Ray Boltz "Comes Out"

I was saddened to see in my feed reader this morning a post from Slice with a link to this article from The Washington Blade, a gay newspaper. Yep, Ray Boltz, famous for such songs as "Watch the Lamb," "Thank You," and others, came out to his family almost four years ago, the same day of the deadly tsunami in the Indian ocean. While I'm not a fan of Ray's music, I am saddened by this, but I must take issue with a few things.

First and foremost, Ingrid turns this into an indictment against the CCM industry as a whole, especially the incidences of Christian and gospel singers coming out as either gay or having committed other infidelities. I don't think that's fair. Yes, there is a lot of emotion in CCM, but there is a lot of emotion in all music. If there wasn't emotion, it wouldn't be music; it would just be noise. Even the great hymns of the past and present appeal to our emotions, to the very nature of who we are (for lack of a better term), and speak to us on a deeper level.

Next, I have to take issue with the Blade's conclusions about CCM. They publish a quote from Joe Hogue, a former CCM producer who found himself with no job offers after he came out, who says that there are "a lot of closeted people in Christian music," and yet nothing is offered to back this up. Forgive me, but with no evidence, I find that hard to believe. They also hit on the allegations against some prominent figures in the Christian world, who have been questioned about being gay because they are still single, such as Mark Lowry, although they did admit it's not fair to assume such people are gay just because they're still single. Not all of us get married, and not all of us intend to or have the desire to. That doesn't make it a sin. Jesus Himself addressed this in Matthew 19:12.

In the end, I do think it's sad that Ray Boltz chose this path. And yes, I do think it is a choice. He could have gotten help, and he chose to simply push this under the rug and let it fester for years. That's never a good choice to make. And, now, we've seen where it's led him. Pray for Ray, pray for his family (he and his wife split amicably, and are still on good terms), and pray for those who will be affected by this announcement.

Paul was a Platonist? Well...

As often happens here at While Rome Burns, I am going to respectfully disagree with Ingrid's assessment over at Slice of Laodicea. In this case, we're looking at a video posted on YouTube (embedded below for your convenience) of an interview between Tony Jones and Jerry Johnson, president of Criswell College.




The folks who put this video together seem to think that Jones is elevating the writings of Augustine to the level of Scripture, and stating that Paul was a Platonist. I really don't think that's an accurate assessment, and here's why. First of all, he doesn't say Paul was a Platonist; he *does*, however, say that Paul was versed in Platonism, which would imply he was extremely familiar with it. This would make sense, as Paul talked about being "all things to all men," and his various writings show that he adjusted his message based on who he was speaking to in order to convey the message in a way his audience could understand. Second, Tony doesn't say that Augustine's writings are the same as Scripture; he simply states that a strong knowledge of Platonism came through in many of his theological writings, and uses that to draw a parallel. Finally, Tony doesn't deny the inspiration of the Scriptures, which Johnson implies at the end of this video. I think I would really like to get my hands on the audio of the entire interview, because it seems to me that in the video above, Tony got cut off. I've got a busy week ahead (I really shouldn't even be on now!), but I'll see what I can do. Stay tuned.

Trees, Tyson, and Tony Jones: SoL Strikes Again

Ingrid must have been bored today, or something. Her latest post rails against Tony Jones' new book The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier. The first thing that strikes me about her post, however, is that she's taking someone else's word for it (namely, that of Lighthouse Trails Research on their From the Lighthouse blog). But wait, it gets better.

First, how does she know that the trees pictured at the top of her post were used for Tony's book? Then, she drags Brian McLaren into the fray, simply because he is credited with giving Jones the idea for this book. Then, she somehow twists what he has to say into a message about the rights of chickens, and how we need to be defending them. Uh, what?

I can't write any more about this. I just can't. Go read it for yourself, but I warn you; Ingrid has really dialed up the rhetoric on this one.

Punk'd By The Devil

No comment needed here; just head over to Reverend Scottie's blog to see how he proved the point so many of us have been trying to make about Slice of Laodicea; they're not interested in the truth, they're interested in their version of Christianity. A form of Godliness, denying its power...

HT: Monday Morning Insight via CRN.Info

Ingrid on Porn Addiction

In her latest post at Slice of Laodicea, Ingrid takes on pornography addiction, which is, without doubt, one of the biggest issues facing society today. It is an addiction that knows no bounds; it is not selective, it has no respect for boundaries of race, sex, class, religion, or any other category. And it is devastating.

Ingrid's answer? People who are addicted to porn can't *possibly* be Christians. Apparently she missed the parts of the Bible that deal with the fact that even the righteous stumble, but what sets them apart is that they get back up. Apparently she missed the apostle Paul talking about the thorn in his side that the Lord refused to take from him.

It's late, I'm tired, and there's so much more I could say about this, but I can't put it into words just now. I will say this; Ingrid and others in the discernment crowd have taken ministries like XXXChurch.com to task for what they do. These people are facing the porn problem head on, offering support, encouragement, and hope to those who are addicted to porn and even helping former porn stars leave the industry and start new lives. These men recognize that we cannot simply ignore the problem and hope it will go away. We cannot simply shun those who struggle with these issues.

If you struggle with an addiction to pornography, know that there is help for you. XXXChurch.com is a great place to start. Go to the Wall of Prayer and start there; you will find people who are at the same place you are, and those who have been there before. They will help you. They also offer a program that will track the Internet sites you visit and email a list of questionable sites to an accountability partner you designate. If you want to go as far as a content filter, BSafe Online offers a great one, which can also be purchased as part of a total security suite.

Let me leave you with this; we serve a God who is faithful and just to forgive us if we ask Him. If you need help, start with the One who created you, and knows you from your inmost being.

That's it, I'm done.

I am officially finished commenting at the new Slice of Laodicea. I have had two comments on one post today result in Ingrid acting as if I was attacking her personally, and the second comment was to try and shed some light on what I was getting at in the first comment. I didn't call Ingrid crazy, I didn't say she was standing on a street corner screaming about fire and brimstone, nor did I say that all fundamentalist churches do so, or that they are all crazy or have bad hygiene. I am pleased to inform Ingrid (and anyone else who reads this) that I am dealing from a full deck of cards, thank you very much, and that I don't get my theology from late night comedy sketches. I have, however, come to a realization; there is no benefit to contributing to the comment section at Slice of Laodicea. To be honest, after the response I received to one of my early comments at Slice 2.0, I don't know why I continued commenting there at all. My comments were taken in entirely the wrong way and words were put into my mouth. But, then again, coming from the "discernment/remnant" crowd, should I expect any different?

Ingrid Misses the Point... Again

It seems Ingrid over at Christian Research Net is all worked up over an email she received today from the father-in-law of one of the American Idol contestants, who also happens to be a pastor. In true CRN fashion, he can't be a true Christian because the world approves of him. Chris at Fishing the Abyss/CRN.Info has written some insightful posts about this very subject, which I encourage you to read.

The summary of Ingrid's arguement seems to be that because Phil Stacey (the contestant in question) is seeking success in the entertainment realm, he can't be a "true Christian" because the Bible says that if we are true believers, we will be persecuted. Apparently she's gotten the impression that the music business is easy. Not only that, she apparently doesn't understand that when Christ came to the earth, He went to where the people were; the synagogues, the marketplaces, the city gates, etc., and spoke to them in words they could understand. Not only that, there are multiple admonishments in the New Testament for us to encourage each other; two that leap to mind are Jude 20 and Ephesians 4:29. So what does this have to do with American Idol? Quite simply, Phil is trying to influence the culture around him, which, whether or not Ingrid and company like it, is exactly what Christ did. We are not called to hole up in our churches and our homes; we are called to be a light to a dark world, a "city on a hill" as Jesus said it in the book of Matthew. Phil is doing exactly that, and I say more power to him.

For the record, I have not been watching American Idol this season; I'm just not home to watch much TV to begin with anymore, and the stuff I record on the DVR is plenty for me to keep up with.

Ken Silva's Double Standard

While I don't want this to be a blog that simply responds to and pulls from other blogs (even though that's the way things have been going, but that's another issue entirely), I simply couldn't let this pass without a response. A recent post at Christian Research Net (aptly titled Slice 2.0 by some) links to an article at The Sacred Sandwich decrying churches and ministries such as (who else?) Rick Warren, who use multiple Bible translations to convey a point. So what's the problem? The fact that Rev. Ken Silva (who oversees the site, along with Apprising Ministries) DOES THE SAME THING. But somehow, when he does it, it's ok, but if Rick Warren or anyone else does it, it's wrong?

A Satanic Swipe at the Emergent Church

There are some who have described Christian Research Network/CRN (formerly Slice of Laodicea) as "the National Enquirer of the Christian blogosphere." Saturday, they certainly lived up to that title. Contributor Dwayna posted an article entitled 5 elements of Satanism in the Emergent Church? Never mind the fact that the page she links to on Mosaic's site, the first conviction that they list is that the Bible is "God's infallible, authoritative word to us," and that "Jesus is the only hope for a lost and broken world." Comparing them to elements is simply a way of offering another perspective on the core beliefs of Mosaic. I think they need to go read I Corinthians again.

This is yet another example of irresponsible blogging on the part of CRN's contributors, and condoning the spread of misinformation on the part of Ken Silva.

Rob Bell Feeding Frenzy

Two posts in a day. This could get to be a pattern if I'm not careful.

The folks over at CRN have whipped themselves into a frenzy over Rob Bell (slow day in discernment, maybe?), and Chris over at CRN.Info has a couple of articles dealing with it, and bringing the salt of truth to the discussion, which is much needed. If you go, beware; Chris P. of the Slice/CRN crew is on the prowl.

Hypocrisy 101

More than once I have read a post at Slice of Laodicea/Christian Research Network, and been blown away by it. Not because of great writing or a well made point; rather, by the fact that they point out the speck in the eye of another and remain oblivious to the plank in their own.

I offer into evidence a post, written by Ingrid, decrying other "discernment" ministries, and later removed by her (she claims it will reappear with more information). However, thanks to the miracle of modern technology, the post is not gone forever, and several other bloggers have taken note and dissected the post much better than I ever could.

I recommend reading Discernment Gone WILD!!! at Verum Serum for analysis and response to the disappearing article. To read the article without commentary, pay a visit to Sliced Laodicea.

In other news, I just got back from a weekend retreat with the youth, and we had a great time. We were joined by members of the Rockford Masters Commission. I hope to have a post about the weekend on MySpace soon, culled from my journal entries from the weekend. I need to boil them down first and make sure they'll be of interest.

Updates

I'm finally home from Orlando! I had a three hour layover in Kansas City, plus two and half hours spent sitting on the runway waiting for takeoff, because of freezing rain and a ground crew that can't make a decision. I will never fly through KCI ever again. Unless they seriously overhaul the place. Anyway, wanted to put a few updates out there.

1. As promised, I am planning a study digging into the gifts of the wise men. I need to do some research and get some thoughts down on paper (or at least on the screen), but I hope to have the first part up in a few weeks. Suggestions for resources are welcome.

2. My book of choice for my trip was Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz, which I am enjoying immensly. There are a few quotes that I'll be posting here and elsewhere from the book. Some serious, some not so much.

3. Slice of Laodicea has been reborn as Christian Research Network. Old links redirect to the new site. Not sure if I'll be keeping them on my blogroll or not.

4. Just before my trip I finished John Eldrige's Journey of Desire, which will definately require a second read. I may bring up the possibility of a teaching series in our youth group based on this book. We did one based on Epic last year that went over very well, and we all learned a lot.

That's it for now. I've got some catching up to do from my week away, and I'm headed out to a game night tonight. Grace and peace to all!

Coop

Response to Emergent Critics

Great post over at Theoblogy (thanks to Chris L. for posting the link on E-What?) offering response from some of the leaders in the Emergent movement to their many critics, both positive and negative. I'm also adding Theoblogy to my blogroll.

Sliced Out of Laodicea *UPDATED*

It is with mixed emotions that I find I have earned the following badge, which will soon find a permanent home on the sidebar of While Rome Burns:



That's right, fans and friends, I've been banned from commenting at Slice of Laodicea. While I don't know for sure, I suspect the ban was enacted by Rev. Ken Silva, pastoral advisor to the blog, sole contributor to Apprising Ministries, and pastor of Connecticut River Baptist Church in Claremont, NH. Ken is an ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention, even while he decries the "emergent vipers" and "purpose driven madness of Rick Warren" that are "rapidly apostasizing" that denomination. Why he continues to hold his credentials in the SBC is a mystery to me. He tells me it's because a denomination's leadership doesn't make it apostate. If you figure that one out, let me know.

The ban came about (again, I can't confirm any of this) due to an exchange I had with Ken and a few other commenters at Slice about his recent post Rob Bell Your Fruit Is Showing. Apparently my only offense was pointing out flaws in Ken's logic, and later, taking offense at my faith and devotion to Christ being questioned. If that's all it takes to be banned from commenting at Slice, I feel sad for the contributors, and pray the Lord will open their eyes, that they may see how blind they truly are.

Yes, I said blind. They surround themselves with people who agree with their every word (aptly titled an "amen chorus" by Chris over at Fishing The Abyss), and when anyone disagrees, they allow only comments that can be picked apart easily to pass through the comment filter. Logical responses disappear into the ether. Those who continually disagree are forever banned from commenting. While I can understand the need for a filter with the myriad of spam bots on the Internet today, and I can certainly understand deleting malicious, mean-spirited, and just plain rude comments that add nothing to the discussion, their refusal to entertain opposing points of view says a lot about their character, and the lack of content and logic used in their posts.

As I've said so many times before, sometimes the irony of their posts is simply staggering.

*UPDATE*: Ingrid, the administrator and owner over at Slice, caught wind of this post, and has (if I'm reading her comment correctly) lifted my ban. So, I guess I have to take down the Slice-Shunned tag on the sidebar, for now at least. I do admit to jumping to conclusions, but I feel the conclusion was logical given Ken's track record in the past. As I have told Ingrid (via my comment section) I will continue commenting at Slice if I am allowed. She has conducted herself well even in disagreements on that blog. I wish I could say the same for Rev. Silva.