peterlumpkins.com

Twitter Exchange on Sexual Abuse

Below is a Twitter thread I attempted to post. It failed miserably. The question pertained to sexual abuse in the church and whether a system that worked well in the Catholic Church could be used in a free church convention of churches like the Southern Baptist Convention. I've invited Jamieson Taylor (@JamiesonTaylor2) to come here if she wanted to exchange further. ================================================================ Twitter Thread on Sexual abuse in the SBC Don't need weeks. Apparently, it's presumed that: a) ground-breaking research has been uncovered that's helpful for a rigidly hierarchical ecclesial... Read more →

Sexual Abuse, Darrell Gilyard and the Southern Baptist Convention: Part 2

In Part 1, I argued contrary to many internet sources, tweeter feeds, and what one might rightly dub "Patterson haters" that Paige Patterson was a key player in dealing with the sexual predator and church destroyer, Darrell Gilyard, in 1991, forcing, as it were, Gilyard to resign his church and leave the ministry. Mainly through Patterson's influence Gilyard left the ministry so far as the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was concerned. However, eleven days after Gilyard resigned, he started another church unaffiliated with the SBC,1 a move Patterson had little... Read more →

The Alleged Sex Abuse Crisis and What’s Next for the Southern Baptist Convention

The working assumption that a systemic sex abuse crisis exists in the 47,000+- churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is now officially unchallengable received dogma. Question the claim or evidence from which the claim is inferred, and the unwary enquirer will quickly be on the receiving end of the Southern Baptist internet mob. After raising questions concerning the accuracy of data driving the claim of a SBC sex abuse crisis on Twitter recently, one responder tweeted suggesting I personally cared more about statistical numbers than I did about... Read more →

David & Bathsheba: Why It’s Better to Accept the Biblical Narrative About David Rather Than a Superficial One

David & Bathsheba (source) Most of us tried to let it go. You know. The recent flair up over whether David committed adultery with Bathsheba as recorded in 2 Samuel 11: 1-5 or forcibly and brutally raped her. But those who insist King David maliciously, violently raped the innocent, sinless Bathsheba continue to fuel the flame. The fact is, there's enough ambiguity in the biblical text to sustain a possible rape if we allow the modern constructs I've noted. But only a possible rape not a definitive rape. To conclude... Read more →

David and Bathsheba: Rape or Adultery?

Recently, sexual abuse advocate, Rachael Denhollander, claimed in a Twitter exchange concerning the relationship King David had with Bathsheba, "I believe the text [2 Samuel 11-12] supports rape for many reasons..." Denhollander's claim began a flurry of responses from several sectors. Bott Radio host and Christian journalist, Janet Mefferd, was among those who took issue with Denhollender's claim. "Why doesn’t the Bible say Bathsheba was raped when it clearly says that Tamar was raped? Adulterous seduction and rape, while both wrong, are not synonymous. Powerful men can commit either sin."... Read more →

What is a Consensual Sexual Affair?

On October 7, 2019, Jennifer Lyell, a LifeWay employee, penned an open letter to Southern Baptists expressing her grief caused by what she alleges was an erroneous Baptist Press report released in March this year. The report has been subsequently taken down (an archived copy of Baptist Press' report follows below). I have physically deteriorated. I have felt as though I’m living in an Alfred Hitchcock movie because it is so unfathomable to understand how I could be spending hours upon hours dealing with this on my own in light... Read more →

Karen Swallow Prior on John Piper's Advice to Women in Troubled Marriages

OK. I'm not much on Twitter. I've never liked it. I don't think I ever will. Moreover, it can get very vicious, even more vicious than Facebook. Yet it appears it's definitively made its mark for usefulness even among Christians, so I logged on to my old account this AM and posted a link to the piece I put up on my blog entitled, "How do Patterson Critics View John Piper on Spousal Abuse?," a piece asking some of the leaders among Southern Baptists who are bent on seeing Paige... Read more →

How do Patterson Critics View John Piper on Spousal Abuse?

Since the social media mob, led by @JonathanMerritt, @edstetzer, and @KSPrior, judges Paige Patterson's counsel to women in troubled marriages so entirely unChristian as to merit his immediate dismissal as President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, one wonders what they think evangelicals ought to do with evangelical icon, @JohnPiper, and desiringGod.org for the counsel Piper offers to women in troubled marriages. Check it out. For that matter, thoughts about John Piper's counsel to women in troubled marriages from high-profile Christian celebrities and organizations could be helpful in determining exactly why... Read more →

Are Baptist bloggers the true “Baptist Press”?

Iowa pastor and blogger, Dave Miller, claimed in a rancorous blog he directed toward the personal credibility of veteran, award-winning journalist, Joni Hannigan, that Baptist bloggers like himself and those at SBC Voices constitute the real Baptist news agency of Southern Baptist Convention. "We are the true 'Baptist Press,'" he claimed, "exposing what needs to be exposed, discussing what needs to be discussed, and keeping people informed about what is really going on." Miller's comrade in online arms, JD Hall, mirrors similar sentiments about the significance of their self-praised blogging... Read more →

Georgia Baptists pass resolution on social media, cyber-bullying and teen suicide

Meeting at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon Georgia, the 2014 Georgia Baptist Convention passed among others a resolution on cyber-bullying and teen suicide. Allen Rea, pastor at and messenger from Dunn Memorial Baptist Church, Baxley, GA submitted the resolution to the resolutions committee for consideration. It passed without opposition. RESOLUTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND CYBER-BULLYING WHEREAS, The Bible is clear concerning affirming positive, Christ-like interaction with all people whether verbally in person or using modern digital means such as social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter; and WHEREAS, the New... Read more →

Mental health expert describes Caner critic as "inhumane and not intellectually respectable"

On Thursday, October 2, during the regular chapel service at Brewton-Parker College, trustee chairman and pastor of Vidalia First Baptist Church, Bucky Kennedy, led a special time honoring the late Braxton Caner, son of President and Mrs. Jill Caner and older brother to Drake Caner. During the memorial time, Pastor Kennedy, who is also the Caner’s pastor, announced the establishment of The Braxton Caner Memorial Fund for the Prevention of Suicide and Cyber-bullying. The memorial fund was a way to honor the young Caner's brief life as well as address... Read more →

Braxton's List: a Georgia Baptist leader speaks out about cyber-bullying

While social media bullies continue their endless crusades in recklessly making life as miserable as possible for those whom they vow to harass, one Georgia pastor steps to the plate and knocks it out of the park. The following short piece by Vadalia First Baptist Church pastor and former Georgia Baptist Convention president, Bucky Kennedy, was recently published in The Christian Index 1 As the Index notes, Pastor Kennedy reflects on the death of Braxton Caner on July 29. The 15-year-old Texas high school football star was the son of... Read more →

Reformed apologist back to slamming the Caner family

Less than two weeks ago, Dr. Ergun and Jill Caner laid their precious fifteen year old Braxton to rest. Attending the memorial was both excruciating and liberating. Families frequently grieve perhaps more excessively when the one passing on is a young child. Over the past two weeks, many have showed their love and support for Dr. Caner and his family, some showing support by flowers and cards, others giving a gift to a memorial fund set up in Braxton Paige Caner's name, and still others silently but effectively lifting up... Read more →

Thom Rainer's insightful perspective on Christians using social media

LifeWay's president, Thom Rainer, offers caution to Christian leaders in their use (or abuse) of social media platforms. He lists seven warnings which are relevant not only to leaders but anyone employing social media like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Among the seven warnings are: 1. Consider anything you say on social media to be permanent. Yes, you can delete or scrub regretful things you have said on social media but, more times than not, the information can still be retrieved. And countless people take screen shots the moment they see... Read more →

Tennessee Pastor writes an open letter on cyber-bullying

Knoxville, Tennessee pastor, Tim Guthrie, writes an open letter pleading with Southern Basptist pastors to put an end to internet bullying. Speaking of their tactics, Guthrie writes: They bully people using social media and web sites. Ironically, their main approach finds them using anonymous twitter accounts and websites to bring about their desired action, usually "repentance" of their targets. Pastor Guthrie goes on to call for action: Good men must rise and say enough is enough! James White, JD Hall, and their thugs must be told ENOUGH! Ministry is not... Read more →

Time to stop Social Media Abusers

I just viewed one of the most disgusting tweeter threads I've read since I started on Twitter a few years back. Believe me, Twitter can get really nasty really quickly. The truth is I rarely, if ever, bother to check Twitter that much. My largest contribution to Twitter is the feed connection to SBC Tomorrow. Whenever I post a piece on the blog, I link it to my Twitter feed. In January, the Twitter nastiness became so bad, I started a little site entitled Twitter and the Truth. I gave... Read more →

Interview on The Janet Mefferd Show

I'm scheduled for an interview by Janet Mefferd on The Janet Mefferd Show this afternoon at 4:15 (EST) to talk about the resolution on the sexual abuse of children. For interested readers who can't tune in, I'll post a link to the brief discussion once it's available. Read more →

Resolution on Sexual Abuse of Children adopted with amendment

Below is the vetted version of the resolution on sexual abuse of children I originally proposed. In blue text is an amendment I offered reinserting what I felt was a valid concern toward convention leaders and employees of the Southern Baptist Convention and their relationships with organizations and/or individuals with disturbing policies and practices in protecting our children. How timely for Southern Baptists to not only endorse a statement strongly encouraging pastors and churches to openly and forthrightly handle abusive situations with children, thus demonstrating that protecting our children is... Read more →

Resolution on Sexual Abuse of Children gains media attention

http://abpnews.com/ministry/organizations/item/8572-sbc-should-support-sex-abuse-victims-pastor-says#.UbZ3vGa3O5M Read more →

Covenant Life Church pulling away from C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries?

UPDATE: North Carolina pastor Tim Rogers posts a piece raising the question whether Dr. Al Mohler and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary have connections so close to C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries that the recent lawsuit against Mahaney and his ministry will legally bleed all over Southern Baptists. While I cannot see myself how that could happen, I happily concede I know much too little about the legalities of such a possibility to make a reasonable judgment. Note: do not fail to watch Mahaney's promo video featuring Al Mohler and... Read more →

Susan Burke represents plaintiffs against C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Ministries in sexual offenses lawsuit

A well-known litigator for sexual abuse claims is representing the three female plaintiffs who filed sexual abuse claims against Sovereign Grace Ministries and new Calvinist celebrity icon, C.J. Mahaney >>> Washington D.C. attorney, Susan L. Burke, of Burke PLLC, a firm which bills itself as a "litigation boutique specializing in complex and class action litigation," is the leading attorney for the plaintiffs. Ms. Burke speaks openly with Christian Talk Radio host, Janet Mefferd, on her latest broadcast concerning the plaintiffs' perspective on the filed claims. Check out the interview: Susan... Read more →

C.J. Mahaney's ministry move to Louisville did not spare them a Maryland lawsuit

Reportedly, Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), a ministry founded by high-profile Calvinist celebrity, C.J. Mahaney, is awaiting the official serving of a lawsuit filed in Maryland by three unnamed female plaintiffs. According to Bob Allen of Associated Baptist Press, >>> the parties reportedly claim that SGM did not report abuse allegedly committed by church members to police. Apparently, church leaders allegedly counseled suspected pedophiles about how to avoid prosecution and forced victims to meet with and “forgive” their abuser (//link). In response, SGM's Director of Finance and Administration, Tommy Hill, released... Read more →