
    Was wondering…
    How can “under-shepherds” be “biblically qualified?”
    Since “under-shepherds” are NOT mentioned in the Bible?
    And thus – NOT Biblical?
    Seems , in the Bible, Biblically,”The “ONE” Shepherd” – IS…
    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
    ———-
    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
    them also I must bring, and they shall “hear My voice; “
    and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
    John 10:16
    One Voice – One Fold – One Shepherd – One Leader
    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
    Richard A Amos Love • a day ago
    Ephesians 4:11 – And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the SHEPHERDS and teachers
    1 Peter 5:1-4 – So I exhort the elders among you…SHEPHERD the flock (under-shepherd?)…exercising oversight…And when the CHIEF SHEPHERD appears (if there is a chief Shepherd then the others must be…under-sherpherds)
    Max_T Richard • a day ago
    “You should aim not at being “little tin gods” but as examples of Christian living in the eyes of the flock committed to your charge. And then, when the Chief Shepherd (Christ) reveals himself, you will receive that crown of glory which cannot fade” (1 Peter 5:3-4 Phillips).
    Little tin gods who exercise illegitimate authority over others by control, intimidation and manipulation will receive no crown of glory.
    Richard Max_T • a day ago
    Amen! I agree wholeheartedly.
    But that has nothing really to do with my reply to A Amos Love who seemed to imply we shouldn’t have shepherds/pastors in the church.
    Max_T Richard • a day ago
    I think Mr. Love’s primary concern is rooted in the fact that Jesus Christ has almost no authority in certain corners of Christendom. His influence in organized religion is becoming less and less, while the authority of mere men becomes more controlling over a believer’s walk. In far too many places, we have reduced Christ to a beloved symbol, while we conduct church in the power of ‘our’ might. Certainly, God calls pastors … but whose job is the ministry? Every believer has a part when the whole yields to the Head, which is Christ, not man.
    Richard Max_T • a day ago
    OK. That is the point the article is making too.
    Max_T Richard • a day ago
    I think the concern that other commenters have is that the article primarily assigns abuse of leadership authority to prosperity gospel churches, while there is a more widespread problem across the church spectrum. New Calvinism, the author’s tribe, has certainly had its share of authoritarian scares in recent days. The elder model of church governance, without congregational input, can be an avenue to abuse in the hands of wrong leaders. We definitely need to rethink Biblical authority (or the lack of it) across Christendom, without dumping the problems into the lap of any one particular group. “Systemizing” authority through membership policies, as one commenter put it, is not the answer nor the Biblical model for doing church.
    Richard Max_T • a day ago
    Seems to me he is just speaking from experience and sharing an insight into a trend he has noticed. I doubt he would disagree that it’s a more widespread problem in the church. But that is not the point of the article.
    And 9Marks, from what I know, believe in congregational polity.
    A Amos Love Richard • a day ago
    Hi Richard – Thanks for the conversation.
    Never said there are NO shepherds/pastors in His Church, His Ekklesia, His Called Out Ones, His Body.
    But, in the Bible, can you name one of His Disciples who called them self pastor? Or shepherd? Or leader? Can you name one of His Disciples who took the “Title” pastor? Or shepherd? Or leader? Or reverend?
    Seems, for His Disciples, in the Bible, being called pastor, or having the “title” pastor, was NOT desired, or needed. Shepherd, in “1 Peter 5:1-4,” is a verb, poimaino, NOT a “Title.” And, other Bible versions do NOT use shepherd. It depends on which Bible version you use. 😉
    1 Pet 5:2
    KJV, Feed the flock of God which is among you…
    RSV – Tend the flock of God…
    NLT – Care for the flock…
    None of these functions require the “Title” pastor.
    The shepherds, in Eph 4:11-12, were to equip the saints for: The “work” of the ministry: For the “edifying” of the body of Christ. There is NO record, in the Bible, of any of His Disciples becoming, Paid, Professional, Pastors, in Pulpits, Preaching, to People in Pews.
    If you check out all the places shepherd, “Poimen,” is in the NT, 18 times, you will see… The shepherds, in the Bible, are NOTHING like what WE, His Sheep, His Body, His Disciples, see today.
    The only “ONE” in the NT with the “Title” Shepherd…
    IS…
    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
    see more

    Richard A Amos Love • a day ago
    Yes, but no one was making a point about “titles”. The author was obviously not suggesting the word “under-sherpherd” is actually in the Bible, but the idea is. That seems indisputable.

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  194. A pastor/elder at my ex-church Grace Bible Fellowship of Silicon Valley (Deryk Brown)
    has an article on T4G about unity among elders. Ken F. who posts here apprised me that it was there. I posted three comments on Mr. Brown’s article — and they were up for awhile and they’ve all been scrubbed.
    I was excommunicated from GBFSV on some trumped up charge, as were others before me.
    GBFSV using cultic Thought Reform techniques/heavy-Shepherding.
    “Ken F wrote:
    Velour wrote:
    I submitted my story, but I think Deb has it so you could check with her.
    I don’t know if this is applicable for your upcoming post, but TGC posted a link on their front page today from an elder at your former church: https://fromthestudy.com/2016/10/10/7-practices-for-preserving-unity-among-your-elder-team/.
    Yes, someone just sent it to me on Facebook last night.
    I read it and thought, “Oh it’s Thought Reform” — even of elders. It’s NOT “unity” it’s “uniformity”.
    Interestingly, ex-church members and staff members who left Grace Bible Fellowship of Silicon Valley called the pastors/elders the most abusive, screaming, yelling, raging, accusing people that they’ve encountered in any church.
    Pastors/elders who talk about “unity” can’t get along with other people. Go figure!”

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  195. Grace Bible Fellowship of Silicon Valley (my ex-church that excommunicated me on a trumped up charge like the Berean thinkers before me) pastor/elder Deryk Brown scrubbed my three comments on his article about unity among elders on T4G website. I also noted in one of my deleted/scrubbed comments that Christians across the U.S. were critical of Mr. Brown’s article, the behaviors it described, and called it creepy.

    Velour wrote:
    I read it and thought, “Oh it’s Thought Reform” — even of elders. It’s NOT “unity” it’s “uniformity”.
    I found it creepy. If one is to have an elder-led church, there should be diversity of thought among the elders so that there are appropriate checks and balances. The type of unity this article describes is destructive and is more akin to totalitarianism than to Christianity.

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  196. Denny Burk has a post up about Church Discipline …. I left a comment but it was NOT accepted, this:

    ” Christiane Smith October 17, 2016 at 10:31 am #

    “is a Church anti-gay for practicing Church discipline?”

    It depends. I think amidst all of the verses used to ‘okay’ a certain type of ‘discipline’ among some Churches today, there is a very serious danger of wandering away from a deeper teaching found in the rest of Scripture, a teaching that underwrites and protects the work of the Holy Spirit within the private conscience of a Christian believer.

    It is also important to understand the nature of sin: in a theology where a person has not willingly turned away from Christ, and yet they are being judged as ‘sinners’ and punished accordingly;
    one has to ask if that theology embraces the teaching of God that man has been given the command to ‘choose life’, and also has been given the freedom of that choice.

    In some variations of Christian theology, a fundamentalist application of certain verses in a formal Church discipline would excuse those sitting in judgment from other considerations within Scripture that might have protected them from error. This is a matter of perspective. A main-line Church will not see ‘Church discipline’ in the same way that a fundamentalist evangelical Church would view it.

    The question of this post is one that would prompt different responses from different branches of the ‘family’, yes. Very much so. And the responses would vary according to which end of the spectrum a Church gravitated:
    does the Church see itself as protecting itself from the stain of sinners
    OR
    does the Church see itself as a ‘hospital for sinners’ ?
    The answer will impel that Church to act accordingly.

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.”

    My comment failed to survive and was removed entirely. (sigh) At least I tried. We have to have hope or we would stop trying.

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  197. Dozens of comments critical of Roman Catholicism from this site. Deleted 3/11/17.

    Criticism of Calvinism and evangelical abuses are fair game, but identical or worse abuses of Catholicism get a free pass. It is apparently a good idea to spotlight evangelical problems so that people might flee and avoid these churches. But to spotlight Catholic issues, even when they are appropriate to the conversation, is verboten.

    I think this is unfair. It is also unhealthy to have so many comments from defenders of Catholicism that pile on in regards to evangelicalism. I fear that the effect of this is to drive more disgruntled evangelicals toward Rome. Out of the frying pan, into the fire.

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  198. @ Dale:
    Stop. Now.

    None of the people involved in this blog are Catholic. We are NOT giving the RCC a pass. But the comments critical of the RCC are not on the point of this blog. We are not saying they are true or not, just not the focus of this blog. If you want to extensively comment on the failures of the RCC then start a blog and do so. We will likely even point people there.

    But this blog is not about that, and you need to stop this now or yes you will be permanently moderated. (So far you are not.)

    As to specific comments being deleted, sorry. A lot of them were removed. Comments from you and many others. Things had gotten out of hand and I/we didn’t have hours to sort it out and/or edit comments to make them “OK”.

    If you really feel a specific comment should be re-instated without crossing the lines we’ve laid out send an email and we’ll look at it. Or post it again.

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  199. @ Dale:
    As I explained several days ago, I have lost my patience over the Catholic comments – BOTH pro and con. I have NEVER intended to send people toward the Catholic Church.

    As GBTC said, perhaps you should start a blog with this focus since you are so passionate about it. I’m sure I would read some of your posts.

    Dee or I are simply not qualified to discuss the Catholic faith, and I don't have the time or inclination to research it.

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  200. Blog: The Gospel Coalition

    Post: Beware of Broken Wolves

    Editor: Joe Carter

    Deleted Comment: “You totally abused this scripture in a self serving and deceptive manner! The wolves that would rise up, are from within the church LEADERSHIP at Ephesus… not from the flock. Who was Paul talking to? Go back and read verse 17 so you can get a proper context. Quit skinning the sheep.”
    Time Deleted: Within 14 hours of posting.

    Reason for Deletion: Probable embarrassment for realizing they got busted for using a scripture out of context that was, ironically, intended to warn of abusive church leaders. Also they allow other detractors’ comments through but only to help shape a narrative they are wanting.

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  201. Dale’s father died from alcoholism, which Dale has blamed on the Roman Catholic Church.

    No church is to blame for someone’s alcoholism.

    Dale has misdirected his rage, which is inappropriate, at people who comment here. Those comments, were rightly, deleted.

    There are 12-step support groups for Adult Children of Alcoholics, Al-Anon meetings for the family and friends of alcoholics, and professional, private therapy. Dale needs to avail himself of help that is geared for the family members of alcoholics. His problems are not unique.

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  202. Almost two weeks ago, I had two comments nixed, probably at the same time.

    Blog: The Gospel Coalition
    Post: “I Don’t Understand Christians Watching ‘Game Of Thrones'”
    Editor: Kevin DeYoung

    My first comment (quoting fellow commenter Treena):

    “Who is John Piper to comment about anything remotely Christian?”

    Hear, hear, Treena! I’m glad someone else sees Piper for what he is. He still can’t bring himself to criticize Driscoll in even the smallest way. I don’t give his words any weight whatsoever.

    My second referenced a comment from Jan:

    “I don’t understand pastors and Christians whose churches have women and children being sexually abused at home turn a blind eye and doing NOTHING about it. I don’t understand why pastors tell abused women and children to go home and pray more instead of providing a safe place to live and help to find employment and their abuser brought to justice.”

    But Jan, poor RevKev can’t condemn them. If he did, he’d have to condemn some of his best buddies, like C.J. and Piper. We can’t have that, now can we?

    (insert sarcasm as needed)

    Time Posted: about 9 a.m. on August 11
    Time Deleted: before 9:30, I think

    Reason: RevKev has taken to deleting my posts on his board, starting a few months ago (though I’ve been too busy/tired to report them). I was surprised that he allowed my original comment on his “Game of Thrones” article to last so long. Maybe he was just swamped by the sheer number of responses he got, and noticed these two because they came much later.

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  203. Pingback: Lourdes Reece

  204. (Author not targeted at you)It amazes me that people attack someone who has a open book for all their finances.(Steven Furtick) Its ok for a athlete or movie star that have became false idols to our youth. Live in sin and promote it, to have a big home, money and protect them selves from haters. But someone who took the world by storm, giving hope and helping millions all across the world. They should live in poverty. Where is everyones so called faith? Exactly!! Passing judgement, gossiping and attacking a man and his family because he has faith when you ask for forgivness its given. Why because envy, Jealousy truly making themselves no different than the accused. The accused continues to sell out stadiums and changing millions of lives. Again God prevailing in the end!!I rest my case all because of haters is why the non disclosure is written. Protect the church at all cost

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  205. Merilyn Eberlein:
    Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing. Do you have any suggestions for inexperienced blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.

    My suggestion is to establish an ongoing friendship with other bloggers who can support you and vice versa. There’s real value in having each other’s backs.

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