Responses — Booted and Banned!
Since the news broke last week that I had been booted and banned from membership in the Preterist Theological Society, hundreds of comments have poured in on numerous FB groups and via private emails. Most have been positive, supportive, and encouraging. But some were not. Responses range from good, to bad, to ugly.
For those of you interested, below is an excerpted and proportionate sampling, along with my response.
Ugly (from a Preterist Cessationist):
“John Noe! You’re just another ‘FRAUD’ making claims you can’t operate in. Your books don’t sell! You are not Baptized in the Spirit, you do not operate in the Spirit, and your ill-equipped attitude in your first language demonstrates it. Or rather DEMONstrates it. Lol you fake . . . smug jerk trying to shirk Full Preterists! . . . I read you as a ‘F-R-A-U-D!’ Even your surname testifies against you saying, ‘NO!’ to anything you have to say! . . . Cheers.” – E. W.
Accusations:
“John, all I want to know is if the accusations are accurate?” – C.C.
“Probably true reason all right.” – W.C.
“PTS’s claims that the charismatic gifts of the Spirit ceased after A.D. 70 and that A.D. 70 was the ‘return’ and ‘second coming’ of Jesus Christ. . . . You say you don’t believe these things? Are you a preterist?” – R.C.
“70AD was the end of the OC, then the Second Coming and resurrection. And, yes, the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased. . . . As a full preterist, I agree with their position on 70AD.” – D.L.
“I think they are right and the only thing you seem to do is shamelessly self-promote your own work adding little to the discourse both on and offline. . . . You John Noe are more of a plague on FP than a help. Not because of your views but because of your attitude and pridefulness.” – C.K.
“Why come to another group to whine and cry about being kicked out of another group? It really makes you look like a spoiled child. . . . Sounds like the PTS got it right on the head.” – E. H.
“I personally have seen far to many ‘buy my books’ from people. If you think God supports you having an angle on His truth that people need, but need to purchase from you to understand, you (are) seriously mistaken.” – N. D.
“The PTS is comprised of both full and partial preterists of many varieties. John’s doctrinal positions were not and are not the problem with his membership. His behavior in the group was the problem to which many of our members can attest. . . . because of his argumentation tactics and one-liner digs at folks who disagreed with him, and then not engaging in discussion . . . rather . . . he would simply say he didn’t have time to engage, and continually told people to read his books and visit his website for more information. . . . And John doesn’t really accept ‘any’ requests for people to dialogue. Unless it’s someone ‘meaningful’ like another scholar. . . . He doesn’t have time for the little people asking questions. And he doesn’t have time for those who disagree with him and want to actually confront some of his beliefs. When that happens, he always responds with, ‘I don’t have time. . . read by website.” – J.V.
My Response: Such is the nature, sometimes, of engaging and disengaging in theological discourse—especially on the Internet—when some make excessive demands on your personal time for private, one-on-one, hand-typed, and lengthy debates and refuse to accept referenced materials pertinent to the topic or to call me to discuss verbally.
For example, I have posted over five hours of broadcasted radio programs on PRI’s website in which I exegetically address and counter the 13 major objections cessationists (preterists and futurists alike) use to support their position that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit were withdrawn by God and ceased to function during the second half of the 1st century A.D. And , yes, frequently in discussions on this topic I’d reference these programs with no intension of duplicating this lengthy material in one-on-one Internet interactions. (To listen, go to: www.prophecyrefi.org. Click on “Podcasts” and “Preterist Cessationism.”)
For me, the bottom line is this. I interact with many people during a typical week—some in person, some on the phone, and many on the Internet. But I am also protective of my time. I have to be in order to do all the things I do (just ask my wife). So where am I wrong on this?
Positive and Supportive:
“Keep up the good work, John. I thoroughly enjoy your books. You bring a lot to the church. It all makes sense to a lot of us. God doesn’t go backwards.” – A. R.
“Thanks for all of your hard work and exhaustive exegesis. It doesn’t go unappreciated.” – M.H.
“You do come off in pixel print as brusque at times. But I have to agree with M.H., your exegesis is priceless.” – R.N.
“. . . wear your being banned as a badge of honor.” – L.W.
“I congratulate your valiant effort to make sense to people who have no interest in a God that is present and speaking. . . . Well done good and faithful servant, move on. Keep being used of God till you’re used up.” – J.M.
“Sounds like someone is threatened by what you’ve said and can’t deal with it to me.” – R.S.
“Sounds like an achievement, seeing that you do not hold to just one camp, but you are working to unite the camps.” – P.D.
“Don’t worry, you aren’t alone.” – A.R.
“Keep fighting the fight, John. There are many of us who stand with you. . . . I call it walking in the Kingdom.” – C.M.
“John, I will be going through your book on Eschatology with an open mind and heart. I appreciate your brilliance.” – S.M.
“Love the cartoon! Pick yersen up, dust yersen off, and start all over again . . . but somewhere else!” – P.W.
“Interesting, those who love debate within the church only love it ‘on their terms’. Thanks, John, for your contributions . . .” – L.B.
“You are abrupt and often answer by presenting a book of yours to purchase instead of dialoging with folks. . . . you are probably an off the charts introvert. . . .Regardless, I like you. I like your confidence.” – D.R.
“You are bold and intelligent, which might sometimes be confused for obnoxious . . . especially when it opposes a popular belief. Keep strong. . . . This is home :). We are here to expand the Kingdom, WITH the gifts given us.” – S.C.
“Thanks for your continued work, John Noe. Your material has been an invaluable resource to me!” – N.L.
“Keep writing and debating. . . found your comments to be insightful and very much in the spirit of love. . . . not all preterists are the same.” – B.S.
“Don’t worry about them, John. I believe they’re stuck in the same place they been in for a long long time.” — R.N.
“There are none so blind than those who refuse to see. Don’t waste your time on these people. They just like to argue.” – L. M.
“John, all I can say is find it not strange that you suffered this kind of backlash for believing and standing on what’s true and right according to the kingdom and eschatology as well.” – K. J.
“. . . your books have been the clearest, most detailed, and the most ‘dove-tailing’ with Scripture that we’ve read yet. You do such a great job of opening up and explaining such hard-to-understand eschatological passages . . . as well as have the most convincing arguments. . . I am so grateful. . . . not all full preterists are cessationists. The gifts of the Spirit in operation are part of the Kingdom walk (IMHO).” – C.D.
“The work of the Spirit that came in the last days, was to be how things would function from that point on.” – J.M.
“of one thing I am sure, brother John is not arrogant. When I talked with him and asked questions, he showed me humility. Brother John has a passion for the truth and he will pay any price to find the balance between truth and Divine Love. . . . keep up the good work. Future generations will thank you.” – R.O.
“ . . . wipe the dust off your feet (where you’re not wanted and honored), and move on to (the) Holy Spirit’s next great assignment!” – C.D.
But what do you think?