Dave Miller

This seemed as though it was worthy of a follow-up article. Dr. Rainer responded to Robert Downen (one of the best religion journalists in America) of the Houston Chronicle. His response is even more troubling, calling LifeWay's actions into question. It seems as though LifeWay is jumping to the lawsuit without much of an effort at all to find a more Christ-honoring and irenic way to solve it. The Chronicle is running a special (99 cents for 12 weeks - well worth it). Sign up if you want to read the article, but here is Rainer's statement. I was saddened to learn late yesterday of the … [Read more...] about Rainer’s Response Makes Mandrell’s LifeWay Lawsuit MORE Troubling

The SBC is sounding plenty of sour notes these days - political roilings and wranglings, theological false accusations, racial unrest, schism, and discord abounding. In an environment such as this, the icing on the cake would seem to be another lawsuit between prominent Southern Baptists. Just what 2020 ordered, right? Last night, I was given a PDF of a lawsuit originating from Ben Mandrell and LifeWay against the former president, Thom Rainer. It was filed yesterday. I'm not sure how clear my COVID-infested brain is and so I'm reticent to opine on legal issues on which I claim no expertise … [Read more...] about Why Is Ben Mandrell (and LifeWay) Suing Thom Rainer?

Life always gets in the way of blogging, and it has happened again. I started a series a few weeks ago called “Building Better Baptists.” My premise is that our problems are not denominational or structural, but heart problems. Today, I read a Facebook post in which a pastor accused our president of defunding the IMB. If you know anything about J.D. Greear, you know his church is our most active in sending missionaries and funding the IMB, yet this pastor had no guilt about publicly posting an accusation against the character and integrity of this man of God. This kind of false accusation is … [Read more...] about Building Better Baptists: Forging a Solution

I’ve tried to avoid rants recently, but sometimes us old codgers (after Sunday, I’m one year more codgery after all) just need to codger. Our president, J.D. Greear just announced the theme for the 2021 convention in Nashville. We should be rejoicing that there are VOWELS in it, but I saw several people grousing about his chosen theme, “We Are Great Commission Baptists.” Back in the dark ages, we appointed a name-change committee to see about the possibility of changing from being the SBC to something more reflective of who we had become – a nationwide Baptist convention. We ran into two … [Read more...] about We Are Great Commission Baptists – I HOPE!

Southwestern Seminary and Baylor are suing the Harold E. Riley Foundation and its trustees over what they allege is an illegal attempt to divert funds from the schools contrary to the foundation's purpose and bylaws. I skimmed the lawsuit and read the story, but I cannot pretend to have an in-depth knowledge of the facts of this case. You can read the full story in the Religion News Service story on the lawsuit, by Bob Smietana. The lawsuit itself is available in PDF form. The suit alleges that the Riley Foundation was established in 2002 to provide funds for SWBTS and Baylor, granting the two … [Read more...] about SWBTS, Baylor, Sue over Alleged Patterson Attempt to Change Foundation Funding

It is no secret that we Southern Baptists are in a bit of a statistical funk and since we venerate statistics as we do, our numerical decline has been the source of great weeping and wailing, and of course, finger-pointing. Every year, the ACP statistics drop shortly before the SBC annual meeting and we don sackcloth and ashes to bemoan the slide. The idealism of the Conservative Resurgence has not panned out. We believed that when we turned our convention “Back to the Bible” and grounded it once again in inerrancy, all good things would follow. Since evangelism is rooted in sound theology … [Read more...] about Building Better Baptists: SBC Decline is Older than I Am

The signs have been there for some time. I am not talking about Jerry Falwell, Jr.'s political involvement, with which many of us disagreed, but his demeanor, words, and behavior which gave rise to serious questions as to whether he possessed the requisite character and spiritual maturity to serve as president of Liberty. My issues with Jerry, Jr began early, when a controversy arose about Glenn Beck (a Mormon) speaking at Liberty convocation. I did not have a problem with Beck speaking (in an academic setting, exposing students to different viewpoints is helpful) as much as what Jerry said … [Read more...] about When Will We Learn?

An Allegory  The BBBCC brain trust was deep in conversation and frustrations were running high. For decades, they had been the premiere denominational construction company, building a Baptist convention that was the envy of other denominations. Its headquarters were an architectural wonder, its schools the envy of the world. It had great convention edifices in states throughout the South, with successful building projects both here at home and in foreign lands. The Building Better Baptists Construction Company was an example to the entire Christian construction world. As time went on, … [Read more...] about Building Better Baptists: An Allegory

I was furious last night after reading a statement by a friend on Facebook. He repeated the lies being promoted within the SBC, accusations against the doctrinal fidelity and spiritual integrity of our officers, professors, and some key leaders. He is a good man with no ill intent. He is lodging these accusations because he has been led to believe that false charges are true. People he respects say these things without conscience or concern and he believes them. Another friend said something in a private conversation a few days ago that roused me at first, but made me begin to think. … [Read more...] about Calling Out the Call-Out Culture

I woke up a couple of hours ago and I already wish I hadn't! That's perhaps a bit extreme, but it has been a gloomy 120 minutes. I got a call from our oldest member that his wife had died and since I'm about to leave on vacation to see my newest grandson, my schedule is in a tizzy. I'm in talks with my Sunday Leader about whether to open up our Sunday School ministry at the start of the school year and again I am confronted with the fact that I just don't have a clue! There are those who seem to know exactly what to do at every moment, self-assured to the core. I'm not blessed with such … [Read more...] about Ministry in a Pandemic is Wearing This Old Codger Down