The other thing that I am trying to do is to put the link to the comment (copy the date/time stamp from the blog, paste it into the Word file and it is a link to the comment) with the comment. This lets me find where I put the thing and makes it easy to find out what a dummy I am–just click on the link and read what follows in the thread.

Bennett Willis

I don’t think you are understanding, though you may be. Biblically speaking, I believe it is safe to say that it is NEVER right to air personal grievances over things that are *not sin.* In this category we have 99% of what has been negatively written about specific leaders in the SBC.

Sin is a different matter. Anonymity is a red herring as it pertains to this letter. The issue is the substance of the charges: the charges themselves are gossip.

If we want to address personnel issues, the proper forum would be the convention or among the trustees. If you want to address sin, address it into the public sphere that was influenced or directly affected by that sin. The convention is a good starting place. A seminary is another. A blog, well, takes little effort and less courage.

Maybe I do not understand your point correctly.

If I am correct in my understanding I must ask; Why even have a meeting each year if we are not to deal with things in public? The SBC is not a local church.

cb

I fail to see the difference in “cringing” over the posts of Rev. Cole and others and the “cringing” over this anonymous letter. First and foremost, where are we mandated or encouraged in Scripture to air grievances about a brother for issues that are not sin? Second, public rebuke of sin: have we thought out the methods utilized to accomplish this task (blogs, secular newspapers, etc. vs. the convention)? Third, does it truly matter whether or not these charges can be substantiated?

There was a brief exchange in a thread Peter mentioned of one commenter being taken to task for the refusal to back actions and words with scripture. But there was no budge. Why? There can be the steadfast resolve to stand by one’s own words, and it may be seen by the self as courage and conviction; yet it is certainly not the same as having the resolve to determine if Christ and Scripture stand by those words.

Our brothers in the community of faith not only see our growth in discipleship, but they also notice our sin. Several godly men have condemned this behavior in no uncertain terms. They echo the few bloggers that have been wrongly labeled “establishment bloggers” and who have been singing the same tune from the outset. You cannot condemn one and merely cringe at the other. Again, I refer you to the questions I began with.

We shall do so and you may scorch the earth down here in Birmingham. It will not take much we have had so little rain thus far this summer.:-)

cb

I do not know what happened to my comment. I left you a scorched earth doozy ;^) And, I’m too lazy to type it again.

What if we get together in Birmingham in a couple weeks and I’ll just tell it to you while you pour me a cup?

With that, I am…

Peter

ihs,

kmichael

I,ll take the bait if that is what it is. Of course, it may not be bait at all. If that is the case, I’ll just make a statement anyway and see how it “flys.”

I think the person Bob is in reference to is Ben Cole. If so, everything Ben Cole has posted is true. The way he presents information may, at times, make us all cringe, but it is true nonetheless. People do not like what he says, yet, no one can refute anything he has said as untrue.

It is the substance of those things he has said that should give us more concern that the nature or the motive of the messenger.

The anonymous professor gives a very valid testimony. The problem is he wasted his time and possibly his future by not signing his name to the letter. It is only a matter of time until he is known. Later he will work no more in the SBC. The problems he spoke of will still be present. He will be gone. The heads of many will still be in the sand. You and I will someday drink coffee together and debate the matters before us and still be comrades in the Faith. Life will go on it course toward finality in this world. You and I shall meet in the next and lay any worthy things from this life at the feet of Jesus.

cb

If you are defending gossip, then I suggest to take a look at the recent thread at SBCTomorrow where our sister Debbie took that approach. You mat think twice.

If you are not defending gossip, what is your point?

With that, I am…

Peter