From M-W online:
lurk…
1 a: to lie in wait in a place of concealment especially for an evil purpose b: to move furtively or inconspicuously c: to persist in staying
2 a: to be concealed but capable of being discovered; specifically : to constitute a latent threat b: to lie hidden
3: to read messages on an Internet discussion forum (as a newsgroup or chat room) without contributing

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

Chris’s site got spammed today on the very post that Dave mentions above, the one I couldn’t remember. Here is the link:

Makujina Review Published by Christianity Astray

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

Let me get back to one of your earlier questions: “how does ecclesiastical separation apply in this case?”

My view in this case wouldn’t be covered by ecclesiastical separation but by personal separation. You are not personally involved in the FBF any longer, perhaps as a matter of separation? At least on some level? So what I am advocating would be a similar stance.

I well recognize that this is an area where differences of opinion will arise. My view is that participation in the ETS [as a member] is not helpful for the cause of Christ and I wouldn’t be involved.

I think you are right that the earlier discussion was on Chris’s blog. I don’t remember exactly which article it was. If Chris is reading, maybe he can provide a link.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

Mooreland’s presentation is one of probably dozens that were given. He was advocating his view of sola scriptura; it isn’t directly a battle in the ETS of some sort.

The doctrinal statement issue has been going back and forth for a number of years now (since the Open Theism problem). If you’re interested in more on this issue, two related written works would be the chapter by Grudem in “Beyond the Bounds” in which he argues for new boundaries and the book by Bock in which he argues that boundaries are essential, but evangelicalism needs something like a broader ETS for the sake of interaction, etc. Basically, he argues that there need to be different kinds of platforms which call for different levels of agreement.

All that said, I’ve been at several FBF meetings where someone presented a view which I believe to be wrong, even unbiblical, and it did not immediately prompt my departure from either the meetng or the group. They’ve published statements and positions that I deem serious error. At this point, I am no longer personally tied to the FBF, so it’s a non-issue, but that wasn’t always the case.

It seems to me that you need to make the case that participation in a professional society is prohibited by the biblical teaching on separation. I’ve never been convinced of that case (even though I am not personally a member).

P.S. I think the earlier conversation to which you referred was over at Chris Anderson’s blog in connection to the article in CT by a fundamentalist. I think.

I will readily concede the point that the organization is not a denomination. In that sense, the current situation is entirely different from the 1920s.

The parallel I am seeing is in the kind of fight that appears to be erupting – conservatives are attempting to right a sinking ship by reforming the doctrinal statement. I don’t think that will work, just as it didn’t in the past.

As for an association of individuals vs. one of churches … if this type of fight emerged in the FBF, what do you think the fundamentalists should do?

Thanks for reading.

Regards,
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

It seems that you consider something like ETS to be the equivalent of the Northern Baptist Convention or the Presbyterian Church. Help me understand how you think on this matter–it seems that associations of churches are a somewhat different category than a society of individuals?

In other words, how does ecclesiastical separation apply in this case?