This was originally posted on Griffin's website, Contra Mundum (griffingulledge.com). It is reposted here with permission. Disclaimer: During my time in Louisville, Denny Burk was the associate pastor of the church where I was a member. We maintain a friendly relationship to this day, and this post should be read as no exception to that. I spent some time yesterday reading and thinking about Denny Burk’s recent reflections posted on his blog entitled “The Dead-end of Research Justice.” Burk can always be relied upon to interrogate the demands of an ever-secularizing culture on … [Read more...] about On Diverse Reading Lists: A Friendly Response to Denny Burk (Griffin Gulledge)
SBC Issues
“I don’t see how a Christian could vote for…”
Large majorities of various Christian sub-groups (classify by race, by region, and other means) vote either Republican or Democratic. While I understand the presence of an escape hatch to the statement ("I don't see"), can a pastor effectively minister to a congregation that has mixed political constituencies? I don't see how. Could some of the brain trust persuade me otherwise. I can see a categorical personal statement, e.g. "I will not vote for any party that supports abortion" or similar. One day, it cannot come too soon, we will be post COVID-19. One day we will be post-Trump. … [Read more...] about “I don’t see how a Christian could vote for…”
About some state conventions claim that NAMB “abandons true collaborative partnership”
Now that statement is a shot across the bow but it isn't much of a surprise or shock. About the only meaningful change wrought by the Great Conservative Resurgence Report, which blue ribbon GCR committee was chaired by Ronnie Floyd and adopted overwhelmingly (3 to 1 ratio in favor) by the SBC in annual session a decade ago, was that the North American Mission Board be "liberat[ed] to conduct and direct a strategy of reaching the United States and Canada with the Gospel and planting Gospel churches...Thus, we believe that the North American Mission Board must be refocused and unleashed for … [Read more...] about About some state conventions claim that NAMB “abandons true collaborative partnership”
James Petigru Boyce, “An Ultra Pro-Slavery Man”: A Response to Dr. Tom Nettles
When the Past Meets the Present By William Dwight McKissic, Sr. “Sitting in Broadus Chapel waiting for my Christian Preaching Class to begin. Oddly enough the man who this chapel is named after would have likely observed me as an individual that he just had to deal with or even in his own words, ‘one who belongs to a very low grade of humanity.’ As I’ve walked across the campus today, I realize that an unfortunate reality is that the attitude and heart of John A. Broadus still exists. Nevertheless, I know who I am. I know what I am. I know who I belong to. I know what I’ve been called to do … [Read more...] about James Petigru Boyce, “An Ultra Pro-Slavery Man”: A Response to Dr. Tom Nettles
To the LU Board of Trustees
To the LU Board of Trustees, I'm sure the last couple of weeks have been extremely difficult for you in your role on the board of trustees at Liberty. I trust it is your desire to lead the University forward with integrity. As a graduate of Liberty, I feel that you deserve to know my most recent thoughts. The information that continues to be revealed about Jerry and Becki Falwell's abuse of their positions at Liberty to prey on young men is absolutely disgusting. It reminds me of 1 Corinthians 5:1a where Paul writes, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and … [Read more...] about To the LU Board of Trustees
NAMB’s lengthy lawsuit; be sure and read this National Review article
NAMB, as most SBCers know, has had this long-running lawsuit going. They are being sued by a former state convention head and strident NAMB critic. Here's a sensible and straightforward article by two attorneys with Becket, a religious liberty specialist law firm. Fifth Circuit to Decide Whether Southern Baptist Minister Can Sue Southern Baptist Ministry over Religious Dispute The Fifth Circuit will soon decide whether to reconsider a case over whether religious groups control their own internal religious matters, or if — in the words of the plaintiff — “Caesar must enter the temple to … [Read more...] about NAMB’s lengthy lawsuit; be sure and read this National Review article
What does it take to get an SBC pastor defrocked, de-ordained?
Trick question because there are no "SBC" pastors. The SBC (Executive Committee, seminaries, state convention, local associations) does not ordain clergy, Not one. Not ever. Thus, the "SBC" cannot revoke any individual's ordination. We all knew that, right? Ordination is a bit of a scandal itself in the SBC. There are no standards, no requirements, no accepted practices, no training, no apprenticeship, nothing, nothing, nothing. As an obscure, old codger blogger once (or twice, or thrice) wrote, "some SBC churches would ordain a ham sandwich." It's all about local church autonomy, of … [Read more...] about What does it take to get an SBC pastor defrocked, de-ordained?
Building Better Baptists: SBC Decline is Older than I Am
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
When Will We Learn?
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?
Hopeful for a new day at LU
You have heard by now that Jerry Falwell Jr. has resigned as the President of Liberty University. I don't need to recount for you all the sordid details that led to his forced resignation. I am a graduate of Liberty University. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Leadership and Biblical Exposition in 2010. The 3 1/2 years I spent at Liberty were some of the best years of my life. My professors were top-notch. It was at Liberty that I learned how to study the Bible and preach it to others. My love for the local church grew during my time at Liberty. I developed friendships that I … [Read more...] about Hopeful for a new day at LU