My Plot to Block Comments
Someone told me about a discussion at another blog about the intentions behind my blocking of certain comments. Apparently it has something to do with comments waiting for moderation. (“It seems that only select individuals are being moderated.”)
Until someone wrote me about it, I had no idea that was even possible. I’m not intentionally moderating anyone’s comments. I don’t know how to do it. After checking with my expert, it may have something to do with comments coming in at a high-volume time or with comments that appeared to WordPress to be spam. Anyway, I don’t know how to block a comment on WordPress, and I haven’t been doing so.
(There was that one time back in blogspot days that I banned someone from my blog for repeatedly attacking a member of my family. I warned that it was a no-no and the person continued. So I pulled the trigger. Sorry, but it IS my blog. I don’t think I’ve ever deleted attacks on me or my positions. But my family is off limits for attacks. You can make your own rules for your blog.)
- – - -
We continue to face a most fundamental question of our faith: Why did Jesus come? If your answer reduces that to “he came to die for us,” then you’ll wind up in a very different place than if your answer is that “he came to live out and proclaim the reign of God.”
Long before Jesus died, he had disciples — people following him as he announced and displayed the Way of God. In his death and resurrection, he not only provided a sacrifice for sins but he also validated the Way that actually is salvation.
Has anyone else published a comment that hasn’t yet gone through? (Leland, I just found one from you that hadn’t, and I finally found a way to approve it. Sorry, brother.)
By the way, you can read the discussion at policulture.blogspot.com. It’s the April 5 entry entitled “Open Dialogue on Mike Cope’s Blog???”
He came to show us what God looks like…
Just went to the link in reference to the “blocking issue”..
mike..that dude’s icon is homer simpson…
Have a good day, mike..
Well, the icon is a bit tongue-in-cheek. His comments here are thoughtful and humorous. He represents a bit different perspective than I do on some things, and I enjoy reading that perspective from him.
Beverly, you mentioned that he came to show us what God looks like. Good answer! To go with that, we might also say that he came to show us what a human being is supposed to look like.
(By the way, I do my best responding to comments that come EARLY. After that, there usually aren’t enough breaks in the day.)
When I go to your site, a message comes on that says, “Blog waiting moderation.” A program called “Truth Detector” reads the blog so I will not be exposed to “liberalism.”
Morning. I’m just back from reading the policulture comments.
I was just thinking about your technical savvy and realized that GKB is right – it is pretty funny to think that you might be able to block comments. ;-D
All kidding aside though, I appreciate your Christlike example in responding to the accusations.
Two books that can help us think through this question of why Jesus came are THE CRUCIFORM CHURCH by Leonard Allen (which is about to be reissued after some rewriting) and UNVEILING GLORY by Fred Aquino and Jeff Childers.
Grant’s premise is correct! He taught our Sunday morning class and this idea of people focusing on a particular aspect of Jesus was a big part of the class. Grant, give a comment here, please!!!
Give it up, Boone. (Grant, that is.)
On a lighter note, this past Sunday I found out why Jesus came. I was asking my 9 and 7 year old why is this the best day in the history of the world? The monotone voice of a preacher’s kid who has been through this discussion once too often came through with “Jesus rose from the dead.” And why is that so wonderful? What happens because of it?” The excitement entered the 7 year old’s voice at that point, “NO SCHOOL!” Resurrection and eternal life can’t hold a candle to that, in a 7 yo’s opinion!
I’ve been reading this blog for a long time. When I hear people say that it isn’t tolerant, I think what they mean is: I express my opinions, but he doesn’t agree with them.
Does Mike have to agree with what everyone says in order to be tolerant of disagreement? (Or does he have to commit himself to a 10-hour-a-day job of responding to all comments?) I don’t see any border patrol happening to keep liberals or conservatives off. I’ve read about every perspective the past couple years here.
He has a perspective that comes from his following of Jesus; others have their perspective from their faith. On this blog, it doesn’t surprise me that mostly Mike’s perspective is represented. Nor does it surprise me, given his emphasis, that he has allowed anyone to comment.
Those who feel that there is no toleration here need to get over their persecution syndrome. It isn’t becoming of you. But that’s a strategy of extremists to the right and the left: sound like people are whipping you — as a way of trying to gain attention for your cause.
Interestingly enough, your friend on the other site IS moderating his comments and mine has not yet been approved. Interesting, interesting.
On a sweeter note, I fully amen! your comments about Christ’s mission. We tend to make Christ’s gospel and mission too much of us and our needs/desires, not enough of His glory & purpose.
Mike,
Several of my comments have had that same message. Of course I thought that you had a skilled team of highly trained moderators going through each comment.
Regarding why Jesus came, Paul seemed to indicate that it was about “reconciliation.” I remember Jim Woodruff’s messages on this, which are in his book, “The Aroma of Christ.” Because of what God did through Christ, we havebeen given this “ministry of reconciliation.”
David – My crack team (translation: GREG) will look into that. I just found out where to find “comments waiting for moderation,” but this morning there was only one showing. Maybe we need to change a spam filter. I know at blogspot that all you needed to do to stop spam was to require the word verification.
Traci – Great story. Reminds me of the picture a child drew in Sunday school — mentioned by Anne Lamott in Plan B. The child drew a picture of the Easter Bunny outside the tomb. Lamott says, “Everlasting life and a basket of chocolate. Now you’re talking!”
Wow – yesterday I was going to call you MPM – for Marathoning Preaching Mike. This morning I guess that stands for Moderating Preacher Mike –
. I somehow stumbled across that “moderated” blog post the day it happened – still not sure how or why, but… I came back and read “said” post that had supposedly been moderated and determined there was no way it had been edited/moderated.
On the latter and more important issue — if we simply took those words to heart, every church out there would have either a parking problem, pew problem (lack of space) or both. Thanks Mike.
A note was attached to one of my first comments to your new web site saying my comments were being moderated, but they still showed up in the comments list. I assumed I was being filtered because my origins are the state of Alabama and my blood runs Crimson Red.
I like these statements from Jesus about his mission:
Luke 4:17-21
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Matt. 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Matt. 10:34-35
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
Matt. 20:28
“. . . just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Mark 1:38
Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
Mark 8:31
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.
Luke 12:49
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
John 6:38
“For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”
John 9:39
Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 12:46
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”
Heb. 10:5-10
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.’” First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Peace.
I believe that Jesus came not merely to show what God was like but to show the world what true humanity looks like. We are slighting God when we make excuses for mistakes by saying “I’m just human.” Jesus is the epitome of what being human can look like. That is why we strive to emulate him.
Thanks, Steve. If you get a chance, talk about how THOSE passages and your understanding of why Jesus came have impacted what you’re planning to do in Boston.
Chris – Exactly right, my young friend.
As I said on my Blog, I didn’t know why my comments were being moderated that day. It was frustrating to see dozens of comments going through while mine were stuck in limbo.
Thanks for the explanation, and thanks for the nice words about my comments. I also enjoy reading your perspective, though it sometimes differs from mine.
–
Thanks Mike. By the way, I don’t think that “Steve” is the Steve (Holt) that is going to Boston this summer.
I’ve thought about this for a couple of years but have only recently begun to write some of it out. The idea is that Christ-followers tend to gravitate toward one of these 3: Jesus’ life/teachings, His death, or His Resurrection. Not that anyone ignores the other two; rather one resonates more than the other two and drives that person’s theology and practice.
Life/Teachings People
Big Idea: God loved/loves the world by mobilizing it toward social justice and sacrificial service through the example of Christ
Guiding Text: sermon on the mount
Favorite Ministry: soup kitchen
Favorite Hymn: anything by U2
Most Likely To Be Found At: Starbucks
Examples: Jim Wallis, Larry James, this blog host
Death People
Big Idea: The only thing that matters is what happened on the cross
Guiding Text: John 3:16
Favorite Ministry: Tie – Gospel meetings, door knocking
Favorite Hymn: O Why Not Tonight?
Most Likely To Be Found At: Sunday NIGHT services
Examples: churches of Christ
Resurrection People
Big Idea: Jesus’ triumph over death means we’re victorious, and the celebration has already begun
Guiding Text: John 10:10 (“I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.”)
Favorite Ministry: Easter pageants
Favorite Hymn: I’ll Fly Away
Most Likely To Be Found At: a Gaither Homecoming concert
Examples: anyone on TBN
GB
(MC, if this is too long, feel free to delete, and I could post it at my blog.)
Ooops, you’re right. That’s my buddy, Steve Puckett. I should have slowed down and read the part about being Crimson Red. That would have given it away. (Especially if there had been any mention of Z. Z. Top.)
Grant – fascinating. Your mind is full of unexplored universes. So keep fleshing it out (I won’t be able to check back until later today), amigo: what would it look like for us to faithfully live in the awareness of all three? Will we be at Starbucks watching TBN while wearing our John 3:16 t-shirts? In what ways does your concern for “the poor” reflect your convictions about why Jesus came?
We should make t-shirts:
“I’m a life and teacher” or
“I’m a death guy” or
“He lives! He lives!” (written in shrill, piercing letters)
Two of our grandchildren are staying with us this week and have changed, so easily, the settings on my PC. I feel I really know nothing of the machine.
Christ came as a branch of the vine for us. Resetting my thoughts that way enabled me to more fully put the Old and the New Testament together.
Jesus came so that we could have a full life. A real life, true life, abundant life. Media says, “It doesn’t get any better than this.” Jesus says, “Let me show what eternal life is all about.” Our eternal life has already started. Bring on what the world may give us, but Jesus shows us and gives us a life.
Maybe he came to be the Lamb, to redeem his creation. “Once because I made you, twice because I bought you.”
And please tell me what is wrong with being a “death people”?
My grandparents are and you can’t find more loving, salt of the earth people. They are genuine, soft spoken, caring, and “behind the scenes.” How many times are we told in the bible to do things in secret, pray alone, etc. Trust me not everyone falls in the other categories or really cares to.
in Him
Lee
While there is clearly a much broader discussion in view, the first thing that came to my mind when I read today’s query:
Why did my Savior come to earth,
And to the humble go?
Why did He choose a lowly birth?
BECAUSE HE LOVED ME SO!
Then I thought of this verse:
No one has ever seen God, not so much as a glimpse. This one-of-a-kind God-Expression, who exists at the very heart of the Father, has made him plain as day. –John 1:18, The Message, Eugene H. Peterson
[With respect to the "Moderated Comments" question: Although I've not commented often, I'm not aware of ever being moderated. I just hope you continue to shepherd this blog in the same manner you have done heretofore. There is always a refreshing breeze flowing from Abilene. Keep up the good work!]
Maybe that’s why that verse of the now-popular worship song “That’s Why We Praise Him” grates on me so. You know, the one that goes “He came to die…”
I’m currently reading through John Howard Yoder’s “Politics of Jesus” and he starts out by presenting the view of many ethicists: that Jesus is irrelevant to the field because he was a farmer, or because he expected the end to come soon, etc.
Sadly I think too many in our churches see Jesus as that sacrificial Lamb/Savior, and see him as that ONLY, and not as our role model, rabbi, the older and more experienced ox to which we are yoked, etc. I believe in the quote you posted a few weeks ago: becoming like Jesus IS our salvation.
Mike -
Steve Holt Jr. here. I think you got the above commenter confused with me. Just wanted to set the record straight.
Blessings,
Steve
i have been moderated.
and mike were did you get the idea that this is your blog. i think we out voted you on that one.
i’m just glad he came.
I’ve had no problems getting my comments posted on your site — not even once. So finding out that you’re NOT moderating comments means that I must drop my delusion of being a “favored commenter.”
*heavy sigh*
I think I’ll just go to Starbucks now and think about this for a while.
Lee,
Who said there’s anything wrong with any of them?
GB
One of the reasons Jesus came to earth was to show us the Father. Until Jesus came no one had seen the Father except through the prophets who were human. To have Jesus…100% human and 100% divine…show the Father to the world was different from when Moses, Elijah, Samuel, Joshua, and others shared God’s will with the world. He was sinless, without blemish…and because of that He could be our sin offering. While the resurrection is key to the truth of the gospels, we must still remember there would have been no resurrection without His sinless life and then His death…a cruel death with much suffering. It’s not either/or…they blend together to give us life with hope here on earth and life in heaven after our death. His life on earth is amazing. His death is sobering and heartbreaking. His resurrection is a triumph over the grave, death, and life here on earth!
This is a most wonderful conversation. What better subject could we want to talk about?
At the end of the day I plan to print it off, sit down and savor it. Maybe send it to some friends and to use it to fuel more good discussion. Maybe work it into a panoramic “sermon” for three or more speakers. Good songs come to mind. “Why Did My Savior Come to Earth?” He loved “me” so, “us” so, “the world” so…
This is rich and I am awestruck by it all. Thanks, Mike, and everyone.
Michael
Mike – I believe you have every right to ban anyone from your blog, and I too do not want people to attack my family members.
However, I went and looked at Jeff’s post about this topic, and it addresses two issues: 1) moderating of comments, and 2) a situation where a blogger (NOT the one who attacked your family member) opines “open dialogue” has not been his experience on your website.
So my question is, do you want “open dialogue” on your blog site and, if so, what does that look like to you? Does it include dissent, outright disagreement, only nuanced differences, etc? Do you have any stipulations other than just “no attacking family members”?
Thanks.
Just funny how you bold NIGHT. Are they the only ones who attend sunday evenings? Just curious as why you would bold that. Your impliction was the “death people” were old folks stuck in the rut, knocking doors, gospel meetings, Sunday NIGHT services, singing out of the gold book. We better be careful when we start categorizing.
BTW- I attend Sunday night and I sure don’t fit into any one of these molds. I would say I’m a combination of all three.
Interesting thoughts….
Remember that “implication” is from the giver and “inference” is from the receiver. I think your “inference” is that Death People are “old folks stuck in the rut.” That wasn’t my implication.
If you’ve known me for more than 30 seconds, you’re fully aware that humor imbues nearly everything I do, so I did intend to caricature the three groups while still trying to accurately portray each. Perhaps your love for your grandparents prompted your reaction to the caricature of the Death People and not the other two. There’s nothing inherently negative about Sunday night services or O Why Not Tonight? or Gospel meetings. Nor is there anything innately positive about Starbucks.
I think each of the three categories is flawed when ignorant of the other two. I like that God wired us up differently; the bigger question for me is, Can we rise above our wiring and preference, if necessary, for the sake of unity?
GB
(Lee, there is something inherently flawed with one-dimensional communication such as this. It doesn’t allow for inflection, tone, or in this case italics – which is why I wrote NIGHT in bold lettering. Even worse, it puts people like you and me – who don’t know each other – into conversation before we have a chance to share a meal or get to know each other. I have a feeling we’d get along very well. Anyone who loves his grandparents an ohm as much as I have loved mine would surely be my friend. Have a good day.)
…except the White Chocolate Mocha.
Jesus came to lead the way in all things. For me that has meant different things at different times of life. But I find that whatever the situation, problem, circumstance, or even blog comment, He is always the answer .
As for moderating comments, I do it on my blog too. Why? I believe that the only way to really be heard, believed and useful in a discussion form is to be adult in your method. From time to time, people aren’t “adult” and/ or respectful with their comments and therefore I don’t allow them to be published on the blog. When people resort to nasty, hateful, vile name calling of me or other bloggers, I automatically “moderate” them. It’s important in any forum, blog or otherwise, to be a grown up. If someone’s blog is simply to be fun and fluff with no real issues being discussed then I guess it’s ok to let “whatever” be published. But if your goal with a blog is to promote healthy, grown up discussions on real issues that affect many people (and occassional fluff) then some sort of control has to be used.
I find that most folks who are opposed to being moderated are generally more interested in talking than being listened too. I hope that makes sense.
Grant..i fluxuate between all three, depending on where i am in my life..and what i am going through.
Don’t you just feel ever so comfortable and at home sharing thoughts with other brothers and sisters on the focus of our life, Jesus! We do not get to do that as much as we would like to because of other worldly matters that take our time up each day. We all take lessons He taught and imprint them on us. That is what a view of heaven is like to me. Only He will be there to round it all out for us.
GB-
Thanks for the English lesson! ha Great ideas, and you are probably right about my grandparents. Again, I’m a combination of all three. I absolutely love singing “I’ll fly away”……………
Thanks for the insight.
Lee
Jane – Good question. I think all are welcome here. Some have confused disagreement and rebuttal with being unwelcome. Let the discussions continue. . . .
Grant , i agree anyone who has seen you knows you are funny;)
For me, the issues that Mike (and Grant) are exploring become more important every time I come back to them. If you take a serious look at these issues, digging no more a few inches below the surface, you will find an atomic bomb, slowly ticking away.
There is *much* at stake here:
- Without pitting Paul against Jesus, should certain Pauline texts inform the way we read the gospels, as Grant’s “death” people tend to argue? Or do we have it backwards – should Paul’s epistles be read in light of the gospels, as the “life and teachings” perspetive might argue?
- The social and political ramifications of the each perspective are immense and (for me) they continue to be unsettling. I think they tend to elevate the emotional level of the debate on both sides, making it difficult for people to hear each other.
- The issue has tremendous bearing on the question of how disciples of Jesus go about engaging the postmodern/post-Christian culture. Do we emphasize atonement for sins? Or the character and teachings of Jesus as something that is worthy of imitation? Is there a way to reconcile both into a fresh, powerful message that will resonate in the emerging culture?
I could go on and on. I think we’ve reached an important turning point – a fork in the road – and where we go from here will largely depend on the outcome of this conversation.
Lee – I will also vouch for Grant. There isn’t a mean-spirited bone in his body. He’s a great, funny, insightful guy. I don’t know of anyone who thinks of him as being judgmental or cruel.
Jesus came for lots of reasons, one of which was to set us an example. Everything he did, said, thought, and prayed was a demonstration of perfection. Being human, we can’t achieve perfection, but in the striving to be like him and do like he did, we are made far better people.
There appears to be many understandings about why Jesus came from the Bible. Perhaps all of those different writers had different understandings themselves. For example, Matthew and Paul seem to actually disagree about whether or not Jesus came to abolish the law or not–Matt. says no: Paul says yes. Dare I say that there may not be a consistent view throughout the NT? (The Nag Hammadi library and all of the newly discovered gospels seems to show that there was an even greater diversity than those mentioned in the NT.)