An apology and manifesto
Several years ago I started an anonymous Twitter account. I had reasons – personal reasons – to do so. These included family, church, and privacy considerations that anyone on the Internet can understand. The account grew as I expressed my opinions on Reformed theology and presbyterian ecclesiology. – I never expected that. It became obvious that many Christians with an interest in Calvinistic theology and biblical ecclesiology wanted to talk about these things and that hardly anyone else was doing so from a perspective like my own. On the Twitter account and on a podcast which began in 2016 I have talked about the above subjects and have been critical of certain celebrity pastors, authors, ministries, movements, and parachurch organizations.
Why do I do this? Because, as a confessional presbyterian, I believe that many of the above are on a path that leads away from the biblical fidelity expressed in the Reformed standards or work at cross purposes to confessional denominations. Whether these people, movements, or organizations be described as progressive, broad evangelical, tranformationalist or revivalist, most are promoted by denominational media, high-traffic websites, powerful parachurch organizations or large institutions. Mine is a minority report, no doubt. In bringing that report I have used satire and humor and expressed strong opinions.
To this point I have done so anonymously. I will be anonymous no more thanks to a doxing campaign by one individual which many perceived to be mean-spirited and ill-advised. Revealing personal contact information online about someone who wishes not to have it known is a questionable tactic. Again, there may be any number of reasons why one would wish to remain anonymous. Those bent on revealing an anonymous identity ought to at least make an effort to understand those reasons and, if possible, contact the party directly. I have never concealed my identity from anyone who contacted me, and hundreds of people online – including many church elders – knew exactly who I was and how to contact me. You may or may not think that a church elder should operate anonymously online, but to anyone with an interest in knowing it my identity was easy to find. My name will be permanently appended to my Twitter profile and, as always, my messages are open. Hopefully you can understand why I don't put it here on unsecured web page.
A word about online anons: Anonymous authors and polemicists have a long and noble history since the Reformation. Luther, Calvin, Farel, and a host of others wrote anonymously and often with much harsher rhetoric than that to which moderns are accustomed. In abandoning anonymity I am not suggesting that anyone else should do so. My case has shown that those with unpopular opinions may be right to choose anonymity. And no one is required to read, follow, or listen to anyone. In other words, individuals are not required to identify themselves and no one is required to pay attention to them. As a church officer, given everything that has transpired, it is now best that I use my real name.
https://twitter.com/ChortlesWeakly
CW
6/10/2017
"The type of religion which rejoices in the pious sound of traditional phrases, regardless of
their meanings, or shrinks from “controversial” matters, will never stand amid the shocks of life. In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight." -- J. Gresham Machen, Christianity & Liberalism
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P.S. -- Here's an excellent post that explains why you might want to stay anonymous.
Why do I do this? Because, as a confessional presbyterian, I believe that many of the above are on a path that leads away from the biblical fidelity expressed in the Reformed standards or work at cross purposes to confessional denominations. Whether these people, movements, or organizations be described as progressive, broad evangelical, tranformationalist or revivalist, most are promoted by denominational media, high-traffic websites, powerful parachurch organizations or large institutions. Mine is a minority report, no doubt. In bringing that report I have used satire and humor and expressed strong opinions.
To this point I have done so anonymously. I will be anonymous no more thanks to a doxing campaign by one individual which many perceived to be mean-spirited and ill-advised. Revealing personal contact information online about someone who wishes not to have it known is a questionable tactic. Again, there may be any number of reasons why one would wish to remain anonymous. Those bent on revealing an anonymous identity ought to at least make an effort to understand those reasons and, if possible, contact the party directly. I have never concealed my identity from anyone who contacted me, and hundreds of people online – including many church elders – knew exactly who I was and how to contact me. You may or may not think that a church elder should operate anonymously online, but to anyone with an interest in knowing it my identity was easy to find. My name will be permanently appended to my Twitter profile and, as always, my messages are open. Hopefully you can understand why I don't put it here on unsecured web page.
A word about online anons: Anonymous authors and polemicists have a long and noble history since the Reformation. Luther, Calvin, Farel, and a host of others wrote anonymously and often with much harsher rhetoric than that to which moderns are accustomed. In abandoning anonymity I am not suggesting that anyone else should do so. My case has shown that those with unpopular opinions may be right to choose anonymity. And no one is required to read, follow, or listen to anyone. In other words, individuals are not required to identify themselves and no one is required to pay attention to them. As a church officer, given everything that has transpired, it is now best that I use my real name.
https://twitter.com/ChortlesWeakly
CW
6/10/2017
"The type of religion which rejoices in the pious sound of traditional phrases, regardless of
their meanings, or shrinks from “controversial” matters, will never stand amid the shocks of life. In the sphere of religion, as in other spheres, the things about which men are agreed are apt to be the things that are least worth holding; the really important things are the things about which men will fight." -- J. Gresham Machen, Christianity & Liberalism
--
P.S. -- Here's an excellent post that explains why you might want to stay anonymous.