Back in June, I had the opportunity to meet Don Hinkle.  While I did not know much about him, he seemed like a reasonable man who understood the issues facing the SBC.  Since that time, I have enjoyed reading his articles on Thoughts and Adventures.
Today, he has posted an article dealing with the recent announcement of Dr. Mohler’s candidacy for president of the SBC.  In it he states some rebuttals to those who object to Dr. Mohler (a sitting SBC seminary president) becoming president of the SBC.  In particular, he states this:

Some object to a Mohler presidency because he is the president of an SBC agency. So what? The SBC has looked to its seminaries in the past for denominational leadership. Several seminary presidents have served as SBC president. To suggest that there is some kind of conflict of interest is baseless and implies our current agency leaders – and especially the 80-plus-member SBC Executive Committee that oversees Cooperative Program allocations – are inept. Nothing could be further from the truth.

What Bro. Don points out has been the modus operandi from some of the reformers.  Make statements that either question the intelligence or integrity of your opponents.  One can do this by either stating that the professors of a seminary who sign both the abstract of principles and the BF&M are “pretending they adhere to the BFM 2000″ or insinuating that trustees are duplicitous in their behavior  between open and closed door sessions. (Just to show a couple)

As June approaches and other candidates vie for the presidency, we should be careful of the information that is used to either endorse or unfairly denounce someone for the presidency of the SBC.

The bottom line is this, Dr. Mohler’s tract record shows us that he has the leadership capability, the intellectual prowess, and a passion in reaching the world for Christ.  These ingredients will do the SBC well in selecting her next president.

Upon request from a commentator, I will repost some of what I took down on my post concerning Peter Lumpkins. What he accomplished in his last pastorate is truly remarkable and deserves to be seen for reasons other than why it was originally posted. It amazing what God can do through a servant who is surrendered to His will.

What if I told you of a pastor who came to a church that had a Christian academy in a community that had already experienced a thorough transition from being a mostly white rural area to a community where the white population numbered around 50% or so. What if I told you the congregation was mostly white and the academy had already become about 70% black with hardly any African Americans on faculty. What if I also told you that one of the first things this pastor did was to fill faculty positions with qualified African American educators, lead to the placement of the first African American on the School Board, and led the church to adopt as part of their vision statement that they would be a ‘Church of all Nations’.

What if I told you that when the Lord moved this man to a new ministry, the staff had transitioned to a healthy situation where 50% or more were African American and left the school with goals for when openings occurred, to seek qualified African American senior administrators to fill those positions. What if I told you that did occur and now because of this pastor’s vision the church now has an Executive Pastor of Education who is a noted African American educator and minister in Georgia.

If I told you all those things, you and I would applaud this man as a Galatians 3:28 leader who tore down the walls of prejudice and racism in order to reach his changing community for Christ.

Dr. Lumpkins would be the first to tell you that it was God who did all of this. Peter was only allowed to participate in God’s plan for the church and the Christian academy he was set as a steward over. May we all gain a greater grasp of the gospel, as Peter did, and realize that regardless of skin color, position in life, gender or heritage we are all one in Christ.

SelahV has done it again. She has written a post that spoke many of the feelings I have on my heart.  This one deals with the topic that has burned up the internet over the last few weeks: Racism.  It moved me so much that I asked if I could reprint it here on From The Hill.  She graciously agreed.  I believe she speaks truth, but also describes the uncertainty, I know I have, in how do we talk and seek understanding rather than jumping to quick conclusions that only divide. I trust you will be blessed by her testimony.

I’ve never understood racism.

My mother abandoned my two elder brothers and me when I was just 3 years old. Fortunately I was blessed with a wonderful nanny who cared for me like I was her very own–Trisha. She happened to be black. In those days, she was called a negro. The first time I ever really noticed she was black was when I saw her shaving her legs. I must have been about five. She was all lathered up with white soap. As she drew the razor up her leg, the black was stark against the background of white. I recall as if yesterday, asking, “Trisha, how come you are black?”

“Oh, child, the Lord made me this way.”

I didn’t know much about the Lord at the time, but I knew the Lord was someone who was suppose to be good and if He made her black then it was a good thing. Then I wondered, why am I white? If black was good, then is white bad? Trisha assured me that white wasn’t bad either. That the Lord made both black and white and both were exactly what He wanted them to be.

Through the years, I listened as my father called negroes “niggers”. Daddy thought the absolute world of Trisha. I never heard him call her by that term. But I heard him refer to other black people that way. I never understood it. Not then. Today I do. Daddy was prejudiced. He was prejudiced by his own culture. His upbringing. By our country’s disdain for black people. I didn’t know much about the politics of it all as a child. I only observed the treatment of blacks. I heard the names they were called. I saw the way they were considered second-class (or worse) people. It was confusing to me, especially since I loved Trisha as a mother and saw absolutely nothing wrong with being black.

When I was a freshman in highschool in Virginia, the first black girl was admitted to our all-white school. I’d heard she was coming for days. It was like some disease was on its way, that we should all be prepared. I’m a bit surprised that they didn’t have us vaccinated prior to her arrival. Joyce Phillips was her name. I’ll never forget going to her and introducing myself. She barely spoke to me. I was trying to be nice. But she came close to totally rebuffing my extension of friendship. Then, I didn’t know why. Today I do.

Joyce was scared to death. Lord only knows what she’d been through. She’d lived her entire life knowing white people viewed her as trash. She had to use a different drinking fountain. She couldn’t go into white restaurants. She had to use a different restroom. There’s no doubt in my mind, she knew firsthand the racial bigotry that caused fellow members of her race to be hanged for less reasons than drinking at a white water fountain. And now she was entering the white world with no other black person at her side. I know I was not patronizing her. In my heart, I didn’t understand why others considered her any less a person than they did white people. Trisha had taught me that as a little child. But Joyce couldn’t know what I’d been taught. She only knew what she had experienced.

Today, over 45 years later, the divide between black and white is still here. Much progress has been made on the part of blacks. Much progress has been made on the part of whites. But we still face the same suspicions, judgemental attitudes and prejudice that we faced back then. Every time we get a bridge built, someone comes along and either blows it up, or rams the support beneath it.

There is an elephant in the room and I believe we all need to begin talking about that elephant or that elephant will trample us all to death–white and black.

I for one, have a great deal of difficulty trying to talk to blacks because of fear. I fear I’m going to offend them. I do not have to measure every word with anyone else–of any other race–as I do my black brothers and sisters. I don’t live in fear of reprisal. I live in fear of not being understood: Of being considered a racist for using a word or phrase in a way they understand it to be a slur. Of being judged by an invisible standard set by the history of men and women I never knew or even cared to know.

Black folks don’t like being lumped into a stereotypical description of ghetto-mentality and I don’t like being lumped into a stereotypical description of slaveownership-mentality. When I say a person–be he white or black–is articulate, I am giving a compliment. I have black friends who are married to white friends. I have sisters who are married to black men, and they have bi-racial children.

I love to hear black preachers preach. I love the color they add to their messages. I love the way they preach in cadence. I love the fervor with which they preach. I love the way they use a repetitive poetic statement and expound upon it and plant the Truth in my memory. I do not like all black preachers–no matter how they preach. I do not like all white preachers either.

I want to be understood as much as my fellow black brothers and sisters want to be understood. I’m just as tired of being considered a racist because I happen to be born white, as a black person is of being considered less than human because he/she is born black. I am sickened to death at the sound of the word racist and repulsed by the actions of one who has the repulsive attitude.

We are living in an age where finally two black coaches can take two integrated teams to the Superbowl and win. Neither of them lost that game this year. We are living in a time when a man born to a black father and white mother can run for President of the United States. Where men and women of every color and every age stand behind that man in primary elections. It is sad to see the first woman running for President feel she must be black in order to beat that candidate for her party. It’s awful to hear the media continually beat the race drum regarding voters. Rather than getting the votes…each candidate targets specific votes…according to race, gender, and faith. What happened to equality and not discriminating?

I pray we can all begin to dialog regarding our different views without hiding beneath white sheets or pulling out ropes to make a point. God is no respecter of color, but we are. And until we admit we are, we are no better than the person we are accusing of the same racism. I have one criteria by which I judge a man, a woman or a candidate for anything. What fruit do they produce? I want to be judged likewise.

I have no idea what is going on in the minds of people. Unless a person is clothed in my skin and lived in my life, they don’t either. And unless each individual with an opinion can read the minds, hearts and motives behind every word and action of another, we are not in any place to judge.

And as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are accountable to God to correct, exhort and reprove. But we are commanded to do so in love, gentleness and with a spirit of reconciliation. Less than that is just as ungodly as any act an offending brother or sister has committed.

Oh, dear Lord, that we all be blind to the color of our skin. Oh, dear Lord, that we could all view others with Your eyes, through the crimson blood of the Lamb rather than through the history of others’ discrimination. Let us “purge out the old leaven” that we “may be fresh dough, still uncontaminated, for Christ, our Passover”. “Let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with leaven of vice and malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened [bread] of purity (nobility, honor) and sincerity and (unadulterated) truth.” (I Cor.5:7,8. Amplified) Let this moment be significant, Lord. Let it be significant for Your glory and not ours. Let our need to be right be brought into Your Light and exposed for the wrong that it is. selahV

[copyrighted, selahVtoday, 2007]

I made a promise over at Tim Rogers blog that if an offending post towards another blogger was removed from the internet that I would follow suit and do the same. Since the post was removed I am doing so also. My reason was that I did not want my site to connect the offended blogger to the subject that was used to slander his character and reputation. But, the post also contained another subject that dealt with the political games that are played in the SBC. Since that subject did not include the offended blogger by name nor the subject by which he as maligned on the internet, I republish it here for further dialog.

It was released that Dr. Al Mohler would be seeking the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention this June at her annual meeting in Indianapolis. Not soon after, a post was released by Wade Burleson concerning the Cooperative Program giving of the church Dr. Mohler attends. Again, on the surface, it seems that Dr. Mohler’s church (who he is a member of, not senior pastor) is not supportive of the cooperative program, but allow me to make some statements. We all know there are some state conventions that do not see eye to eye with some churches concerning the conservative resurgence and denominational accountability. Cooperative program giving is done through the state convention which then passes on a percentage (depending on the state) to the national convention. I don’t know why Highview Baptist Church decided not to give traditionally through the convention in Kentucky with the cooperative program, but what I do know is that they have recently become affiliated with the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana where one of their satellite campuses are located.

Thanks to the research Bart Barber did, we know that in 2008, Highview Baptist Church has designated $400,000 for the Cooperative program and $100,000 for Lottie Moon. With these facts, I can support this man, who is a member of a church that gives in this way, for president of the SBC.

Unfortunately for some, those facts don’t matter. Again, political expediency is the call for the day so use the facts that are only helpful to your cause.

I do want to close with one interesting snippet from the dialog between Bart and Wade. In it Wade makes this statement:

My church’s 5% giving to CP I believe should disqualify me from seeking the Presidency of the SBC, so I am not asking for a standard that I am unwilling to accept myself.

As I stated before, cooperative program giving is done through the state conventions and a percentage (depending on the state) is sent to the national convention. Apparently, Wade believes that 3 or 5 percent disqualifies one from becoming President of the SBC. Oklahoma Baptist churches funnel Cooperative program money through the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. In other words, the BGCO is supported by cooperative program giving churches. I leave you with this question.

In light of how money is sent through Oklahoma to the SBC, why did Wade feel he was qualified to be president of the BGCO (a cooperative supported entity) while leading his church to then give 5 percent, but now he does not feel qualified nor does he think anyone else is qualified for the presidency of the SBC (a cooperative supported entity) at that level of giving?

Dr. Bart Barber has come out with more information concerning the giving pattern for the church Dr. Mohler attends, Highview Baptist.  As you know this whole matter came to prominence after Dr. Mohler put his hat in the ring for the up coming election of President at this years Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis.

What was so sad was the seemingly expediency for political gain that was demonstrated to discredit Dr. Mohler as a viable candidate for president.  It is a shame that Highview Baptist church and her pastor had to come forward with this information in light of what was deemed “various erroneous news reports.”

What should concern us all is when tactics such as this are used to discredit a man who has served God faithfully in the Southern Baptist Convention for years.  In the previous post linked, two other reasons outside of missions giving by Highview Baptist church were given as to why Dr. Mohler would not be a viable candidate.  I suggest that we all take a deep breath and pray before more erroneous information and faulty logic is used in disqualifying a qualified and godly man from the presidency of the SBC.

It’s a Wonderful Life Ending

This segment from one of my favorite Christmas movies brings to my mind a few thoughts:

1. Don’t get your theology from a movie.

2. Public school teachers should not teach theology in school. Especially on how angels get their wings.

3. Wine and Christmas carols should not mix.

4. I am thankful for the friends God has brought me in contact with through this blog medium.

5. I am the richest man in bloggerville!

Hee Haw and Merry Christmas. See you all next year.

Imitation of Christ - Thomas a Kempis

Book One - The Twelfth Chapter

The Value of Adversity

It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men. When a man of good will is afflicted, tempted and tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that he greatest need is God, without Whom he can do no good. Saddened by his miseries and sufferings, he laments and prays. He wearies of living longer and wishes for death that he might be dissolved and be with Christ. Then he understands full that perfect security and complete peace cannot be found on earth.

This bit of wisdom I relay to my brothers who are serving the Lord as pastors and facing terrible circumstances. For those who have prayed for months about the Lord’s will and when received, they shared it with the deacons, only to have the idea squashed in the matter of 15 minutes by men who have not prayed at all. This is for pastors whose wife and children have been the targets of retaliation by disgruntled church members. This is for pastors who have had their words taken wrongly and misstated to others. This is for the pastors who have had lies spread about them. This is for the pastors who labored in God’s Word this week only to have someone tell you they are not being fed. This is for my brothers who may have been in the wrong, realized their mistake, sought forgiveness, but were never fully forgiven. This is for the pastor whose child has gone wayward. This is for the pastor who is barely above the poverty line and whose car gave out last week, had to take their child to the hospital, or gave his last twenty dollars to a single mom so she could buy some diapers.

This is for my brothers who are ready to quit. Find your solace in Christ alone. He will renew the calling He gave to you and will guide you in fulfilling it.

On this Monday, may you be comforted by God’s love and grace in the face of adversity.

A Story Of Hope - Part1 - Dr. Ergun Caner

Over the next four weeks, I will present this story of hope from Ergun Caner.

His coming to Christ is a powerful story with a strong theological emphasis.

After listening to his testimony, all I can say is AMEN!

I am sure that most of you have heard of the TBN show that featured Dwight McKissic, Dr. Dwain Miller, and Dr. Scott Camp. The whole subject was on SBC pastors who practice tongues and the controversy in the SBC stemming from tongues and her policies on tongues.

There is something else I must relay to my readers. When it comes to friendship, I do my level best to be loyal to those I count special in my heart. This will hopefully shed some light on the next paragraphs.

I met Dwain Miller early in my pastoral ministry. He was a great encourager and I coveted his prayers for strength in my ministry. I have known Dwain to be a man of integrity, a pastor’s friend, and a pastor passionate about the lost. He has reached out to those who have been forgotten in most target groups. My ministry and life has been blessed by God giving me opportunities to talk to him about God and the ministry. We have not talked about the differences concerning our views on the how the Spirit operates in His church, but I hope to have the opportunity one day to do so with love and grace.

I had the privilege to meet Bro. Dwight for the first time last year at the round table he sponsored at Cornerstone. From that time we have had the opportunity to talk at length concerning our differences. He was gracious enough to invite me to participate in the Conference on the Holy Spirit and has encouraged me in my studies at Southwestern. Dwight is a big fan of education at the Seminary level and persuades others who are seeking to go in the ministry to enter seminary. He is a man who loves the church. I have also known Dwight to be a man of integrity, a pastor’s friend, and a pastor passionate about the lost.

While the aforementioned men I disagree with concerning tongues and other areas on gifts of the Holy Spirit, I also have friends on the other side of this issue that I agree. It has been a great privilege to know Dr. Bart Barber. He has proven himself to be a man of integrity, a pastor’s friend, and a pastor passionate about the lost. I first met him about six years ago and was reacquainted with him about a year and a half ago. Bart loves the local church and has proven himself well equipped to handle controversies, yet humble to admit his mistakes. I consider him one of my closest confidants and trust him as a mentor in my life.

Wes Kenney has become a friend that sharpens this friend. Since he first came out and stood up for believers baptism as a requirement for church membership, we have been friends. There isn’t hardly a day where we don’t talk about SBC issues, the ministry, or family in general. He is a man of integrity, a pastor’s friend, and a pastor passionate about the lost. He is one of the sharpest individuals I know and often takes me to task for my grammar or lack there of. (That preposition was for you Wes.) Many may not realize this, but he is also one of the funniest guys I know. I mean, this guy is really funny. My life is blessed by this friendship.

Tim Rogers and I have had contact for over the last year. I finally met him face to face in San Antonio and that, with previous conversations, led to us collaborating on SBC Today. This is another man I find having the highest integrity, a passion for the lost, and a concern for fellow pastors in the ministry. He is another Iron Man in my world of friends and I have been blessed by our interaction. Tim also ranks as one of the funniest guys I know. I wish I had his gift for gab and humorous sayings. But since I don’t, I will listen to him.

Tim Guthrie is a man that I first met at San Antonio. Since that time, we have talked many times and I have witnessed his integrity, his love for his church, and his love for the Southern Baptist Convention. I have gained knowledge and wisdom with our conversations. He has a no non sense attitude when seeing how things are happening in the convention and I appreciate his analysis. He is also a man I consider a friend and I am blessed for it.

With all that said, I don’t believe that Dwight agreed with everything that was said on the TBN show. I wish he would have spoke up when Dr. Patterson’s correct view on the Greek grammar of 1 Cor. 13:8 was called, “silly” by the moderator. You can disagree with a man’s point of view, but to call it silly to millions of people world wide without him being able to speak to it is just wrong. I wish something was said. There are many things I wish Bro. Dwight would have done, but I also realize he is on T.V. with millions of viewers world wide. That is very intimidating and the venue did not allow Bro. Dwight to express his view points fully. Do I disagree with him on his theology concerning tongues? Absolutely! Do I believe he is a man lacking moral character? Absolutely Not!

Now some may see me as going soft. Let me assure you, I am not. I stand against the beliefs that were expressed on that show and I will do all I can to stand up for what the Bible says about those practices. I will stand and work with Bart, Wes, Tim R. and Tim G. in solidifying our Baptist distinctives in the convention. I also believe they have brought to light some legitimate questions concerning the TBN show. I am also angered that Dr. Patterson was criticized and mocked during that show. I am disappointed that the SBC in many instances was represented in a condescending tone. It is my desire to maintain the friendships I have gained over these last few years, but I will stand for truth and a proper understanding of what the Bible says even if that means studying the Greek and Hebrew to get there.

Do I believe there is a push in our convention to go fully charismatic? Yes. Do I believe all the men on that show are organizing to lead that movement? No. I believe the show represented a desire by some to have the convention go this route, though, I don’t believe Bro. Dwight is willing to go as far as what some would want.

The argument about how far we will go rests in the understanding of the BF&M. If it is considered a maximum statement, then ultimately the policy on tongues would have to be removed from the IMB and NAMB. Why? Because the BF&M does not discuss matters of Spiritual gifts and the full operation of the tongues practice would have to be allowed on the field along with being slain in the spirit, holy laughter, and holy shouts just to name a few. This is not to spread fear, but to show the logical outworking of a maximal policy concerning the BF&M. Whether people realize it or not, this will happen if a maximal view is taken.

I don’t believe the show on TBN is the issue. I do believe it is a result of the debate concerning maximum/minimum view of the BF&M. But, the real issue is this debate. I will do all I can to allow our agencies and our trustees to deal with issues as they come and not be hindered by a maximal view of the BF&M. I will also do all I can to appreciate the friends God has brought into my life. It is my prayer that God will grant me wisdom on how to stand for truth, yet remain faithful to my friends.

What Christmas Is All About

Some people do photos and others do “Supply the Caption.” I do videos.

Since the holiday season is upon us, I thought I would spread the truth Charles Schultz style.