On Wes Huff & Daniel McClellan

From Wes Huff writing in response to Dan McClellan & McClellan’s attempt to undermine Wes’ credibility —- & in our (the members, deacons, & elders of PAPC) unanimous opinion —- the words & work of his critics & other opponents, the Bible itself included…

I take the concerns about plagiarism in my written work seriously. Honesty and integrity matter deeply to me, and not correctly crediting others’ work, in any setting, falls short of those standards. 

I’m committed to full accountability and am walking closely through this with my pastor, church elder board, and the Apologetics Canada Board of Directors.

Right now, my family’s priority is caring for our young daughter as she recovers at home following her recent hospitalization. I’m very grateful for the support and prayers we’ve received. I will be stepping back from further public comment while the Apologetics Canada Board conducts its thorough review.

We thank the LORD for this statement &, for providentially allowing this entire affair, including Wes’ actions when he was younger, insofar as this confluence of events has led us here today. 

The far greater issue than Wes’ actions in the past & present is that Dan McClennan’s actions have only served to expose him as the petty, picayune, & intellectually bankrupt, hypocritical person he really is.    Wes shows all the signs of being teachable, whereas McClellan has only further confirmed what a horrible person he really is.  

Speaking for myself & a representative number of the members of my session with whom I spoke over coffee a day or 2 ago,  I/we personally don’t understand why anyone should take him seriously.   

 

His thesis @ Exeter conduces to “I’ve done some work in cognitive  science & applied it to a number of concepts about God, the ark of the covenant, divine messengers,  &tc & to the language of the Hebrew Bible, Torah included. 

In other words, “Why bother with plain old fashioned Grammatical- Historical Exegesis & Exposition, when you too could have your very own version of my brand new super secret decoder ring you too would understand what the Bible &/or concepts like God, the ark of the covenants, angels, &tc ought to be understood.”  

What’s more, Dan McClellan has made his opinions known about the oh so certain about the Bible & Bible thumpers (especially those whom he considers his opponents).   

1. On the one hand he likes to remind his audience that those who think & speak with that level of certitude/certainty ought not be taken as seriously as he believes he himself should, insofar as when the Bible thumpers do what they do & say what they say, they are just projecting their own cognitive biases about the Bible & concepts about God, ethics, &tc & broadcasting what maladroit readers & poor theogians &/or scholars they really are.

2. Yet on the other hand, we should trust him because he’s a real, serious scholar & he knows what he’s talking about, unlike his Bible thumper adversaries & other like minded individuals / groups of individuals.  

With all of that going on in the background when McClellan speaks, no wonder he felt the need to go after Wes & what he & others like him represent at this time in human history & the history of Christian Apologetics!  It’s as if McClellan knows what kind of shady person he is & how bereft of truth his own body of work really ought to be viewed & understood. 

We, the members, deacons, & elders of PAPC, thank McClellan for drawing our attention to himself, his own lack of credibility, & the lengths to which he will go to undermine his critics & others he considers a threat.  

This Is The Way!  This Is Our Prayer! 

O LORD, Hear Our Prayer(s)!