Al Mohler on Jay Bakker but NOT on Jonathan Merritt by Peter Lumpkins

Dr. Al Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, just posted a stinging critique of Jay Bakker’s latest book, Fall to Grace: A Revolution of God, Self, and Society (Faith Words, 2011).>>>

Entitled, “The Church and the ‘Clobber’ Scriptures—The Bible and Homosexuality” Mohler spanks little Jay where it hurts. Indeed one may hardly disagree with Dr. Mohler’s studied conclusion:

“The Bible’s condemnation of same-sex behaviors is comprehensive and clear. It is interwoven with the Bible’s message concerning God’s plan for humanity, marriage, and society — and the Gospel. Human flourishing is found only by living in obedience to God’s revealed plan. Our rebellion against the Creator is never so insidious as when we declare that our own plan is superior to his.

When the Bible, in part or in whole, is dismissed as “clobber Scriptures,” it is not only the Bible that is subverted, but also the Gospel. The Church must recognize that fact clearly — and fast.”

Nonetheless, while Mohler rightly tanned Jay’s little theological fanny, what appears, at least to me, to be extraordinarily flaky is Dr. Mohler’s abject silence on Jonathan Merritt’s flirtation with the very views he so adamantly rejects from Jay Bakker. I’ve thoroughly documented Jonathan Merritt’s views (here, here, here, here) even contrasting young Merritt’s views on properly dealing with homosexuality with his dad and Senior Pastor’s views, Dr. James Merritt (Jonathan serves under his dad as Director of College and Single Adults at Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Georgia). I think it’s perfectly clear Jonathan Merritt heavily sympathizes with Jay Bakker’s view on homosexuality and the so-called “clobber” Scriptures approach Mohler so strongly rejects.

Consider...

Jonathan Merritt served—at least fairly recently—on consultation staff at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Merritt also created a document on creation care which contains several signatories of nationally known Southern Baptist leaders.  Jonathan presently serves at a large, influential Southern Baptist church in metropolitan Atlanta and is the son of a past, two-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Therefore, I think it could be reasonably argued that Jonathan Merritt poses substantially more direct influence on Southern Baptists than does Jay Bakker.

Why, then, would Al Mohler, choose to strongly criticize Jay Bakker who has little, if any, influence among Southern Baptists but completely ignore Jonathan Merritt who arguably has a highly influential platform not only among Southern Baptists, but also within the culture at large? Indeed Merritt’s reading audience for his cultural commentaries actually may exceed Al Mohler’s own public platform. When is the last time USA Today, AJC, CNN Brief, Huffington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, or The Washington Post published an opinion essay by Al Mohler? Yet Merritt routinely writes for these prestigious literary venues among many others.

Even more strange still is Al Mohler’s refusal to address Jonathan Merritt’s use of Mohler's words from an apparent “interview” Jonathan Merritt claimed he had with Mohler, an interview in which Mohler allegedly said, “We’ve [evangelicals and Southern Baptists] lied about the nature of homosexuality…We’ve used the ‘choice’ language when it is clear that sexual orientation is a deep inner struggle and not merely a matter of choice” (//link). The original source for Merritt’s claim has long disappeared from The Christian Science Monitor but may still be found in other news feeds (//link).

Hence, still in the public sphere is Merritt's claim Al Mohler explictly indicts evangelicals generally and Southern Baptists particularly with slanderously lying about homosexuality. While this may not stir anyone else to raise a hand with a wait-just-a-doggone-minute question, it certainly does me. I don't take kindly to someone suggesting Southern Baptists have intentionally deceived themselves, homosexuals, or the public at large. An explanation needs public expression...an explanation must be publicly expressed...by Merritt or Mohler. Either will do.

Dr. Mohler is correct in his evaluation of Jay Bakker’s views expressed in his recent book, Fallen to Grace. However, it remains inexcusable for Mohler to give Jonathan Merritt a free pass when Merritt argues toward the same moral trajectory as does Bakker, and especially when Jonathan Merritt possesses a public megaphone not only within Southern Baptist circles, but also within the culture at large.

Few would dispute Mohler’s usually courageous voice in culture representing most Southern Baptists well on the socio-moral issues we face today. But this time Mohler looks more like a flaky wimp than a formidable warrior. He strains at a gnat and swallows, humps and all, the proverbial camel.

Come on, Dr. Mohler. Man-up. Do your God-given duty. When offered you took the mantle to speak on behalf of the gospel and Southern Baptists. Either fish or cut bait. Call a spade a spade. Stop lollygagging around or give us our mantle back.

With that, I am…

Peter

Comments

[CASEY]

Remember that just as recent as a few weeks ago that Al Mohler's office said that, "...were in a difficult position of criticizing a Friend of Southern Seminary and his son in dealing with this." Of course they were referring to James Merritt and his son Jonathan. Sad that once again influence and $$$$$ are silencing our leaders.

[William Thornton]

...thought you might notice that column.

Is Merritt-the-younger just too small a figure to elicit a direct response from Mohler?

[Matt Beckett]

Peter,

I would like to post a comment for another posting to which the articles section is now closed,
http://peterlumpkins.typepad.com/peter_lumpkins/2011/04/jonathan-merritt-evangelicalism-and-gods-new-game-plan-for-reaching-gays-by-peter-lumpkins.html?cid=6a00d83451a37369e201543209ecd8970c#comment-6a00d83451a37369e201543209ecd8970c.
The comment was regarding the congregation at Cross Pointe and their views or at least what they were being taught, by Jonathan Merritt. I do not agree with or condone his article nor do I tolerate his position. I like many members, ministers, and attendees are searching for a new church. 3 staff members resigned in the past 2 weeks due to this theological issue. As no one on the staff is willing to address the theological lapse from what has been thousands of years of a clear biblical stance on homosexuality. It appears to be a “don’t ask, don’t tell situation” on the article with Pastor James Merritt and staff. Sadly I believe very few people in the congregation realize that this situation is even going on. Right under their nose the issue exists and is concealed from scrutiny or any rebuttal. Pastor James Merritt will certainly not be airing out the situation to members on Sunday Morning. It would seem that the body of Christ, for whom Christ gave His life, should have knowledge of this issue and the ability to compare the stance of ministers with that of scripture. The very fact that the situation is concealed in secrecy may be pointing to an even larger issue indeed. It is sad to see as the body of Christ is paying for the price for their lack luster handling of biblical truth at Cross Pointe.

In Christ,

[fairmack]

Al Mohler & Homosexuality

Al Mohler stated that homosexuality is "more than a choice." Should we think, then, that there were at least some "non-choosing" citizens in Sodom etc. and that therefore God didn't "choose" to destroy them but was only "oriented" to destroy them? Is it now better to be gay-fearing than God-fearing (Matt. 10:28)? And is Mohler now hurrying up the Second Coming by helping to fulfill the "days of Lot" (Luke 17:28f)?

(saw the above while on the net)