Doktor James White on Fudging His Teaching Assignments by Peter Lumpkins

FINAL FINAL UPDATE (I promise): Go here to get it.

FINAL UPDATE (I hope):  Facebook and Twitter is chattering about James White's reluctance to correct the public record that he does not teach at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. If White does not perceive how his never-ending crusade against other's credibility is definitively marred by his own apparent lack of concern for forthrightness, then little hope exists his apologetic ministry will have any meaningful future. Some are already suggesting a letter-writing campaign to officials of James White's future speaking engagements to alert them that James White is not being candid about his academic career.  I personally have no plans to join those who do. Nonetheless, I feel the same frustration as do they, and perhaps even more, because White parades around the country allowing the public to think he is a Southern Baptist seminary professor. What is more, unsuspecting students who enroll at CES are duped into believing White teaches at a reputable, recognized seminary when the fact remains, he does not.

Since the last update, I have come across more public but erroneous info concerning  James White's academic padding. Believe me: the internet is filled with it if one would take the time to seek it out. For example, White's main publisher, Bethany House, has this to say about James White on the author's page:

James R. White is the author of several acclaimed books, including The King James Only Controversy and The Forgotten Trinity. He is an elder of the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church, director of Alpha and Omega Ministries--a Christian apologetics organization, an adjunct professor with Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and a professor of apologetics with Columbia Evangelical Seminary" (//link, embolden added)

James White has a prolific problem to clean up, I'd say. I appeal to those who support Alpha & Omega Ministries to immediately contact James White and demand he make the necessary changes to purge his public academic portfolio from the damaging, false information presently saturating the internet. No one benefits when false pictures of one's accomplishments are perpetuated, especially those who are Christian ministers. Is there any wonder the Islamic community holds little to no respect for White's apologetics organization?  Why would we expect Mormon educators to dialog with White when they hold recognized, reputable academic credentials but James White fudges on his academic accomplishments (not to mention his misogynous insults toward Mormon women)?  Why should Catholic apologists continue to dialog with him when he routinely insults their character and credibility while at the same time allowing falsehoods to continue concerning his academic accomplishments?  White may not know it, but this is really a big issue.

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UPDATE on UPDATE: I just received official confirmation from a GGBTS spokesman that James White *is not* presently teaching at the seminary in any adjunct capacity. 

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UPDATE: Thanks to an SBC Tomorrow reader, apparently James White is also wrongly listed at his alma mater, Columbia Evangelical Seminary, as a current professor for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (Phoenix campus). From the unaccredited seminary website, it presently reads: "Dr. White, an ordained Baptist minister, is Adjunct Professor teaching New Testament Greek, Systematic Theology, Christology, and Hebrew for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary at their Arizona Campus" (//link).

Will White now claim he has no control over what his own faculty profile says, just as he did with the Christianity Today journalist in 2010 when White allowed the article to suggest to the reading public that he was currently an Islamic professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary when he most definitely was not? Perhaps Doktor White will inform his supporters why he is not listed as Adjunct Professor at any Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary off-site campus when Columbia Evangelical Seminary specifically states he presently is***

=================================

Well, my readers will be saddened to know that strict Calvinist* James White continues to allow his formal teaching assignments to be, shall we say, padded a bit.  In June, 2010, I noted on a post that James White allowed a Christianity Today interviewer to leave the impression he was a professor presently (i.e. June 2010) teaching Islam at Southern Baptists' Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Then I wrote >>>

In a recent Christianity Today article, John Kennedy quoted James White as an authority “who teaches on Islam at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary” (//link)...Kennedy unequivocally states James White teaches Islam at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary... ...it’s highly questionable at best whether James White should have allowed the CT article to stand as written concerning Kennedy’s assertion that he, in fact, “teaches on Islam at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.” Why?  Because James White does not teach Islam at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. While it’s true he taught a 3 day intensive course in January--a course in Christian Apologetics in general not Islam in particular (//link)--White currently has no contract with Golden Gate to teach any subject, much less Islam. And, the official word is, James White will not be offered any future contract as adjunct instructor to teach any subject for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary including Islam" (//link, emphasis original)

White's supporters flew around the moon twice in orbit when I dared pen such perceived nonsense about their leader's teaching duties at GGBTS. White fired off a "We'll see about that!" scud missile toward West Georgia.  It kinda fizzled out before reaching our borders, however. In addition, he upchucked all over himself suggesting he had no control over what journalists write.  Interestingly, Kennedy confesses he had all kinds of questions about White's teaching assignments after he interviewed White; and, the way I understood it, the article posted in CT was the article which he assumed was the corrected version after clarifying with White.

Well, about three-quarters of a year has come and gone. Now understand:  James White has not taught any classes at Golden Gate since January, 2010.  That was his last contract. And, like I mentioned in June 2010, the official word is, James White will not be offered any future contract as adjunct instructor to teach any subject for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary including Islam" (//link).

One can go to GGBTS and check out the faculty syllabus. The last class White taught there was, as I mentioned, January 2010. Nor did he teach Islam in January 2010. Rather it was a simple, 3-day intensive on Christian Apologetics.  Nothing is even mentioned of Islam in the course requirements.  White did teach a class specifically on Islam in Spring 2008 and a 3-day Summer intensive which included Islam as one of three major topics for a special studies focus in philosophy and apologetics. That constitutes James White's tenured academic contributions to Islam at GGBTS. Yet, he allowed CT to profile him as an expert who presently taught (at that time) Islam at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.

Now for the kicker...

White presently has linked on his website, The ReformedCast Podcast, where he logged a discussion entitled "The Importance of Apologetics." In part one, James White is introduced by the host. And, the podcast (if you'll listen) repeats virtually the very same introduction for White that is printed on their page. In part, it reads:

We will discuss the importance of apologetics with Dr. James R. White, director of Alpha & Omega Ministries, a Christian apologetics organization. Dr. White received his D.Min in Apologetics at Columbia Evangelical Seminary, teaches Greek, Systematic Theology, and various topics in the field of apologetics at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, and serves as an Elder at the Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church in Phoenix, AZ..." (//link, embolden added for emphasis)

So, James White apparently is once again allowing the viewing and listening public to get the impression he currently teaches at Southern Baptists' seminary on the West Coast.  But White definitively does not teach for Southern Baptists nor at a Southern Baptist seminary. Nor is GGBTS listed as a current teaching assignment on his bio page. What is listed as a current assignment (i.e. "scheduled") is a class in Polemics at Midwest Center for Theological Studies, a very small unaccredited** school in Kentucky which appears to possess close connections with Founders Ministries, the largest network of aggressive Calvinists among Southern Baptists. However, Midwest Center for Theological Studies is definitively not a Southern Baptist school. Rather it is affilated with The Reformed Baptists.

The question remains: why does James White allow himself to be profiled as currently teaching at Golden Gate when he most definitely is not?***  He claimed he had no control over journalists in 2010. Does he now want to claim he has no control over how The ReformedCast profiles him?

It seems to me James White already has enough explaining to do with his suspiciously obtained doctoral and master's degrees from the unaccredited Columbia Evangelical Seminary--a school which notoriously looked like this--a storefront office no bigger than my living room:

On the other hand, James White teaching at Midwest Center for Theological Studies may be a perfect fit, since it lacks standard accreditation as well. Go for it, Doktor White!

The simple fact White is going to have to someday face is this: no matter how much he tries...no matter how many times he allows his teaching assignments in accomplished, accredited schools like GGBTS to be erroneously profiled as his present academic portfolio, academia is never going to recognize him as a properly credentialed scholar. Why? He chose to go down an educational path which prohibits the acceptance of such suspiciously obtained degrees of academic expertise.

Understand: such a path does not prohibit one from becoming an accomplished scholar to be sure. However, one cannot demand others respect your credentials when you frankly do not have credentials--at least the credentials required within the academic community toward which one is making demands for acceptance.

Do us all a favor, James:  stop allowing yourself to be presented to an unsuspecting public as teaching where you do not teach. You do not teach at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. Please do not inform the public that you do. And, stop allowing hosts to introduce you as presently holding a professorship you do not hold in any reputable academic institution.

With that, I am...

Peter

Seminary official identified who cut ties with White

White "fudging" teaching experience

More on "fudging"

*to be fair some theologians  insist White's theology fits what is historically known as Hyper-Calvinism and thus is outside mainstream Calvinistic parameters

**I searched and could find no indication at all the school is accredited or even is seeking reputable accreditation

***No website info I can find supports James White's claim he teaches at GGBTS (i.e. website info over which James White has no control). Instead all indications point to the established fact he does not. It is entirely possible the website info at GGBTS is not up to date but barely probable--if probable at all--given the strong affirmation less than a year ago by GGBTS seminary officials that James White would receive no future contracts. If the web info is strangely incorrect, we will keep the public informed via an update here 

Comments

[Ron Hale]

Peter,
The following is posted on the webstie of Columbia Evangelical Seminary:

James R. White, D.Min.,Th.D.
Faculty Mentor

(Apologetics, Biblical Studies, Comparative Religions, Cults, Exegesis, Theology) Dr. White, an ordained Baptist minister, is Adjunct Professor teaching New Testament Greek, Systematic Theology, Christology, and Hebrew for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary at their Arizona Campus.

In checking the current website of GGBTS and their Arizona Campus -- there is no mention of the person in question.

[peter lumpkins]

Ron,

Thanks brother. And, I updated the post to reflect your contribution. Excuses for padding his academic portfolio are getting thin. White needs to stop allowing the suggestion he's teaching at accredited institutions when it is not so.

With that, I am...

Peter

[A.M. Mallett]

I would be curious to know what his qualifications are for teaching Biblical languages in any seminary. I do not know if anybody has explored his involvement with the NASB or not and how he came to be listed as one of it's advisors.
In any event, the man needs to correct his faulty credentials.

[Dave Armstrong]

White is not listed on the Adjunct Faculty for GGBTS (as noted in the post itself):

http://www.ggbts.edu/catalog/display.aspx?page=153&area=submenu8

What gets really fascinating is searching past versions of this page at Internet Archive. As late as 10-4-08, he is listed, with credentials "BA" and "MA" (legitimate) and "THD" (illegitimate):

http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20081004211950/http://www.ggbts.edu/catalog/display.aspx?page=153&area=submenu8">http://www.ggbts.edu/catalog/display.aspx?page=153&area=submenu8">http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20081004211950/http://www.ggbts.edu/catalog/display.aspx?page=153&area=submenu8

By 12-12-08, however, his name vanishes, and he is not listed at all as part of the adjunct faculty:

http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20081212000156/http://www.ggbts.edu/catalog/display.aspx?page=153&area=submenu8">http://www.ggbts.edu/catalog/display.aspx?page=153&area=submenu8">http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20081212000156/http://www.ggbts.edu/catalog/display.aspx?page=153&area=submenu8

Perhaps GGBTS figured out that his doctorate was bogus sometime between 10-4-08 and 12-12-08 (when we know for sure he is unlisted); thus stopped listing him, even though he taught a few courses after that time. In any event, that is over two years ago, and the last time he ever taught there, over a year. This is more than enough evidence, I think, to show that his status is not "current."

It's not a *huge* deal in and of itself, I don't think, but it is troubling, telling, unethical, silly, and a matter of simple honesty, and it continues the pattern of goofy claims about academic credentials and accomplishments. White has done a lot of apologetic endeavors (several of which I agree with and commend, as a Catholic), that he can highlight; why the need to misrepresent as he does? Ironically, this is in light of his lectures about how others are dishonest.

There is a further irony with regard to myself and White. In Sep. 2007, my publisher put out a blurb describing me that contained several inaccuracies about my past. White saw it before I did, and wrote about it, mocking me and the publisher alike. But note how my reaction was vastly different from White's: I ***immediately*** wrote a letter to them, explained in great depth what was inaccurate and why, asked that this piece be removed or modified, and received a letter back from my editor, promising to rectify things (I published both my letter and the reply on my blog). The very *moment* I found out something was inaccurate (and these were things I had never told my publisher), I acted to modify it.

Even White had to admit that I was innocent in the affair, though the day before he publicly mocked derisively about my possibly deceiving my own publisher and how I would never write about it, retracting it on my blog. But I did, and he had to eat crow, lest he look even more ridiculous than he already did.

This is the sort of rank hypocrisy we're dealing with here. It's a pattern of years and years of hypocrisy: condemning things and doing the same things himself; saying one thing and doing another . . . it becomes more significant insofar as it is one thing of a long line of questionable practices.

[peter lumpkins]

Dave,

Thanks for the info. And, I think you are essentially correct--all things equal, so to speak, it's not that big of a deal. Once it's pointed out, you say, "oops!", follow that with two words--"I'm sorry"--correct it, and move on. Hardly anyone would even recall it after a while. But with James White, it's different. He obsessively goes into I-must-destroy-you-mode and won't stop railing on about his opponents have *no credibility.* Only this week, White spent a full 10 minutes on his DL mocking my "credibility" for allowing Reformed theologian, Dr. Paul Owen, to post on my site. Before he was through he was mocking Dr. Owen.

Imagine this: more times than I can count, White has placed me in the theological category of obsessively fundamentalistic. By that, White insists I tolerate absolutely no one's view but my own. Yet, when I post a theologian's piece on my blog who comes from a theological tradition very different from my own, as I did this week, somehow that pulls ridicule from White rather than a more positive--or even silent--response.

I don't think James White is aware of the countless overt inconsistencies he finds himself in by, as you say, adamantly, vigorously proclaiming an action wrong, but turns around--or already is--doing the very thing he insists is wrong for others.

Hence, it turns out to be a big thing fudging on his academic accomplishments like that.

Thanks for the links, Dave.

Our Lord give double grace to us both.
With that, I am...
Peter

[peter lumpkins]

Dear “A Person”

You logged an anonymous comment on my Feb 11 post I allowed to post.  It was, like the one you now have logged hanging in moderation, just an insult to me personally.  The present comment has the same IP address as the former one--75.71.212.68—with even the same bogus [email protected]

If you cannot stand behind your comment, do not expect to post it here.  There are plenty of internet gossip dumps you can go to.  I am not one of them.  I deal in truth.

So, do not come back here unless you’re willing to be honest about who you are.

With that, I am…

Peter

[Eric Opsahl]

As you know I'm a listener of Elder White and appreciate his teaching. I wrote a note to his website e-mail asking if this is true. I can't imagine that he would lie with all the controversy over Caner, so I'm holding out that there is a clear answer and it is a misunderstanding. Please, no counter reply that I'm drinking the cool aid :) I'm simply giving my Brother the benefit of the doubt until he addresses it.

[peter lumpkins]

Eric,

So far as I am concerned, Eric, I do not think you are "drinking the kool-aid" so to speak. Asking honest questions and expecting honest responses is a dead give-a-way you are not. And, who can cast blame toward your offering the benefit of doubt for one you have supported until your question is answered? Certainly not I.

Thanks for logging on, brother.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Matt]

Gene Bridges @ Triablogue followed up on this post. Mr. Bridges is of the uber-Reformed variety. He also would like to dance to Duffy's "Mercy". Maybe Mr. Lumpkins is a hypocrite, at least according to Mr. Bridges, but maybe Mr. Lumpkins can be vindicated if he can also dance to "Mercy" by Duffy.

[peter lumpkins]

Matt,

I think Mr. Bridges is, shall we say, off his mark. That may be the shortest response I've ever--EVER--read by him. It may be because, well...there is no response.

His blogging companion, Peter Pike left this little jewell:

"Not to mention the hypocrisy of Lumpy's continual character assassination of James White...Lumpkins will face God's judgment for what he does. Armstrong will too (but then, who other than Armstrong doesn't already know that?)

The problem, of course, is, making me (and Dave Armstrong) the issue rather than White's fudging goes nowhere in explaining White's apparent fudging. It's a good puff of smoke to draw somebody's attention away from White but answer questions about White's fudging it does not. And, I'll give Peter Pike a shiny new nickel if he'll leave his protective bubble over there at Tribologue and come here and demonstrate how I have allegedly assassinated White's character. Pointing out basic discrepancies surely cannot qualify, in and of itself, for character assassination can it? If that is so, who would qualify more than Peter Pike's apologist hero, James White?

With that, I am...
Peter

[Matt]

I have friends and family with phds. My brother's phd thesis is on my bookshelf. I can't help but believe that "dr" White would be scratching his head at the 2,000 plus pages he (my brother) had to crank out in order to earn that degree. This is basic, peer-reviewed academics. The Forgotten Trinity or the KJV Only Controversy are populous books (I have read them both). I don't discount mr. White's influence, but that ain't phd. Mr. Pike can say anything he wants re character assassination, but then again he thinks Triablogue gets more hits than Dave Armstrong's blog. He is not one to do his homework.

I have no problem with somebody throwing out the "integrity" card, but rest-assured it will show up again in the deck, and no one can really complain when they end-up drawing it.

But seriously, Mr. Bridges really does want to dance to Duffy's "Mercy"

[Ranger]

Since White taught courses at Golden Gate for 15 years (1995-2010) as adjunct faculty, and has not been informed that his services will not be needed for future courses, then I think this is significantly different than the Caner situation. If White had claimed he had debated Richard Dawkins, spoke Hindi (and learned it from watching Bollywood movies when he was 17), was born in Mongolia and was the son of a Mormon elder, only then would the comparison be valid or meaningful in the least.

[peter lumpkins]

Matt,

Thanks for the return. I think your point about standard work for PhD's from reputable institutions makes good sense...

Ranger,

A couple of things: a) Caner has zip to do with anything posted here. Please don't bother bringing it up again on this thread b) that White taught 15 years at an institution counts a flat zero as to whether he teaches there today. I pastored for 22 years. Based on that, could I legitimately suggest I presently pastor a church today, if in fact, I stopped pastoring two years ago? Nor is it reasonable to think GGBTS "has not informed him". Are you kidding? Why would you make such a strange assertion?

With that, I am...
Peter

[Gene Bridges]

Peter, for the record, I'm not replying to you or anything you wrote...my post, it isn't a response to you at all. I'm quoting Dave Armstrong. It's about Dave and what he wrote, not about you or the content of your writing. It is hardly "off the mark" in that regard, as you should realize if you know anything about Dave Armstrong and history with James White, the writers at Triablogue, Beggars All, and a host of other blogs and bloggers.

With that, you remain, inconsequential.

Gene

[Dave Armstrong]

"White taught courses at Golden Gate for 15 years (1995-2010) as adjunct faculty, and has not been informed that his services will not be needed for future courses"

I submit that there is some sensible reason or other that GGBTS used to list White's name on its adjunct faculty page (even with his bogus doctorate listed) and ceased doing so after 12-12-08 and some sensible reason that he taught there for 15 years, yet has not in the last year. White himself insinuated in his reply last June that sinister Arminian forces at GGBTS may be out to get him.

His chest-puffing "bring it on" pressing to get the name of the person who said he wouldn't be hired again, on his Dividing Line broadcast tonight (first ten minutes) shows me that he knew something was afoot. But the urge to show the credentials of teaching at a legitimate educational institution proved too much for him to resist. He knows that if all he has left to show what a "scholar" he is, is an unaccredited school, that this wouldn't look good.

[peter lumpkins]

Dear Gene,

Thank you for offering clarity but I wonder why you offer it. I but wrote, "I think Mr. Bridges is...off his mark" and then explain why: "That may be the shortest response I've ever--EVER--read by him..." Being "off his mark" was obviously connected with "shortest response" (in contrast to eternal tomes for all those who have not keep up with Gene Bridges through the years). So, while I knew you referred to DA (I realize it's a complete surprise to you I actually read what you wrote), DA had nothing to do with my response to Matt.

Ah, but now I must offer some actual needed clarity to you I'm sorry to say. You log, "Peter, for the record, I'm not replying to you or anything you wrote..." Uh? Say again please? Peter, for the record, I'm not replying to you or anything you wrote..."

Sweet Georgia peaches! Either I must be hearing things in my head or Gene Bridges is speaking utter absurdity. How can it be that one replies to another while not replying to another? It's a mad, mad, mad mad mad world, I tell you!

With that, I am...
Peter

[peter lumpkins]

All,

Now, for the record here:  I gave up a few years ago thinking I could exchange with Tribalogue writers seriously (Gene is one of the gang). Not that the guys are untalented, incapable, or do not have some worthy contributions to make. Instead it is because they lack reasonable conscience.

Take Gene above. He came here to insult not to clarify as he pretended to do in his opening statement---"Peter, for the record..." How do I know? Well, read his closing statement:  "With that, you remain, inconsequential."

Consider:  if I took Gene seriously, what kind of warped psyche would I have?  All things considered, my existence would have no meaning. As a person, my life would not matter or count for anything. Could a more cruel, cold statement be made to another human being made in God’s image?  I think it would be hard to find one.

With that in mind, now compound Gene’s statement by about 6 or so (equalling the number of Triabolgue writers).  I could never engage them seriously in discussion because they do not want to discuss—at least with me; they want to insult—and particularly with me.

So, if one is tempted to think I was being overly-hard on Mr. Bridges, please consider the almost impossible odds of ever having a genuine conversation with the Tribalogue guys (who, by the way, are closely connected with good old JW).

With that, I am…

Peter   

[Ranger]

Peter,
Are you trying to be rude in your response to me? What purpose does that serve? I'm not kidding, and there was nothing strange about my assertion.

Eric brought up Caner in regards to this and I was responding that it's not a similar comparison. The reason that I mentioned that GGBTS hasn't informed him of any change (which is true..trust me), is that adjunct faculty are hired by SBC seminaries on contracts pertaining to the courses for which they are hired. By your criteria, you are not adjunct faculty unless you are presently teaching a course. I would guess that's true by the letter of the law since you aren't under any contract. When you have taught certain courses for the extension for fifteen years, there is good reason to think that you will be asked to teach them again when the opportunity arises unless someone more qualified comes to town or your are informed otherwise. SBC seminary extensions usually work on a four year rotation of courses, so adjunct faculty with specialties are not required every semester...by common standards though they are still adjunct faculty.

A good example from another school (just so you can see that this is common terminology) is Regent College in Canada. Paul Helm and Bruce Waltke are listed as adjunct faculty. Both keep it on their CV. Neither has taught a regular course there in quite some time, mainly etching during their summer two week programs. In the past though, Helm has taught on Augustine and when that course comes up again, Lord willing, he's going to teach it again. Same with Waltke and OT biblical theology. By your standard, neither are adjunct faculty because they aren't under contract currently...but in reality both are and everyone sees them as such.

[Shane Dodson]

Mr. Lumpkins...have you phoned into Dr. White's program and either

1.) explained the basis of your accusations to Dr. White himself, or

2.) asked Dr. White his response to these accusations, or

3.) both?

These are serious accusations. Might I strongly suggest you show Dr. White enough respect to call him so both of you can hash this out?

Regards,

- Shane Dodson

[peter lumpkins]

Shane,

I didn't ride in on a turnip truck. Thank's for the suggestion though...

Ranger,

No. I was not trying to be rude. I was stating a fact. And, you are mistaken about adjunct professor status. If one has no contract, one does *not* teach at a school any more than a plumber plumbs at your house when he is not plumbing. The most that can be said is, he has plumbed at your house. It's a matter of getting facts straight. Hence, White has taught at GGBTS, but White does not teach at GGBTS. How much clearer can this be? In fact I made this clear concerning my being a pastor in the past, Ranger.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Patrick]

Ranger,

Just to clarify, I attended GGBTS (primarily the Southern California campus) and none of the campuses are considered to be extentions, even if they are called as such by some. They are all Golden Gate Baptist seminary, including the E-campus. Hope this helps.

Patrick

[Ranger]

Peter,
I agree that he is not currently teaching at GGBTS right now. As Dr. Iorg stated so clearly in response to Brother Rogers, "Dr. James White has taught in the past as an adjunct professor at Golden Gate seminary, adjuncts are contracted course by course." Would you settle for something like, "For much of the past fifteen years, Dr. James White has served as an adjunct professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary?"

Also, as someone serving with the IMB in a Muslim country in SE Asia, who is a proud Southern Baptist, let me assure you that many Islamic apologists are aware of Dr. White via YouTube and his debates in Australia (particularly the one with Abdullah Kunde). They respect him for attempting to learn Arabic, and for knowing the Qur'an well. Of course they don't agree with him...they're Muslims after all...but they respect his work. It's similar to Sam Shamoun. They hate his work, but they respect him for his intelligence and the manner in which he debates.

[Ranger]

Patrick,
That's an important clarification. Extensions work through the main campus, but campuses are self-sufficient. Thanks for the clarification.

[Paul Owen]

Ranger,

Let me just ask, is White still listed as an adjunct faculty on the GGBTS website? Any college or seminary will have a list of adjunct faculty members, who may teach courses for their institution. It is true, if you go a semester or two without teaching, you don't then cease to be an adjunct faculty member during that time. But if the institution decides they no longer want you teaching at their school, they will remove you from their list of adjunct faculty members.

[peter lumpkins]

Ranger,

Dr. Owen has been much more clearer than I; and him being in academia for years, I surely think he has the proper background to speak what normally is the case. Hence, I refer you to his comment for better clarification.

As to your question, I would insist on stating precisely what one would expect the reading public to understand *IS* the case. You asked if I would settle for something like, "For much of the past fifteen years, Dr. James White has served as an adjunct professor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary?" My question is, why not just state what is without leaving any guess work?

"From, x to y, James White taught at GGBTS as adjunct professor."

Why create an aura that makes others think he still teaches there when he does not? What is the purpose of such, Ranger? Please be honest? If I told you I pastored a church for most of the last 25 years, what does that really say? And, say about whether I pastor a church today? For me, this is simply nonsense. Think of the prospective students who read on CES website about one of their professors,

Dr. White, an ordained Baptist minister, is Adjunct Professor teaching New Testament Greek, Systematic Theology, Christology, and Hebrew for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary at their Arizona Campus

Now, what does this say and what will the prospective student come away with?

A) JW is an ordained Baptist minister

B) James White *IS* Adjunct Professor *TEACHING* Greek, theology, and Hebrew for GGBTS at Az campus. If English has any meaning, the fair impression a prospective student would get is surely White is teaching presently in AZ at the GGBTS campus *and* he *is teaching* at least three available courses (though not necessarily simultaneously).

Consequently, a prospective student would be excited that apologist White teaches close to his AZ home and calls to sign up only to find James White not only does *not teach* at the AZ campus but does not teach for GGBTS at all, and *has not taught* since 2009 at the AZ campus, the very campus the prospective student was excited about after reading the faculty profile James White himself is responsible for accurately updating.

The fact cannot be overlooked: James White apparently is purposely padding his academic portfolio to make it appear more academically accomplished than it actually is. And, given White's record for blatantly tearing down so many other ministers--Christian and otherwise--about possessing no credibility, he needs to face his own klump of dirt and deal with it.

With that, I am...
Peter

[peter lumpkins]

Dr. Owen,

Thank you for your input.  And you’re perfectly correct. GGBTS does not list James White as an Adjunct Professor.  I gave a link in the post but some may not have clicked it. Hence, allow me to offer the link again—List of all Adjunct Professors for Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary including all campuses.

Out of eleven people listed as adjunct faculty for the AZ campus, note who is conspicuously absent from the list—“Dr” James White. Indeed out of the entire list, who is also absent? Unfortunately for James White and all those duped into thinking he teaches for Golden Gate, Doktor White is missing from the entire list...

With that, I am…

Peter

[Dave Armstrong]

I could never engage them seriously in discussion because they do not want to discuss—at least with me; they want to insult—and particularly with me.

You, too, huh, Peter? And here I thought it was mostly antipathy to Catholics that drove on these guys' irrational angst.

It's about as surprising as the sun rising tomorrow that I am despised by most of the active anti-Catholics online (as Bridges noted) because I have refuted their errors in the past.

Steve Hays over at Cryablogue is on record, saying that I am "evil" and (as an extra bonus) also a "schizophrenic." I think he actually believes these things, too: they were not mere name-calling. He stopped short of sentencing me to hell but perhaps that is yet to come. He doesn't want to shoot off all his ammo all at once, you see.

[peter lumpkins]

Dave,

The sheer mean-spirited disagreeableness with some (most?) of the Calvinists who affiliate with JW is striking. At least a half dozen times they have explicitly pronounced me as "unsaved" or "unregenerate." The good news for me is, they do not hold it in their power to send me to hell.

Grace, Dave.
With that, I am...
Peter

[Dave Armstrong]

Might I strongly suggest you show Dr. [?] White enough respect to call him so both of you can hash this out?

Why does everything with White have to be on the air on his blasted show? Why can't he resolve anything of this nature in writing? He will hardly even talk on the phone with people (i.e., a phone discussion: not on his show). Catholic apologist Jimmy Akin has written in the past about the inanity of all such communications with White. Catholic apologist Steve ray once recounted how he asked White if he'd like to have lunch, and White declined. He's insufferable in this way.

I called his bluff once. I said, sure I'll go on your show. Why don't we do an entire hour and talk like normal human beings do; get to know each other first, before we start arguing theology? White wanted no part of that. He said it would be a pretense because we haven't gotten along very well. It would be too real, too human, too non-polemical. [the last sentence is my own description, not his]

He extolls the glories of cross-examination: thinking this is especially a talent of his. So I said, sure: how about let's do a live chat debate in a room of your choice online. You can have more time than I do. You can ask me anything you want, provided I can do the same to you. And we'll do a double cross-ex format. Give it your best shot.

White turned me down, complete with obligatory personal insults. In an earlier challenge I also gave him more time and offered to let him question me all night (fire away!) if I could ask him anything for an hour: all to be recorded on my website for posterity. He wanted no part of that, either. He is terrified of being cross-examined on anything that is not already canned and prepared for. This is why he has never gone into a second round of debate with me since I destroyed his anti-Catholic position in 1995 by postal mail. He left my final 36-page reply completely unanswered. He will critique my material at times (including my books) but when I counter-reply he never does so back. He wants no part of an actual back-and-forth dialogue in writing.

[Dave Armstrong]

Hi Paul,

is White still listed as an adjunct faculty on the GGBTS website?

He is not now and was not as long ago as Dec. 2008, as I proved by an Internet Archive search of the same page (noted above in one of my comments). I inquired of his supporters why it is that he is not listed. No reply thus far.

If he has taught there consistently since 1995 and all of a sudden has not in over a year, to me this implies the likelihood (though not necessarily so) of a change of status. White himself noted what he perceived to be a certain precariousness of his position (those wicked Arminians plotting together, no doubt), so I think he knows at least something of what is going on there. He apparently isn't aware for sure of particular people who wish him to no longer teach.

Dave

[Ranger]

Paul,
Good question. It doesn't appear so. I wouldn't go as far as to say that "they no longer want you teaching," but simply that "you are no longer on the roster for adjunct faculty." I don't think not being included in the list says anything about their desire for you to teach or not teach at the institution in and of itself. There are all sorts of issues that affect being on such a roster, but not all have to do with desire on the part of the institution. For instance, they could desire for you to teach, but you are uncomfortable with their confession...or you need to focus on some other ministry for the time being...or you currently can't afford to work there, etc.

Peter,
You ask me to be honest about the questions and I think they are valid. If I'm wondering about whether or not you are qualified to speak on church issues, then hearing that you have been a pastor for most of the past 25 years tells me quite a bit. In fact, in a bio, it would be more useful than "Peter Lumpkins served at "X" Baptist Church from May 25th, 1998 until June 27th, 2008 as Associate Pastor of Education" and list out each instance.

I can see the value in what you say as well though in simply stating "Dr. James White taught at GGBTS as an adjunct professor from 1995-2010 on various subjects." If someone asked me about my background though, I probably wouldn't be specific about institutions that I've taught at, churches I've served or countries I've served in a bio (ala what Dr. White does in regards to GGBTS). I'd probably just say, "Over the past ten years, I have served with the IMB, taught courses at various Baptist institutions and been on staff at a Southern Baptist church." If people want the details they can ask afterwards, but that usually gives enough cred to any presentation/teaching that I am asked to do.

[Shane Dodson]

It was simply a suggestion, Peter. No need to get snarky.

I look forward to hearing your call next week.

Regards,

- Shane Dodson

[Glenn Hendrickson]

Hi Peter,

I made a video response to this post. I hope it helps clarify any confusion.

Glenn Hendrickson

[Ian D. Elsasser]

Glenn:

No one disputes that Mr. White taught in January 2010 (your evidence dates from that time) not that he was an adjunct in January 2010. Furthermore, the course Syllabi link does not confirm Mr. White is currently an adjunct, just that he taught those courses in the past:

"Below are syllabi for the past two years of courses, including the current semester, in alphabetical order of the professor’s name. You will need to know the course number in order to search for your syllabi."

Mr. White taught those courses in the past. Is he teaching them now and is he scheduled to teach them in the forthcoming semester?

[Ian D. Elsasser]

The emboldened words in the above quote were added by me. The link is http://www.ggbts.edu/academics/downloads, the link Glenn provided in his evidence.

[Scott Oakland]

Glenn -

The point they keep trying to make is that he is not CURRENTLY teaching and that he has been CUT OFF from GG. Your video certainly verifies that he taught the Jan 2010 course listed on the website. They're "alleging" that something terrible happened between that point and now, apparently. Of course, there's no evidence for that. They keep presenting an SBC floor video in June 2010 when the Pres. stated that he isn't under contract nor is he planned to be under contract. So they take this video, and the data from the website and JUMP to the conclusion that Dr White is "gone." It's all speculation on their part. And certainly Glenn, if he was "cut off" you would - as an apologetics student - be the first to know. You took his class, you're on campus, so there's no reason for you to make up anything. Unfortunately, Glenn, this blog has a history of attempting to "tar and feather" Dr White by its wild claims. That's why I would accept your statement - one with some neutrality - any day over and above Peter & Co.

Best,
Scott

[R.L. Adler]

Glenn,

you might want to point your good buddy Dok White to this link:

http://www.ggbts.edu/hr/FacultyOpenings.aspx

wish him good fortune. ;)

[Glenn Hendrickson]

Ian, you brought up a point I hoped someone would address: how long can an adjunct professor be an adjunct professor in between classes?

I recall Dr. White talking about his Summer 2009 class on his radio show. It came and went. July... August... September... October... It must have been 3 or 4 months before GGBTS arranged the course on Apologetics which I ended up taking. I pose to you the question: in those intervening months, was Dr. White an adjunct professor? By your criteria no, at the time he had no teaching engagements on the horizon. But in retrospect you really couldn't maintain that point. He ended up teaching there 7 months later.

So what about now? There are no teaching engagements currently in the works. Big deal! An adjunct professor can be legitimately called an adjunct professor during the months and years he is not actively engaged in teaching.

I don't think you realize that your position (and Peter's as well) rests on the idea that the only important/legitimate work of a professor/teacher is the actual act of teaching. What about research? Forming a curriculum? Grading papers, essays, tests, quizzes, etc...? My professors spend a great deal of time OUTSIDE of the classroom doing real work. At times they may take a semester off to research and write (are they wrong to publish a book with their job title when they took time off to write it?).

All of that is to say, No one at Golden Gate has fired Dr. White (therefore he still works there). His job is that of an adjunct professor (therefore his work is not on a regular basis). Until GGBTS gives him the boot he is an adjunct professor, while he teaches, and while he's not teaching.

...Unless you want to re-define terms...

[Paul Owen]

Peter,

What you have to remember is that this is the same crowd that can read John 3:16 and conclude that God does not actually love the world (only the elect). They read 2 Peter 3:9 and conclude that God does not want the non-elect to repent, but only wants them to perish. They read Matthew 23:37 and conclude that God did not want to gather the very people he addressed these words to. So should you really be surprized that they can't see what is obvious?