We received this letter from a friend of the NOBTS community. It was addressed to the faculty of NOBTS which was circulated around noon yesterday. After receiving the letter we contacted Dr. Dew for permission to post it here. Upon our request and our encouragement to him that this is an important statement which we believe could be a healing salve in the midst of our family strife he gave us permission to do so. Dear NOBTS & Leavell College Faculty, Greetings and Merry Christmas to you all. I hope that you are having a restful break and that you are enjoying your time with family and … [Read more...] about A Letter from Dr. Jamie Dew to the NOBTS Faculty
Baptist Faith & Message
From Boys to Men: My Response to the SBC Seminary Presidents’ CRT Statement
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.” (I Corinthians 13:11 CSB) I am often asked the question, why do I remain in the Southern Baptist Convention? A recent joint statement on race made by the six seminary presidents of the SBC has brought that question back into discussion once again. The crux of the seminary presidents’ statement is as follows: In light of current conversations in the Southern Baptist Convention, we stand together on historic Southern Baptist condemnations of racism in … [Read more...] about From Boys to Men: My Response to the SBC Seminary Presidents’ CRT Statement
On Rescinding Resolutions
I’m seeing a strange suggestion being floated around social media of late and it concerns me. Most recently in the form of a tweet from the Conservative Baptist Network. On December 3rd 2020 someone from the organization posted… The post states, in part, “Furthermore, we look forward expectantly to the presidents’ cooperation with us in rescinding Resolution 9…” I believe the suggestion of rescinding any resolution is a misguided one with significant challenges and unfortunate consequences. Likely well meaning, but concerning nonetheless. For those who have expressed concern … [Read more...] about On Rescinding Resolutions
Examining the Work of EC Chairman Mike Stone
A Resolution from Two Years Ago that Speaks to Our Present Reality
It's not the time of year we would normally talk about resolutions. But I don't think I ever posted this two years ago when our state convention passed it. Unanimously, by the way. This was months after the 2017 SBC when we ultimately passed a resolution condemning the Alt-right. Between the SBC's actions in Phoenix (June 2017) and the November annual meeting of the SBC of Virginia, the "Unite the Right" rally was held in Charlottesville. This resolution deals with the intersection of those events. Dwight McKissic's call for the SBC to speak against the Alt-right and White Supremacist … [Read more...] about A Resolution from Two Years Ago that Speaks to Our Present Reality
Friendly Fire and Elephants
I have started, deleted, and restarted this post no less than 25 times. There is a war waging inside; it’s a war between being misunderstood versus the deep felt emotion that runs through my veins. It gives my stomach a bit of a sick feeling and a slight lump in my throat. It is a physical reminder of the investment, deep care, and tension that I feel. Have you ever felt like the elephant in the room? I remember being a young 20-something in the middle of my Bible college coffee shop, and like many days, a group of guys was debating whether or not babies went to heaven or hell. I remember … [Read more...] about Friendly Fire and Elephants
Cooperation and Complexity on the Question of Women Preaching
Especially over the past year or two, I believe we’ve moved in a healthy direction. We’ve started to see more clearly the giftedness of our sisters in Christ, how much we should be honoring their service to the church, and how valuable their contribution is. Not everyone has moved in this direction, but thankfully many of us have, myself included. The SBC is complementarian in its viewpoint. That’s not in dispute. Our confession of faith says that the role of pastor (elder) is limited to men. Men and women are of equal worth, value, intelligence, competence, ability AND God intends for men … [Read more...] about Cooperation and Complexity on the Question of Women Preaching
Dr. Walter Strickland of SEBTS Details His Academic & Theological Interaction with James Cone
Today Dr. Walter Strickland posted an article giving context to statements reported by the New York Times last week. Dr. Strickland was elected First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention two years ago and has served at Southeastern Seminary for 6 years, currently as Associate Vice President for Kingdom Diversity and Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology. Dr. Strickland's statement includes some key quotes as follows: Cone, however, represents a theological shift away from that longstanding tradition despite being dubbed the “Father of Black Theology.” … [Read more...] about Dr. Walter Strickland of SEBTS Details His Academic & Theological Interaction with James Cone
Doctrinal Concerns of Southwest Baptist University Alumni
Having observed the recent controversies at our alma mater, Southwest Baptist University (SBU), a number of like-minded alumni have corresponded and determined it would be beneficial to provide alumni testimony and express our concerns regarding SBU. All of us had amicable relationships with our professors. Some of our professors welcomed us into their homes and treated us with genuine kindness and respect. These positive experiences notwithstanding, we are compelled by recent events to bring to light doctrinal concerns related to some of the Redford faculty and their teaching. We have read … [Read more...] about Doctrinal Concerns of Southwest Baptist University Alumni
Launched: SBC Women’s Leadership Network
On Monday a group of SBC women leaders launched a new initiative called the SBC Women's Leadership Network. We've heard rumblings for a month or two that something was in the works to give SBC women an avenue for networking and encouragement. The SBC Women’s Leadership Network exists to connect, equip, and encourage women leaders throughout the Southern Baptist Convention as we serve in various forms of kingdom mission. The Women's Leadership Network (WLN) has a steering committee, as listed on their website, an impressive list of SBC leaders like Kathy Litton, Carol Pipes, Amy Whitfield, … [Read more...] about Launched: SBC Women’s Leadership Network