Twitter thread this morning from Nathan Finn, Baptist historian and Dean at North Greenville University in South Carolina. I thought this was worth compiling here for future reference and ease of access: https://twitter.com/nathanafinn/status/1407684504727080967 My dissertation was titled “The Development of Baptist Fundamentalism in the South, 1940-1980.” As a church historian and committed Southern Baptist, I thought I’d share some thoughts on our history and the current tensions within the SBC. 1/ I define fundamentalism as militant conservative dissent against progressive trends … [Read more...] about Historian Nathan Finn on SBC Fundamentalism, Then and Now
Why the Loss for an SBC Splinter Group Was Greater Than Just a Few Hundred Votes (by Michael Linton)
I know there is concern about the rise of Populist* Fundamentalism in the SBC and the push of a certain group to gain power. While this isn't going to be an exhaustive list, and I could be wrong in my optimism, I believe the tide is pretty obviously away from that group. It is also important for me to say this: I am a fundamentalist in the classic sense. I subscribe to the 5 fundamentals: the deity of Jesus the Virgin Birth penal-sub atonement the bodily resurrection biblical inerrancy So how was the agenda of the populist fundamentalist group repudiated? First, their … [Read more...] about Why the Loss for an SBC Splinter Group Was Greater Than Just a Few Hundred Votes (by Michael Linton)
So, you couldn’t get to a mic at SBC21?
Please, grow up and let's not hear so much whining. It's not a good look. Over the years dissenting groups have made plans to stack the mics with those friendly to their cause. It's part of what you get when you have a democratic mass meeting like our Annual Meeting. I don't particularly like this but I don't know of a better system than the one we use. But, what if you are really keen on a motion or resolution and feel compelled to speak to the assembly? Here's one way to do it. The best thing, perhaps the only good thing about Central Time, is that there is daylight very early. As an … [Read more...] about So, you couldn’t get to a mic at SBC21?
A history of SBC presidential elections since 2000
This year's presidential election was very close. Since I only started attending the convention in 2013, I was interested to look back and see how close previous SBC presidential elections have been. Combing through old SBC annuals is tedious, but there are a lot of interesting nuggets to be discovered. I love that Wiley Drake nominated himself for SBC President in 2011. Thus, Bryant Wright is the only SBC president since 2000 who had an opponent when he ran for re-election. As you can see below, the 2016 election between Steve Gaines and J.D. Greear was the closest over the last two … [Read more...] about A history of SBC presidential elections since 2000
Eight Key Victories in Nashville at #SBC21
#SBC21 is in the books and it's a convention we'll all remember for years to come. I went in unsure of what to expect, and came home encouraged. Here are eight key victories I believe we saw last week in Nashville. 1. Motion for convention-wide voluntary assessment of abuse Leading up to the convention, most attention was on the Gaines/Parrott motion published in the lead up to the Annual Meeting and in the aftermath of the Russell Moore letters. See #2 for more on that motion. But behind the scenes, Todd Benkert had been working for months with counsel from survivor advocates on a plan to … [Read more...] about Eight Key Victories in Nashville at #SBC21
Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
I’ve had the opportunity to attend 11 SBC Annual Meetings. This year was different than all the rest. It was the largest in 25 years with over 15,700 messengers. This was an historic meeting and I’m glad I was in the room. If you weren’t there and you followed along in the media, online, or on social media, it’s easy to find varying opinions and feel confused as to what transpired. At times it’s hard to tell what happened when you have to wade through the bias and perspective of the author. That being said, here is my perspective on what happened this week. 1. On Monday evening we … [Read more...] about Seven Reflections on #SBC21 (by Jon Glass)
Reflections on #SBC21 (by Aaron Swain)
I returned late Wednesday night from a whirlwind trip to Nashville, TN where I attended the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is the sixth annual meeting that I have attended in person. My first was in 2005. This was the largest annual meeting in 25 years, having a total of 15,726 messengers and over 20,000 total people in the building. I left Nashville physically and mentally exhausted but otherwise encouraged and optimistic. There is plenty I could share about auxiliary events, the missionaries we commissioned, and other meetings that happened. But my focus here … [Read more...] about Reflections on #SBC21 (by Aaron Swain)
Annual meeting registration and voting is basically on the honor system
Imagine that. In a meeting of followers of Christ membership and balloting relies heavily on individuals acting like, well, followers of Christ, exhibiting things like telling the truth, not being deceitful, following agreed upon rules, and the like. #SBC21 was the most important annual meeting in a generation. The attendance was higher than it had been in over 25 years. The most important vote, the presidential election, had over 13,000 votes cast and the difference between winner Ed Litton and loser Mike Stone was only 556 votes. How confident may we be about the outcome? What … [Read more...] about Annual meeting registration and voting is basically on the honor system
When Southern Baptists Share the Gospel with Democrats, You May Get Christian Democrats! Can You Handle That? (by Dale Huntington)
I grew up in a liberal family in Southern California. I belonged to the Bahá’í faith and was raised by two hippies. My grandfather was the first civil rights writer for the L.A. Times and was offered the position of press secretary for Bobby Kennedy. My mom participated in Freedom Summer in Jackson, Mississippi when she was 18 to help with voting rights for all people. So when you look up “bleeding heart liberals” in the dictionary you will see a picture of my extended family. (Probably eating tofu and picketing segregated housing.) I still cherish my dad’s favorite button which said; “Reggae … [Read more...] about When Southern Baptists Share the Gospel with Democrats, You May Get Christian Democrats! Can You Handle That? (by Dale Huntington)
What does it mean to have a voice in the SBC?
I just read an article where one of the loudest voices in the Southern Baptist Convention in recent years complained about having no voice. He said that his church gave over $200k last year to the SBC, but they feel like they do not have a voice in convention affairs. His comments caused me to ask, "What does it mean to have a voice in the SBC?" My first SBC annual meeting was in Houston in 2013. I have attended every year since. In the time since my first annual meeting, I've become deeply immersed in the work of our Southern Baptist Convention. I don't serve on any boards or committees at … [Read more...] about What does it mean to have a voice in the SBC?