The Boar’s Head Tavern FAQ

1. What is the BHT?

It’s a group blog where about 30 Christians talk about whatever interests them.

2. Who owns it?

Michael Spencer owns and moderates the BHT, but the actual responsibilities are shared by several members.

3. What do you believe?

We are all Christians, of one kind or another. Our number includes a Roman Catholic, Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, Epicopalians, Christian Church, non-denoms and probably some other sorts.

The closest thing we’ve ever come to a “statement of faith” is BHT rule 9:

9. Though we begin with an assumption that anyone’s profession of Christianity is true, denials of essential tenets of the Christian faith- such as those affirmed in the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds- will certainly cause discussion and analysis in the bar. If you apply a label to yourself, expect to be scrutinized based on the expectations that people have about that label. If you dispute their expectations with panache, your contribution to Tavern life will be appreciated. If you don’t dispute their expectations, but agree that you’re not meeting them, and insist that the label applies, you’re being silly, and you will be taunted.

4. Do you all know each other?

Aside from the friendships formed because of the blog, there are very few “real world” relationships on the BHT. We live all over the country. We do occasionally meet, and some of the BHTers see one another semi-regularly.

5. How can a person become a member?

Write Michael, but the line is long and he’s increasingly picky. If he is interested, he will ask for a personal/theological biography, and possibly discuss it with other members. At this point, theological diversity is important, so Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and other minorities are moved to the head of the line.

6. Why do some people leave?

Most commonly, people are removed for non-posting or leave for personal reasons. Some members have been removed for breaking rules, but that’s rare. Some have left because they felt they couldn’t keep up or contribute.

7. How long has this been going on?

We began in February of 2002. Most of the original members are still part of the discussion, at least occasionally.

8. What is (jn)?

It is an in-house symbol for sarcasm. “SW” is an in-house symbol for humor.

9. What is the language rule?

BHT rules state that the bar is moderated- generously- with a PG-13 rule. The moderator actively moderates along those lines, but he has been defeated by Jim on more than one occasion.

10. Who or what are TRs?

TRs are the “Truly Reformed,” which refers to Calvinists who play the role of theological watchbloggers over other Christians. TRs function as the Barny Fife’s of the Christian blogosphere.

11. What is BHT Christmas?

An annual gift exchange among BHT members.

12. Who are “Van Til” and “Relentless Optimist?”

Fictional personas of the moderator. Van Til is the BHT’s Magic Tail Chasing Dog, and The Relentless Optimist is a kind of missionary sent to get us to be more civilized and cheerful.

13. What is BHT rule 40?

History

14. Are you Calvinists or Reformed?

About half and half. We are not a “reformed” site. We are the most diverse community of Christians on the web, as far as we know. Most of us are “reformation” types of one kind or another.

15. Are you “emerging church” Christians?

That’s a tag certain TRs have given us. There are a handful of “emerging” types at the BHT, but most of us aren’t really sure what emerging means and the BHT certainly has plenty of critics of the EC.

16. Why do some blogs dislike the BHT so much?

Our aromatic aftershave and pipe tobacco are the envy of the blogosphere.

Seriously, because we are independent thinkers and generally unafraid to disagree with various papal bull in the world of evangelicalism, I suppose. We aren’t one of those blogs that monitors James White’s chat room all day to see what to go and say next. We dare to criticize the big dogs, which makes us dangerous.

17. Do you endorse everything said in the BHT? Or on the banner quotes?

Ha ha ha ha. Uh…no.

18. Who are the Knights of Reformed Orthodoxy?

I don’t know, but they have a great song.

19. Do Reformed Baptists have female bishops?

Yes, they do. Free-range female Bishops.

20. Is there real beer being swilled in the BHT?

Only at our daily toast to Team Pyro.