MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

Today’s Buzz: Ruth Graham, Free Passes, Win a Car, Calvinist Conspiracy and Self-Centered Amer

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Mon, June 18, 2007
Viewed 43
(10) comments so far

Ruth Graham’s Funeral
Here’s a nice write-up on the funeral yesterday...

Still No Takers...
Last Thursday, I posted about how for some reason, one prominent pastor gets a pass when it comes to criticism from all the bloggers who make it their practice to criticize everyone else. There was no lamblasting of John MacArthur for speaking at an ‘evil’ contemporary, relevant, seeker-sensitive church. (Anyone else would have been written up as compromising). The sites that guard sound doctrine for all the rest of us still haven’t written about this yet; and the only response I’ve heard from anyone is that John probably spoke there because the people hadn’t heard much of the gospel for a long time; so it was a real opportunity for him to share the true message. I say this with all due respect… “Give me a break!”

Florida Baptists Need $20,000 To Set the Record Straight
Here’s an interesting post. Seems that some SBC pastors are down-right angry. It all started with a DVD that was sent (from State Headquarters) to all SBC pastors entitled “Baptist Battles” and includes an ‘error filled message’ called “A Baptist and His Election: Calvinism.” The response is that there is now a move to send “The History and Theology of Calvinism,” TWO-disc DVD presentation that explains the real issues surrounding the doctrines of grace. According to this website: “It will only cost $20,000 to get a copy of this powerful presentation into the hands of every Southern Baptist pastor in Florida.” Either way, it will become very useful for all Florida Southern Baptists as they share their faith… oh wait… I guess it really won’t.

Another Chance to Win a Car!
And it’s not from the Price is Right. Look here.

Oooh… MMI is up to 13 votes!
That’s a huge increase over the 1 we had last week! OK… if you REALLY want to, you can vote here. We still need only 384 votes to kick some catholic blog bum.

Is this a rhetorical question?!
“Now take a good and honest look around; how many genuine Christians do you actually see along that hazy Purpose Driven horizon of the emerging church here in centered on the self America?” Asked recently here... That depends. Purpose-Driven and emergent are two different things. And when you throw in the ‘self-centered’ americans comment, I’m not sure. (We’ve been self-centered for a long time).

That’s all for today… have a great Monday!

PS—I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of these subjects… just respond in the comments section below…

Today's buzz includes a short report on Ruth Graham's funeral and some other items, including how you can win a car; the calvanist conspiracy in Florida, response to last week's buzz and an interesting rhetorical question...

Comments

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Peter Hamm on Mon, June 18, 2007

I think the reason Mac gets his “free pass” is because the sites that are “watchdog sites” have just as much an agenda as anyone else (not necessarily a bad thing?). Criticizing Mac would hurt their agenda, and they won’t do that. But I’d like to see an acknowledgement of concern if there is any…

This is a good life lesson. There are people I admire greatly and read their books and listen to them speak (and this past week at the Arts Conference at Willow, SEE them in person), but I can remain careful about how I agree with and process their stuff. Perhaps as soon as they say or do something I am disturbed about I should either ignore it so that I can live more comfortably, or perhaps lambaste them and everything else they do or say… I choose what I think to be real discernment. I choose what I’m convinced is real Christianity over what Rob Bell calls “brickianity”.
Leonard on Mon, June 18, 2007

Todd, One reason some get a pass and others do not is we confuse discernment with criticism. Many people lack discernment but have platforms to criticize and the church has foolishly moved many of these people to the front of the class. The noisy church member who can quote a verse or many verses but lacks discernment has come across as discerning to people who cannot quote scripture at all. People like slice IMO lack discernment but are very critical. Masses of individuals who cannot keep up to their intricate biblical nit picking just follow along. Bottom line is when someone sees themselves as discerning and they are not, they cannot help but have a double standard.

Couple this with our self aggrandized passion for scandal and we will run to align ourselves to the noisiest person whether they have the facts or not. This is true in media, news, and sadly the church. It is now exacerbated by the web and pod casting and radio and print media. A critical person could take my podcast and dissect my teaching in such a way as to paint me into a bad guy corner. A discerning person would more than likely hear it and say, he misspoke or place into a larger context the words.

A critical person sees something that could be wrong and paints a dramatic and tragic future. A discerning person sees something that could be wrong and speaks into the lives of said person communicating. Critical persons are almost always about preserving something and often feel threatened. Discerning persons are almost always about kingdom. Critical people cast fearful vision, discerning people cast a better future. I could go on but you get what I am saying. Praying to be discerning. Leonard
fishon on Mon, June 18, 2007

Leonard,

Quite an amusing post you make; and I quote: “People like slice IMO lack discernment but are very critical. Masses of individuals who cannot keep up to their intricate biblical nit picking just follow along. Bottom line is when someone sees themselves as discerning and they are not, they cannot help but have a double standard.”

But then you say: “A critical person sees something that could be wrong and paints a dramatic and tragic future. A discerning person sees something that could be wrong and speaks into the lives of said person communicating.”

No doubt, by what you write, you believe yourself to be a “discerning” person; however, I missed the part where you “speak into the lives of…” Slice and the “critical” people who enjoy and agree with Slice.

Leonard, surely you are not one of the intolerant of the intolerant?

fishon
JD Longmire on Mon, June 18, 2007

“Either way, it will become very useful for all Florida Southern Baptists as they share their faith… oh wait… I guess it really won’t. ”

I really hope you will take this seemingly strawman statement off your blog - I have really enjoyed reading it and even put the rss feed on my blog, but if you are implying that Calvinists are not evangelical, you are in serious error and promulgating the error. Surely, it is reasonable to present the alternative viewpoint - fair and balanced, as it were?

I deeply apologise if I have misinterpreted your meaning.
Leonard on Mon, June 18, 2007

Actually, you do not have any idea of my contact with slice because I did not tell you. As for what I believe about myself, it is irrelevant to the discussion and I admittedly will tell you I have many times been critical. Whether I am intolerant of the intolerant I am when it bugs me enough. Thanks for pointing out the irony of my words, kind of proves my point.
Todd Rhoades on Mon, June 18, 2007

Hey JD,

I see how you read my comment; but don’t give me that much credit… I don’t think that deeply.

My comment was only to say that this argument (in the big scheme of things) really doesn’t matter all that much.

I think we waste way too much time arguing on such matters sometimes.

That was my only point.

This is a good example of probably hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars being spent on something that will divert alot of people’s attention.

That’s not to say that it’s not fun to debate theology. It is. I just wonder it’s ultimate value sometimes.

Todd
Camey on Mon, June 18, 2007

Can think of much better ways to utilize $20,000.

Ruth Graham - proof a Presby and a Baptist can more than get along.
JD Longmire on Mon, June 18, 2007

Todd,

LOL - you don’t give yourself enough credit!

Thank you for the quick response - I do agree that sometimes we waste too much time arguing over issues that only a handful will even understand or care about - which I guess is why I am a bit “sensitive” to the issue - I have been “stung” for my deeply held convictions concerning Calvinism.

It does sometimes seem that folks are just looking for issues to “stir up” the brethren…nothing like a good controversy to honor Christ to the world and create unity among the church! (...that’s sarcasm for the uninitiated…)

ah! even so, Lord, quickly come!

Richest Blessings!
kc on Mon, June 18, 2007

Free passes are only for those who think they are right about everything. Mac is right and the rest (Warren, etc. and the rest of us) are wrong. We must change our way of thinking so that we can be protected by theologians and web sites who are looking out for us feeble thinkers. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/wink.gif
Bart on Mon, June 18, 2007

Free passes are only for those who agree with me. Mac gets a free pass from those who agree with most of his positions, so does Warren. Just post something negative about either and watch their supporters come to their defense. Seems that they can do no wrong in the eyes of some of their supporters. I have some here in my church who know I do not walk on water, but they think I probably only sink to my knees. Don’t tell them otherwise as I kind of like it, but it shows that some people will support someone regardless of what is said or done by that individual.