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About Blogs, Blogging, and Bob's Blog

~ fundyreformed ~ 8 Comments

Some of those who have read my blog may be unfamiliar with the concept of a blog. This might be the first blog they have encountered (for some it is). So for their benefit, I want to briefly describe blogs and blogging, and discuss my blog in particular.

What is a blog?

Wikipedia (a free online encyclopedia) defines “blog” this way:

“A blog is a website in which journal entries are posted on a regular basis and displayed in reverse chronological order. The term blog is a shortened form of weblog or web log. Authoring a blog, maintaining a blog or adding an article to an existing blog is called “blogging”. Individual articles on a blog are called “blog posts,” “posts” or “entries”. A person who posts these entries is called a “blogger”.”
[Read the whole article]

What are common features of blogs? Or, what makes blogging so popular?

Blogs are easier to maintain than websites, and there are several websites which provide space (as well as technical help) for personal blogs for free (such as blogger  or wordpress). So many people who could not feasibly host their own website, are enabled to have their own blog.

Blogs also typically major on short posts which are easy to read. They commonly reference other articles or blog posts on the web by quoting a portion of the article and providing a link to the full original article. So a blog can be like a central clearing house for information (and discussion) related to a specific theme, as most blogs are dedicated to one or two specific topics.

Another element which makes blogs so popular, is their ability to host discussions. Some blogs prefer not to allow comments, but most do. They are different from typical internet discussion boards or forums in that the discussion is initiated and directed by the blog owner. Comments can be moderated or deleted (by the blog owner) if offbase, offensive, or unwanted.

Another benefit to blogs, is the ability to provide links to other websites and blogs the blogowner desires to promote. The blog, then, becomes one’s personal web presence.

What are some benefits of blogging? Or why blog?

There are many popular Christian blogs which provide the useful service of framing and encouraging discussions of Biblical, theological, cultural, and political topics (and more) pertinent to believers. Many blogs have thereby directly aided the advancement of a Christian worldview. Some blogs encourage unbelievers to interact, serving an apologetic or evangelistic purpose. Since many Christian blogs provide links to a wide array of different online resources, blogs become a one-stop shop for researching different topics, or for looking for news presented from a Christian worldview.

This is not to say Christian blogs do not provide pitfalls. Blogs can serve pride, and host discussions with no edifying purose. People presenting differing points of view can tend to be ridiculed or treated in an unChristian way. Further, discernment is required when entering the world of blogs (or blogosphere as it is sometimes called): since anyone can have a blog, but might not have anything worthwile or credible to say. [I would contend that such discernment is needed when picking up a book at any Christian bookstore, too. But the problem is especially prevalent in web-based arenas, as Carl Trueman of Reformation 21 Magazine points out.]

What about Bob’s blog?

My blog serves as an example of a typical blog format. As I mention the characteristics of my blog, keep in mind that most blogs operate similarly.

At the top of my blog is its title and subtitle in a header section. Clicking on it will take you back to my main page. My posts are viewed in the center of the screen, while most of my links are in the sidebar. As you navigate through the blog, you should always see the same format with the header and sidebar.

The posts appear in reverse chronological order (the newer posts at the top). At the bottom of each post is a link to a pop-up window where you can add coments. Clicking on the word “Permalink” at the bottom of my posts, takes you to the specific webpage for each post. On that page only the individual post will be displayed along with all the comments that have been added (so far). There is also a link at the bottom of each posts which will list all the links to that specific post from other blogs (these are not always completely accurate, as the list depends upon search engines and the like to find the links). One further word about posts. I commonly include links within the posts (if you hover over a word, usually in red, and it suddenly becomes underlined, know that that is a link). Clicking on the link will take you to the resource or original article (or whatever) that I am referencing.

My blog, like most, provides a wealth of information about the blog in the sidebar. Under the “about me” section of my sidebar, you will find a link to “My Profile & Mini-Bio”  [note: now that I have changed to WordPress, you can see this info on my about page], which lists some facts about me in addition to a brief introduction and biography. You will also find “My story” (a link to a lengthy letter detailing my departure from fundamentalism and discussing some Biblical bases for my new positions). Also, clicking on “About this Blog”, will take you to a post which provides my plan and vision for my blog. “In case you were wondering”  , takes you to a post explaining why most of my posts are written during the late night or early morning hours. There is also a link to “My commenting policy”, mentioned again below. I also provide a link to my Family Photo blog, as well.

The “last posts” section provides links to my most recent posts. The “categories” section provides links to running lists of each post under a specific category. Do not forget to check out the “archives” section. My blog (like most) is not set up to list every post on the main page. Rather a certain number of posts or a certain date range of posts are shown. When posts drop off the main page they go to the archive page, basically. Clicking on “December 2005”, for instance, will make my blog show you all the posts made in December of 2005. So for many of my posts, you will only be able to find them by either browsing through the archives, or by searching by category. You may also find (as I do) that my “links” section is quite useful. If you prefer to have the link open up in a new window, you can usually do that by clicking the right button on the mouse (while hovering over the link) and selecting “open in a new window”. My “Bobspotted Blogs” section provides links to other blogs you may find interesting (perhaps more so than my blog). [Hint: often if you run your cursor over a link and hover on it for a second or so, you may see a little box telling you about the site the link will take you to.]

At the bottom of my side bar you will see a link enabling you to email me. You will also see a link offering to syndicate the site. What this means is you will be enabled to subscribe to my blog, being notified of each new post (or comment). This is done through a blog “reader” program. Many of which are available for free online. You can search Blogger help for more information about this (or Wikipedia for that matter), as I am not an expert regarding these functions.

What does Bob want from those who read his blog?

Well I hope you are blessed by it, first and formeost. But, secondly, I would encourage you to add comments to posts you find encouraging. You are welcome to add comments about posts you may disagree with or have questions about, too. Also, please add comments pointing our attention to other resources, blogs, or articles that deal with the same topic addressed in the post. Blogs are made more useful and more fun by many people commenting.

Let me add a word about anonymity. In the interests of discussion, I have chosen to allow anyone to comment anonymously. For some, this may make it easier to comment. Others may, for one reason or another, want to shield their identity when commenting. I am fine with that. I would rather hear concerns and questions and be able to address them, than have people not raise them due to a requirement to provide their identity. However, I do not want to encourage people using fake identites. If you give a name, please let it be your real name. This allows the discussions to take place in a reasonable and fair fashion.

If you do want to comment, please be aware of my commenting policy (click on the link to read it). I do maintain the right to edit comments or delete them, if I see the need. [If I edit comments I will make it clear why I have done so.]

Sorry this post became so long, but I hope it will benefit some people and enable them to get more out of this blog (and others).

∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7

Beyond Blogging

~ fundyreformed

No, I do not intend to abandon blogging. (Sorry that everything has been so quiet around here. Some things came up I had to take care of.) But I feel that now is a good time to provide some clear goals for my blog, with the New Year and all. (By the way, Happy New Year!)

First, and foremost, I desire this blog to exist for the glory of God. “So…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31 ESV)

As such, I aim to please God with my blog. His glory and His honor are the ultimate audience I must keep in view. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Col. 3:23 ESV)

Further, this means that my blog must bleed Jesus. That is, in every post, behind every motive, and even every discussion, I pray that Jesus is seen and magnified and exulted in. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17 ESV)

To aid this ultimate goal, I intend to post more on thoughts from the Word, as well as more generally helpful, edifying posts which will direct all of our hearts and minds to our glorious Savior.

Second, I desire that a spirit of love would permeate my blog. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV) So when I seek to point out errant thinking and what I deem to be flaws in fundamentalism, I will make every effort to do so out of a heart of love. “…Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Eph. 4:15 ESV) God forbid that I would boast over other’s errors, but rather that I would “not rejoice at wrongdoing, but (rejoice) with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6 ESV).

Thus, thirdly, I want this blog to further the cause of genuine Christian unity. “I [Jesus] do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:20-21 ESV) My goal is to aid the cause of unity by furthering growth in regards to true Biblical doctrine. Doctrinal maturity aids the cause of unity as Eph. 4:13-16 teaches (cf. the previous 12 verses also). But often a pursuit of doctrine can tend to ignore or downplay other factors essential to unity: humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, love, desire to maintain unity, peace (see Eph. 4:1-6). So I will aim to be as humble and loving as I am firm and clear in my discussions and posts.

Finally, I desire that my blog will edify and equip believers to be strong in truth while fervent in devotion to Christ. So I will seek to “admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (not repaying) anyone evil for evil, but always (seeking) to do good to one another and to everyone.” (1 Thess. 5:14-15 ESV) And I will strive to “stir up one another in love and good works” (Heb. 10:24 ESV). In doing so, I hope to obey the exhortation: “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” (Heb. 3:12-14 ESV)

So I hope to prayerfully pursue these aims in 2006. For my identity as a Christian goes beyond blogging. And so blogging must serve my Christian growth and that of my fellow believers.
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
For an excellent exhortation to unity, see this post by Nathan Pitchford. For more encouragements to keep Christ in mind when blogging see this for links to a great series on blogging as a believer by Bob Kauflin.

∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7

Clarification

~ fundyreformed ~ 5 Comments

I have received some feedback which suggets that I might be too harsh on fundamentalists. In thinking on this, I realized that I am not being as clear as possible. My real beef, about which I here blog, is with extreme versions of independent Baptist fundamentalism. While I do not agree 100% with non-extreme independent Baptist fundamentalists, there is much about which we do agree. (You will notice that I link to some fundamentalist blogs and journals, for instance) So in an effort to make myself clear, I have added the following clarification to my “About this Blog” post.

Clarification: I was involved in an extreme version of independent Baptist fundamentalism (in my opinion). It was more controlling than some other forms of fundamentalism, and it held to more beliefs that were not mandated by the Bible (such as KJV-onlyism, and no pants on women). I have reworked this post and some others to try to reflect the fact that I am not against fundamentalism per se. I find much good in the movement. In fact it was not easy to decide to leave fundamentalism totally. But upon consideration of the movement as a whole, I felt it best to leave. To clarify my views on the subject, let me add here excerpts from a comment I made in response to someone asking me to be more gracious to fundamentalists:

Let me clarify, somewhat. I do tend to overstate things, and I fear my criticisms of fundamentalism might be more harsh than I intended. In making my point I tend to overstate it, I fear.

There are many positive things about fundamentalists. I will always be thankful for the seriousness which was imparted to me at Fairhaven [Baptist College]. There is an honest effort to please God among many fundamentalists. And there is a sincere faith in the Bible. These are certainly praiseworthy attributes. My criticisms are more directed toward certain misemphases or missing elements in fundamentalism which have great potential to obscure (in my opinion) certain great and important truths of Christianity.

I feel that certain structures established by fundamentalism lend themselves to creating environments which foster a performance based value system. The way we relate to God is on how well we have performed. The way we relate to others in our camp is by how well we have performed. The way we view our self-worth is by how well we have performed. While it is important to obey and conform to God’s standards of holiness, such obedience and conformity does not constitute our acceptance with Him. Jesus’ blood and righteousness do.
This then leads to an emphasis on conforming and being faithful to a set of do’s and don’t’s–which become taboos and rules of community, which by the way are unquestionable. Success is measured by faithfulness to this man-made list of rules and not to how much one has loved others and loved Christ and been changed by His Word.

The large emphasis fundamentalism puts on authority does much to enforce the list and to squelch any independent questioning/research into the validity of the list. This is a big factor in why so much of fundamentalism is defined by personalities, rather than doctrines. No creeds or confessions join fundamentalists, rather personalities and allegiances do. I have found many exceptions to the rule, but by and large the movement is what it has been.

It is these types of things which I feel obscure the vision of Christ that I want to focus my life on. I grant that there are many problems in other Evangelical circles, but one group’s problems does not negate the other’s. I have found that there are many conservative evangelicals who decry the problems of evangelicalism almost as much as fundamentalists do. And they have as deep a respect for God’s Word and desire for holiness. They also have a great passion for a close relationship with Christ (as many fundamentalists do). They may draw their lines of ecclesiastical separation differently than fundamentalists do, but that does not mean they spurn ecclesiastical separation.

Once again, let me be clear, non-extreme Biblically motivated independent Baptist fundamentalists are not my enemies, they are friends (althought I do not agree with them 100%).

∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7

Categorically Awesome!

~ fundyreformed

I finally figured out the most simple solution to my category dilemma. I just created another (free) blog, with blogger, and named it Categories for Fundamentally Reformed. I have posts with the category names that I can easily update as each new post arrives hot off the press. I have all the category links on my sidebar on this blog updated now, too. Now all I have to do is keep posting on all those categories!

It was just too simple!

Update: I now have a new method for categories which is much simpler! I do still use the auxiliary blog, and have renamed it Bob’s Auxiliary Blog.

A Later update: I now use wordpress.com and it has its own categories built in. I still use the auxiliary blog for a few things, its new name is Bob’s Auxiliary Blog.

∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7

In case you were wondering…

~ fundyreformed ~ 2 Comments

Maybe you have begun to notice my blog. And the thought occurs to you, “Why are most of this guy’s posts made in the wee hours of the morning? Is he completely obsessed or something? Or does he just not have a life?”

Let me clarify! I work the graveyard shift providing customer service for a medical device company. So in between calls, at 3 in the morning, I can catch up on the blogworld, and post to my blog.

So, if you have been waiting for me to reply to your comment, know that I might just be sleeping! I will hopefully respond in due time.

Thanks!

∼striving for the unity of the faith for the glory of God∼ Eph. 4:3,13 “¢ Rom. 15:5-7