OK, an extra post today. Things are not always what they seem. Seems I’ve been had, deceived by some people who feel that the New Covenant allows us to use lies and deceit in our dealings with one another. Interesting, to say the least.

Had a new commenter come in and begin commenting on an old post. Someone else jumped in claiming “I have been a member of the Church of Christ for many years, but have never heard of this kind of teaching.” This person would ask questions, encouraging the other commenter and keeping the thread alive. The “seeker” spoke of how convincing the first man’s arguments were and how wrong I was.

And I fell for it. Sigh…

The one who had “never heard this kind of teaching” is Daniel Ross, who has long maintained websites promoting the teachings of Dan Billingsly. (Some will know that name) Had he participated honestly in the thread, I would have had no problem with it. But coming in deceitfully and lying about being new to these ideas… well, that’s just not right.

You see, “Albert,” the one who had never heard this teaching before and was being convinced of its truth, uses the same IP address as Daniel. That can occur when two people are on the same network, but it does reduce the likeliness that “Albert” and Daniel don’t know each other. However, in creating the lie, Daniel made the mistake of using one of his own e-mail addresses for the fictitious Albert. Is it possible that someone gave up an e-mail address and someone else now uses it? Yes. But to have the IP address and the e-mail coincide… that’s too much.

I’m hoping that Mickey and Daniel don’t know each other, though if they do, I hope they’ll be honest enough to come clean.

I’m guessing that when some discuss the Bible verses that have nothing to say to Christians, they must include these as well:

“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2)
“For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:” (1 Thessalonians 2:3)