I’ve made some modifications to the way comments are processed. There have been a number of threads, weeks (and sometimes months) old onto which we get random (sometimes bizarre) comments, which don’t always get caught and responded to. As such, I have started a script that will close comments automatically on posts older than 10 days (which seems reasonable, as I look at comment traffic.
If there are discussions carrying on (in a constructive manner) on a 10-day-old thread, we can exclude it from this closure list for a time, until activity has died down. Our submissions page, as well, will always be open.
On one related note – if a comment thread devolves into a circular flame war on the road to nowhere (as happened on one thread yesterday), I may close down comments on the thread, as well, in hope that cooler heads will prevail.
![Image of The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31Jl6fhDLxL._SL75_.jpg "The Prodigal God (An Unabridged Production)[2-CD Set]; Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith")
17 Comments(+Add)
I’m glad about the circular flame war note, a lot of the time when I want to comment on an article, I refuse to sort through the 100+ messages that are often just slams, grudges and attacks to actually see if my point or comment is redundant or relevant to the discussion. But I don’t want to wade through all the internet schoolyard fights to do so.
Dear CRN.info,
I would like to propose that we work on something together.
It has come to my attention that Fred Phelp’s church is promoting their own version of Hate and is planning on picketing Heath Ledger’s funeral.
This is a disgusting and hateful act on their part and all Christians who understand the gospel and Christ’s love have a responsibility to combat this hate by showing Christ’s love.
I’ve posted an exhibit at the Museum of Idolatry calling on Christians to Pray and ACT.
As odd as it sounds coming from me, I would like to propose that we join together in fighting Phelp’s hate by showing the love of Christ to Ledger’s family and loved ones.
What say you guys?
Here is the post that I put up at A Little Leaven.
http://www.alittleleaven.com/2008/01/heath-in-hell.html
Chris R, sounds like a good idea. Actually, spreading the gospel to celebrities and their families in general sounds like a good idea.
For some reason, my computer periodically does not want to display A Little Leaven. A synopsis of the post at A Little Leaven would be most helpful for me. Thanks!
Phelps and his crew have been doing the same thing at verterans funerals for years. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Kansas recently lifted the ban that had been enforced on Phelps.
Merry,
Here is the text of my post. I’ve now posted this at ALittleLeave, CRN, ExtremeTheology and TruthWarCentral. The YouTube video that I am responding to can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFG7KEKyN0Y
>>>Here is my post Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.
Romans 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Therefore, We’d like to ask you to pray AND find a way to combat this hate by sending messages that share Christ’s love with Heath Ledger’s family and loved ones. If we don’t take a stand against this type of hate done in the name of Christ then we will become silent accomplices to this gross and inhuman sin.
Merry,
OOOOOPPPS! here is my post. Sorry I accidently deleted part of it before I hit the submit button.
Sadly, this video from Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church shows what happens when a church turns God’s Law into the “gospel”. It shows that the only thing they have to offer the world is God’s wrath and judgement. But that is not ‘Good News’. That is bad news and the Church has not been called to ONLY proclaim God’s Law. The Chruch has been called to also proclaim the Good News that Christ Died for ALL of our Sins.
Heath Ledger’s family needs the love of Jesus Christ right now instead of the judgement and threats that Wesboro Baptist church is spewing.
You do not have to agree with the movies that he made or even believe that he was saved. That is not the issue. As Christians, we should never delight or rejoice when any person dies especially a person who may not have repented of their sins, trusted in Christ and received His forgiveness and mercy. Westboro’s attempts to draw attention to their legalistic gospel of works and wrath must be countered with the Biblical Gospel of Christ’s love, forgiveness and mercy that is offered to all sinners, even sinners as terrible as me and you.
Therefore, We’d like to ask you to pray AND find a way to combat this hate by sending messages that share Christ’s love with Heath Ledger’s family and loved ones. If we don’t take a stand against this type of hate done in the name of Christ then we will become silent accomplices to this gross and inhuman sin.
Thanks, Chris! Praying is definately something I can do.
Chris,
I am all for that. However, I am going to say this what Phelps is doing is simply giving the logical conclusion to the theology and message of most ODMs. Sure, ODMs use much less offensive language, but the general ideas are the same. Preach more hell, sin, and wrath, God only saves a few remnant elect, and the evangelical church is headed for destruction. While I would not put ODMs and Phelps in the same camp, they are certainly on the same path…. Phelps has just run much further down the road.
Chris,
I think that is great idea!
Chris,
That sounds like an excellent idea. I’m in the middle of working on taxes tonight, but I’ll take a look early tomorrow (or later tonight) and expound a bit more.
Blessings,
Chris
Chris R.
If I can summarize, you’re not saying “Love Wins” are you?
Nathan,
I don’t see what’s productive about your comment. All of us lie on a spectrum between Unitarians and Fed Phelps. Pointing that out, in either direction, seems like a shaky argument.
Sure, ODMs have more in common with Fred Phelps than the writers here do. More importantly, the ODMs and this blog have far more in common with each other.
I, for one, applaud efforts at achieving a greater sense of unity and progress for all sides of the debate. If the bad apples in the ODM bunch were to make progress on fair arguments, charitable reading, honest interpretation, and basic journalistic integrity, I’d be overjoyed to see this blog shut down. Or at least change directions…
Pastor Martino,
Yes that IS exactly what I am saying.
Chris L,
I am truly looking forward to you contribution.
Chris R.
Comment from Kevin I
I’m glad about the circular flame war note, a lot of the time when I want to comment on an article, I refuse to sort through the 100+ messages that are often just slams, grudges and attacks to actually see if my point or comment is redundant or relevant to the discussion. But I don’t want to wade through all the internet schoolyard fights to do so.
I do agree with this.
I think it’s a shame that some of the threads are sidetracked by personal discussions that have little, if anything to do with the original intent of the post.
This is so wonderful. This is exactly what I’ve been praying for and hoping would happen for a long time. Some good old fashion working together, and acknowledging each other as brothers and sisters.
I’m just wondering…when we all gonna hold hands and sing Kumbaya?
=)
Chris R,
Good on you brother for starting this up. People need to know that Phelps does NOT represent Jesus Christ and His Church, and they need our love and compassion, the love of Christ, instead.
Joe