Comments on: Janet Mefferd Removes Evidence Relating To Charges Of Plagiarism Against Mark Driscoll; Apologizes To Audience

By: Fernando Villegas

Fernando Villegas — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 14:35:23 +0000

In reply to J. Dean. Well, she did say that the interview should not have occurred at all. So, "what she did" (the interview) was included in the apology. But you're right, the apology does not let Mr. Driscoll "off the hook," and do I think it was Ms. Mefferd's intention to do so. I think she was taking responsibility for her own errors, which was admirable.

By: John Carpenter

John Carpenter — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 14:34:24 +0000

In reply to TigandTag. there's a lot of what can most charitably be called "irony" around this issue. :)

By: John Carpenter

John Carpenter — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:34:29 +0000

In reply to Guest.

A fine comment. Thanks for it.
1 Timothy 5:19 by extension tells us how to deal with accusations toward elders. (Surely we’re not to believe that Timothy couldn’t entertain an uncorroborated accusation but today now we can.) We give them the benefit of the doubt. In this case, that means NOT assuming intentional plagiarism but assuming it was a mistake, until there is corroborated evidence otherwise.
Ignoring the principle in 1 Timothy 5:19 is, in my opinion, the really significant spiritual and moral issue in this debacle. It’s those who are quickest to condemn Driscoll for a lack of citation of two brief paragraphs in what is little more than an internal study-guide — they are the problem that is destroying the evangelical church in America (not a lack of a footnote).

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:34:27 +0000

The comment section makes me sad. Please, let’s all do some self-examination.

By: johnharmstrong

johnharmstrong — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:34:27 +0000

I would not be so quick to judge why Janet did what she did. I have taken down material simply because I realized it was not in the best interest of the church to broadcast it in the manner that I did. Why conclude she did otherwise until or unless she chooses to tell us her reasons? How about some charity on every side in this heated debate? The body of Christ could stand for us all to “slow down” on such matters. If the publisher is rightly involved I have every confidence in Tyndale House personally.

By: Fernando Villegas

Fernando Villegas — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:34:26 +0000

My own two cents worth on this:
As has been said, the evidence is out there in public, and people can look at it for themselves and draw their own conclusions (which they certainly have been doing!).
Mr. Driscoll may be held accountable for any plagiarism that he may be guilty of. Or he may not. Either way, I imagine most of us really have no say in that. Those who are vested in this are primarily Mr. Driscoll himself, his publisher, and those whom he allegedly plagiarized. Of course, those who are readers of his published works also have a vested interest, and they have their say simply by choosing not to continue to read his books if they believe he is guilty. That is how they hold him accountable.
Regardless, I would not worry about him “getting away” with anything:
“The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.”
I respect Ms. Mefferd’s apology. Unless there is evidence that her apology was pressured from an outside force, there is no reason to assume so. We must take her at her word that she “should have conducted [herself] in a better way.” And she is right. It would have been a wiser decision to have contacted Tyndale House directly, and to inform Mr. Driscoll that she was doing so, and see where it went from there. Having done so would’ve given her more credibility had she eventually decided to go public with the charge, and it certainly would’ve given less credibility to the idea that she was only looking to ambush Mr. Driscoll for the purpose of ratings.
I’ve been a pastor for fourteen years now, and one of the things I’ve learned is that in most every dispute between two or more people (although there are exceptions, of course), rarely is one side completely wrong and the other side completely right. Usually, both sides have acted in ways that have not been right. The sins of the other should never be used to excuse my own.

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:33:28 +0000

The furor over Driscoll’s citation-shortage seems symptomatic of broader, more systemic, ecclesiastical issues — not just the character of a single individual. Perhaps Mefford recognizes this and is refocusing. At any rate, she appears to deals with tons of other topics and doesn’t strike me as obsessed with a single issue or personality.
When Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Tim 5:19) about replacing defective leaders in Ephesus with better ones, he assumes Timothy has authority to weigh accusations and recommendation and administer judicial decisions in overseeing local leaders. He isn’t giving that instruction to every believer in Ephesus, except perhaps for them to know how Timothy should conduct business.. Paul tells the Timothy not to bother promoting or demoting unless he has at least two or three corroborating witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19 isn’t censoring bringing forth relevant evidence, it is encouraging it).
Who is the Timothy that oversees today’s church leaders city-wide — celebrity or otherwise? In our setting, institutions like Mars Hill can organize their 501c3 pretty much however they want, but the only special authority they have is over those who sign their covenant or otherwise choose to follow their leaders — apart of course, from the continual debt to love one another.
The vast majority of Christians (including blog commentators) looking in are more like Jesus, an outsider to the religious powers of his day, identifying with the weak, and who nonetheless call leaders to account in terms of both their strengths and weakness (e.g. Mt. 23) — the role of prophet. When hypocrisy gets called out, if the sandal fits, wear it. If it doesn’t fit, just give thanks and take it as a word to the wise.
Personally, I’m reminded to take care with giving credit where credit is due, not out of intimidation, but respect.

By: Trace Batton

Trace Batton — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:33:28 +0000

“As John Milton said regarding truth: “Let her and Falsehood grapple; who ever knew Truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter? Her confuting is the best and surest suppressing.” I am with Milton here: The freer the press, the less the innocent have to fear and the more the guilty need to be worried.” -Carl Trueman here: http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/12/04/areopagitica/

By: Salvatore Mazzotta

Salvatore Mazzotta — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:33:28 +0000

This is heart-breaking. The state of the church in America at this time is worse than many of us thought. The wolves occupy the highest, most-visible, most-influential places. Church-goers fawn after them. Lord Jesus help us!

By: Jules LaPierre

Jules LaPierre — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 13:33:27 +0000

Does anyone know how to unsubscribe from these comments?