A couple of months ago probably the same kinds of people were screaming about how Driscoll “lied” about his books being “confiscated” at the “Strange Fire” conference. When nothing from this fabricated controversy sticks, they’ll be jumping to the next conclusion they can. And we wonder why the church is losing people and the culture!

The alleged plagiarism of two brief paragraphs from a commentary of 1 Peter is more substantial. However, the publication in which it apparently occurred is little more than an internal study guide. Churches commonly produce material for their Sunday School or small groups and likely, inadvertent failures to proper cite sources is also common. The mistake should be corrected but until evidence is forth-coming that it was intentional plagiarism, to treat this as though it is a great moral failure is absurd.

As I said elsewhere, if it is plagiarism it’ll play out among the affected parties.

I’m not buying this publishing house conspiracy, it’ll all play out among the characters who are truly affected. The rest of them will move on to another “controversy.”

The plagiarism is obvious enough that even Mr. John Carpenter, a rabid commenter who spends a lot of his time making personal attacks on anyone who dares to say anything negative about Driscoll, admitted in a previous comment thread, and I quote, “I agree that the commentary stuff is probably plagiarism.”
Seriously, if you look at it, it’s word for word; he even copied the footnotes as though they were his own research. Then refer to the previous post regarding Driscoll’s own statements about how sinful plagiarism is, and you’ll see the problem.

That is what you might think…

Of course it’s not that *simple.* They’re probably at least grumbling at Mark Driscoll for putting them in this uncomfortable position and telling him to be more careful next time. But hey, once you’ve made an example of some honest journalist, the chances of anyone standing up to the bullies anymore is much smaller so…yeah. Not simple at all. Politics is never simple!

Hey John,
No I would not scoff at him if he gave a valid answer. And per another post to me, it is my business since we carry his books in our bookstore…at least right now…Why you judge me so I do not know since you do not know me. I really wish you would have addressed your perceived problem with me in a more private manner as per Matt. 18 from now on please. If I could have a priavte way to address you I would like to invoke Matt. 18 , but i need a way to contact you…email?

I’s not that simple if publishing house truly believes one of their authors plagiarized.

Probably because people like you wouldn’t believe him. If he makes a statement personally, you’ll scoff at him. If the publishers say his writings meet industry standards of citing sources, you still condemn him.