I have to admit that I am shocked. I did not see a gracious way for that to happen. But in conference with Willy Rice, Dr. Carson has decided not to appear at the SBC Pastors’ Conference.
You can read Willy Rice’s article announcing the withdrawal here. (http://www.calvary.us/pages/page.asp?page_id=296405&articleId=48662)
I want to say two things.
1. This is probably the best possible outcome. Presidential candidates at Pastors Conferences is not a good idea.
2. I feel bad for Willy Rice. He is a good man who is in a position where he simply CANNOT please everyone.
I mean, look at this site. With our relatively small audience, I never publish anything that doesn’t bring my motives, Christianity, wisdom, ethics or sanity into question. That’s just on a blogging community.
Selecting 12 speakers for a PC at the SBC? You are doomed!
I appreciate the work Pastor Rice does and I sympathize with him for the position he has been in, even though he I strongly disagreed with the decision to invite Carson.
Let’s pray that this PC will be a great blessing.
So who carried the most weight in getting us this positive outcome? Was it Bart and SBC Voices or the whippersnapper at Baptist 21? Perhaps they are an unstoppable 1-2 punch of common sense. Bart Barber for PC President, supported by B21 and funded by some Texas oilman with a few extra bucks?
As much as I love Voices, it was B21, which provides the forum for Mohler and Akin to address the SBC each year on the state of the SBC over lunch. Once B21 wrote about it, many from the Southern and SEBTS communities joined in. So, with B21 writing about it and others like Denny Burk speaking to it, you had an assumption that the establishment was now against it. That might not be true. It might be that Jonathan Akin all by himself had the thought yesterday morning for a blog topic. But, the perception would be that this… Read more »
I agree with Alan Cross. B21 has the ear of the Emperor.
And would he answer with, “You can call me Al”?
Just don’t call him late for supper.
I hope you are wrong Alan. I really do. If those men have opinions they should just state them.
I don’t doubt you, Alan. I just hope you are wrong.
Agreed, Dave.
I have no idea if that is right or not, Dave. Just stating why B21 might have created movement on this more than Voices did. It is all about connections or the perception of connection. This might have been all about perception and nothing more. Or maybe it was just the merit of Jonathan Akin’s post. I have no idea.
I have to say that I did not share the Voices post on my Facebook page for a couple of reasons. 1) I was embarrassed that Carson had been asked to speak at the SBC PC. I didn’t want people to know about it. 2) While I agreed with Bart’s point, there were certainly some things he said that I disagreed with. I did share the B21 post yesterday. The initial embarrassment had likely worn off. And the B21 post articulated my reasons for being opposed better than Bart’s article (not intended to be a slight against Bart). I felt… Read more »
That makes sense, Adam, and is likely the case. Like I said, I was not in favor of him speaking either. Just thinking about how people are influenced and who does the influencing.
I have no idea.
Dave Miller,
“I never publish anything that doesn’t bring my motives, Christianity, wisdom, ethics or sanity”
For the record – I have never questioned your personal ethics or your Christianity!
😉
I only question your suppory of the NY Yankees. Only good thing is you are not a SF Giants fan.
I might limit all speakers to fans of the Dodgers. It would make for a real different lineup at the PC.
I’ll shoot you my email. Go Blue!
Did you all know that Woodrow Wilson on the campaign trail for the presidency of the USA was invited to speak at the FBC of Dallas, Texas, compliments of George W. Truett, and he did not turn it down. O, and he won the presidency (I think it was during his run for his first term). So why should anyone be embarrassed about Carson’s being invited to speak at the SBC Pastors Conference?
Did you enjoy Woody’s speech?
The comment above was meant as a joke but if came off jerky, I apologize. That was not my intent. I still must learn to leave my smart alec ways behind me.
I saw your apology after I wrote. That is the trouble with instantaneous communications. No chance for reflection and restatement in more socially acceptable terms. The Press, then the newspaper, then radio, then tv, now the internet. It is almost more than a quick wit can bear.
Of course not. He was managed by Col. House, the representative of the conspiracy. Tsk! Such poor Ironies as we have to endure in these days.
Oh, wow.
President Jimmie Carter spoke to the SBC….now that was a proud moment 🙂