12 Witnesses

This week marks the first post-Greensboro meeting of the IMB BOT. There are so many things circulating around this meeting, it is hard for even the most prescient among us to predict which issues will take center stage. Here are a few things to consider.

The new trustees are a result of a commission by Bobby Welch to the appointment committees to present nominees who have never before served. This is not to say there are no caucus members among them, but operating in the open with a sense untouchability is a thing of the past.

The anti-caucus mood during the convention should inform the caucus to keep its head down. Some may wonder why they should bother. That is a good question. If they mind their “p’s & q’s” then they are further from the goal of removing Dr. Rankin than they ever have been. What’ the point of existing if they can’t accomplish anything?

Well, if they attempt to avoid alienating the convention, they may just survive. As much attention as they received in the last six months, I am sure that they now long for the day that their every move was not scrutinized to the nth degree and publicized to everyone - especially the missionaries around the world.

In truth, the easiest thing for those of us who oppose that specific agenda would be for them to openly move against Dr. Rankin, Wade Burleson, others or any combination of the above. In light of the impending report of the BOT to the SBC, one part of which deals with their existence and agenda, open agression would certainly seal their fate.

In the end, we have a very powerful position. If they act out, we publish it and press for their removal. If they don’t, then Dr. Rankin is safe and missions is free to take center stage at the International MISSION Board. That would include the issues of baptism and PPL which are still hindering the organization by distraction, in the least, and the unwanted theological shift of our entire denomination, in the greatest.

If nothing else, it should be an interesting week. Stay tuned.

The house in which we now reside, our second house and second mortgage, was built in the 70’s. In a big city, new homes are cramped with tiny yards and state of the art stoves, lighting and bathtubs in “garden spot” bathrooms. All of the money is in the “extras.” Here, the money is in the solid oak paneling, the square feet and the fenced in yard.

The bathtub is “Harvest Gold.” I thought there was a law against that color now, but either there is no law or we are in secret violation of it. The bathroom linoleum is original as well. Yikes. On the other hand, the previous owner had been updating quite a bit. The kitchen has beautiful tile floor and tile backsplash. New roof. New, white carpet.

New white carpet on which all of our boxes sit. I think that one of our first purchases will have to be a professional steam cleaning machine. New rules for this house include no shoes on the carpet and no food or drinks out of the kitchen - even for me.

I wish I had something as effective as the blood of Christ with which to cleanse this white carpet. Powerful, sufficient, given in love, free and setting me free to live without the need for perfection. I never have to be rewashed, but need to be sanctified by the minute, if not the second. I guess it becomes clear that carpets and Christians are so different, that cleaning them can’t even relate well, because the redemption of my soul is so far beyond the most eloquent of words that my carpet becomes an afterthought if not an insult.

Carpets get lived on, dirty and replaced. Christ has set me free. I am not set free to be a libertine. However, I will not, having been set free, be drawn back into the law from which I have been released. It is an insult to Christ Himself and his death on the Cross to become a legalist or to judge others from a legalistic standpoint.

For days now, I have been ignoring an article by Dr. Paige Patterson on the alcohol issue. I read it thoroughly and appreciated everything he said concerning the word study and history of the day. In such things, he is far more brilliant than I. It was his conclusion that violated my senses, though. When a few of my church members brought me the article, I knew I needed to address it. Not everything - just the conclusion.

In Dr. Patterson’s summary paragraph, he states, in the form of a question, that anything less than tee totaling - which is equated with a striving to honor God in response to His grace - is sinful for all Christians. Specifically, he says, “Can it be anything less than sin for a believer who is genuinely grateful for the atoning power of Christ in his life to pursue anything other than the highest — God’s ideal — the best that he can be for Christ?” The fault, of course, is in the premise that Dr. Patterson’s opinion is equatable to God’s ideal for every Christian. We can certainly conclude that Dr. Patterson doesn’t lack confidence in hi own opinion.

How can a man so luminous reach such a false conclusion? I can only surmise that his predisposition on the subject had such a conclusion in mind before the article began.

To say it is no less than a sin for any Christian to sip alcohol is to ignore the full witness of the inerrant Word of God. For a man who fought so hard for the Word, it is ironic for him to take such position. Had he simply concluded with a statement that his argument led him, and hopefully others, to recognize the power and benefit of abstaining from alcohol, I would have endorsed it to you. I was about to do so, until I read the last paragraph.

I am no libertine, nor do I drink alcohol, but I will not go back into the shackles from which I have been set free. This is not insisting on my freedom in Christ ahead of the good of others, either. I am His servant. He may command from me what He wishes. You may not. I will insist on my liberty in Christ whenever anyone of any stature insists that I follow their legalistic interpretation of Scripture - especially when it so strongly defies the full Biblical witness.

It’s enough to drive a man to drink.

Not me, though.

I started my new pastorate yesterday. Several had called and emailed wanting to wish me well and to know how things were going. Some misunderstood and thought that I was preaching last Sunday, but I preach first this Sunday. Villa Rica used to post words of prayer and blessings over my impending sermons - but I was not delivering any at the time. Now’s your chance, VR. It’s a coming.

Yesterday we closed on the house and now we own two. Pray that we get rid of the old one before we have to make two mortgage payments. I also began working on those two impending sermons.

Today I got mostly through the outline of the first one on John 5 - Jesus receiving direction from the Father is a great example of where to go and what to do from here. In the evenings, we will go through the book of 1 John. After the evening sermon, I moderate my first business meeting here.

They are graciously refurbishing the pastor’s office here. My books arrive tomorrow with the rest of our furniture. Our neighborhood is under construction and I have my concerns about the 18 wheeler carrying our possessions making it through the tight turns, now congested with construction equipment. We will see how that all goes in the morning.

There is more stuff - good and bad. We ate at the house of a search committee member and her family tonight. I played guitar and sang with her kids. Good. Closing on the house and getting our stuff has been frustrating. Bad.

In the end, though, I had a great day and am at peace. I sensed God at work in the visit to two church members, both fighting cancer. The first is in hospice. She has been given a couple of weeks to live as a brain tumor has taken its toll on her now fragile body. When we visited, she was so glad for the company. I asked her if she had any concerns, and she said that she worried about her very attentive husband, who was running an errand. She feared him being left alone. I promised her that we would surround him and love him, and I think it was the most comforting thing anyone ever could have said to her.

The second lady had cancer twenty years ago, but has a new bout with it. The disease has moved to her bones and she has great back pain, from time to time. The new Chemotherapy is working, though, and her tumor count is going down. She is thrilled with the progress, as is her husband. She is saving her strength in the hope that she will be able to attend church Sunday, for the first time in months. She said she wanted to be there to hear me. What a responsibility. I think she likes the church a little, too. She informed me that I had come to pastor the greatest church ever. Don’t you wish you had more members who thought that about your church?

I told her that I would celebrate her attendance with her if she made it, but if she hurt too bad, not to feel guilty. I think she will be there. I could just see it in her eyes. She is determined.

Almost midnight now. Better get to bed because God is at work, and I need to be doing what I see Him doing (John 5).

Here is a group of thoughts that coalesce around one common subject: Wade Burleson.

First, his year ahead at the IMB is going to be interesting. I had a friend who asked what I would write about after Greensboro. I have been pretty sparse lately and fully intend to be attending to the needs of my church, but the IMB will no doubt provide plenty of fodder for this blog.

Let me give you a preview now. Wade has submitted to the intent of the past and current chairs to bar him from Executive Session and Forums. These acts are not only unethical and political, they violate the bylaws and, possibly the law. In order not to further alienate anyone, Wade has chosen to submit to these ridiculous stipulations. Now, let’s see, who is acting like a person of integrity? Well, I can answer that it is not the chairs in question. They have selectively applied these “disciplinary” actions to Wade when there are several in their own circle who deserve it more.

Second, Wade is still under constant, if not overt, criticism over the alcohol issue. We have had two Seminary Presidents (Why do Akin and Patterson always seem side together on these issues?) who have released public statements indicating that Wade’s interpretation (as well as a great many other fine theologians) is “less than God’s best” or even “sinful.” Sorry, but that last implication is absurd.

One more time, with feeling, “I, Art Rogers, am a teetotaler.” I gain nothing personally by opposing the “official position” of the SBC in Greensboro. Rather, I open myself up to these baffling accusations.

Thirdly, Wade is not a “Dr.” Sorry. I read someone else who had written his name with that title, and I adopted it. I do greatly respect those who have earned that particular title (I have not, myself) and try not to use it loosely. Someone wrote me an email last month and called me “Dr.” and I was blown away that anyone would think that. Apparently, it’s an easy mistake to make.

Alright, enough for one Monday night.

This month the IMB BOT will meet in Richmond to begin wading through several issues. Three major issues are on the agenda with more looming.

The first issue was already circulating and is still processing. Paul Chitwood, current president of the Kentucky Baptist Convention, leads a committee that is re-researching the PPL policy and the Baptism guideline (they are not both at policy level, but are both a thorn in the flesh of the IMB). For those wondering what has become of these issues, you may take rest in the knowledge that they are still being dealt with at the IMB. For those who criticized Wade Burleson for speaking out, the fact that these issues are being revisited in such a way reveals much merit to the course of action undertaken by the oft embattled Trustee.

The second issue will be dealing with Wade Burleson himself. Dr. Hatley left a mess by ending the last meeting with more charges against Burleson (violation of Executive Session material) that were later proven invalid at worst and petty at best. He then denied Dr. Burleson’s desire to clarify and answer the charges. I find it interesting how such charges are applied selectivly to Dr. Burleson, when similar charges could have been applied to others, who are more in line with Dr. Hatley’s views, with more frequent and easily documented instances.

The issue with Dr. Burleson seems to be exacerbated by Dr. Floyd’s appointment of committee chairs, with a slight few exceptions, who have all been verbally outspoken against Wade Burleson. Moreover, the illegal recommendation that Burleson be excluded from Executive Committee sessions, made by Hatley when he made inaccurate charges against Burleson, are being challenged. That alone should be very interesting.

Also, the IMB now has the task of dealing with its own house as the SBC referred to it the motion for investigation made by Dr. Burleson during the recent annual meeting in Greensboro. There must be a report specifically addressing each and every issue and it must come to the messengers present in San Antonio. If the Report is unacceptable, the issue is still alive and can be sent to the Executive Committee at that point.

Which brings us to the Executive Committee. No entity did more to deal with the issues raised within the SBC over the last 100 years than the Executive Committee did this last year. There was at least one thing rejected that will now be on the agenda - the occupation of a Trustee post, particularly a leadership post, by a former employee of the same entity. Specifically, the post of Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the IMB, Dr. John Floyd. I am quite convinced this issue is not dead, but will be reworded and revisited in San Antonio.

Interestingly, the Executive Committee has the prerogative of taking up the motion Dr. Burleson intended for them, but the SBC referred to the IMB BOT. They do not need a directive from the SBC to deal with these issues, but may choose to take the initiative. I have no knowledge of plans to do so, but I suspect that there will be such things as this on the agenda.

They gather together in Nashville come September.

With these thoughts in mind, I have constructed a new poll. Look for it on the right hand side, under the MD buttons. Please post the reasoning behind your vote under this post.

[update]

Wade has stated that he will not be attending executive sessions or forums as per the wishes of the past and current chairs.

You can read it on his blog

I will be posting on this next. You can probably guess what I am thinking about this.

[/update]

Dr. Frank Page addresses his election, the mood of the convention and some other conceptions about him (like his belief in the Bible, being “drafted by bloggers” and being called a “dissenter”) on the President’s page at sbc.net.

Thanks for the notice, Pam.

Pharisees were masters, even though they did not originate the famous, or infamous, “building of a hedge around the law.” By heaping more and more strict laws on top of those given by God Himself, they sought to insulate the Law and protect themselves from its violation.

Marty Duren has sparked a driving conversation along a similar theme at SBC Outpost. I offer my thoughts here.

The problem with building a hedge around the law is that the hedge often becomes the new law. Pharisees would chastise the violation of the Jewish “hedge” law as if it were from the mouth of God. When the hedge become the law, a new hedge ensues, to keep us from violating the new law. We then begin a process by which we move further and further into a web of restriction from which we have little hope of escape.

We also become a barrel of crabs with our fellow hedge builders. Have you ever seen a barrel of crabs? If one begins to have success in climbing out of the barrel, the others pull it back in. We do that, too.

The ironic part is that we all build hedges ourselves, and for good reasons. We quote Scriptures such as, “flee temptation” and rightfully avoid positions that can lead to our destruction. I edit the websites I peruse, the shows I watch and the movies I enjoy because certain themes are a temptation for me.

The difficulty lies in when we apply our personal and reasonable hedges to others. When my personal temptation avoidance practices are applied to others, I become a hedgebuilder in a very unhealthy way.

I am not arguing for a mobile line of demarcation as to what is right and what is wrong. There is not “situational truth.” However, beyond what Scripture declares to be morally true, my personal hedges are my own and for my own good. They ill fit anyone else.

Rather, they become a destructive burden to them and to me. They destroy them by heaping upon them manmade traditions - which are unattainable and for which Christ did NOT die. We destroy ourselves by becoming judges, for which we were never suited, and thus become twisted perversions of that for which Christ did die - chaining ourselves to this false law instead of being set free to glorify God.

Due to the nature of the information that I promised you, I am waiting to post it as I seek more information and more confirmation. I have received, as I told you, multiple sources. However, I feel it is important to gather as much as I can before posting. There are still several doors of information open to me that I have yet to pursue because of my personal, chaotic schedule and the impending holiday.

I will let you know soon enough, if I can further validate the information.

Earlier today I had a message that Dan Garland, Team Leader, Church Development/Evangelism Team Office at the Kentucky Baptist Convention would be preaching in view of a call at Crestwood Baptist Church in the next few weeks.

Dan has been the driving force for evangelism in the state convention here for years and is highly regarded by almost everyone - including me.

Pray for the KBC as they will be seeking God’s direction concerning this issue.

Hey, folks, I’m back.

Thanks to CB for carrying on a good conversation in my absence.

We had a great week at camp. It was probably one of the deepest, most meaningful camp experiences we have had. Tonight is a share service and the end of my Youth Ministry days. Pray for us as we say “goodbye” to everyone.

Also, pray for us as we close on a new house. Our old house is now on the market and we need to sell it. Pray that it goes quickly so we don’t have to carry two mortgages.

many of you have been wondering about the name of the new church. I have intentionally not said for two good reasons.

1. I never want to speak on many of the issues that are addressed on this blog as a representative of my church. They are my views and may not be the views of my congregation. Being Baptist, it works that way.

2. I didn’t want certain folks to interfere with our discussions. Our new church has known about the blog and it was well published to the congregation, so there was no deception about what I believed. However, I know of two instances where Memphis Declaration co-authors and signatories have run into professional issues. It has been well documented that many political opponents through the years have had their careers threatened. One of the aforementioned co-authors had his church called by an inner circle leutinant and told that they would be labeled as “liberals” because of his presence there. I just didn’t want to open that door.

Having now come to the verge of moving, I will tell you all that you can find me at Skelly Drive Baptist Church, Tulsa, OK.

If you thought that I was not collecting info during camp, I assure you that it is not true. This week I will give you a few items of information that I have confirmed from multiple sources within the SBC. Very interesting.

See you soon.