To all TOL members especially the preterists.
Recently I issued a warning to all preterists on this site concerning a problem we were having with certain members of that group. At that time I made a blanket statement that any preterist engaging in any further attempts at such behavior, would result in my recommendation to ban all preterist from the site. I over-stepped my bounds in this regard and apologize. I was wrong and should have shown better self-control. The correct thing for me to have said was, that if we see future evidence of these types of actions, the guilty parties will be banned. And that is the stance we will take on this issue. Again, I was wrong for this part of the statement and am sorry for the harm it caused.
I would also like to extend an apology to Faramir for any trace of implication, by me, that he was involved in these activities. He was not. And I am sorry for any harm it may have caused him.
However, the accusations made in my original statement are true, and the warning still stands, with the modification noted above. As for the evidence, that is a matter for the management of TOL and will not be discussed openly in public forum. However, that being said, at least two members have already admitted their guilt in open posts on the forum, although even then the entire truth was not told. These types of matters have happened several times in the past and have always been handled privately. That is our policy, and that is the way we will continue to do business. If that is offensive, or seems unfair, so be it. We can all see just how fair it is when we get to heaven. Feel free to hold me to it.
And last, I have already seen enormous damage done to the site since this was brought to light. I have had personal attacks launched at me, as has Knight, and great dissention has spread throughout the site due to the private messaging of certain individuals. This has all happened before and will, undoubtedly, happen again. Several people have stepped down as moderators and several others have stated they will never return to the site. That is absolutely their option, and we will in no way try to stop them and wish them the best on other boards. Many are excellent debaters, knowledgeable about biblical matters, and have been sharpened on the best theological website in existence. They will help spread the word of God in other ministry’s. However, it is our policy here at TOL that when someone leaves during one of these dissention periods, we feel it best that they not be allowed back, in effort to stem future problems. As Knight said in the “Apoplectic Language” thread, he started today, we look at this as a purging process, and those that stay will be refined like fine gold and silver. The dross will be removed for the better of all.
We at TheologyOnline make no money from the site, and in fact spend several thousand dollars a year, out of our own pockets, (not to mention the time and labor), in running it. It is sponsored by no other ministry or church, and has only a very small number of paying subscribers. This is a personal ministry, that each of you are a part of, for the edification of God’s word and to spread His message to the world.
So, let those who stay, continue on in honest debate and theological discussion. We now consider the matter closed and will move on to other things. Any parties that want to continue to cause disruption over this matter will be asked to leave, and not allowed back.
Recently I issued a warning to all preterists on this site concerning a problem we were having with certain members of that group. At that time I made a blanket statement that any preterist engaging in any further attempts at such behavior, would result in my recommendation to ban all preterist from the site. I over-stepped my bounds in this regard and apologize. I was wrong and should have shown better self-control. The correct thing for me to have said was, that if we see future evidence of these types of actions, the guilty parties will be banned. And that is the stance we will take on this issue. Again, I was wrong for this part of the statement and am sorry for the harm it caused.
I would also like to extend an apology to Faramir for any trace of implication, by me, that he was involved in these activities. He was not. And I am sorry for any harm it may have caused him.
However, the accusations made in my original statement are true, and the warning still stands, with the modification noted above. As for the evidence, that is a matter for the management of TOL and will not be discussed openly in public forum. However, that being said, at least two members have already admitted their guilt in open posts on the forum, although even then the entire truth was not told. These types of matters have happened several times in the past and have always been handled privately. That is our policy, and that is the way we will continue to do business. If that is offensive, or seems unfair, so be it. We can all see just how fair it is when we get to heaven. Feel free to hold me to it.
And last, I have already seen enormous damage done to the site since this was brought to light. I have had personal attacks launched at me, as has Knight, and great dissention has spread throughout the site due to the private messaging of certain individuals. This has all happened before and will, undoubtedly, happen again. Several people have stepped down as moderators and several others have stated they will never return to the site. That is absolutely their option, and we will in no way try to stop them and wish them the best on other boards. Many are excellent debaters, knowledgeable about biblical matters, and have been sharpened on the best theological website in existence. They will help spread the word of God in other ministry’s. However, it is our policy here at TOL that when someone leaves during one of these dissention periods, we feel it best that they not be allowed back, in effort to stem future problems. As Knight said in the “Apoplectic Language” thread, he started today, we look at this as a purging process, and those that stay will be refined like fine gold and silver. The dross will be removed for the better of all.
We at TheologyOnline make no money from the site, and in fact spend several thousand dollars a year, out of our own pockets, (not to mention the time and labor), in running it. It is sponsored by no other ministry or church, and has only a very small number of paying subscribers. This is a personal ministry, that each of you are a part of, for the edification of God’s word and to spread His message to the world.
So, let those who stay, continue on in honest debate and theological discussion. We now consider the matter closed and will move on to other things. Any parties that want to continue to cause disruption over this matter will be asked to leave, and not allowed back.
