Beale on Broader Evangelicalism

I asked because others have conflated BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse. In looking over both websites, I concluded that they were separate entities and that the accusation that BJU is partnering with BGEA is an inaccurate one.

I understand that there are those who find a partnership between BJU and Samaritan’s Purse to be problematic. I can respect that as well given that there are enough similarities between both organizations

some may consider it to be splitting hairs to make a distinction between the organizations, but I believe it is an important hair because of the difference in focus of those ministries.

I think I recall reading one of the articles that Craig shared and I do think some of the concerns are worth taking into consideration on participating in Operation Christmas Child. My personal thought is that participating in OCC shouldn’t be the deal-breaker that some make it out to be.

On NGU, another site listed them around 1700 or so. But I don’t think NGU and BJU are rivals. Educationally perhaps, but they are two totally different places and constituencies it seems to me. There is no need for them to be the same or to compete. Like a lot of small schools, there is plenty of room for both.

[Jeremy Horn] the accusation that BJU is partnering with BGEA is an inaccurate one.

It’s actually a LIE!

See Phil Johnson’s paper and the section on due process!

I’m attempting to be charitable towards those who have equated Samaritan’s Purse and BGEA. I cannot in good conscience make the accusation that people on this board are lying(which has the concept of intentionality as part of its definition). I don’t know their hearts. Have they spread misinformation? Yes, but at this point I want to be cautious about accusing them of lying because that is a serious matter.

The point about due process is well-made.

[Jeremy Horn]

I’m attempting to be charitable towards those who have equated Samaritan’s Purse and BGEA.

I’m NOT attempting to be charitable towards those who have equated Samaritan’s Purse and BGEA, because I’ve seen this hand played before.

(See Bob Jones & MacArthur and ‘the blood’)

I’ve seen this hand played before. … many many times before!

[Craig Toliver]

https://trainingleadersinternational.org/articles/618/why-i-wont-be-fill…

b/c WP may be behind paywall

Brother Howell misses some good points, such as SP does long-term work like “buy a goat for a family” and such. Based on what I have seen of SP’s OCC appeal, they make a strong case that the boxes are delivered by local mission or church partners and the gifts are not presented as “a rich Western benefactor sent you this” but “this gift is a demonstration of how much Jesus loves you.”

To his point of inequities in the distribution, the reality is that anyone anywhere on this earth experiences inequity and can be jealous. Any relief effort we undertake in our human frailty is going to mean saying “no” to someone in need. We’re writing on this forum, so blessed with technology and time to enable the discussion. That’s a luxury. Please don’t read what isn’t said here. Contending for the truth is not a luxury. But discussing preferences, which is largely what this thread is about, is a luxury.

Additionally, Howell did not say this, but some folks think that the boxes are simply material goods. In reality, each box has a local-language Gospel story book in it, often with lots of pictures since literacy is not a given.

It is inaccurate to assume that boxes are distributed without a spiritual context, such as mission partners (I personally know of a missionary that distributes OCC boxes as a means of showing the lost the love of Christ) and churches. We sell mission and church partners short when we think they give out boxes without encouraging families and children to embrace the love Christ has demonstrated for each of them.

I agree with Howell that the biggest problem in global poverty is access and opportunity, to which I would add hope. Child sponsorship is a great way to help, but it’s not clear how that avoids the “Great Benefactor of the West” issue. Doesn’t sponsoring a child for many years and building a relationship with them carry more risk of causing resentment toward natural parents than does giving a soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, crayons, and a Gospel storybook?

The above is not a defense per se of SP or OCC. Just looking to bring some more facts or at least options that Howell does not seem to consider.

I can tell you’re not attempting to be charitable towards them,

Regarding the equating of BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse

• both are run by Franklin Graham
• They have a few board members in common
• Doctrinal Statement is the same for both

I can see how someone would assume that they are connected.

contrast with the MacArthur blood controversy

• those involved at that time (BJJr, Ian Paisley are the primary ones that I recall. I can/ could only read about this after the fact because I was young when it occurred) rejected MacArthur’s clarification and follow up statement without apparently even reading it. The impression that I got was that they didn’t care about it and he was still a heretic in their view(That response grieved me very much).

I don’t see that anyone here who has equated both SP and BGEA is doubling down on that position like what happened with MacArthur. We will see though.

I can see how someone would assume that they are connected.

What happens when you “assume”

Maranatha. Which has had varsity sports from the get-go. Though a soccer powerhouse in their division. They dropped gridiron football. They also dropped their historic crest and the title Crusaders, now Sabercats

How many of your churches are doing work with local orphans as opposed to work with distant orphans via OCC?

I’m not sure that being a help to children in Africa is any better than being a help to kids in the local region and may actually be worse. We can’t outsource being salt and light.

The real Pharisees are coming out now.

“You said BGEA, it’s not BGEA. So there.”

Come on, Franklin Graham is as ecumenical as his father.

The fact that Samaritan’s Purse and BGEA are not identical organizations are not relevant to this discussion, really.

And using the term BGEA in this discussion may be an inaccuracy out of ignorance rather than a LIE.

You are really jumping the shark now.

So what is the significance of SP and the BGEA being two different organizations? Is one supposed to be more acceptable than the other?

[Rob Fall]

Maranatha. Which has had varsity sports from the get-go. Though a soccer powerhouse in their division. They dropped gridiron football. They also dropped their historic crest and the title Crusaders, now Sabercats

All clear signs of convergence in the view of this alumnus. :-)

[Craig Toliver]

Quote:

I can see how someone would assume that they are connected.

What happens when you “assume”

Which is why I try not to assume anything about motives without having evidence. I’ve done that too many times and embarrassed myself to one degree or another(and on many other topics as well).

Franklin Graham is President and CEO of both organizations. Because of this, at first glance, both organizations would seem to be connected based on that connection . It is easy to see how someone would make that erroneous assumption.

My estimation is that this discussion might have been better served had Samaritan’s Purse not been conflated the the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Brethren. There are 167 comments now. Is this going anywhere?

Both sides seem pretty convinced of their views. What more can or should be said here?

Just asking …