Bloggers triumphant

[William Thornton]

Although the Memphis Declaration eschewed such things, it will be difficult for the young bloggers to avoid a bit of post-convention triumphialism, but let's see how they do.

After all we've got articles about them, sometimes quoting and naming them in , ...they even got SBC media passes (check that out ).
Then there are the usual stories you've been reading on apb and bp.

The more sensible among the bloggers understand and write that the convention results were a bit more complicated than that.

It was stated to me by an IMB trustee that you can't run the mission board by blogging. It was also stated that the trustees do read the blogs. I think we can expect a different approach than we've seen thus far, IMO, seeing that lots of folks learn about stuff in a hurry through the blogs. That SBC planners thought enough to issue press passes of a sort to the bloggers shows that they are looking at including them in their thinking and decisions- nothing wrong with that.

What shall we expect in the future? Surely a more sophisticated institutional response to the reality of blogging and the changes in the SBC landscape on account of the medium and probably some stubbed toes by some of the less sophisticated bloggers.

[Jonathan]

[Sandy]

[William Thornton]

[William Thornton]

[Sandy]

[William Thornton]

[David Flick]

[T. D. Webb]

[T. D. Webb]

[David Flick]

[T. D. Webb]

David, do you or don't you now agree that Burleson was correct in "talking" about the secret backroom machinations of the IMB BoT, the private caucuses of small groups of Trustees conducted outside the BoT meeting room (in deliberate violation of BoT rules), and the BoT's tactic of quashing all dissent from Trustees after a measure had been adopted by the BoT (which required the BoT to completely revise its guidelines)

The criticism that Wade Burleson "talks too much" is a relatively petty complaint, compared to the great contribution Burleson has made in exposing the deeds of political power players, both inside and outside the IMB BoT. Admittedly, Burleson's course of action was not a particularly wise move, "politically", from his personal perspective. The pundits and political "old guard" types subsequently "let the dogs out" to assassinate Burleson's character with blatantly false charges (which, to this date, they have made no effort to specify or substantiate ). They complained that this BoT "newby" should have been sitting quietly, as a "new kid on the block", in his place as a freshman Trustee; and, had absolutely no business speaking out or criticising the deeds of more "experienced" BoT members. Yet, if Burleson had not spoken out, the vast rank and file of SBC members would most likely still be in the dark about the collusive actions of several in SBC leadership positions.

Similarly, Burleson has been transparent in the position he has taken on the alcohol issue. No doubt, your remark is well taken that Burleson's point of view is not politically expedient in many, if not most, Southern Baptist circles. Nevertheless, his perspective is Biblically based on the principle that drunkenness is a vile sin, destroys a Christian's witness, and should be severly addressed in disciplining church members who practice a drunkenness lifestyle. Contrary to what you imply, David, Burleson is adamantly opposed to drunkenness.

However, the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages is not generally prohibited in Scripture. Notwithstanding some legalistic claims to the contrary that Welch's (you remember. . .the first grape juice plant was established in Jerusalem, as recorded in the book. . . Hezikiah ) grape juice was Jesus' drink of choice during the Last Supper Passover observance , there is a plethora of evidence that Jesus and His disciples drank "wine" on the occasion. Neither did Jesus turn the bottles of water into "grape juice" at the Cana wedding; nor, was Paul trying to say, in giving medical advice to his protege, Timothy, that "a little grape juice was good for the stomach".

Therefore, while Burleson's position on "alcohol" is not politically self-serving, he is, along with Tom Ascol, doctrinally sound on the issue.


In His Grace and Peace,

[William Thornton]

[T. D. Webb]