Thursday, July 13, 2006

Cowboys and Southern Baptist

My grandfather lives in Oklahoma and is one of the last of a dying breed. He is a true cowboy. At age 80, he is still more at ease on a horse than in a car. And there is no shoe NIKE can make that will fit his feet as good as a pair of Tony Lama's. He treasures the simple pleasures of seeing the sun rise and set, of watching the lope of a horse, of enjoying the excitemenent of his great-grandchildren when they catch a fish. And, he is a fountain of cowboy logic.

Were the young cowboys wise, they would sit at his feet and learn from him, rather than assume their new way of cowboying is better. Just visiting with him, just listening, would save them lessons otherwise learned in the school of hard knocks. And yet, no one is knocking on his door. They watch DVD’s…they seek information from the Internet and they assume they know best.

This cavalier attitude is not just limited to young cowboys…It is also evident in many young Southern Baptist. There appears to be an attitude that the older generation is blinded by their cultural/familial raising. Thus, they deny Sola Scriptura by placing an equal value on their traditional mores. Further, there is an implication that they are less than honest if they don’t repeat in public what is said in private.

They are given token respect but their wisdom is ignored by many. There appears to be a partial attitude of gratitude for what they have done, but a complete position of omission for their current counsel. With all the on-line data, Bible tools, and sharing of knowledge, the idea of simply listening to their wisdom and counsel is tragically lost.


At the SBC, after the alcohol resolution vote I heard a moderationist’s celebratory comments. His celebration was obviously not in how the convention voted, but the fact that this was the first convention that ever debated alcohol from the floor. A step forward in his opinion.

Later, a friend with connections to the executive committee informed me that the average age of the messengers to the SBC this year was the lowest it has ever been.

As I thought about the moderationist’s comment and my friend’s information I wondered if there was a correlation. Is it possible that the debate over alcohol is correlated to the young age of messengers? I certainly see a correlation in God’s inerrant Word between age and wisdom, which would imply: as age is reduced, so is wisdom.

Perhaps the older Southern Baptists who passed so many resolutions against alcohol were wise. Perhaps the generation that says some things said in private should remain private is wise. Perhaps the Bible should be heard by young open ears when it says “Wisdom is with aged men, and with the length of days, understanding. With him are wisdom and strength, He has counsel and understanding” – Job 12:12-13

In honor of the “older” generation of Southern Baptist I would like to share some things I have learned from them.

1. Let Scripture and Scripture Alone be your Authority. As a 19 year-old youth, one of the first phrases I learned from Dr. Patterson was Sola Scriptura. I remember vividly his counsel to submit my traditional values, my personal desires, my feelings, my cognitive abilities, my senses, and even the promptings of the Spirit to God’s Word. No other lesson has served me so well.

2. Let God and God Alone be your judge. This was a lesson learned from the lives of Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson (two men I have had the privilege of calling friends and counselors). Their wisdom of doing what was right in God’s eyes no matter what anyone thinks, impacted my life powerfully.

3. Let Christ and Christ Alone by your passion. The command to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind has been impregnated in my mind by the lives of our “older generation” who long for “Beulah land.” No earthly pleasures, possessions, power, or popularity can compare to Christ. I long to hear, “well done…”

May we not be so quick to assume error by the wiser generation.
BR

40 comments:

posttinebraelux said...

Brad,
I thought we had beaten the alcohol horse into the ground (to continue with your cowboy metaphor). Why must you liken moderationists to those who have no wisdom? Is the implication not that they are "young fools"? I certainly would not consider myself young, and am still a moderationist. Kudos to whoever was elated that Biblical issues are allowed to be addressed from the floor of the SBC convention (is that redundant?). Shame on those who would stifle such open and honest elation. Does wisdom come with age? Often - but age is not a requirement for wisdom according to Proverbs. I know of many "older" professing Christians who are still "babes" and I know of many younger Christians who are mature (i.e. wise) beyond their years. I applaud your tender heart toward your grandfather, but it is folly to liken moderationists to youngsters who are, "blinded by their cultural/familial raisings." Please recant dear brother.

Grace and peace,

PTL

brad reynolds said...

Ben,

Welcome, I am honored you stopped by:)

Kudos to the young boys who listen to the wisdom of their fathers. I think there is a Commandment that may be applicable here.

However, with the infinite amount of analogies, one may always rebut. Yet, to deny the correlation between age and wisdom is folly. To refuse to listen to the wisdom of the older generation is plain foolish. And to deny the possibility of the correlation between age and the alcohol debate at the SBC is bias. Although you did none of the three, yet:)

As I enjoy the fruit of the vine this afternoon (Homemade Blackberry Cobbler) I too salute the great men in the older generation of the SBC. May their wisdom not falter, and may the liberals not infiltrate our ranks.
BR

posttinebraelux said...

Brad,

If I've done none of the three, then there is no fodder for your argument. Again, you have applied hominy-hominy in your response (greek for skirting the issue). :) Are you likening moderationists to young, unwise children who are, "blinded by their cultural/familial raisings"? If not, then your blog is very misleading. If so, then surely your hyperbole is misdirected at best and bending towards offensive at worst.

Grace under pressure,

PTL

brad reynolds said...

PTL
Everyone is able to draw their own inferences and conclusions, I just simply wondered if there were correlations.

Hopefully we are all elated that Biblical issues have always been addressed from the floor of the SBC. However, I am disappointed that we have devolved to questioning the biblical standard of abstinence.

Finally, I never intended to liken moderationsists to youngsters blinded by thier cultural/familial raisings. I know not what blinds moderationists to truth:)
BR

posttinebraelux said...

Brad,

I just figured out - your response may have been directed to bsc. Oops. :) The issues I raised in my response still deserve attention, however.

humbled,

PTL

posttinebraelux said...

Brad,

Actually, the only ones blinded to Truth are those whom God has not regenerated (I Cor. 2:14). Moderationism is not a symptom of being blinded to the Truth - spiritual deadness, however, is. :)

Seeing the Light,

PTL

brad reynolds said...

Ben,
Your accusation of boot-licking is not well recieved. I can't speak to your boot-licking abilities. However, those who know me, know I have plenty of faults, but kissing rings is not one of them and never has been. I suppose I could have manipulated some of the relationships God has given me but I have always felt God is the one who exalts and brings low, and exaltation is attained through service.

Sadly those who leave the campfire thinking they are wiser than the old cowpoke, are leaving the light to walk in darkness and perhaps step in a pile of manure or worse get bit by a snake.

Come my friend, pull up a chair...there is wisdom with the aged.

brad reynolds said...

PTL
Your are correct. The application of blindness is primarily to salvation, however, it is not limited to such (2 Peter 1:9)
BR

posttinebraelux said...

Brad,

Ah dear brother, now you're likening moderationists to those who have forgotten that they were cleansed from their old sins. Bold assertion my friend.

PTL

brad reynolds said...

The aged to whom I refer is the "older generation" of Southern Baptist of whom I wrote. Some of the wisdom I have received I have already mentioned in my post.

However, Dr. Patterson's article on abstinence is a good starting place to hear the wisdom of the older generation. And there will be some more mighty voices of wisdom posted here next week:)

I am assuming you are using hyperbole in referencing a generic representation of an old cowpoke. But please be careful not to judge or use unChristlike speech. Further, please substantiate any accusations.
BR

Jeremy Green said...

Brad and Ben,

Job 32:9... how appropriate indeed!

I like to refer to his oracle as "The words of young Elihu: A spiritual giant in his own mind"

Likewise, Bullock notes this concerning Elihu's speech:

"The author of Job, having countered the thesis that age and experience are the source of wisdom (cf. 32:9), next suggested another proposition through the youthful Elihu - that understanding (wisdom) is resident in man as a gift of God (32:8) and does not need to wait for the work and tempering of time before it can be called wisdom. This is true, of course, and Job said it quite well or better (28:28). However, Elihu's inflated self-confidence (cf. 33:33) failed to justify his thesis that wisdom is a gift of God. And while age cannot lay exclusive claim to it, age and experience cannot be written off so glibly as Elihu did. He brought an angry disposition to the debate; he was angry at Job because he 'justified himself before God,' and angry at the friends because they had found no answer even though they had declared Job to be in the wrong (32:2-3). The fact that the text states four times that Elihu became angry (vv. 2, 3, 5) cues us in on a certain quality of his speeches. They were more angry than rational... When the garrulous Elihu is finished, we may have explored another forest more fully, but we are really no closer home than we were when the major discussants had exhausted their verbal arsenals."

(C. Hassell Bullock, An Introduction to the Old Testament Poetic Books, 106)

How appropriate indeed!

Ben, I am sure that your book will sell well. God bless!!!

In Christ,
JLG

Wayne Smith said...

spc pastor,
Here is some more wisdom@
Job 32:9 - Great men are not always wise,.... Men of grandeur and dignity, as Job's friends might be, the rich, the honourable, and noble; the apostle is thought to refer to this, at least to express the sentiment contained in it, 1Co_1:26; or the great in quantity, the many, the multitude; and therefore are not to be followed in principle or practice; or that are great in years, well stricken in age, have lived long in the world, so some versions (q); or are doctors, teachers of others, masters in Israel, as Nicodemus, and yet ignorant; all these may be wise in natural, civil, and worldly things, though this is not always the case; but not wise and knowing in divine and spiritual things, particularly in those respecting the causes and reasons of God's providential dealings with men, afflicting the righteous, and suffering the wicked to prosper, which is more fully explained in the next clause:

neither do the aged understand judgment; what is right and wrong, the difference between truth and error, and particularly the judgments of God, which are unsearchable, and his ways past finding out; even so to understand them as to observe and acknowledge his sovereignty, wisdom, truth, and faithfulness in them.

Jeremy Green said...

Ben,

I truly appreciate that kind gesture and look forward to the interesting read. God bless!!!

In Christ,
JLG

Anonymous said...

Brad,

As always Ben has his own way with words. I must admit that I like to read his comments, even though I may disagree. However, do not lose sight of the reason for your posts here. You are upholding the truth. Carry on my brother and let the cow chips land where they may.

HEP

posttinebraelux said...

To all,

To save space on Brad's blog, I have posted my thoughts not on the issue of alcohol abstention, but rather on the manner with which it is often addressed. Interested parties can find it at:

posttinebraelux.blogspot.com

Grace and peace,

PTL

Cliff4JC said...

Dr. Reynolds,

I've been scarce lately as I have been preparing our group for a church planting mission trip to Chicago. Seems I've missed some things this week!

Wise words in your post; but I think you miss some things in your thoughts. Many of the moderationists that I know are so BECAUSE of scripture. The church I first went to when I was a teen declared alcohol was a sin. As most church members, I never questioned why it was a sin. Where in scripture does it say this? Later in life, I read Jesus turning water into wine & I found myself confused. Many so called modernists are so because they elevate scripture over the wisdom of the aged leaders who have told them alcohol is a sin. Quite frankly, I want to be able to glean the wisdom of my elders without being blind to their sin. Every generation has it's faults. I have learned much from both of my deceased grandfathers; but I have tried to be wise enough not follow some of their counsel. Both told me never to trust a black man; one used the "n" word prolifically. One was always trying to find a way to get rich quick which resulted in a long line of business failures that left his family without basic needs on a regular basis. One believed the KJV was the only inspired translation of scripture and thought my seminary (SEBTS) was too liberal because they let us use others. Our SBC "founding fathers" didn't exactly have a stellar record of abolitionism that we would have hoped men who loved the word would. Yes, too many in our generation do not seek the counsel and wisdom of Dr. Patterson’s. This is our folly. Yet, a couple of things Patterson's generation has taught us; "2. Let God and God Alone be your judge." and "1. Let Scripture and Scripture Alone be your Authority." On behalf of my modernist friends who believe scripture is their authority and that you mishandled it with your abstinence interpretation; ease up on your broad brush categorizations. If a man holds to a position based on his view of scripture; can't we respect that even if we disagree? Personally, I find it a blessing that younger leaders in the SBC are willing to stand on scripture regardless of the consequences! I believe we are starting to reap the benefits of the work Patterson and others have accomplished in the SBC. We are in the first generation of a seminary system that is almost totally inerrant.

For the record: I don't drink alcohol and think it would be a sin to do so; but for different reasons than you have articulated.

How's your nephew?

I'm going to have the outrageous privilege of baptizing my girls in August. Amazing. They are really excited about their new commitment to Christ. I truly appreciate your prayers as we were wrestling through all this.

I'm leaving tomorrow (sat) for the mission trip to Chitown. (I'm going to Wrigley Field for the first time on Tuesday night. Watch for me in the crowd shots; I'll wave!) I'd appreciate your prayers over our trip. As “coincidence” would have it, the Gay Olympics will be in town. We are planning to reach out to this community while there.

I'll be out for vacation for the two weeks after so I'll be scarce for a while. There is a chance I'll be in Wake Forest to collect on that root beer. I'll call.

How is it that I always seem to NOT know about the personalities on these blogs! Ben shows up and he knows who is who and where they've been published and who knows who and....wow....I'm so out of the loop! Come to think of it...I think I like it that way. Maybe my mission in SBC politics should be to never be given a free copy of anybody's new book! :)

Joy,
Cliff

Cliff4JC said...

Man...I just went all Gene Bridges again didn't I? LOL

Anonymous said...

Brad --

After you have finished reading your complimentary copy of BSC's book, might I borrow it from you? I promise to peruse it and then return it with all haste.

Thanks!

NC Pastor

Jeremy Green said...

NC Pastor,

Why don't you just check it out from your local library's "fiction" section? God bless!!!

In Christ,
JLG

brad reynolds said...

Ben,
Thank you for your kind gesture. I am sure your book will provide great fireside material.

Seriously, I do hope you honor Christ and His Kingdom. And I really do desire that you come back and sit by the fire someday.
BR

brad reynolds said...

Cliff
Thanks for your comments. And I am so excited for you and your daughters. What an honor!

Concerning the alcohol issue I kindly dissent with your thoughts. There is no doubt that 60, 70, 80, 90, and even 100 year old men continue to sin and have flaws. The question is not if they can be wrong, but rather on issues in the Bible that are not clearly revealed in the King James Version (or any English version) perhaps we should lend an ear to the men whose long lives have been given to the study and application of the Holy Word in its original languages.

There is really no way to say this and not sound demeaning to some. But I honestly, believe there is a common misunderstanding of hermeneutical principles. I am so grateful it is now required as a course here at Southeastern. Thus, I sincerely believe when the whole counsel of God’s Word is considered with the light shed by the original languages that strong drink for purposes of pleasure is wrong.
BR

brad reynolds said...

Jeffro,
Thank you so much for reminding me that I have left out many of our great thinkers from previous generations. Your reminder of JL Dagg is appreciated and I will share a comment from him as he reflected on his brother’s death at the hands of alcohol. “When will the terrific reign of alcohol cease!”

Your question about the older generation has prompted me to reveal some upcoming posts on my Blog. Next week I will begin posting a series of articles that I have asked various leaders in the convention to write. They are articles on the alcohol issue. I will be forwarding some of them to BP. I’m sure you all will enjoy and perhaps we can learn something.
BR

PS – there will also be plenty more quotes from former generations as well as some of the comments from previous Southern Baptist Conventions.

posttinebraelux said...

Brad,

Come now, have we reduced ourselves to calling other's works "fiction" simply because we disagree on Biblical issues. See, that's the kind of mentality I mentioned in my blog on how Christians treat other Christians. It's unbecoming and truly puts in a poor light as those who are to love our brothers and sisters - even the ones we disagree with - even as Christ loved us.

Humbly,

PTL

posttinebraelux said...

Brad,

PS - I directed my comment to you as you are the director of this blog and bear some responsibility for the tenor of the posts. I certainly am not accusing you of being guilty of said comments.

PTL

brad reynolds said...

PTL
I do not know what Ben's book will be about, however, some have felt it will be ad-hominal, in part, toward some of the leaders of the conservative resurgence in the SBC (I certainly hope not). I think the comment was a lighthearted jab towards Ben who implied (no, actually he said) I licked boots. I know Ben and honestly believe he laughed at the comment. I am fairly confident he did not take offense.

However, you have made me aware that many readers of this blog may not know when personalities who know of each other, and are adversaries on certain issues, are light-heartedly jousting. Therefore, let me encourage all, when you are joking with another person, who you are familar with, please let all readers know either by a comment (just kidding) or a :)

May we all guard our mouths, or in this case our fingers.
BR

Cliff4JC said...

Dr. Reynolds,

Remember now...I'm not really disagreeing with you. You may have a point about the hermeneutical approach of many. My point though stands. For those that don't understand the importance of good hermeneutics, or for those that do and simply come to a different conclusion, lets let "charity" (since we are doing a KJV theme here!) rule. Isn't there some room here for finding what we have in common? Honestly, even for the modernist who takes scripture seriously, he must admit that great caution has to be taken around the issue of alcohol. We stand together on much of this issue; drunkenness is wrong, alcohol is dangerous, it is wrong for underage people to drink, the effects on society are grave. There is more I'm sure; but the point is, we agree on more than we disagree. Lets not make enemies of each other over this issue. (not that I'm saying you are; we just need to be careful with our tone and rhetoric.). Remember, I do believe it's wrong for me to drink...I'm not making the modernists case. I think Romans 14 is a good guide here:

3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

We are the Lord's after all!

I will look forward to reading those articles...in a few weeks! I'm off to Chicago and the Gay Olympics! LOL

Pray for me!

brad reynolds said...

Cliff
Wise as always. I certainly believe that many have come to the position of moderation not out of a pursuit of sin (although as one former moderationist admitted to me today, many do) but simply from a mishandling of the text. Further, one who is honestly seeking truth on this issue and has arrived at the view of moderation is certainly different from one who is blinded by their desires.

Nevertheless, if I am convinced from the Scriptures that drinking strong drink is wrong and if I believe today’s alcoholic beverages fall into the category of strong drink then I would be unwise to be silent. I would speak out against the legalization of and participation in any other mind-altering drug (even if one were to fail to reach the state of drunkenness) as well as slavery.

Concerning alcohol to minors, the moderationist position has to say it is wrong because the secular government says it is wrong, whereas I believe it is innately wrong.

Have a gay time in Chicago (pun intended) :)
BR

brad reynolds said...

Cliff
One final thought for tonight. Sadly, I think much of the reaction of the younger generation toward abstinence is the horrible exegesis by some pastors. Many pastors have abused texts from the pulpit in order to defend abstinence and parishioners have realized this, and then searched Scripture to the best of their abilities and falsely arrived at the conclusion of moderation.

But let me be quick to say, I would never question the motives of any pastor, perhaps he is doing the best he can and following Christ to the best of his ability, even when he mishandles a text. Let me further state, if God can use this middle-aged clump of clay He can use anything, including the mishandling of texts.
BR

brad reynolds said...

PTL
One other thought on Ben's book. If it is anything like his comparison of Dr. Patterson to J Edgar Hoover then many of us will believe it is a fictional work with nuggets of twisted-truth, others will believe it is totally true but should not have been published and still others will read it with glee. I personally want to believe it will be nothing like his post.

Ben, if I have been unfair, let me know.
BR

brad reynolds said...

And I was hoping for Luther or Paul. The Apostle not the Pope.

Jeremy Green said...

Given the importance of the Conservative Resurgence...

Prophetically, I was thinking more along the lines of Elijah and John - The Baptist, not Kerry.

God bless!!!

In Christ,
JLG

posttinebraelux said...

Brad,

I'm sure Ben's book disturbed many - the one in reference here, however, cannot, to this point be called anything except "a work in the making." Good thought, however, on "guarding our fingers" - clever and poignant. Regarding the charge of moderationists "mishandling" Scripture, the same charge could be levelled at abstentionists. Instead of the negative charge at the other camp, however, I choose to apply the positive charge toward myself (i.e. that I have correctly handled Scripture) and allow God to be the judge of whether the abstentionists have "mishandled" Scripture. Just a thought.

Brothers in Christ,

PTL

posttinebraelux said...

Brad,

Regarding SBCPastor's comments - you may be right. I may have errantly inferred an attitude that may not have been intended. If that is the case, then my apology is humbly offered to SBCPaster. I too, however, would recommend some sort of punctual indication that potentially inflammatory language is meant only as "good-natured" jabbing.

Sincerely,

PTL

brad reynolds said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
brad reynolds said...

Ben
Martin was my intention but if you choose Vandross I guess you could entitle it after his single "I'll Let You Slide" :)
BR

Anonymous said...

Brad,

I am not sure how to spell NARCESISTIC, but I think Ben is one.

NGP

Jeremy Green said...

I think Mom2 is a wise woman indeed. God bless her!!!

In Christ,
JLG

brad reynolds said...

Mom2
Thank you for bringing wisdom here.
BR

Jeff Richard Young said...

Dear Dr. Cole,

"Others learn to savor manure."

As a deputy in the Baptist Blogging Decency Police, I must issue you a citation for this comment.

Is this really your view of how Baptist ministers should speak to one another? It appears that I am coming down on the same side of most current SBC issues as you are. I would love to work closely with like-minded Baptists on these issues, but if you continue to present yourself in this way, I and others possessed of common courtesy will be forced to keep our distance.

Love in Christ,

Jeff

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