tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post7352170427724682094..comments2024-03-10T03:46:08.735-05:00Comments on <center>Istoria Ministries Article Archive</center>: Austin Davis, Covenant Presbyterian, and the Present Day Battle of Nashville, TennesseeWade Burlesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01968442835088008681noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-76636886662742243242023-04-15T00:07:24.167-05:002023-04-15T00:07:24.167-05:00It turns out when the school thought he was a poss...It turns out when the school thought he was a possible shooter back in 2006 they were on the money. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02117800988921401998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-3749716587492316162021-07-21T00:39:19.592-05:002021-07-21T00:39:19.592-05:00I met this beautiful kind hearted soul tonight. Th...I met this beautiful kind hearted soul tonight. The pain in this mans face would break your heart in a million pieces. His faith in God after everything he has been through has shaken me to my core. As you read this …. Here is one thing I can tell you. He is a man of god and a blessing to all who meet him. As my meeting him was brief…. And a handshake that I had chills pass through my body as I could feel his pain. We have to put a end to these cult churches! It’s running rampant throughout the state of TN. Being covered up by the legal system & politicians. If you will follow this story #freedomforgracie #justiceforgrant<br />Thank you Mr. Davis you are in my thoughts and prayers. Bridgethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13453425712067073403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-33152773118676118862017-12-14T11:24:59.922-06:002017-12-14T11:24:59.922-06:00I was friends with Austin years ago when he was wr...I was friends with Austin years ago when he was writing that first book in Memphis. I remember reading parts of it. Even then, definitely a young man of character. Our family left the PCA years ago, witnessing a hardness, not to the degree Austin has experienced, but a lack of compassion for sure. Would love to know how his family is faring now. ~Missy Wallace Smithmelissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07239376501783744106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-86566446458770537742017-02-27T21:48:41.192-06:002017-02-27T21:48:41.192-06:00I was a member of a PCA church for approximately t...I was a member of a PCA church for approximately twelve years but eventually became discouraged and left. My impression was that the denomination thrived on, and even yearned for, conflict. There seemed to be an endless series of whipped-up battles, both internal and external, that consumed much of the intellectual energy of our churches. Our pastor was a good man who genuinely dreaded Presbytery meetings for this very reason. In the early 2000's that presbytery (Westminster) adopted a rule that a man could only be ordained a deacon or elder if he professed belief in a young universe created in six literal 24-hour days. Adherence to a "highly reformed" theology took precedence over everything. I still love the people, but frankly I'm mighty relieved to be done with the PCA.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-44320846103338019182017-02-11T19:53:50.107-06:002017-02-11T19:53:50.107-06:00My question is....if Austin Davis wins does Burles...My question is....if Austin Davis wins does Burleson get a share of the profits. <br /><br />It Certainly appears to be so. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14019755506107175637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-69929977772234184982017-02-11T19:50:31.219-06:002017-02-11T19:50:31.219-06:00Finally the truth emerges. Austin Davis deliberate...Finally the truth emerges. Austin Davis deliberatedly bankrupted because his family owed thousands of dollars from elaborate purchases he couldn't repay his personal debts. The only out was for him to declare bankruptcty and claim he was a professional victim in order to extort money from Covenant, Harpeth Hall, Jennifer Doe and now Westminster Chapel so he can live in the lap of luxury.<br /><br />Austin Davis is a CON ARTIST,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-5898416310553874382016-04-25T16:57:59.737-05:002016-04-25T16:57:59.737-05:00FINALLY, the truth emerges. Austin staged this in ...FINALLY, the truth emerges. Austin staged this in order to collect $35 million dollars.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-35963627036074279932015-08-01T11:32:17.928-05:002015-08-01T11:32:17.928-05:00Robert (and a few others) don't seem to know t...Robert (and a few others) don't seem to know the definition of libel and asked Wade to take down this post. I found Robert's request curious, since he claimed no affiliation with the Presbyterians. Why did Robert end up at this blog when there are plenty of others he could be reading? <br /><br />Here is the definition of libel from The Wartburg Watch, and Dee and Deb, to keep in mind since Robert got it all legally wrong.<br /><br />"In order to be guilty of libel in the US, 2 criteria need to be fulfilled. 1. The person making the comment must know that they are lying. Then, 2. They must be lying for the sake of causing harm to another person. Also, if someone is a public figure, the bar raises even higher. <br /><br />From this point forward, if someone wishes to say that the Deebs can be sued for what they said or that one or more of our readers can be sued for what they said, the commenter must prove that the person who is making the comment is lying and that they know they are lying and that they are doing it to cause harm to the person who is thee object of their lies. <br /><br />We have been blogging for almost 6 years. We are well aware of the meaning of these words. Unfortunately some of our readers are not. We consider accusing people of libelous threats to be out of line UNLESS there is some proof of that statement. Idle threats are not welcome here."<br /><br />And more from The Digital Media Law Project at Harvard University:<br />http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/defamation<br /><br />From, <br />Out WestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-61717067810611606292015-06-12T01:17:14.148-05:002015-06-12T01:17:14.148-05:00The man who admitted to molestation and was kicked...The man who admitted to molestation and was kicked out of the church in 2010 has been publicly identified. He is an author and ghost writer named John Perry. He's ghosted and or co-authored for people like Mike Huckabee, John MacArthur, Richard Land, Roy Moore etc.<br /><br />On Buzzfeed, Perry responded to their query about the alleged child molestation and slammed Austin Davis. <br /><br />"Thank you for getting in touch. I haven’t read the article but have heard about it.<br />I don’t have anything to say for the record, but will tell you that the person behind it has been pursuing a vendetta against his former church for years and this story is one of the means he has used. Having failed there, he has evidently turned his attention elsewhere.<br />I will also tell you that whatever private difficulties there may have been, the parties involved were reconciled and restored years ago, for which I thank God every day."<br /><br />http://tinyurl.com/q9ecydj<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-69233917955865492212015-06-11T21:38:08.191-05:002015-06-11T21:38:08.191-05:00You all seem not to have addressed the most critic...You all seem not to have addressed the most critical element of this entire situation: <br /><br />"In the summer of 2007, a youth worker at Covenant Presbyterian was told by a high school junior-to-be that she had been repeatedly sexually molested by her adopted father when she was a young girl. This youth worker reported the allegations of abuse to a pastor at Covenant Presbyterian and confirms that pastoral staff at Covenant knew of the abuse allegations in 2007. For several months the adopted father of the girl, a man who happened to be a church officer at Covenant and the owner of 'the safe house' where the pastors placed the four children of Greg Lurie in the spring of 2002 without Greg Lurie's knowledge, repeatedly denied that he had sexually molested his minor adopted daughter."<br /><br />"However, at some point in early 2008, around the time Austin Davis was willing 'for the sake of peace' to sign a statement that he would "never challenge ... or dissent with (Covenant Presbyterian) leadership again," the father of the girl 'confessed' to church officers his acts of child molestation. The confessed child molester was assisted by Covenant leadership to enter a sexual treatment clinic."<br /><br />Due to arrogance and heavy handedness of the church leadership, four young children were kidnapped and placed IN THE HOME OF A CHILD MOLESTER, who later confessed to molesting his own daughter. If this doesn't tell you that there are problems in the church leadership, I don't know what would. Yes, yes, I know that the molestation allegations were in the future, but who would even think to do such a thing? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-35814846098556984652015-05-27T21:42:53.452-05:002015-05-27T21:42:53.452-05:00If what Austin's actions have no credibility a...If what Austin's actions have no credibility and should be blown off in your opinion, then it is interesting that you are still posting on here over a year later. So, what is your concern other than fear of truth?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-12640710626912982172015-05-27T16:36:05.363-05:002015-05-27T16:36:05.363-05:00Can you say gas lighting? The corruption from the...Can you say gas lighting? The corruption from the church and local government has made Nashville a laughing stock. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-89112070412326023212015-05-22T17:45:37.330-05:002015-05-22T17:45:37.330-05:00There's two sides to the story. Austin Davis o...There's two sides to the story. Austin Davis obtained my email address illegally and began his assault on my privacy over this story. Clearly the man is suffering from a mental illness as the church has done every thing right and Davis will not let it go. Now he is attacking the courts for banning him from the Vanderbilt Rape trial. Austin Davis is a paranoid delusional fraud. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-75305638847679971092015-02-27T14:08:48.533-06:002015-02-27T14:08:48.533-06:00Goodness Gracious. This story is terrible.
And...Goodness Gracious. This story is terrible. <br /><br />And fwiw, I think Pastor Burleson has been fair and balanced in his presentation of what's happened.Truth Unites... and Divideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891402278361538353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-30374202596929475762014-12-14T08:37:11.900-06:002014-12-14T08:37:11.900-06:00I somehow found this blog and read this post about...I somehow found this blog and read this post about Covenant. It is strange as about 2 weeks ago I mentioned to my husband that a family at Covenant had been brought to my mind. We haven't attended Covenant since 2000. We only attended there for 1 yr. Our daughter was 4-5 at the time. <br /><br />I couldn't remember their names but could see their daughter's face and remembered how nice they were. Then we were watching some old VHS tapes of ours and on one was my daughter's 5th bday and there at the party was Daisy and her mother. I told my husband "look there's Daisy. Remember her now?" and once he saw the video he did. <br /><br />I commented to him about how from all of the people we met/knew at Covenant Presbyterian, that family was the only family that I remember. They were so nice to us. Nice to my daughter; nice to me. They both were Godly, sweet, honest, salt of the earth people. <br /><br />Then I came across this blog and as I read I couldn't help but be sad as I read it. <br /><br />A very similar thing happened to us in a PCA church in Mid TN after we left Covenant and attended a church closer to our home. The details are different but the reaction from the paster and elders at the church we were at were the same. The difference in our situation was that we completely left that church and never looked back. (there are many other details very similar that I won't go into here). <br /><br />I don't know why exactly this family was put on my mind 2-3 weeks ago and then I find this blog, but I believe that God led me here,and the He put them on my mind for a reason if for no other reason than to pray for them. I am not in touch with them at all and they may not even remember my family and my daughter Corinne, but if you are in touch with them, please let them know that God has put them on my mind and that I am praying for them and I believe God has not turned his back on them. <br />Reshanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-19401970408774717552014-11-12T08:14:43.135-06:002014-11-12T08:14:43.135-06:00I visited this blog after first commenting several...I visited this blog after first commenting several months ago, and am surprised to find that there are people defending Covenant's actions because of the rulings in Mr. Davis' lawsuit.<br /><br />If you read the motions to dismiss and the court's opinions, they do not address whether Mr. Perry confessed child abuse to the church staff which the church failed to report to the police, and which the church did not get around to acting on until 2010, some 2 or 3 years later.<br /><br />That is the central issue in this saga.<br /><br />Austin Davis is clearly upset by the facts recorded in minutes of the July 8 combined elders and deacons meeting, which has a police officer attending. That meeting shows that the church leaders are all upset about a guy (Davis) who is writing a bunch of bothersome emails. But the minutes show that the church is not at all concerned with the illegal behavior of Mr. Perry. If they had been, the minutes would record that the actions of Mr. Perry were a top concern and that the Metro officer was advised, or something along that line.<br /><br />I have invited those who disagree with my observations to present some facts here that would correct the record. They have not. I have friends who are members at Covenant. They knew nothing of Perry in the 2007-2010 time frame. They received notice in 2010 that he was being kicked out for "heinous and repetitive sins" against his family, but they did not understand that at the time.<br /><br />It is abundantly clear from the record that for some reason Covenant did not act on Perry (a real threat and criminal) and put all this attention on Davis, whom as best I can tell is merely an email writing pest that the people at Covenant discount anyway.<br /><br />Again, I am open to some explanation. But to date, none is being offered.<br /><br />The fact that the lawsuit was filed too late (statute of limitations) or that Mr. Davis' lawyer did not artfully put enough facts in the Complaint to state a claim is not an exoneration on the facts surrounding these matters.<br /><br />The court has never reached the central topic of this post - Covenant's failure to report child sexual abuse and allowing an unreported sexual predator on the church campus for 2 to 3 years.<br /><br />The court's decisions, whatever they may be, regarding whether Austin Davis can recover money from the church for wrongdoing done toward him, is the not dispositive issue.<br /><br />If anyone on here can shed some light on this and correct the record, I would very much appreciate that.<br /><br />But to claim that the post is slander and all, without offering any explanation as to why, is not a very good defense.<br /><br />And I believe that Wade contacted the church and asked to meet with the pastor before this post was put up to give him an opportunity to respond and provide information.<br /><br />My understanding is that the pastor declined that opportunity. <br /><br />My belief is because the pastor has no facts that will rebut the fact that the church failed to report a child sexual predator, that they allowed the predator to roam the halls of the church for 2-3 years and only kicked him out after Austin discovered what had happened and told a new elder, and that the church focused all of its attention on Austin Davis because he was a loud, brash and insistent trouble maker.<br /><br />If someone has facts to the contrary, PLEASE present them.<br /><br />LouisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-67079602281958853092014-09-07T08:43:09.112-05:002014-09-07T08:43:09.112-05:00The questions to be answered are: (1) Why is the P...The questions to be answered are: (1) Why is the PCA and Covenant covering up child sex abuse? (2) Why is Harpeth Hall supporting that cover-up?<br /><br />It appears that the PCA and Covenant have labeled women as sub-human beings and that Harpeth Hall agrees. On top of all that the Nashville Government (who failed to do anything about it) seemingly supports the cover-up.<br /><br />I've seen Austin's documents and it is a cover-up by the courts, the churches, and the school. Hopefully, the Supreme Court is not corrupt.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-63988486561664371092014-09-04T15:41:00.699-05:002014-09-04T15:41:00.699-05:00Hey Robert,
Taking the post down could mean admitt...Hey Robert,<br />Taking the post down could mean admitting error by Rev. Burleson. Now that takes a lot of courage. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-37090971738492249712014-08-30T14:26:29.908-05:002014-08-30T14:26:29.908-05:00I'm amazed that libelous comments like the one...I'm amazed that libelous comments like the one above is allowed to remain from the Anonymous commentor. I'm sure Rev. Burleson is familiar with most PCA churches and know that they are not "incredibly liberal" nor are they "promoters of the homosexual supporting agenda." The problem is that this whole post is full of libel, slander and hearsay. It should be taken down. Robert Avantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-25131886424934755502014-08-07T22:08:50.812-05:002014-08-07T22:08:50.812-05:00Harpeth Hall covered up enough rapes already. I...Harpeth Hall covered up enough rapes already. I'm not hearing anything about those anymore. It looks like Harpeth and Covenant are cut from the same mold. Both should be shut down and turned into drive-thru McDonalds because they are apparently all ran by the same promoters of the homosexual supporting agenda. Both are incredibly liberal, The Lord is a side show, and money is their God. Recipe for destruction. Learn a lesson from the Romans. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-87769654262157966102014-08-03T22:06:59.055-05:002014-08-03T22:06:59.055-05:00I'm not from Nashville and have no other conne...I'm not from Nashville and have no other connection to Covenant other than the fact that they are PCA. I've taken the time to look at Mr. Davis' document and find them completely unconvincing. If anything you see a church driven by Mr. Davis' paranoia. It's also telling by what's not included in the documents. What about presbytery records? Unlike Baptist congregational ism there is an appeal process beyond the local church. Why is there no mention of it in this post? Surely Rev. Burleson has some understanding of the process in Presbyterianism. Why no effort by Rev. Burleson to talk to others who may be familiar with the case at a presbytery level? Rev. Burleson if you can take the time to write a lengthy post then surely you can take the time to talk to others. This is why I advised Rev. Burleson in fairness to take this post down. But if you are unwilling to do that then at least talk to others who may know why this case failed at a presbytery and General Assembly level. As it stands now this post is gossip. <br />Robert Avantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-36423624355243317372014-07-29T23:56:57.740-05:002014-07-29T23:56:57.740-05:00Have you tried to throw money at him? I'm sure...Have you tried to throw money at him? I'm sure the PCA has quite a bit. That's usually a good start when you screw a guy over using relational restoration. Too much pride going on here for the wrong reasons, no one man is worth keeping around so he can feast on power. The Lord gives us brains so use them. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-2043093618079142242014-07-29T20:12:13.792-05:002014-07-29T20:12:13.792-05:00I find it interesting that Covenant and its member...I find it interesting that Covenant and its members retain concern over the article and continue to post. The guilty usually return to the scene of the crime. While they may have an interest in protecting their rep in their small community of small-minded people there is such a concept of accountability, which Covenant never seems to own up to under its so called leadership which governs by fear, threats, social pressures, and psychological warfare. The Nazis and Jim Jones were successful utilizing the same concepts. <br /><br />But don't take my word for it, just go read Austin's documents he posted on his website and you will understand the animal he is dealing with. Even small lies are lies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-18505427955154712482014-07-28T20:18:08.639-05:002014-07-28T20:18:08.639-05:00Robert-
Alas, the civic appeals are not yet compl...Robert-<br /><br />Alas, the civic appeals are not yet complete. Much has been tossed out, but with at least 6 complaints filed, there's still stuff winding through the courts. Wonder if anything will be added to this article if even more is thrown out?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19615457.post-25654023228168614622014-07-28T12:04:01.742-05:002014-07-28T12:04:01.742-05:00Rev. Burleson, where do you explain the appeals pr...Rev. Burleson, where do you explain the appeals process in the PCA? Where do you show any discussion of this case at the presbytery level? Where do you interview the other side? Where do you explain the appeals process at the presbytery level or General Assembly level in the Greg Lurie case? <br /><br />There seems little understanding of Presbyterianism and the PCA in this post. I see little effort to interview anyone at Covenant. <br /><br />frankly I don't see why this is your business. Austin has exhausted the appeals process on the denominational level as well as the secular courts. No one has found any merit in his case. If there was any merit here then no one would be able to cover up that much corruption. Robert Avantnoreply@blogger.com