A LOOK AT ONE SO-CALLED “DISCERNER”
Bud Press is one of the most prolific of the anti-Rick-Warrenites in cyberspace. Like so many other so-called “watchmen” of the church, Press is supposedly dedicated to “discernment,” which seems to be the term of choice used by today’s witch-hunters to describe their Internet attacks on fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Press claims that his Christian Research Network is a “service to the body of Christ” that provides “information, documentation and referral on a wide variety of issues to individuals, companies, pastors, outreach ministries and the Christian news media.” But like so many of today’s “discerners,” Press appears to be less concerned with accuracy/truth than he is about simply bagging another heretic.
This is unfortunate, but predictable, considering his nickname of “Bulldog,” which he was given by a friend who explained, “When Bud bites into something he doesn’t let go.” The name “Bulldog” certainly does fit. Press simply will not open his metaphorical jaws once he has latched on to an issue—even when the facts, evidence, and scriptures would suggest that he’d be far better off (along with everyone else) if he’d simply loosen his bite.
Being a bulldog is a clear asset if that bulldog is guarding a family and an intruder has entered the house. Unfortunately, a bulldog’s tenacity suddenly becomes a horror when it’s jaws clamp down on the neck of a small baby in the family, or on the face of a neighbor’s little pet kitty. And that is exactly what Bud “Bulldog” Press has been doing—chewing to bits everything around him. Blood and flesh, figuratively speaking, are flying everywhere. But he doesn’t care. He’s a bulldog.
Press is also a Army Special Forces vet—much to his credit, but also to his ruin. Although he has obviously done much for his country, Press seems to believe on some levels that he is still going on various search and destory missions. It appears that he feels the only difference between what he did overseas and what he is doing now involves the enemy he is going after. He also seems to think that the way he fought battles in the earthly realm as an elite soldier is the same way he should fight battles in the spiritual realm as a Christian.
To be blunt, Press pursues apologetics/discernment like he has been ordered to take a village full of Iraqi insurgents—no mercy, no hesitation, no prisoners. He sees enemies everywhere and takes them out as brutally as if he were going after a group of terrorists. And when there are no enemies to be found, he simply creates them using his battle-hardened and warped perspective. With a few passes of his metaphorical assault rifle (i.e., his keyboard), he dispatches them to the netherworld of heretics and apostates. Press has said as much regarding how he views his so-called “ministry,” declaring: “I rededicated my life to the Lord and became involved in a somewhat different brawl—the battle for lost souls and the defense of Scripture” (see AN INTERVIEW WITH BUD PRESS).
Herein lies the fundamental error of thought and attitude in Press—he thinks that having an apologetics/discernment ministry is like being in command of some elite attack squad. But Christian ministry is not about living life as a spiritual killing machine! It is about following the example of Jesus Christ who was a humble servant—lowly, meek, gentle, loving, respectful, kind, forgiving, and prayerful. The faulty foundation upon which Press has built his so-called discernment ministry has led to all kinds of damage to the Body of Christ: from hurt feelings, to mass confusion, to division within the church. Press has made enemies out of friends, heretics out of faithful Christians, and targets of attack out of brothers/sisters whom he should be loving and cherishing.
Unfortunately, I myself have become one of his chosen targets. So intense have his attacks been that I have had to produce this statement on Bud Press, as well as a more in-depth response to his charges against me in the previous blog of mine titled: Hatred, Slander, Malice: Introducing Bud Press & Tim Wirth.
In closing, I offer a quote that appears on the Bulldog’s very own website: “Truth will stand up to investigation.” For once I agree with something Press has said. This, in fact, is one of the few things he has ever stated that is indeed accurate.
I pray for Press and hope that one day the Bulldog will hang up his guns and uniform, then unclench his jaws, understanding that there is a better way; a more godly way; a biblical way to defend the faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
Richard Abanes
PopCultureMix
I hear you are attacking Ken Silva at Apprising.
Why would you do that. Is it any different that he shares his opinions just like you do in your writing.
I have written Ken’s ISP to ask him to please remove his libelous material. That is all. It is Ken’s own stubborn spirit that is blowing this out of proportion.
And, BTW, he has broken federal law now, by posting the email I sent to his ISP. Please send an email to ken, telling him to abide by the laws of the land.
Richard Abanes
Just a piece of advice from someone who has been a target of Bud. He enjoys the battle. The worst thing you can do to him is ignore him. The more you argue with him the more it validates his actions. He ends up feeling like the victim.
Go forth with your ministry. Don’t defend yourself. Let the ministry stand on its own merits. Few people take guys like Bud seriously. His very attitude and approach usually turns people off.
He lives in a very sad world where he sees evil everywhere. Sure there’s evil out there, but also a lot of good.
Take care and don’t let him get to you or sidetrack you from your ministry. You don’t have to respond to his attacks, just hang in there with what the Lord has for you to do.
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
Hey!
Bud Press is just fooling around. God bless you brother.
I hope you dont mind I copied and pasted your interesting article on Western Standar?
In Christ Jesus!
Pontus J. Back
Ambassador For Jesus Christ motorcycle ministry
Mr. Abanes, I agree our example to follow is Jesus, including when He exposed the fakers, the charlatans, the sheep fleecers, the perverters of His Father’s Word when He cleansed the temple of the money changers. I recently have left my church home of 16 years because of invasion by false prophets, apostles, and those who seek to deceive the sheep through lying signs and wonders. I do not intend to join myself to another compromising church, therfore I am researching to find an unpolluted group to gather together with. I find Mr. Press’ website to be extremely helpful in that endeavor. I have not read his evaluation of you or your ministry, however, I have seen his zeal for scriptural soundness in his writings, and appreciate his thoroughly documenting the evidence, measuring it against the plumbline of the Word of God.
Hello Geri,
Unfortunately, I have found Mr. Press to be inconsistent in both his research and methods. I have also found him to be far more confrontational and antagonistic than is necessary.
Although he might give the appearance of someone who uses God’s Word to measure the view of others, what he often falls into is nothing short of witch hunting. He certainly gets it right at various places here and there when it comes to some people/groups about which he writes. But he uses a sledgehammer to attack everyone, rather than a scalpel to operate cautiously and carefully — and that is his problem, IMHO.
Feel free to investigate my website and the books/articles I have written regarding doctrine, the Christian faith, defending Christianity, apologetics, world religions, and cults. I would only give you a word of caution as you read through the Internet — i.e., don’t believe everything you read, especially when it comes to some of these Online Discernment Ministry (so-called)people who have made it their self-righteous crusade to attack just about anyone/everyone as a heretic if they disagree with them on the least of issue. And when there is nothing of true substance to attack, they invent problems by ripping words out of context and twisting/perverting facts. Please, I pray, be careful.
I wish you all the best in your pursuit of a good, sound, biblical church. You might want to look up a Calvary Chapel in your area.
Richard Abanes