At the conclusion of a recent Chapel service at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on March 8th, I stood in line to shake Judge Paul Pressler’s hand—an iconic and venerated figure in Southern Baptist Convention life. Judge Pressler greeted me warmly, as he always does. I immediately noticed that he was visibly and emotionally shaken at my presence; and I soon discovered in our friendly, but brief, conversation the reason why. My presence reminded him of a not-so-pleasant experience for him that took place at the Annual Southern Baptist Convention that met in St. Louis this past … [Read more...] about A HILL ON WHICH [“NOT”] TO DIE: Biographical Reflections and Ruminations on the SBC and Responses to the Graham-Moore Controversy
Aren’t We Blessed?
The stories of Donald and Iris have reached perhaps their final installment. It's nothing more than an examination of what it means to be human - and redeemed - in a world that has largely forgotten you, unless it's to ensure you suffer and doubt. “We’re so blessed.” Donald turned to face Iris as she rested awkwardly in her motorized bed. Various tubes tangled with the sheets, complicating the task of helping her sit upright for a light lunch. Donald reached to smooth her hair and push her glasses further up her nose, paying more attention to Iris’ condition than her words. “We are, … [Read more...] about Aren’t We Blessed?
The Only Winning Move is Not to Win
Nearly 35 years ago, the world nearly came to an end because Matthew Broderick messed around with his 9-inch floppy disks and played a game of "Global Thermonuclear War" on a government super-computer named Joshua. Fortunately, Joshua was designed to explore all the possible scenarios and learn from its calculations. At the climax of the movie, Joshua realizes something very important. Every single option in Global Thermonuclear War ends with unacceptable losses for everyone and no one wins. Everything goes dark, then the screen pops on with these words. The only winning move is not to … [Read more...] about The Only Winning Move is Not to Win
Screwtape Letters: SBC Edition (Anonymous)
I (Dave) am doing something today I've never done before. I have previously published anonymous or pseudonymous articles for reasons I thought were valid, but I always knew the identity of the author. I received this submission today, ran it past Adam and others, and decided to go ahead and run it - even though I have absolutely no idea who wrote it. I would never run a "hit piece" in this way, but this bit of pointed fiction takes a centrist position and makes some powerful points. I honestly have no idea who wrote this. Even the email submission came from an anonymous source. … [Read more...] about Screwtape Letters: SBC Edition (Anonymous)
Frank Page Is Not Asking Russell Moore to Resign – Update: Positive Joint Statement Released After Meeting
This morning a Washington Post article detailed the history of the opposition to Russell Moore. The article contained a summary of the situation and a look at the current dynamics at play. In many ways, the article fairly represented the situation. However, there was at least one aspect that led to the completely wrong conclusion and ended up exploding on social media. Bailey wrote that Page would not rule out asking Russell Moore to resign during a private meeting they had scheduled for this afternoon. The moment I read that sentence, I sensed something wasn't right. Frank Page knows how … [Read more...] about Frank Page Is Not Asking Russell Moore to Resign – Update: Positive Joint Statement Released After Meeting
A Bit of Nonsense
Well, there's all kind of seriousness going on in Southern Baptist life. As well there should be. A quick run-down for today would include: 10 million people as "members," meaning we acknowledge them as believers, but absent from church. A remarkable lack of ethnic diversity in too many churches. People who are allegedly "pastors" who see the role of shepherd as the one of "shear the sheep as much as possible until I can eat them." Division within and amongst us about how to accomplish the Great Commission, obey the Great Commandment, and be salt and light in a sin-soaked … [Read more...] about A Bit of Nonsense
Important Statements of Support for Russell Moore
The past week has seen several notable statements of support for Dr. Moore's continued leadership at the ERLC. We've covered most of them in individual posts but I thought it might be helpful to compile some of the most important here together. Yesterday morning, Matt Chandler tweeted a strong word of support: "@drmoore was 1 of the reasons @villagechurchtx re engaged in Southern Baptist life. Hope they don't now force out a man we love". Chandler is another leader many younger Southern Baptists hold in high esteem and I haven't known him to make many public statements about this kind of … [Read more...] about Important Statements of Support for Russell Moore
More SBC vocabulary notables
Dwight McKissic asks Black Baptist churches who are "considering affiliating with the Southern Baptist Convention to take a probative and aggressive approach..." Very fine term, probative and perfectly legitimate to encourage such efforts of any church considering changing or adding affiliations. McKissic's criticism is described as trenchant by one of the sites that picked up his SBC Voices article. The word (keen, sharp, articulate) is one of those that even if you don't know what it means, it sounds right in context. Dwight was trenchant indeed in addressing the Moore matter. And … [Read more...] about More SBC vocabulary notables
NAAF President Byron Day – Calls for Unity, Moore ‘Outstanding’ as ERLC President
David Roach at Baptist Press reported this evening that Byron Day released an open letter calling for reconciliation between Russell Moore and his critics (Article: NAAF pres. urges 'reconciliation' among Moore, critics). Day is the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Laurel, Maryland and current President of the National African American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention, a network of over 4,000 "predominately African American pastors and churches affiliated with" the SBC. Recent past presidents of the NAAF include K. Marshall Williams, Sr., and Dr. A. B. Vines, Sr. The letter … [Read more...] about NAAF President Byron Day – Calls for Unity, Moore ‘Outstanding’ as ERLC President
SBC PC: A Video Interview with Spencer Plumlee
This year’s SBC Pastor’s Conference is June 11-12 in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will feature 12 preachers who all come from average-size SBC churches. They will be preaching through the book of Philippians over the course of the two day conference. As you know, the speakers for the conference met at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for a colloquium back in February. The speakers gathered to get to know one another and study Philippians with Dr. David Allen and other preaching faculty members from SWBTS and NOBTS. I had the privilege of attending the colloquium, and one … [Read more...] about SBC PC: A Video Interview with Spencer Plumlee