I'm probably going to make every SBC blogger mad at me with this post, but here goes nothing. Let me preface my remarks by saying that these are my viewpoints only. What I have written is based on my observations of SBC blogging for the past 1 and 1/2 years. It is entirely possible that I am in error in some of my perspectives. If I have inaccurately described you or the group in which I have placed you, feel free to provide correction. If I have overlooked you, please accept my apologies and let me know where you fit.
If you disagree with my penchant for categorizing people and viewpoints, that's okay. You're probably right in that I have overly generalized in my observations. However, I have found this exercise to be helpful to me in understanding where my fellow bloggers are coming from. I consider all of my fellow bloggers to be men and women worthy of respect. Also, I believe all of my fellow bloggers are eagerly and sincerely seeking to follow Christ as honestly as they know how at this point in their spiritual development. It is because of my great respect for these men and women that I have included their names in this post.
WHO'S WHO IN SBC BLOGGING
There seems to be three main points of view solidifying their positions in the SBC blogosphere. First, there is the "establishment" side. These are those who defend all things SBC from perceived attacks. They do not focus on issues as much as they focus on personalities. If a seminary President is criticized, they rush to his defense. If an existing SBC entity policy is questioned, they seek to defend it. Anyone who disagrees with them is perceived to be anti-conservative and most probably a "moderate." Most of these bloggers are inclined towards Arminianism in their soteriology. Recently, a definite "isolationalist" perspective has emerged from this group. The establishment bloggers include Bart Barber , Robin Foster , Jeremy Green , Tim Guthrie , Wes Kenney , Peter Lumpkins , Tim Rogers , Joe Stewart , David Worley (volfan007), and Hershael York . Dr. Malcolm Yarnell is also to be included here. Although I am not aware of a personal blog of his, he is a frequent commenter and guest blogger.
Secondly, there is the "reformation" side. These are those who question the SBC establishment and seek changes in political and missiological structure. They have a tendency to be more focused on issues, however, they also will be personality-oriented as well. They are quick to criticize what they view as establishment excesses and inconsistencies. If they perceive that an SBC leader is oppressing a person or a group, they are ready to defend whom they perceive to be the defenseless. Those who disagree with them are perceived to be narrow-minded, intolerant, ultra-conservative and most probably "fundamentalist." Most of these bloggers are inclined towards Calvinism in their soteriology. This group is more open to cooperation with non-Baptists to reach the lost for Jesus Christ. The reformation bloggers include Wade Burleson , Bob Cleveland , Ben Cole , Marty Duren , Debbie Kaufman , Paul Littleton , Todd Littleton , Boyd Luter , Art Rogers , David Rogers , C. B. Scott , and Rick Thompson .
Thirdly, there is the "middle-of-the-road" side. These are those who evaluate each issue on its own merit in light of God's Word. They will focus on the issues no matter who are the personalities that support or oppose the issue. Support will not come from this group just because the SBC leaders support something. Neither will opposition be automatic just because those who oppose SBC leadership are speaking out. They are not afraid to criticize when they feel criticism is necessary or praise when praise is warranted. They are open to the ideas of others and will listen to all sides. These people are varied in their soteriological views; some Calvinists and some Arminians. The middle-of-the-roaders are Tom Ascol , Geoff Baggett , Kevin Bussey , Alan Cross , Micah Fries , Tony Kummer , Les Puryear , Tony Sisk , and Kevin Stilley .
Hopefully this summary of the most active bloggers in the SBC will help you better understand the players and their respective points of view.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
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40 comments:
You said "Hopefully this summary of the most active bloggers in the SBC will help you better understand the players and their respective points of view."
What if your summary is wrong?
Les,
I'm most definitely not mad. I would be if you put me in either one of the other categories. :)
But just because I am "middle-of-the-road" on denominational issues and politics does not mean that I am in any way lukewarm in my theology. I simple choose to find balance, rather than camp out on either "side."
Geoff
Tim G,
It is a distinct possibility that my summary is wrong. As I said, this is my perspective.
What corrections would you make?
Geoff,
I agree that being "middle-of-the-road" does not equal being lukewarm.
Les
I prefer to be identified with the never-ending fight for truth, justice, and the American way!
Oh, and I want to point out to all those churches and conferences that refuse to have me preach because of my Calvinism that I have just been included in a group that is "inclined toward Armininianism!" The invitations should be rolling in now!
Dr York
That was falling off my chair funny.
Les you probably need a category for Big Daddy Weave - an active blogger who leans left from outside the SBC arena. I would also be interested in where you would put Emily Hunter McGowin who impresses me every time she puts pen to paper - or I guess fingers to keyboard. I assume she would be in the reformer category
JIm Champion
Well Les, I won't scream at you. I particularly like your observation about my position and I tend to think that your descriptions of others are also pretty accurate as well. Nice attempt!
Yes, I agree with Jim.
You can call it the Big Daddy Weave category - a home for outsiders looking in....
For what it's worth, my conversations with the Establishment bloggers are (in my opinion) consistently more civil and productive than conversations that Southern Baptists on the Reformer and Establishment sides have between themselves....
Dr. York,
Hence the qualifier "Most of these bloggers are inclined towards Arminianism..." You are the exception.
Hope your invitations increase. :)
Jim,
Yes, I would probably place Emily Hunter McGowin on the "reformation" side. However, she is relatively new so time will tell. Her writing skills are exemplary.
In regard to our brother Big Daddy, I'm not sure he would make a SBC list because I don't think he's SBC, is he?
Micah,
At last, one person who agrees with me. You're in dangerous territory. :)
Les
When I first started blogging about SBC issues I made an effort to keep track of all the bloggers, even listing them in my sidebar. That was 21 months ago.
Now I'm a SBC blogosphere dropout. I rarely blog about denominational issues on my own site. And forget about keeping track of any SBCer with a blog... there's just too many.
The only correction I would make is to add Nathan Finn's blog to your list: I would put him in the "middle-of-the-road" list.
I'm not sure I'd recommend any changes, though folks might want to know that I almost never post about SBC stuff on my personal blog to which you linked.
Appreciate your work, Les.
I'm just honored to be part of a group. ANY group.
I'm so lonely.....
Speaking for my assessment only, I would agree with what you have said. I would like to fall even partly in the last category, but know that I fall well short of that at this point. I respect those on the list of names that can and have. I too appreciate you Les.
Les,
I noticed you did not include SBC Outpost, SBC Impact, and SBC Today. Too new, too small or too hard to peg?
Hee hee, :) and I'm a ghost!
Big Daddy,
I read your blog and enjoy it. I don't agree with you often, but I enjoy it anyway. :)
Am I correct that you are not a part of the SBC?
Bowden,
I agree with your assessment of Nathan Finn.
Paul,
It's always good to hear from you.
Bob,
You're high on my "respected bloggers" list.
Debbie,
I hope I have not given the impression that one group is better than another. That's not what I'm trying to say. No one is better than the other, only different.
Roger,
Excellent point. Actually, when I was compiling my list it did not occur to me to include the collaborative blogs, although I did link to SBC Today for Robin Foster because he has closed his personal blog.
No, I don't think the collaborative's are hard to peg. Here's my take on them:
SBC Today = establishment
SBC Outpost = reformer
sbc IMPACT = middle-of-the-road
Les
Quinn,
I thought about you however, I don't have a good perspective on your blog so I didn't include you.
How would you classify yourself? Establishment, reformer or MOR?
Les
No Les, you did not. It's just my thoughts only.
'Tis nice to know being on an apologetics blog keeps me off these groups.
With that, I am...
Batman! :D
Hey, you left off my favorite category- Missionary Bloggers! Guy Muse, Tim Patterson, Ken Sorrel, and a few others are the only one's talking about anything important in SB life! Just kidding, well mostly kidding, at least I have a smile on my face when I wrote it, ok, it was a little bitter but in a loving sort of way, oh, I better quit while I am behind.
About the only thing with which I would disagree (sort of) is the following statement, which referred to "middle-of-the-roaders".
"These are those who evaluate each issue on its own merit in light of God's Word."
I hope that statement is true of me, and I really don't want to say it's not true of the "establishment" folks, either.
Les,
I am the "Black Flag" blogger. I raid both the Reformation and Establishment blogs. I just go where there is a fight,'cause I like it. :-) :-)
cb
les,
very interesting to say the least. although, i have to take you to task about my position. for one thing, i was shocked to learn that i was leaning towards arminianism. i know i'm not as calvinistic as you are, so i guess from your perspective i do lean that way. but, arminian i am not. not that there's anything wrong with being an arminian!
also, i dont really focus more on personalities than issues. i didnt think i did anyway. i'm not for defending the powers that be at any cost. if dr. patterson, or dr. mohler, or dr. akin, or richard land, or any leader was advocating liberal views...i would be against them and be for change. in fact, i was for change back in the cr. i fought for change. i'm in the middle of the same deal in tn at this time. although, i always try to be nice and sweet about it. :)
in other words, i'm for these men in charge because they are conservative, bible believing men who are leading the sbc the way i think it should be done. it's not about them as a personality, or just because they're leaders, it's about what they stand for...what they believe.
i have defended dr. patterson in the past because i feel that some hate him and have a personal vendetta against him, and they look upon him as a symbol of the cr, or as a symbol of conservatism, and they want to bring him down for that reason. i dont like that.
well, bro., you've stirred up some good conversation here, and i wish that you'd served some hot, cathead bisquits and sausage gravy with this. that'd made it just a little bit better.
love ya,
david
Les:
Thanks for this ambitious effort! I have never made a "who's who" list before, but I have been named on several "who's he?" ones.
My only complaint is the designation "middle-of-the-road." Couldn't you have chosen a more accurate description like "perfectly balanced and fair" or "always right?" :-)
Blessings,
tom
Gene,
Tribalogue is a collaborative blog, and I didn't include them. I enjoy reading it and do so daily.
Strider,
You're right about my leaving off the missionary blogs. I really do appreciate them.
Bob,
I wish it was so.
CB,
You are the "rebel" of the SBC.
David,
Your response seems to validate my point.
BTW, what are "cathead biscuits"?
Les
Interesting post! I would add my "second" to Strider's comment about missionary blogs. Missions is our focus as S. Baptists, not controversy. It is true that controversy gets us more readers (I discovered this early on in my own blogging) but choose to try and share what God is doing in our context, as well as relevant missiological issues that impact our work.
I would add to the SBC "Missionary Blogs" who regularly postStrider Ken Sorrell, Kevin : SWISA, Tim Patterson, Missions Misunderstood, David Rogers(also blogs missions themes besides SBC issues), Bryan Riley (not a SBC IMBer, but does missions as a SBCer--I think!), and Amanda Parmley.
les,
cathead bisquits are very large bisquits.....as big as a cat's head. :)
david
Interesting post, Les. One sure way to get a lot of people commenting is to talk about them - all of them!
From my experience in the blogosphere since December 2005, I think that you are right on in your analysis. I have definitely leaned toward the "reform" side on many of the issues, but I agree with putting me in the "middle of the road" camp, although with Tom Ascol, I wish there was a better name! I find myself there because I am not interested in dealing with personalities as much as I am in dealing with theology and issues.
I hate dividing into camps anyway. Dealing with individual issues is complicated, but it does force each of us to treat one another as brothers and think through things.
Guy,
Thanks for the links to the missionary blogs. Most of them I wasn't aware of.
Les
Vol,
We must be kin. I have eaten 81/2 maybe 9 million cathead bisquits.
Les has too. He just wants to act like he only eats french toast since he's gone to Hollywood and become a star.:-)
cb
Les,
Definitely not mad, but not sure I agree.
I think every group considers itself to be the "middle." Also, it seems, and forgive me for being blunt, that you have set the Impact crew as the only ones who pray over each issue and are not able to be predicted as to their leanings.
I will say that I am sure that you make up your minds according to your convictions, but I would hasten to say that I do that as well.
Case in point: The Klouda lawsuit. If you will recall, though I posted the relevant information, I did not agree that she should have sued the Seminary or Dr. P. Paul Littleton also said that.
Your description of "us" as similarly personality driven (equal and opposite to the Establishment crowd) can be an accurate description of at least one of us :) but I got into this over the IMB and it is still my chief concern. Narrowing parameters is my overall issue.
Speaking of personalities, I have had NUMEROUS healthy, kind and genuine exchanges with most folks on the other side with rare exception. Also, when sin gets the best of me, you know that I tend to confess and repent in the middle of the exchange or in separate posts.
All of this is not to say that I am all that holy, but that the way you describe "middle of the road" folks does sound "holier than thou."
Consider that those in that group are generally grateful, and those in the others are generally not.
Please let me clarify before I go.
I am not mad and I don't reject that I am a reformer. I am. I am not, however, driven by personality and I have prayed diligently over the issues and I make up my own mind on them. I have worked hard to be fair and congenial.
I just think that the descriptions are a little too glowing for the "middle" and too "edgy" for the others.
And I did read that you think we are all trying to be as godly as we are able and are sincere. This is not about that.
How would you classify yourself? Establishment, reformer or MOR?
Hmmmm, interesting question. I think I best fit in as an MOR according to the definitions given. :)
CB,
I have eaten and still eat biscuits but I've never heard them described as "cathead" biscuits. And I've lived in Texas and Alabama too. :)
BTW, I hate french toast.
Art,
Thanks for your observations. I greatly respect your opinion.
Les
Tis nice to know being on an apologetics blog keeps me off these groups.
With that, I am...
Batman! :D
NO! Chadwick Ivester is Batman! See, I have the proof!
http://chadwickivester.wordpress.com/2007/05/24/bat-man-says-wade-burleson-please-stop-diggin/
Art,
You are not the middle. You are not the edge. You are not the other edge.
You are the never ending constant protagonist/antagonist of Blog Town.
You are also the sometimes "Hippie picture taker" that takes pictures of rain falling off of roofs and other strange, reflective, metaphysical, introspective, existential, thought provoking "stuff" that makes us all want to cry and write home to our Mommas and "study war no mo, no mo" and make commitments to do better than we have in the past and junk like that:-)That is the role you play here, Mr Rogers.
cb
cb
CB,
You're weird. Have I told you that lately? See, I'm just trying to pick a fight like we talked about the other day. :)
Art,
I didn't take Les' comments toward those he put in the Reformer's group in a negative light. I just think that some have had personal information about personalities that are behind a lot of this mess and they felt comfortable in writing about that.
Absent the first hand information that many in that group have received, you, Marty, and quite a few others would probably be seen differently. People have grinded an axe against you because they have not seen what you have seen and do not know that you speak with knowledge instead of just by spreading rumor and innuendo. Those of us who do not have that first hand knowledge are better served by just sticking with the issues and staying away from personalities altogether. At least that is how I have seen the difference.
Les,
I guess my first reply got lost in cyber-space.
I do not mind an attempt to distinguish bloggers. I in no way think you were attempting to pigeon-hole anyone but offering a fairly descriptive way to filter personal blogs.
That being said, I cannot find a post about the SBC save the press release concerning the Outpost dated June, 27.
I think one may have to go back to '06 to find much.
I like the Big Daddy Weave category. Currently I am on the edge of the inside while Big Daddy is on the edge looking in.
Todd,
Thanks for your support. There's plenty about Southern Baptists in blogs. Do a search on "southern baptists" in Google's blog search. You'll find more than you have time to read. :)
Les
Hey, Les, can I modify my category as MOR-AOTR for middle of the road - all over the road? LOL :)
The fact that you didn't mention me or my blog absolutely delights my heart. Thanks. You made my day.
Steve
Les,
I wish I was with Steve. I don't consider myself an SBC Blogger anymore. I'm a follower of Christ who will worship with any follower of Christ no matter their denomination.
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