Here’s the declaration
Posted: December 16th, 2009 | Author: James Duncan | Tags: Blog, Cricket, Statistics | 41 Comments »I couldn’t really think of how to say this, so I’ll resort to a bit of cricket speak, if you’ll indulge me.
I think it’s time to declare the innings closed and retire to the pavilion.
Pajama Pages will stay here as an archive, but I don’t foresee any more new posts for a while. After all that I’ve written over the last nine months, and especially in the last 10 days, if you don’t see what I’m saying yet, no more words from me are going to get that done.
At the beginning of 2009 I decided to dust off my pajamapages domain and operate it as the world’s 453,298th political blog. In March that changed when I found a more important topic. As all bloggers wish for, the same things that interested and challenged me seemed to do the same for a growing number of readers and commentators.
When I started tracking visits to the blog in February, I was getting about 11 visits a day, probably eight of those from my charitable mother. Things have changed a bit since. Here are a few measures of what the blog turned into:
- Hits are well over a quarter million
- 137,000 words in 568 posts, 123,000 from me, 14,000 from Downing
- 480,000 words in 4,230 comments, 49,000 from me, 40,500 from Tommy
Assuming a typical reading speed of 225 wpm, it would take you two straight days to read everything here (though I don’t recommend doing it in one sitting).
If you want to get a flavor of what PP is, here are a few places you might consider visiting.
My favorite posts:
- What’s special about Simeon?
- Defending Christian against the Christ-follower label
- Why I write this blog
- Why Jesus doesn’t care about being famous
Theological posts:
- The meaning and purpose of baptism (a three-part series)
- The purpose of church
- Why worship is more important than evangelism
- Why far from God is an inaccurate description of sinners
- Why we don’t attack Satan
- How we hear from God
- How we can be certain about Scripture
Other definitive posts:
- Holy rage at the ‘Spring (the harassment story)
- In praise of denominations
- Defining the Turnstile Church
- Is this movement really a reformation?
- Building nurseries for heretics
- The danger of visionary leaders
- The value of heresy hunting
- The false comfort of fatalism
- In praise of NewSpring
So, there you go. We’re done.
Oh, one more thing.
You should know that when it comes to retirement announcements, I have a soft spot for Brett Favre.
Heh.
Take a well-deserved break, especially over this Christmas season. “Semi”-retirement a good option? Thanks for your passion and integrity, much appreciated by me commenting from “down-under” in Australia. Will still check-in, hoping for more encouragement after escaping 22 years of charismania!
Wow!! Your character is amazing!!!
Well, there you go. I just get here and off you ride into the sunset. Reckon I will keep it in my Google Reader for awhile to see if you “pull a Favre.” Hey, I wonder if that phrase will make it into modern speech…pull a Favre. I wish you the best and pray that God will bless you & your family beyond your wildest dreams.
Thank you for the time and effort you have put into this blog. You will be missed, and I hope you will one day return.
James,
Sorry to see this come to an end. I think many of the more open-minded could tell you were a blogger in whom there was no guile, and the subjects of your posts were men of very low character. They are men of the wrong nature. We should not be surprised, though, because we are told that these last days will have men like them. They are living examples of the kind of men who resist the truth (2 Tim 3:8), and oppose all those who hold the truth. You took on a very serious matter in opposing them.
There is so much that one man can do, i.e. Luther, Tyndale (ah, well, he was strangled and then burned at the stake, bad example, sorry). However, the cost is very high to oppose error. The record will stand, as is, and perhaps some in time will come, read and see the errors in the giant structures built by man that pretend to be the Church of the living God.
Anyway, Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the Head of the Church. He is seated at the right hand of His Father until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet. We are forgiven and cleansed by His blood, crucified with Him, buried with Him, raised with Him, and seated with Him. Nothing of any of that can change. Rejoice, and look up, James.
[...] According to a post this morning, Dr. James Duncan of PajamaPages.com, is calling it quits and retiring his site. [...]
God bless you Dr Duncan. I have learned a lot from your posts (not just the “famous” ones, especially of late). I pray you and your family will recover from the past few months. Take care.
Dr. Duncan thank you for your blog and I hope you will pull a Favre because I will miss chewing on the things you presented here. I too will pray for you and your family. Merry Christmas!
No guile? Very low character, wrong nature? While JDuncan may have had no guile; you have it in spades Jeff.
No need to argue. I too am off into the sunset.
hate to see it end. There is still so much work to do in standing for the truth. hope sometime in teh futur that the Spirit stirs your soul to begin writing again.
Tammy (my wife) and I are misty-eyed this morning. Sipping my eggnog this morning I visited this site, read the latest post, and several emotions hit me at once.
I have one parting speculation that I can’t quite ignore (perhaps it’s the eggnog speaking), and thought I’d share it with readers and also I hope you’ll reply:
I wonder if JDuncan is retiring because NS “reached out” to him and he’s bound to keep the agreement/settlement confidential.
I can see why retiring PP makes sense, but I do wonder if NS ever responded with the charity that seems required here. Of course any denial by JDuncan might confirm the aforementioned settlement that must be kept private. So, maybe I’ll always be left wondering.
I just got here, Dr. Duncan, and now you’re leaving. Hope you come back. This has provided interesting reading so far.
Never mind the people who need to take parting shots, either. He who needs to have the last word is not confident that his position is beyond disproof.
Dr. Duncan,
May the Lord grant you rest.
I for one hope you’ll be back because your blog has been very helpful in following these Purpose Driven/Seeker Driven church planters.
Dr. Duncan:
It’s sad to hear that you’re retiring. I came across your blog only a few days ago with all of the hullabaloo coming out of NS about it. I’ve read through the archives and must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed your postings. The article about the differences between Christians and, “Christ-Followers,” was the one that piqued my interest the most.
I hope and pray things go well for you.
–
CS
Tommy,
Trust you to ask a question where I can’t possibly convince you of the answer. No, there’s no deal and no movement from Noble or his attorney since their public announcement.
BTW, did you look at the definition of a cricket declaration? I think you, in particular, will like it.
Dr. Duncan, don’t let these people get to you. We need as many true Christian voices as we can get exposing these frauds and deceivers for what they are. Keep fighting the good fight!
Dr. Duncan,
Definition of cricket was a good one.
You have truly turned up my discernment detector. We / my family and I appreciate the work you have done here. I have been unaware of the things happening in the modern church. What you have unveiled goes way beyond Anderson, SC. Thank you for being a Berean and calling the church as a whole to scriptural truth.
I pray God would bless and heal you and your family from the threats to your name, job, family, home, security and hopes and dreams of another child. Sad to say, many will have to live with the memory and consequences of the parts they have played in this drama. Praise be to God who forgives those who repent.
Psalm 20: esp. vs5, 7 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests . . . Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Dr. D, it’s been a great ride. Looking forward to whatever your next blogging venture is. I’ll be reading!
Dr. Duncan,
It’s a shame to see you go. I’d love to meet up with you for coffee sometime to talk about things this and that (I’m a PhD student myself, so I’m sure some academic discussion could be had as well.) I believe you have been doing a great thing for the Christian community and you will be sorely missed. Please feel free to email me if you do have the time to sit down for some Joe. You have most definitely changed my life for the positive and made me understand and want to dig deeper into the Word.
Thank you again for all you’ve done!
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;
and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
that time has been here for a while. and men have built idols for themselves, and just as the false teachers of Christ day, they called their idol Elohim, but it was not. and so, just as in that day;
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. [fn]
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead [men's] bones and all uncleanness.
James, thank you for your efforts in calling those who claim to trust in Christ for their salvation to discernment. may the Lord bless and keep you and your family.
James,
I pray that everything works out for you, your family, and for the glory of Christ. Your character is an example for many to follow is how you have handled this mess with NewSpring Church.
I truly hope that one day you will continue this blog even if it shifts it’s focus from Noble etc… I have enjoyed reading your post and I appreciate your insights into the Christian faith.
May our Lord bless you and your family.
In Christ,
David J Horn
Tommy
The better question would be is Duncan doing this because he spoke to an attorney who suggested he stop? [JD: I don't have an attorney, so the answer to that question is also no.]
Duncan
Its been a fun and interesting ride, made me think about some things. I pray everything between you and Newsping gets settled in a Godly and timely manner. See ya around!
Thanks for answering my question. I trust that your answer is the truth. Unless of course you were told not to discuss it.
Declaration. What a fitting way to wrap up the blog. As I read the definition — in terms of cricket match play — I can’t help but think that this is the gentlemen’s way of saying: I’ve got so many points, they can’t possibly beat me. I’ve won, so I’ll go ahead and sit down, and watch the futility unfold.
Or to put in NS terms: SCOREBOARD!
Lives have certainly been changed. Thanks for everything.
Dr Duncan,
You make some great points that the church needs to listen to, esepecially the way “criticism” is handled. Peace.
Cheers!
I laughed quite a bit at this post, specifically the “innings closed” and Tommy’s staggering word count.
While I will miss this blog, it may be the best thing for my cynicism that it’s gone (maybe?). My girlfriend often doesn’t like my me or my mood when I read PP too much… haha!
Have a great Christmas Dr. Duncan!
Dr Duncan, my name is Doug Pagitt and I don’t know you, but I can assume by the list of blogs on the sidebar that you might not think much me, but I wanted to send my sympathy and sorrow to you and your family for what you have gone through in this situation with NewSpring. I have no reason to not trust what you have written as being an accurate accounting and have been saddened and shaking my head in disbelief since I heard about it earlier this week. I have been aggressively attacked by many people, but nothing that approaches what you have been through. It was wrong, you were wronged and I pray for the healing of all the damage done in this situation.
Perhaps shutting down this blog will in some way shut the door on this entire tragic mess.
As we are fond of saying around our place, “may peace never leave you alone”.
Doc,
God speed my friend. You exposed the dark underbelly of todays pragmatic, man centered church and I think you have opened some eyes. I recently left a willow creek association church and now attend a gospel centered, expository preaching church (much smaller by the way) so I know firsthand that these churches preach another gospel (a me centered one). I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas!!
Dr. Duncan
I am so sorry that this happened to you and your family. You shone light on the darkness and darkness hates light. You were faithful in exposing the darkness that is creeping into the churches (man centered gospel) and the Lord will bless you for that. Enjoy your rest from the blog and may God bless you and your family.
Doug Pagitt
>> Perhaps shutting down this blog will in some way shut the door on this entire tragic mess.
Wouldn’t you just love that…get rid of the ‘Emerging’ evidence.
Dr. James Duncan: Before you declare the innings over, just knock then for one more 6, by leaving this site open
James,
I stumbled upon your website, thanks to a reader who referenced it on another blog. I live on the other side of the country from SC, so I knew nothing of you or NewSpring. First, let me say how badly I feel for you and your family. The NYC mafia has treated people in a more kind manner than those supposed Christians…..er……Christ followers over at NewSpring. Second, thanks for your rich posts on what a church should really be about, turnstile churches, etc. They are valuable information in our current day in age of mega-churches with CEO’s but no pastor. Thank you so much and God bless you!!
Hello Dr. Duncan,
I heard your interview with Chris on Fighting for the Faith. I had to stop by and read a bit. Just letting you know that there are people out here that appreciate constructive criticism and necessary exposure of false teachers.
I am sorry that the identity theft (which is essentially what it was) and threats happened to you. God bless you.
Big Mike
So sorry to hear you are ending your website. I believe it is a mistake. Take a step back and collect yourself but don’t quit. We are asked to fight the good fight of faith. There are alot of believers that are watching and praying with and for you. You know that God is in control and so you don’t have to fear. Plant your feet and set your face like flint. Do not be moved. Grace and peace.
[...] Pages – Here’s the declaration – Professor Duncan is shutting down his blog. I hate to see this happen. Hopefully something [...]
Much success in your future endeavors. Thanks for all your posts and the healthy debates that came as a result.
I have read through everything that has happened to you. Indeed, a lot has taken place, good and bad. I understand that you feel it is your purpose in life to expose Newspring Church. However, I feel that the thing that you must be conscience of is the fact that you are spending an awful long time, each and every day being consumed with Newspring church. The reason this is a problem, according to the Scriptures, is because you could be doing so much to benefit the kingdom of Christ with the time you use to criticize this church. Do you think that God is going to tell you well done thou good and faithful servant because you disagreed with the methods of Newspring church? I disagree with the methods of the Satanic church, but I don’t relive everything that they do every single day. I focus on being a benefit to the kingdom of heaven. I believe this is your purpose in life as well. We are to reach as many people with Jesus as we can. My question to you is simply, are you being side-tracked from the purpose/goal that God has for your life because of what has happened to you. Maybe, truly, there is a bigger plan for you than to take note of everything Newspring does. Please understand that I do sympathize with what you have been through. I don’t believe that what has happened to you is in any way right. I just hope that you can stop spending valuable time here on earth, doing something that is not profitable to you or them, and focus on eternity. Not just eternity for you, but the eternity of others as well. May God bless you as you focus on Him!
Randy Moore, et al.,
Ever read Jude? Interesting little book.
Dr. Duncan is more eternally focused than most of us on this blog. How many of us are really willing to stand up for Truth, for what we believe? All the apostles, but one, died for what they believed.
Have started the book The Truth War by John MacArthur. It is peppered with scripture. Would highly recommend it to all those that visit this site.
Randy
You wrote: “Do you think that God is going to tell you well done thou good and faithful servant because you disagreed with the methods of Newspring church? I disagree with the methods of the Satanic church, but I don’t relive everything that they do every single day.”
Two reactions
1) Have you read the post? He’s retired. The point is exactly that–he is not spending time every single day picking on NS. Read the post again. If you’re going to waste time commenting, perhaps you might spend a minute or two reading first.
2) Really good analogy between NS and the Satanists. I bet they really like that.
Having read your blog with an open mind toward both sides of this conflict, I find you to be a person of considerable understanding and discernment of the scriptures. As such, I believe your integrity to be fully intact. Mostly I have enjoyed your pointed explanations of what you believe and why you believe it. Thank you for sharing your story.
Hopefully you can find some time to continue the blog with your opinion on current events or matters of the church that your readers might find interesting.
My hope and prayer is that you and your family find peace and God has his way in this situation.
Godspeed James.
JDuncan
I have some advice. Continue to blog. Continue to discern. But, choose an alias.
Here, you can have my alias. Start a blog and Tommy F. can be the author. The author won’t by Tommy F. of course. It can be you as Tommy F. Here. You can have it. It served me well. Tommy F. is retired. To use the Brett Favre analogy. Take my Tommy F. jersey. It just might fit.
See. Now you have an opportunity to continue what you love without worrying about all the “haters.”
I appreciate the sentiment, Tommy, but I don’t think that would fool them for long, though some have long suspected that we are one and the same, so it might confuse a few. Perhaps if I come back as Tommy, you could come back as Downing.
Continuing your football analogy, you’re suggesting that Brett Favre comes back to the Vikings next year as Jared Allen? That seems more your style.
In cricket terms, which I prefer, you’re wanting Dennis Lillee to come back as Jeff Thomson. (That’s a little shout-out to my Aussie friends.)