Do you know Dan Trabue? Dan has several blogs where he writes about literature and art and his church and critters and plants and Dan Trabue. Dan is interested in Arts, Culture, Children, Civil Rights, Humanitarian Relief, Education, Environment, Human Rights, Poverty Alleviation, and Social Services. He's every involved at his home church whose core beliefs emphasize being peacemakers and being welcoming and affirming.
But for all that going for him Dan appears to be a sad, lonely man and needs our pity as well as our prayers. One of his ways of alleviating his loneliness is being an internet troll. He sincerely likes to troll Watchbloggers, harassing them with attacks, abusive language, and his own creative twists on scripture. This is very odd behavior for someone who is active in a church whose core beliefs emphasize being peacemakers and being welcoming and affirming. Several Christian bloggers have had run-ins with Dan, in fact Alec Satin at While it’s yet day has collected a few 'Dan Stories' to share. I too have had a Dan-attack very recently.
Dan reached out to me just this week when I had reposted an entry from The Cripplegate on my blog. In this article the author had made the statement “While no one deserves to be raped, tortured, taken apart limb by limb, or murdered by fellow human beings, it is important to remember that we all deserve worse from God Himself.”
Dan didn’t like that, and went all Rob Bell on me with a long strange diatribe that proved to me beyond the shadow of a doubt that Dan had a feeling he could mete out justice much better than God. At least he was honest and self identified as a heretic at the beginning of his missive. He clearly does not understand the concept of sin, justice, grace, and mercy. And it was abundantly clear he didn't realize that the original article that stirred up his pudding, was written by Jordan Standridge and not myself. Dan was really worked up about the concept of "the traditional "depravity of man" thinking" so he finally asked Are you interested in discussing this with one considered a "heretic..."?
So I answered Dan:
I'm not sure why you blame John Calvin - it's clearly in the bible, "For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality" (Colossians 3:25) Jesus himself said
Dan reached out to me just this week when I had reposted an entry from The Cripplegate on my blog. In this article the author had made the statement “While no one deserves to be raped, tortured, taken apart limb by limb, or murdered by fellow human beings, it is important to remember that we all deserve worse from God Himself.”
Dan didn’t like that, and went all Rob Bell on me with a long strange diatribe that proved to me beyond the shadow of a doubt that Dan had a feeling he could mete out justice much better than God. At least he was honest and self identified as a heretic at the beginning of his missive. He clearly does not understand the concept of sin, justice, grace, and mercy. And it was abundantly clear he didn't realize that the original article that stirred up his pudding, was written by Jordan Standridge and not myself. Dan was really worked up about the concept of "the traditional "depravity of man" thinking" so he finally asked Are you interested in discussing this with one considered a "heretic..."?
So I answered Dan:
I'm not sure why you blame John Calvin - it's clearly in the bible, "For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality" (Colossians 3:25) Jesus himself said
“Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41)I truly do believe that the bible is the word of God. I may not have much time left on this earth, so I can't go about cherry-picking bible verses claiming that one doesn't fit my world view while another one does, and I don't have the guts to tell God "You're wrong!" when He tells us exactly what we are required to do and what He will do if that doesn't happen.
I must conform to the word, and not expect God to make an exception for me just because my puny brain can't wrap around His all knowing all seeing vision. Do I hold this belief because I'm part of the elect? I don't know - Calvin is dead, God is Alive, and Jesus is my Lord, Savior, Brother, and Kinsman redeemer. It's Him I serve.
I also don't see God as merely Perfectly Loving. I also see Him as Perfectly Merciful - you ask for mercy and you get it.
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. 17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, (Psalm 103:8–17)I see Him as Perfectly Just, what He says goes with no exceptions and no favoritism.
With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. (Psalm 119:137)I see Him as Perfectly Holy, we sinful creatures are not fit to stand in His presence He is so Holy, it's only Jesus' atonement that allows that to happen.
Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. (Leviticus 19:2)
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior (1 Peter 1:15)I see Him as Perfectly Wise. His intellect and capacity to reason is far beyond anything we can imagine.
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. (Proverbs 3:19)
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)He's so much more than a narrow view of a fluffy Love diety that many people seem to have:
God is EternalGod gave me everything - life, a planet to live on, 6 beautiful children, two beautiful grandchildren, air to breath, food to eat, a healthy brain so I can reason for myself His wonder, a disabled body so I can learn dependence on Him and not my puny self. He gave me decades without interference so I was able to explore this world learn for myself the horrors of the part of this world where atheism slaughters its people and Muslims slaughter everyone.
God is Perfect
God is Gracious
God is Compassionate
God is Jealous
God is Merciful
God is Almighty
God is Slow To Anger
God is Righteous
God is Awesome
God is Holy
God is Truthful
God is Faithful
God is Just
God is All Powerful
God is a Consuming Fire
Deserving worse from God? In my opinion we are an ungrateful, stiff necked, hard headed infestation that turned our back on our creator and master. He sacrificed His own son for us to save us and we dare question His word? This is the problem with the "God is love only" mindset - people start thinking that "God couldn't possibly find anything to punish in me" and worse "God is incapable of feeling anything but love toward me" Oh yeah? That's called pride, the worst sin of all. Also known as "Haughty eyes"
16 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)We need to stop asking "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people" and ask a question that isn't nonsense: "Why does God allow good things to happen to us bad people?"
The Dan Trabues and Rob Bells are some of the most dangerous people on the planet because they help to send people to hell.
ReplyDeleteI'm just now seeing this. Doug, suffice to say, you have misrepresented me, repeatedly, in what you say I have done and said. I'm sure it's a simple misunderstanding on your part and would be glad to address any questions you have.
ReplyDeleteTo clarify, where you said...
Dan had a feeling he could mete out justice much better than God.
...I have not said this, nor do I believe it. You are mistaken and making a false claim. Now that I have corrected you, please correct the false claim or ask questions, if you have them, so that I can further clarify.
I too have had a Dan-attack very recently.
I'm quite sure I have never attacked you, Doug. Disagreed with you? Sure, but disagreeing is not an attack. Now that I have corrected your misunderstanding, please correct the false claim or ask questions, if you're not sure.
for all that going for him Dan appears to be a sad, lonely man and needs our pity as well as our prayers. One of his ways of alleviating his loneliness is being an internet troll. He sincerely likes to troll Watchbloggers, harassing them with attacks, abusive language, and his own creative twists on scripture.
1. I'm not sad or lonely. I have a rich and wonderful life with my wife of 30+ years and my delightful family and church family.
2. I do go on blogs and ask reasonable, polite questions to people who make claims I find questionable. This is not an attack, nor is it being a "troll." It's being an adult.
3. Sometimes in conversations with my conservative brothers, things do get said on both sides that are perhaps too harsh. I'm sure I'm guilty of it, just as you all are guilty of it. If you have a specific instance where I've "been abusive," please let me know and I can apologize if I was abusive or correct your misunderstanding otherwise.
4. I do sometimes have disagreements with how people interpret the Bible. And they have disagreements with me. That happens. No harm, no foul. You all don't hold all authority on how to interpret scripture, no do I, to be sure. Disagreeing with others in the church happens. We should be able to do so in love, without making false charges like these.
5. I do not even know what "watchbloggers" is, so of course, I have not "trolled" it. Visiting places and attempting conversation is not trolling. Visiting places and disagreeing politely is not trolling (even disagreeing strongly is not trolling).
6. Where you say...
At least he was honest and self identified as a heretic at the beginning of his missive. He clearly does not understand the concept of sin, justice, grace, and mercy.
I have never said I am a heretic. I am, in fact, a Christian, saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus. I have repented of my sins, asked for forgiveness and asked the risen Jesus to be the Lord of my life. I daily strive to walk in those steps, however imperfectly. This is text book evangelical salvation, not heresy. Is it possible I am mistaken sometimes? Well, sure! Just as it is possible that you are mistaken sometimes. But we are not saved by our perfect knowledge, are we? We're saved by grace and, you know what? Sometimes we will and do get things wrong. We are imperfect humans, after all. Thank God for grace!
If you'd like to ask me questions, please do so, man to man. But in the meantime, please remove/amend these false claims, now that I've hopefully clarified for you your misunderstanding.
In Christ,
Dan Trabue
OH no, Trabue attacks another person as misrepresenting him!! I'm shocked, shocked I tell you!! Of course for any discerning person who has visited -- or owned -- the many blogs Trabue has trolled knows the facts are against Trabue.
ReplyDeleteThe "self-identification" of being a heretic doesn't mean Trabue stated as such, it means his claims, the claims he makes himself, about his teachings and beliefs identify him as a heretic. He does not worship the Christ or God of the Bible, rather he worships an idol of his own making.
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ReplyDeleteI see still no change to the false claims, the gossip and slander. Ah, well.
ReplyDeleteYou're in my prayers. Peace and wisdom and grace to you and us all.
~Dan Trabue
I haven't written about you in 16 months and you suddenly respond to this blog with false accusations that you had ample oportunity to respond to (and did) 486 days ago? Because of this I'm going to have to stick with my observation (not judgement, observation) of being a sad, lonely man. It's not a sin to be lonely Dan, reach out to God in love and reach out to your fellow men of God in friendship rather than hostility and you'll find more brothers out there to offer you support and help than you can possibly believe
Delete6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Every time someone writes the truth about Trabue, they are accused of slander. What I find quite amusing is that even if it were untrue, it couldn't be slander because it is written!! But it can't even be libel because it's truth.
DeleteIt's becoming very clear that Dan Trabue is just a sad, lonely man. Look at it Glenn - it's been over a year and a half since this thread died, and here he is, resurrecting it out of the blue. He's shouting "Hey! Look at ME!" It's clearly a call for help. To quote the Christian "Philosopher" Burton Guster "That man needs some Jesus in his life"
DeleteHe needs the real Jesus but he rejects Him and replaces Him with a Jesus of his own invention. Therefore, he will remain a warped, frustrated, bitter old man.
Delete