Harvest Bible Chapel Employee Released Over a Simple Question

In October of 2012, we released a website known as The Elephant’s Debt.  During the research and writing phase of this project, an astonishing number of stories began to emerge surrounding what some called “the culture of fear” that exists at Harvest Bible Chapel.  Because we were solely focused upon the issue of pastoral character, particularly as it was revealed through a case study of church finances and compensation, we did not avail ourselves of the opportunity to share many of these stories with our readers.  Nevertheless, this “culture of fear” does exist, at least in the minds of some, and over this past week, we are witnessing yet another example whereby seemingly innocent actions suddenly call the loyalty of an employee into question. 

 

On Courtesy and Power

“Courtesy forbids direct speech.  There is a great deal to be said for courtesy, but like any virtue isolated from other virtues, it can become distorted.  In particular, courtesy can become an extraordinary subtle form of manipulation favoring those in power.”

- Stanley Hauerwaus, Hannah’s Child: A Theologian’s Memoir, p. 181

 

“My Resignation” – The Unofficial First Draft

Earlier this week, Blood Stained Ink received an email from the now former personal secretary to James MacDonald, Senior Pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel.  As per her own testimony to us, she has decided to resign from her position, no longer confident that her former boss is fit to serve as an elder at the church.  Moreover, in light of everything she has seen over the years, she no longer feels as if her silence is serving the church, but rather has come around to the conviction that Leviticus 5:1 compels her to speak:

“‘If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible.”

Consequently, as she was preparing to leave Harvest this week, she copied numerous files onto a jump drive for the purpose of passing them along to BSI for publication.  Today, we bring you the first of these files, which is the original rough draft of MacDonald’s infamous “resignation” post from 30 April 2013.

 

Prayers for the Journey: “On Theodicy”

Having lived and walked amongst evangelicals for the better part of 20 years now and having identified myself as one of their number, I have come to this disturbing conclusion: as a people, we do not know how to pray.  Moreover, if I am being completely transparent, then I should clearly state that I also am an abject failure when it comes to knowing how to pray.  Now there is a great deal more that could be said on this subject, but rather than addressing it as an academic matter, I have simply decided to share some written prayers from two new books that I am using in my own prayer life.

May the words of these saints unlock the imagination of your soul, opening up new ways of talking to the One Who Emptied Himself for the sake of us all.

 

The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#10-1)

Today, at Blood Stained Ink, we continue our exploration on the nature of humanity, particularly as we see ourselves through the unique lens of films that look into the future.  To date, the series includes the following posts:

• Apocalyptic Films as a Window into our Collective Soul
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#50-41)
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#40-31)
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#30-21)
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#20-11)

And now, for the top-10…

 

The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#20-11)

Today, at Blood Stained Ink, we continue our exploration on the nature of humanity, particularly as we see ourselves through the unique lens of films that look into the future.  To date, the series includes the following posts:

• Apocalyptic Films as a Window into our Collective Soul
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#50-41)
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#40-31)
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#30-21)

And now, we return to the countdown as we enter the top-20.  Interestingly enough, there are four  films in this section that I have never seen…

 

The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#30-21)

 

Today, at Blood Stained Ink, we continue our exploration on the nature of humanity, particularly as we see ourselves through the unique lens of films that look into the future.  To date, the series includes the following posts:

• Apocalyptic Films as a Window into our Collective Soul
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#50-41)
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#40-31)

And now, back to the list …

 

Prayers for the Journey: “Our Charter for Entitlement”

Having lived and walked amongst evangelicals for the better part of 20 years now and having identified myself as one of their number, I have come to this disturbing conclusion: as a people, we do not know how to pray.  Moreover, if I am being completely transparent, then I should clearly state that I also am an abject failure when it comes to knowing how to pray.  Now there is a great deal more that could be said on this subject, but rather than addressing it as an academic matter, I have simply decided to share some written prayers from two new books that I am using in my own prayer life.

May the words of these fellow sojourners give voice to the cries of your heart, opening up new ways of talking to the One Who was Entitled to Everything, but Surrendered it All.

 

The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#40-31)

Today, at Blood Stained Ink, we continue our exploration on the nature of humanity, particularly as we see ourselves through the unique lens of films that look into the future.  To date, the series includes the following posts:

• Apocalyptic Films as a Window into our Collective Soul
• The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#50-41)

And now, back to the countdown.

 

The 50 “Greatest” Apocalyptic and Dystopian Films of All Time (#50-41)

In the interest of continuing to explore humanity’s perceptions of its own innate goodness through the lens of contemporary film, Blood Stained Ink has compiled a list of the 50 “greatest” movies to explore apocalyptic and dystopian themes.  Of course, any such list is bound to be highly subjective in nature, and thus somewhat limited in usefulness.  Nevertheless, in an attempt to fashion a fair and balanced perspective, I have taken the films that are most commonly cited as being influential in this genre, and I have ranked them by developing a composite score using both the Internet Movie Database and Rotten Tomatoes. [1]  The first website captures public perceptions of the film, while the later attempts to track critical evaluations.  In cases where there were sequels and remakes, I have scored only the original film, as it was the source of the initial “vision” that is being examined.  And now, on to the countdown …