Tina Anderson, Chuck Phelps Take Stand in Willis Trial
Details in the http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/258876/victim-testifies-to-sexual… ]Concord Monitor Monitor reporter Maddie Hanna is also tweeting from the trial http://twitter.com/#!/maddiehanna ]here WMUR-TV is providing live updates http://livewire.wmur.com/Event/Trial_Of_Ernest_Willis_Continues ]here UPDATE (1:30 EDT)- Chuck Phelps is taking the stand. Live updates at the links above. 2:50 PM EDT- Video footage from WMUR http://youtu.be/RJrebgIKGZI ]here
- 452 views
A Verdict has been reached….waiting for announcement
http://livewire.wmur.com/Event/Jury_Deliberates_In_Willis_Trial
http://livewire.wmur.com/Event/Jury_Deliberates_In_Willis_Trial
He has been found guilty of forcible rape.
Now the million dollar question. Does this conviction change anyone’s mind regarding the circumstances surrounding this case? Can we let the issue of was it Forced/Consensual rest now?
Now the million dollar question. Does this conviction change anyone’s mind regarding the circumstances surrounding this case? Can we let the issue of was it Forced/Consensual rest now?
Guilty on ALL 4!
I am not suprised. I am glad that justice was done! I am praying for Tina and her family. I am still praying Ernie that he will now show genuine repentance. I am also praying for his exwife and his children. What a mess sin does.
Roger Carlson, Pastor Berean Baptist Church
Two more posts have had to be hidden because they were related to a previous, now unpublished, accusation against Dr. Phelps. The parties involved have been PM‘d as well.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
Jared,
We must accept the verdict of the jury. This is the only way a civilized society can survive. Lust brings forth sin and sin when it is finished brings forth death.
We must accept the verdict of the jury. This is the only way a civilized society can survive. Lust brings forth sin and sin when it is finished brings forth death.
Pastor Mike Harding
I’m just glad it’s over.
JMeyering - yes, I think we all should let that go now.
JMeyering - yes, I think we all should let that go now.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
I am very glad the trial is over. My hope is that this will encorage fellow Pastors to think through how they would handle such situations, should they encounter them. Also, another hope is that others would have learned the folly of “answering a matter” before it was fully borne out.
The few things that I have learned as a Pastor is: even if I’m trying to do the right thing I must not assume; I must document, document, document; and I should “go the extra mile” if I need to report an issue to the Police of CPD.
The few things that I have learned as a Pastor is: even if I’m trying to do the right thing I must not assume; I must document, document, document; and I should “go the extra mile” if I need to report an issue to the Police of CPD.
Serving the Savior, Pastor Wes Helfenbein 2 Cor. 5:17
With respect, humility, and all due deference to those Godly ones who have expressed some variation of the the thought “I’m glad this is over,” really, it’s not.
This is not going to be over until the life and ministry of Dr. Phelps has been completely destroyed by the those who have picked up this cause and championed it in public.
This will not be over until every church and/or organization that has ever had anything to do with Dr. Phelps has been completely discredited in the eyes of “the World”.
This will not be over until every individual person who has ever had anything to do with Dr. Phelps or any church, school or organization he has ever been associated with has been beaten into submission (figuratively or literally) to the will of the current society.
This is not now, nor has it ever been, solely about justice for Tina Anderson. This is just the first necessary step to destroy Dr. Phelps, what he believes in, what he stands for, and anyone who has ever stood with him.
This is an attempt to destroy the testimony of Jesus Christ, and anyone who believes in the literal, Gospel (only) centered Biblical faith.
This isn’t over. This is just beginning.
This is not going to be over until the life and ministry of Dr. Phelps has been completely destroyed by the those who have picked up this cause and championed it in public.
This will not be over until every church and/or organization that has ever had anything to do with Dr. Phelps has been completely discredited in the eyes of “the World”.
This will not be over until every individual person who has ever had anything to do with Dr. Phelps or any church, school or organization he has ever been associated with has been beaten into submission (figuratively or literally) to the will of the current society.
This is not now, nor has it ever been, solely about justice for Tina Anderson. This is just the first necessary step to destroy Dr. Phelps, what he believes in, what he stands for, and anyone who has ever stood with him.
This is an attempt to destroy the testimony of Jesus Christ, and anyone who believes in the literal, Gospel (only) centered Biblical faith.
This isn’t over. This is just beginning.
Karl,
Sorry, I think you are wrong. As I have said for over a year now. Had Dr. Phelps right been clear that he was wrong and tried reach out to Tina Anderson right away, this outcome would have been different. Instead, he dug in his heals. Also, there were times he contradicted himself and did not even answer questions. Chuck Phelps has not served his cause well in this whole ordeal. Some may want a witch hunt, but many of us just want our leaders held to a Biblical standard. This is a lesson for all of us to make certain we handle these things correctly.
Sorry, I think you are wrong. As I have said for over a year now. Had Dr. Phelps right been clear that he was wrong and tried reach out to Tina Anderson right away, this outcome would have been different. Instead, he dug in his heals. Also, there were times he contradicted himself and did not even answer questions. Chuck Phelps has not served his cause well in this whole ordeal. Some may want a witch hunt, but many of us just want our leaders held to a Biblical standard. This is a lesson for all of us to make certain we handle these things correctly.
Roger Carlson, Pastor Berean Baptist Church
Because of this case I have been reading everything I can get my hands on (well, in between taking care of four children 5 years and younger, so maybe it isn’t that much reading!) about those abused in the church. I have read many personal accounts on blogs and other abuse victim sites. Just from what I have read, I would have to say that abuse in our churches in more prevalent then we want to think. It has made me (hopefully) more sensitive to victims, my husband and I have talked about how we should respond, what we could say or not say, and wondered about the past of our own church. While we don’t know of anything, that doesn’t mean it has never occurred.
Hopefully because of these events some will waken to the twisted view of consent/rape/relationships that they have. It still makes me ill to think of the statement made in the trial that she laid still so it must have been consensual (or something to that effect). How can ANY person assume that means consent?
Hopefully every church will be VERY careful not to investigate reports of abuse. I have never really thought that seriously about how I would handle someone telling me of abuse. But this whole case has made me think through a much clearer plan. And one thing that stands out is that I am not to investigate. I take it to the police and let them investigate. I need to report what is told to me and not put my own assumptions onto it. And like someone else said, I need to go the extra mile. If it seems like the police are not responding, then I need to go back to them again and again. I need to stand up for the person who has been abused or claims abuse.
So I hope this isn’t over or that the effects are not over. I hope it has a profound effect on our churches and our pastors. I hope that we are more diligent to help rather than to wound. To be careful not to make assumptions. To show mercy and grace rather than judgment and condemnation. I am very concerned that many will walk away from this and make no changes. Maybe a few don’t need to make changes, but from all the reading I have done, it seems as if the church needs to make some major changes to how they handle things like this.
Hopefully because of these events some will waken to the twisted view of consent/rape/relationships that they have. It still makes me ill to think of the statement made in the trial that she laid still so it must have been consensual (or something to that effect). How can ANY person assume that means consent?
Hopefully every church will be VERY careful not to investigate reports of abuse. I have never really thought that seriously about how I would handle someone telling me of abuse. But this whole case has made me think through a much clearer plan. And one thing that stands out is that I am not to investigate. I take it to the police and let them investigate. I need to report what is told to me and not put my own assumptions onto it. And like someone else said, I need to go the extra mile. If it seems like the police are not responding, then I need to go back to them again and again. I need to stand up for the person who has been abused or claims abuse.
So I hope this isn’t over or that the effects are not over. I hope it has a profound effect on our churches and our pastors. I hope that we are more diligent to help rather than to wound. To be careful not to make assumptions. To show mercy and grace rather than judgment and condemnation. I am very concerned that many will walk away from this and make no changes. Maybe a few don’t need to make changes, but from all the reading I have done, it seems as if the church needs to make some major changes to how they handle things like this.
Karl,
No offense, but I think your prediction is a little extreme:
I would think its best to leave these type of predictions to Camping and his followers.
No offense, but I think your prediction is a little extreme:
[Rev Karl]…This is not going to be over until the life and ministry of Dr. Phelps has been completely destroyed…This will not be over until every church and/or organization that has ever had anything to do with Dr. Phelps has been completely discredited in the eyes of “the World”…This will not be over until every individual person who has ever had anything to do with Dr. Phelps or any church, school or organization he has ever been associated with has been beaten into submission (figuratively or literally)…I do not deny that there may well indeed be continued actions because of what was brought to light; however, I highly doubt that the prosecutorial powers of New Hampshire rise to level of
beating into submission
every individual person who has ever had anything to do with Dr. Phelps or any church, school or organization he has ever been associated with.
I would think its best to leave these type of predictions to Camping and his followers.
Serving the Savior, Pastor Wes Helfenbein 2 Cor. 5:17
[Rev Karl]Good call. Most attempts to destroy Christianity begin by putting rapists behind bars.
This is an attempt to destroy the testimony of Jesus Christ, and anyone who believes in the literal, Gospel (only) centered Biblical faith.
This isn’t over. This is just beginning.
Yikes.
My Blog: http://dearreaderblog.com
Cor meum tibi offero Domine prompte et sincere. ~ John Calvin
Standing up for men like Chuck Phelps who was a big part in the injustice Tina suffered does not honor the name of Jesus. Chuck’s actions do not line up with out a vigilant shepherd tends to his flock. Standing up and endorsing books like the Thompson brothers wrote, does not bring glory to the name of Jesus. When men in positions of leadership and trust are not good stewards of the trust given to them, Jesus doesn’t have a problem bringing that to public light.
You say “Oh REALLY? WHERE DO YOU GET THAT? We need to protect the name of Jesus and keep this stuff quiet.” Um no we don’t. See the sins of King David publicly confronted—he has a more important position than Chuck Phelps if you want to compare positions— God not only had David publicly called out—He recorded it in holy writ—the same holy Word that He promised would be preserved and not pass away. See the sins of Jacob. See the sins of Abraham. See the sins of Adam. I mean right from the first chapters of the His holy inspired perfect Word—Jesus the Word Himself has not been about helping people get away with and hide their sin and failures.
Phelps duty as a pastor and shepherd required of him to do more than just to make a police report. It required him to relentlessly seek justice—which he did not do. On the stand, he testified that he knew Ernie was the aggressor. Tina was expelled from school. Ernie kept his position as an usher in the church. The testimony of Chuck Phelps showed no mercy or compassion for Tina, but much compassion and support for Ernie.
Jesus sometimes cleans house when people who are called by His holy name don’t act like it. To whom much is given, much is required. Jesus is requiring Chuck Phelps to face the music for his actions. God is sovereign. If God who spoke the world into existence by the very breath of His mouth, God by whom and for whom all things exist, God who is all knowing and all powerful wanted to protect Chuck from this hour, He could do so with no difficulty at all.
You say “Oh REALLY? WHERE DO YOU GET THAT? We need to protect the name of Jesus and keep this stuff quiet.” Um no we don’t. See the sins of King David publicly confronted—he has a more important position than Chuck Phelps if you want to compare positions— God not only had David publicly called out—He recorded it in holy writ—the same holy Word that He promised would be preserved and not pass away. See the sins of Jacob. See the sins of Abraham. See the sins of Adam. I mean right from the first chapters of the His holy inspired perfect Word—Jesus the Word Himself has not been about helping people get away with and hide their sin and failures.
Phelps duty as a pastor and shepherd required of him to do more than just to make a police report. It required him to relentlessly seek justice—which he did not do. On the stand, he testified that he knew Ernie was the aggressor. Tina was expelled from school. Ernie kept his position as an usher in the church. The testimony of Chuck Phelps showed no mercy or compassion for Tina, but much compassion and support for Ernie.
Jesus sometimes cleans house when people who are called by His holy name don’t act like it. To whom much is given, much is required. Jesus is requiring Chuck Phelps to face the music for his actions. God is sovereign. If God who spoke the world into existence by the very breath of His mouth, God by whom and for whom all things exist, God who is all knowing and all powerful wanted to protect Chuck from this hour, He could do so with no difficulty at all.
I see a ton of concern about Chuck Phelps, but not much concern for a 15 year old girl that was raped by a man in her church in a position of trust. Do you guys not see the problem with your focus and what tugs on your heart? What makes you feel outraged and what causes you to worry about the future of the church and Christianity?
Discussion