Rotten Fruit

Dan Frank posted the following opening post on Sharper Iron.

“This surprised me. Chuck Phelps’ name is listed as part of the board at BJU in the 2011 Seminary bulletin. It seems like fundamentalism is growing in its awareness of the problem of sexual abuse in its circles. Yet, Phelps has never articulated any repentance or regret for how he personally handled the situation between rapist and underage teenage rape victim in his church. I know that the standard “above reproach” is subjective at best. Yet, whatever that term means, Chuck Phelps could hardly be “above reproach” on this issue. Does this concern anyone else?”

Jim Peet is quick to jump in, deflecting from the problem by mentioning that the real problem is actually Dan Frank’s “obsession with BJU.”

Later Jim Peet claims, “I really don’t care who’s on the board of BJU.”  In the next post Peet states, “Why take up space on Sharper Iron.”

It was fine however for Sharper Iron to talk about such important topics such as whether bicycle shorts are modest, argue about whether Reformed Theology leads to Contemporary Christian Music in churches.  Those remotely familiar with Sharper Iron recognize that the tenor of most of the posts and comments on that site, tend to lean toward either outrightly defending BJU, or are very favorable to BJU.

The same for Phelps.

It comes as no surprise that commenters such as Jim Peet, (and he’s by no means the only person who has done so on Sharper Iron) claim to not care if Bob Jones University has chosen Phelps to be on its board.

Should Christians care about the testimony of a man who is chosen to lead young both lay and pastoral studies students?

Only a few weeks ago Phelps was on campus and taught the “preacher boys class” for a week.

Is it the best choice to select a man who as Senior pastor when he became aware of the situation, decided to put Tina and Ernie before the congregation to be disciplined as completely separate issues. Ernie apologized for being unfaithful to his wife; Tina for being pregnant after “allowing a compromising situation to occur”.  The congregation were not told Ernie Willis a then 38 year old man was the father of Tina’s baby.

Phelps then insisted for months that Tina was lying, even went as far as to set up his own website where it appears Mr. Willis’ attorney’s took much of their defense.

Phelps, through his attorney, David Gibbs, III fought hard to keep the “copious notes” to not be read into the trial record.

Once Phelps was forced to testify, and refer to the “copious notes” it was revealed that he knew from the beginning that Willis had admitted that he was the “aggressor” not once as Phelps had insisted, but twice!

All the while, Ernie was allowed to stay in the church, live free while Tina was sent to Colorado where she gave birth and gave her baby up for adoption.

Phelps continues to refuse to admit publicly that he did anything wrong.  The website Phelps put up after 20/20 is still up.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Psalm 28:13

Phelps has not shown repentance.  No apology to Tina. No private repentance nor public repentance.

I find it further appalling that Bob Jones III preached and was present when the American Council of Christian Churches adopted the resolution on abuse.  Bob Jones III did this knowing that Phelps was on Bob Jones University’s 2011 board.

Dr. Bob III and other fundamentalist leaders have not exposed his sin.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.      Galations 6:1

Bob Jones III preached this message at a ACCC conference.  Listen to it, by his own words Phelps isn’t qualified to be on the board and should be separated from.

There continues to be no response from Bob Jones University about Phelps being on their board.

What does the Lord expect?

He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6:8