After six years camping on this domain and debating what to do with it, now is the time to launch.
History: In May 2001 I sat in Togos noshing on a pastrami reuben while trying to come up with a cool name for a personal web site; a name that did not personally identify me. Many domain names are noun-based, but I wanted something with a verb, or at least based on a verb. My snarky pseudo-intellectual side wanted something Greek or Latin, since most of the content here would relate to Christian theology or philosphy. I asked, “How do you say ‘to say‘ something in Greek? or Latin?” After a while I came to “eloquor” which in Latin means something like “to express.” After a dozen lame attempts at conjugating “eloquor” it struck me: eloquorium, a place of expression. Eloquoirum! It sounded so smooth, but even better, no one owned the domain name yet! Finding an unowned domain wasn’t easy, even back in 2001; about 35,000 domains a day were being registered.
Distinctives: I never intended Eloquorium to be the typical Christian blog. In topic and tone, always wanted it to be edgy and engaging. More Mark Driscoll than Al Mohler. This represents an intentional departure from the sterilized “safe for the whole family” extra-Bibilcal moralism that governs the content of most Christian blogs.
Future: I have a few ideas where I want to go with this site. Initially, this will be my own personal Wittenberg Door; the place to nail my jeremiads and banter. But I’m considering another route, as I may open the site to other Christian authors. The so-called “team blog” concept has many attractions, but I’d lose the personal flavor of the site, too. But one of the driving reasons I may open the site to both regular and guest authors is to allow these individuals to post/discuss things that they can’t talk about on their normal “Christian” blog. Perhaps they have something to say, but don’t want their blog attacked by the growing number of self-appointed, vicious, watch-bloggers. I know there are Godly Christian bloggers out there who want to say controversial things, but don’t want their blog blacklistsed and blasted. Thought I haven’t yet decided to open Eloquorium to other writers, I do want to see them have a voice and use that voice without fear.
I have encountered your blog through your recent writing wrt JMc on Challies blog. I tend to agree with you but am still wondering why you write so anonymously. Maybe you can write to me (an Australian)….. you know my email address already.
Hi anonymous down sub. Thanks for the follow. Sadly, it look like Tim Challies has resorted to deleting my post. A friend of mine was viewing it, reloaded the page, and it was gone. So I know it was out there and know when it was removed. I may have other words on that action, but I’ve contacted him private (haven’t heard back yet) to ask him about it.
As for why I chose Eloquorium.com and write under the nom-de-plume of “Eloquorius”, there are several reasons. Initially I had plans to open this up as a group blog or possibly a front door to a larger media site, hence the use of a coined latin word meaning “a place of expression.” But I also write under a screen name because in today’s viciously politically correct environment employers are starting to fire employees for things said online — even in their private life and/or about non-work matters. Employers regularly use tools like Google to research new employees. Needless to say that as a believer in the Bible, traditional marriage and gender roles, the existence of Hell for those who reject Christ, etc., employers in my area look at such view as downright Nazi-like. Corporate America (and I suspect in other Western cultures) is controlled by the hard left wing, and they hate what we stand for. In recent years it’s become standard practice to Google potential employees for unofficial pre-screening. That’s big part of why I use a screen name. Am I a coward? I don’t think so, at least no more so than any cowardice demonstrated by Christians in persecuted lands who meet secretly and communicate anonymously. Besides, is my name important? Probably not.