‘Slice’ Returns as “not a public forum for discussion”

Orginally published on Tuesday, January 09, 2007 at 3:21 PM
by Todd Rhoades

Yesterday, we reported that the popular blog, Slice of Laodecia shut down. Today, they're back... well kind of. The new site is up with a new name and no archives. It's pretty ugly looking (sorry, just my honest opinion) and is returning as "not a public forum for discussion"; in other words, it's not a blog anymore. Discussion was pretty biased on the old site anyway (with comments from those who disagreed, even politely (I am told) never published. I think this format suits them better.

Still… this move makes many thinking people say, ‘huh’?  Why would one take down their entire site (with over 3 years of content) immediately; then start all over with a very inferior looking site?

Evidently… the publisher of ‘Slice’ got caught in some uncomfortable situations as other blogs tried to ‘parody’ slice.  She was the subject of a couple of parody blogs (with close resemblence to the ‘slice’ name).  Last week, she called out one of the parody website writers, who she said was anonymous.  While the author of the parody clearly identified himself on the site (and a whois lookup could be done easily), Ingrid made some accusations that he ‘be a man’ and show his identity.

As the story goes; it is accused that Ingrid had also posted anonymously to an anti-emergent church website… well, kind of anonymously… and that she mentioned it once on a slice post.  Some people dug that up and made her look a little silly.  Next thing you know; the parody site is down and the slice site followed thereafter.

There are detailed analysis of this interaction at some blogs around the net; but my take is if you’re going to play hardball (like slice did; calling all kinds of Christian leaders all kinds of names), you need to at least be honest when you’re doing it.  Otherwise; it will likely catch up to you.

So… that is the supposed story of what has happened.  It looks bad for ‘slice’ only because, at least thus far, there’s been no explanation; no apologies; no anything; just shutting down and old project and starting over. 

Well, there has been some kind of a statement:

A warm welcome to all who have wondered what became of Slice of Laodicea. After two years of blogging at Slice, it became clear to me that there was a tremendous need for current news and information on spiritual trends in the evangelical church. While Slice was famous for billboarding the outragous extremes within evangelicalism, it also provided links to articles and resources regarding the emergent error, contemplative spirituality, church growth philosophy and Purpose-Driven methodology that is transforming the face of the church. For this reason, I saw that a more comprehensive effort was needed. Christian Research Net will seek to serve as an information hub on these particular issues. Over time, it is my prayer that this site will be one of the first stops for Christians who have discerned the error of the times and who want to research what is going on in their churches. This site’s express purpose is to serve as a finger that will point to articles, websites, podcasts, videos, books and materials that meet the need for up-to-the-minute information on critical subjects.

The Christian Research Net is a clearinghouse for information. There will be a growing number of contributors who will add links to valuable resources. At present, I, as well as Dwayna Litz, Rev. Ken Silva, Steve Camp, Chris Pajak and Chris Rosebrough will be contributing information. This is a work in progress, and the site has been unveiled in its infant stage because of the need to assure former Slice readers that we are still here and we are working hard to provide another helpful place on the internet for discernment research links. The web is a vast place and we want to make it easier to find timely biblical insight on what is happening in the church.

As we begin 2007, I am further committed to using the Crosstalk Radio Show to address these issues. This year I am planning several series that will discuss the emerging church movement and its assault on biblical doctrine, training in the defense of the faith, the importance of sound doctrine and didache (Biblical teaching and training) for all believers, as well as several other subjects of importance to Christ’s church. The emphasis at this weblog is both uprooting what is false and planting what is good. Our links for research and biblical teaching will continue to grow over the next few weeks and months.

Scripture says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” In this age of tragic biblical illiteracy, we are seeing the spiritual destruction being wrought. In a simple and straightforward manner, we will attempt to fill in the knowledge voids for believers who seek the truth. The contributors to this site have no personal agenda other than to lift up Jesus Christ and hold up the light of the Word as a lamp to this generation that stumbles around in darkness.

Pray for us as we begin this venture.
Sincerely,

Ingrid Schlueter

I wonder, if she felt the need for an even more comprehensive site than slice, why did she ‘can’ all the old content?

For some reason… she (and slice) needed a fresh start.  My enquiring mind isn’t the only one wondering, ‘why’.

Here’s the new website (I’m all for free promotion) and an interesting list at the categories of content thus far:

Rick Warren
Emergent Church
Research Net Announcement
Circus Church
Discernment Teaching
Church Growth Issues
False Teachers

Looks like the same ole’ same ole’ unfortunately.

Also, here’s a short note from Ingrid about the new site:

“I am getting emails from those who have found us today and some have asked about comments. This site will be non-interactive in order to make the best use of our time. Christian Research Net is not a public forum for discussion and there are many other such sites for Christians on the web. Our purpose is to provide information.”

Love to hear your input…

Todd

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