Some Thoughts Before Moving to the Next Topic

Well, I finished my lengthy series, “The Holy Spirit and the Southern Baptist Convention,” at a decibel level closer to a whisper than a bang.  As I will explain briefly below, that has more to do with changes–or insights–concerning myself than anything else.

First, I no longer am the angry man who began this blog last Summer, soon after the SBC meeting in San Antonio.  I now realize that the main reason I could see Al Mohler’s seething anger so clearly when he spoke in S.A. was no more complicated than “It take one to know one.”  Even though I had repented of my anger many times from being unfairly released from my position at the Criswell College (as I saw it) in 2003, I now realize that such repentance had not “taken” permanently yet at that point.  As a result, I had no probem at all seeing Dr. Mohler’s ”splinter” with 20/20 vision, while somehow not seeing the massive “log” in my own eye. 

No, this does not mean that I think any less that Al was enraged (both depth- and length-wise) to the point of sin.  Actually, I still think he owes the Convention an apology for his behavior last June in S.A.  And, given that he has since apologized to his faculty and senior administrators for previous angry escapades, it is not impossible that such might not happen at some point.

But, what it does mean is that I now fully admit that Al was not alone in the strength of his anger.  No, I did not stand in front of the Convention and demand my own way like an angry spoiled child, as he did (and as several other leaders may have done, but it was not as obvious, given their better exterior control of their emotions).  But, I was just that angry anyway.  And, as a result, I know that I must offer my deeply heartfelt apology to anyone I offended under the control of the anger about which I was in denial at the time.

Second, in finally getting beyond the anger, I realize that I am simply not a warrior by personality.  Although it has taken me a lot of years to learn not to be controlled by fear, the growth has been to a point of healthy directness, not picking fights.  Personality-wise, I have always been irenic, a peacemaker.  It has been entirely out of character–even courageous Spirit-filled character–for me to be as agressive as I was for much of the past year.

Do I think the things needed to  said?  In many cases, yes, and, in some cases, I was the one to say them.  In other cases, no–at least not the way I said them.  The percentages here are, in retrospect, very embarrassing–and for good reason.  I was wrong to lash out in anger.

Third, although I will offer some opinions in the next several blogs on the situation of evangelicals against the wider political landscape as the 2008 electoral season rolls on, I have come to realize that this is not the strength I have to offer to my brothers and sisters in Christ.  My strongest areas are biblical studies and theology, not just in teaching, but also in writing.  In the past, I have often proven able to take very difficult material and simplify it (without oversimplifying) in order to make it understandable and readable for wider audiences.  That is where I will concentrate my efforts more in the time ahead, because, after considerable recent reflection, I see that is how the Lord has gifted me and how He has used me most over the years–and, I believe, will continue to do so in the future.

Fourth, as I have watched the SBC closely in the past several years, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the current powers that be are running it into theground.  The denomination, despite all the excuses and misdirection plays and smoke and mirrors is in significant numerical decline and it is highly unlikely that “more of the same” is going to do much of anything other than keep the masses in denial as the decline picks up speed.  Thus, unless the power brokers wake up quickly and make changes at least as dramatic as those proposeed by reform advocates, those currently ensconsed in power will be looking up too soon and noticing that the SBC of their dreams is a sinking sink.  Without a rapid infusion of new blood and new ideas at the top and across the board, it is very much in danger of shrinking and dying on the vine.

Fifth, my church is not interested in denominational politics.  When I first arrived, there were a fair number of traditional SBCers here, but most of them wanted nothing more than to go through the traditional SBC motions.  Some of them were the biggest malcontentents and trouble-makers in the congregation.

Now, rapidly approaching two years in this pastorate, there are few of those left.  As a result, there is almost nobody that cares one whit whether this congregation is a Southern Baptist church or a baptistic unaffiliated Bible church.  In fact, a number of our longer-term attenders (i.e., who have not gone through our church membership class) likely don’t even know that we are an SBC congregation, because we do not push it in our services and only lightly in our handout literature.

Bottom line: It is hard for me to justify the time and effort I was putting in on the blog much of last year, given the atitude of our church.  And, as time has moved on, I’ve realized that it was a “one-man crusade,” at least within this church.

Finally, I’ve had to face that I have several book contracts to honor.  Like Wade Burleson, I need to time to concentrate on such writing responsibilities that I took on in good faith and, partly as result as being consumed with this blog for much of the past year, have let slide–and have simply come to the point where, in good conscience, I must turn my attention and energy to those projects.

Thank you for graciously considering what I have just laid out!  If you have relevant thoughts or questions, I would be interested in your thoughts.

Coming Thursday: “Some Thoughts on Evangelicals and the National Political Scene in 2008 (I)”