A couple of important things in my life at the moment...
- My 8 year old, Jack, had surgery today. He had tubes put in his ears and his adenoids removed. It has been a long day for us and longer for my son. He's resting now, my wife is off helping our local school find a new principal, and I'm preparing for a funeral tomorrow morning.
- Ed Stetzer, Darrin Patrick, and (by default) many younger leaders in the SBC are under attack from a Missouri guy named Roger Moran. Marty Duren has the details and Joe Thorn adds some helpful thoughts. Joe writes...
This appears to be a case of guilt by association. The gist of this man’s argument is that when we work with other evangelical bodies outside of the SBC we are endorsing everything anyone does or thinks who is also a part of that organization. Were this true it would create serious problems for many of our best leaders and professors who work with other groups who differ from the SBC but remain evangelical. The whole thing would be funny if this guy wasn’t serious, and wasting everyone else’s time.
Geez it's easy to hate us. Stetzer just nailed it at the Baptist Identity Conference and then we have to get this kind of crap. No wonder I get emails weekly from disgrunted young guys who either want to leave the convention because of stupid stuff like this or who thought about joining up with the SBC but have decided they aren't wanted for various silly reasons. I will post an email soon from one of those guys.
By the way, Union U has modeled something that much of the rest of the SBC doesn't get. Instead of screaming at and snubbing bloggers they embraced us, gave opportunities for their students to meet us, and made us feel welcome and appreciated. Maybe Union should secede from the Convention? ;)
- I just received three different packages in the mail today. One dude bought me a book from Amazon, Crossway sent me a book to review, and a well-known emerging church guy just sent me a pile of books (from commentaries to the very practical). I got 14 books in all today, all for free from generous friends. Thanks much guys!
Steve, you are right. I have been thinking about having our church consider alignment with the SBC primarily because of the CP and other opportunities for networking. But honestly this stuff by Roger Moran just pisses me off. After reading it on Joe Thorn's blog I began to comment but was so angry I couldn't. I was afraid I would say something I might later regret.
Statements like Moran's makes me glad I am no longer a part of the "Southern Baptist Zion" as Paige Patterson used to call it when I was at SEBTS. I have no desire to return to the SBC. You guys can have it.
Posted by: Scott Eaton | 02/21/2007 at 04:48 PM
"Geez it's easy to hate us." is this the t-shirt for the SBC 2007?
Posted by: Joe Thorn | 02/21/2007 at 05:20 PM
Just prayed for Jack and your entire family.
I appreciate you, Steve! Your blog has linked me to resources which have challenged me to live a more gospel-centered life. I'm a big fan of Christ in you.
Posted by: James Paul | 02/21/2007 at 06:37 PM
This "eating your young" cannibalism saddens my heart....there are times such as this when I want to call the "CP" the "Un-CP". I could go on a point-by-point; but it wouldn't be a productive effort. I'll just say that I don't draw my boundary of cooperation quite so narrowly.
Posted by: Michael | 02/21/2007 at 08:54 PM
I may have just figured out how to beat my inability to buy books at will: get someone to let me be a reviewer. How in the world did you get Crossway to send you books, man?
Posted by: Stephen Newell | 02/22/2007 at 05:41 AM
Being Southern Baptist gets harder and harder, even for us (ever-so-slightly) older guys. I have been taking the position that we need to hang in there because positive change in the convention is coming, if we will only be paitent. For instance, reformed thinking is light years ahead of where it was (positionally in the convention) ten years ago.
The frustration mounts and the easier path seems to be the one that leads out of the SBC. However, it may be helpful to remind ourselves that we can't expect to see everything happen overnight. Guys like Moran are still the majority report in SBC life, and change (revolutions) take time.
I'm not thrilled to say I'm a Southern Baptist right now, but, like Richard Geere in An Officer and a Gentleman, I got no place else to go.
Increasing our communication with each other and with those who don't agree with us (whoever we and they happen to be) is our only hope to come out on the other side of this with a kingdom win. I think that is what Stetzer is all about and I think he's a good example of how we can keep the faith in an effort to see substantive change.
Posted by: UberGoober | 02/22/2007 at 11:07 AM
I had tubes put in my ears twice, and actually had my adnoids removed twice (they grew back, now I only have 60% of normal breathing ability). It was never fun as a kid, especially having to wear ear plugs at the pool. Fortunately I grew out of my ear problems, but am an incredibly load snorer.
Posted by: matt | 02/22/2007 at 11:40 AM
You are guys are not easy to hate except for those who seem to have bitterness in their hearts.
As a friend of mine says "We don't have to be twins to still be brothers."
If I it were possible for to seek forgiveness from you on the behalf of those who are being harsh on both sides, I would. I'm more conservative than most and it saddens me. Imagine what it must do to our Savior.
Praying for your son.
Posted by: Tom Bryant | 02/22/2007 at 03:52 PM