Joshua Convergence News Updated

Florida Baptist Witness has a new article on the Joshua Convergence.

By the way, two bloggers (Wade Burleson and Tom Ascol) have now stated I misrepresented Wade in my address on holiness at the Joshua Convergence. I try to maintain a no-spin blog in a search for truth. And so without addressing the other remarks they made (we don't want to devolve into a tit-for-tat) let me state there appears to be some truth to their accusations based on a statement made by Wade Burleson today. But let us first recall the post I referenced.

The Title of the Post: "CONVERSION TO CHRIST OVER A GLASS OF WINE" - typically the title of an article carries with it the thesis. Let us also recall the section of the article I referred to, which was under the heading "Wine used in the conversion of a sinner" - again, typically the heading of a section contains the thesis of that section. Finally, let's quote the first paragraph of that section, "The following story is a beautiful narrative of reconciliation, conversion, and ultimate redemption --- all INITIATED because of a glass of wine.” (Caps - mine) Usually the first paragraph of a section contains the theme of the section.

Now, my assumptions were; 1) The Holy Spirit initiates ones conversion; 2) the idea that "conversion and ultimate redemption was initiated by a glass of wine" implies the glass of wine (which was an initiating factor in her conversion and redemption, according to the statement) somehow, in the mind of the blogger, contributed to her salvation which was a work of the Holy Spirit.

Now apparently my assumptions based on the phrases "conversion to Christ over a glass of wine," "wine used in the conversion of a sinner," and "conversion, redemption- initiated because of a glass of wine" were wrong because Wade stated today, "I believe that the movement of the Holy Spirit of God upon the wife of a man I had recently led to Christ had nothing to do with the use of alchohol, but rather, God saved her by His sovereign pleasure."

Nevertheless, I think an objective reader can see how logically and easily I arrived at my conclusion.

However,
Wade,
I made that statement in pubic, and therefore I apologize to you in public. Honestly, I am ecstatic to know you don't feel that a glass of wine contributed, in any way, to her conversion. May God bless you my brother.

I do have a difficult time reconciling the title and reason for the post with the above statement you made but that's not a big issue for me, because I have much more important theological issues I still haven't reconciled in my mind (man's choice...God's Sovreignty)


Some added notes:
1. I did believe Wade believed that wine played a role in the young woman coming to faith (his very title implied it, to me). I didn’t know if it was a minor role, such as her being open to hear what he had to say, or a more major role…but I did believe he thought it played a role. HE HAS MADE CLEAR HE BELIEVES IT PLAYED NO ROLE!!! For that I am truly grateful. I have sincerely apologized to Wade publicly and on the phone…he has graciously forgiven me.

I want to make clear I felt I was honestly portraying some thoughts of pastors when I spoke at the Joshua Convergence, in fact, I quoted word for word Ben Cole's comments from Wade's comment section where Ben said, "One of my deacon candidates makes a mean margarita. And it's not an issue. By the way, since we lifted that clause from our constitution and bylaws, our church visitation ministry has taken off, and people in our church are more excited than ever about reaching the lost." MOREOVER FOR THOSE WHO ASSUME I PURPOSELY MISREPRESENTED WADE FOR THE JOSHUA CONVERGENCE PLEASE REFER TO MY POST ON JULY 18TH "ALCOHOL ABSTINENCE: BIAS OR BIBLICAL" WHERE I SAID "The idea that the world will accept us and listen to the gospel if we drink with them verges on apostasy. One blogger implied a lady was saved as a result of his affirmation of wine. Such theological naiveté assumes that alcoholic spirits move the Holy Spirit…how sacrilegious!" - NO ONE corrected my misunderstanding then (see the comments), and until Wade made it clear today he did not mean that, I was certainly confused because of his title and post.

Further I want to be clear that I do feel strongly (and I mean strongly) that it is sad and wrong for any pastor to teach their congregations a Biblical position of moderation. For this I DO NOT APOLOGIZE!

2. I truly believe whether one believes I misrepresented him before he clarified depends on one's perspective. It appears moderationists, by in large, feel I misrepresented him, however, abstentionists, by in large, feel I didn't. Perspective is important. However, Wade has made clear where he stands and as far as I am concerned it’s over.

3. Concerning the comments about my making the statement for applause or any other supposed motive…I try not to defend myself. God knows my heart and I rest in that.

4. Allow me also to clarify some other things. Wade made clear in our conversation that Harvey the Rabbit’s information was wrong! He did not speak to Dr. McKissic within an hour after chapel because he listened to the tape first and then called Dr. McKissic and has only spoken to him once. He has no plan, nor has he even discussed a plan, to run Dr. McKissic next year (please see his comment to Harvey the Rabbit under my post Dr. Eitel's Second Paper...) He also told me that when he said “since (the BFM2K) is not inerrant and infallible then you can disagree with it in some areas, but still affirm it where it speaks to major, foundational issues of the faith --- which I do” What he meant was that he affirmed the BFM2K in EVERY and ALL parts but did not like it being used to remove others from the convention. I was and am honestly confused as to how he meant that in his first statement, but I trust him at his word.

Further, I don't think the BFM2K is being used to remove some from our convention...I think it should be used to remove employees of the convention if they don't agree.

5. He and I have some honest theological disagreements.

6. Holiness is just one of our affirmations. And alcohol was just a "symptom" of a lack of holiness, in my opinion. The issue was that we are not being good examples of separating ourselves from the world and to Christ. And I speak of myself first and foremost.

BR