Fine. First, it was that I hadn’t spoon-fed you links supporting what I said. Now, articles that don’t support your views don’t “qualify”. Allen’s reporting is correct, and, if you knew more about the Convention, you would know that there are forces at work trying to soften the position of the SBC toward sodomites - just as it has happened at FOTF. This can also be seen in the 10/31 cover story of the Southern Baptist Texan.
But because you think you are well informed on the inner goings on of the convention, let me ask: How many past or present Presidents or other officers (i.e. First VP and Second VP) of the Convention do you know personally? How many past or present members of the Executive Committee do you know personally? How many SBC seminary students and faculty do you know? How many reporters and editors for the state convention SBC papers or for Baptist Press do you know? How many Annual Meetings have you attended in the last 10 years? Did you take the time to go to Phoenix this year? When someone is active in the Convention it is very interesting what can be learned.
State my spiritual beliefs? Do you fancy yourself some sort of Grand Inquisitor? The question isn’t even precise enough to merit an answer. But, being the irenic soul that I am, I will answer that I subscribe to the BF&M 2000 (which Mohler had a significant hand in formulating, but you knew that, didn’t you?). If the question has to do with Mohler’s Calvinism, be assured it has nothing at all to do with that. My theology is Reformed.
Regarding “homophobia” you surely aren’t serious. The word was manufactured by sodomites because they needed something that they could use to smear those who oppose them - just as liberals use “racist” to smear people who disagree with them. Yes, they didn’t “create” the word “phobia”, or “homo”, for that matter. That, however, is absurdly beside the point, and I think you know it.
Mohler has written and said many fine things over the years. But, in the last two years or so he has gotten entangled with GCR coalition, which is dragging the emergent/emerging/Acts 29 crowd into the SBC. So, much so that they are showing up at seminaries and at the Annual Pastors’ Conference: http://peterlumpkins.typepad.com/peter_lumpkins/2011/02/is-the-2011-sbc-pastors-conference-over-the-top-for-grassroots-southern-baptist-pastors-by-peter-lumpkins.html#more
And more generally: http://www.mbla.org/Acts29.htm
You can pretend to be informed about the SBC and Mohler all you like, but you wouldn’t waste anyone’s time defending Mohler’s indefensible comments about “homophobia” or his involvement in the GCR if you really were informed.
You continue to focus on the Convention. Throughout my posts I have addressed your accusations concerning Dr. Mohler. The link you provided fails to address my inquiry concerning Dr. Mohler’s actual statements concerning the specific issues we discussed.
What does my association with any have to do with the topic of discussion? Disqualifying someones position because they may not have attended conventions, or know individuals is asinine. Have you ever met Martin Luther? Despite the fact that you’ve never actually met Martin Luther doesn’t have anything to do with your Reformed principles, does it?
Surely the minutes, transcripts, or videos, are available from these meetings. I am not interested in anyone’s statements concerning the accusations you’ve leveled against Dr. Mohler. I would like to read his statements. You said, “You may not like Bob Allen…”. I never stated I didn’t “like” Bob Allen. Disagreeing with an individual doesn’t equal disliking him personally. Perhaps you are projecting. After all, one just has to look at your ad hominem and condescending comments.
You used the words “nice”, and, “understanding”, not I. I don’t believe we’re supposed to be “nice”, and, “understanding”. I’m sure you’ve read the passage involving Christ and the adulterous woman who was about to be stoned. Our Lord wasn’t “nice”, or, “understanding”. He was compassionate, showed her mercy, and told her to go and sin no more.
We are not called to abdicate or capitulate our orthodoxy for the sake of “winning souls to Christ”. I read what Dr. Mohler stated concerning “homophobia”, and as I stated previously, I agree with his statement. We do NOT have to fear anyone. Are we to fear adulterers? Heterosexuals engage in the same type of sexual depravity as “sodomites”. They sodomize one another. Are they not in our congregations? God’s Word focuses on ALL sin.
So that I may be perfectly clear, I do not believe the Church universal is called to accommodate and/or compromise biblical theology for the sake of a group of individuals such as homosexuals. I do not believe we shy away from expository teaching from the pulpit so as not to offend some individuals.
There is a cancer called the Emergent Movement growing in our churches (thankfully, not my own). There has always been abhorrent doctrine, and Christ warned us of these false teachers.
You and I know that for quite some time Christians have shied from openly engaging society in matters of spiritual significance, and more specifically-heaven, hell, sin, and redemption in Christ. What were once Christian universities; Harvard, Princeton, Yale, which are now secular institutions serve as a prime example of our capitulation.
From what I have read and heard by Dr. Mohler, he is encouraging Christians to adopt a new mindset in engaging our society. Until I read otherwise, I must take him at his word. You were the individual leveling the allegations. The burden of proof rests solely on your shoulders.
You continue to push the “well informed” angle. I never stated I was “well informed”. I addressed your attacks with quotes from Dr. Mohler and asked you to substantiate your claims by quoting him in response. You have yet to do so.
Grand Inquisitor? So Christians are prohibited from inquiring? Precise? You’re the first individual I’ve met who had to wrestle with that question. I was expecting something as clear as “Lutheran”, or, “Baptist”, or, “five point Calvinist”, or simply Christian who believe in the triune God of the Bible.
I am going to send your comments to Dr. Mohler. I would like him to address these accusations point by point. I will be sure to send you his response.
In closing, I would like to say that I appreciate your deep conviction in these issues concerning the church and biblical orthodoxy, and your dedication to examining our spiritual leader’s philosophical and biblical doctrines concerning the Church universal and orthodox theology. I hope this matter boils down to a misunderstanding. Despite your heartfelt convictions, I am sorry to see that you’re more than willing to insult individuals personally simply because you disagree with them, and that you are unable to exercise self restraint in leveling ad hominem attacks (e.g. – “soft-minded), and displaying spiritual self-righteousness. Your conduct can be compared to that of the Pharisees. You attack Dr. Mohler and myself with as much venom and condescension as the stone throwers. The hypocrisy is palpable.