Charles Spurgeon may be dead, but he writes enough blog posts to make a pyjama wearin’ blogger look computer illiterate.

That’s right, Charles Spurgeon blogs posthumously on a regular basis.

And that’s got me thinking about posthumous blogging in general. I’ve thought of several ups and several downs to posthumous blogging…

Downs

1. It’s not really blogging. The guy is dead so he can’t defend himself. He can’t clarify. He can’t qualify.

2. It’s gotta be edited. The guy who decides which writings to post gets to decide what the dead guy will say. In other words, the editor can write a whole article in between the lines via content, context, and timing.

3. Who wants to listen to a dead guy? Or maybe this is one of the ups…

Ups

1. Dead guys have some incredible stuff to say. For instance, I suspect Spurgeon has blessed and influenced more people since his death than he did during his life. And that’s saying something.

2. Dead guys can’t get into nearly as much trouble. Sure they can be wrong, but they can’t get involved in scandal or change directions. Dead guys have finished the race with a proven, genuine faith.

3. Dead guys are much more objective. No one can say they’re biased toward this camp or that. Of course their writings are coloured, but they’re generally coloured by things that are no longer controversial. Dead guys walk right into the most explosive of modern controversies blithe as a child, and often surprise us with profound truth.

Coming to InFocus

That’s part of why the new team is going to include a posthumous blogger. No, it won’t be Spurgeon—at least not this segment. Instead it’s a guy who was a kind of “young fundamentalist” before his time. A guy whose death impacted the world deeply because of the life that had preceded it. A man who’s passion for the cross has spurred multiplied millions to greater fervency of love. A man who gave what he could not keep to gain what he could not lose.

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About Jason Harris

Dr Jason Harris is a writer, pastor, and academic. He has authored multiple books, articles, and papers including his book Theological Meditations on the Gospel. Jason has a PhD from James Cook University as well as degrees in theology, music, accounting, and research. Jason has lived in Cairns, Australia since 2007 and serves as pastor at CrossPoint Church. You can contact Jason at jason@jasonharris.com.au.

4 Comments

  1. Peacepilgrim 12 September, 2009 at 8:42 am - Reply

    After reading your derogatory comment about pacifist Christians [that you made on the neo-baptist blog back in mid-July] I’ve followed your link here.
    .
    What a shame that you claim to believe the Bible, Joshua, but choose to ignore the call to peacemaking made by the risen Lord of Glory, Christ Jesus himself. Where is your consistency?

  2. RoZeS 12 September, 2009 at 10:27 am - Reply

    The Bible says, “If it be possible” to have peace with all men, then to live peaceably. There are times when it is simply not possible or right to have peace.

    What a shame that you claim to be a pacifist, but are writing comments like the above that seem intent on starting a fight…

  3. Jason 12 September, 2009 at 10:39 am - Reply

    I may address the pacifism question at some point here, but it’s completely off topic in this thread.

  4. RoZeS 12 September, 2009 at 10:40 am - Reply

    lol…ooops…

    Sorry, Jay! =)

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