peterlumpkins.com

Systemic Racism & Sexual Revolution: Replying to Karen Swallow Prior

Formerly teaching English at Liberty University for over 20 years, Karen Swallow Prior presently serves as Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Prior is author of a number of books including Jane Eyre: A Guide to Reading and Reflecting; On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books; Heart of Darkness, and Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me not to mention her prolific online literary presence and numerous magazine articles published in Christianity Today and other major Christian publications. Prior's... 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 does biblical submission for wives include? John Piper answers

WARNING! Every female take serious care: What you are about to see and hear may very well disturb you. Don't click on this video if you're already in a bad mood. And for heaven's sake, if you've had a good day and looking forward to a nice weekend with your husband, don't click on this video. Finally, if you've been a bit suspicious we biblical complementarians are shifting toward becoming more and more theologically doofy than ever, please, please, please don't watch this video. John Piper draws hermeneutical blood: We've... Read more →

Does Gender Egalitarianism reduce to a 'false gospel'?

I remain hopelessly convinced that a correct and consistent reading of biblical revelation inevitably leads one to embrace some form of gender complementarianism. Hence, I tend agree with the broad biblio-theological contours of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW). I say "broad" because just as there is hard Calvinism and soft Calvinism so there is hard complementarianism and soft complementarianism all of which have representatives in the Southern Baptist Convention. For at least the last decade or so, the CBMW has increasingly tilted toward the hard side of... Read more →

Interview with Christian author Candise Farmer

I recently had an opportunity to interact with Bible teacher and Christian author, Candise Farmer, concerning her ministry and book Green Pastures in a Barren Land: finding contentment in life's desolate seasons (Free Church Press, Carrollton. 2012 $14.95). Her folksy style and gentle aura complement her deep Christian convictions making chats with Candise a mesmerizing experience. God surely blesses this young Christian lady with tremendous communicating abilities. More significantly, however, is Candise's encouraging message birthed from difficulties she and her husband faced for several years. I pray He chooses to... Read more →

Interview on The Janet Mefferd Show pertaining to the sexual abuse of children

On Monday, I had an opportunity to speak with Christian Talk-show host, Janet Mefferd, about the resolution against the sexual abuse of children passed at this year's Southern Baptist Convention. For those of you who did not listen in, below is the brief interview1: As I indicated in the interview2 I have no plans to allow this issue to drop. Already, I have verbal interest or commitment from pastors or churchmen/churchwomen in several states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and of course... 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 →

C.J. Mahaney, The Victims, and Depths of Darkness

I got about two-thirds of the way through the Second Amended Class Action Complaint and Jury Demand filed by attorneys representing the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against young, restless, and reformed icon, C.J. Mahaney, Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), two SGM churches, one SGM school, and ten other SGM leaders.1 Truth is, I couldn't go on. It's most horrifying and even solicits the deepest anger and rage from a person's soul. To imagine these poor children--children then the ages of my five grand babies now--might have suffered such degraded... 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 →

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 →