In April 1995, he was completely spent. “I thought it was all over,” said R. Albert Mohler Jr.
When I was invited to pastor an SBC church in 1972, my answer was, “No, thank you. I’m not interested in an SBC church, even one that is conservative and Bible-believing. The apostasy in SBC institutions is too great, and I don’t see any possibility of recovery. In time, the whole SBC will become apostate.”
I was wrong. God used men like Al Mohler to bring about an amazing change within the SBC. What I said was true at the time. Today, by God’s grace, its a very different story.
This article records the personal sacrifice and difficulty with which men, empowered by God, accomplished one of the most unexpected recoveries of truth in modern history. I didn’t believe it could happen, but I have often been surprised by God’s working. O me of little faith.
Would I refuse to pastor that same SBC today, if the opportunity were extended? I don’t know. I’m happier being independent. The SBC is a very big ship, and there are still many problems with which I would prefer not to have to struggle. However, the SBC of 2013 is a very different body than it was in 1972, and I am extremely thankful for the change. I now fellowship profitably with a number of SBC pastors whom I find to be serious-minded and godly. No group or fellowship of churches is without problems. For all the comforts of being independent, there are also the dangers of isolationism and tangents. I, for one, am extremely thankful to God for Mohler and others who were willing to fight the good fight to return Biblical orthodoxy to the institutions of the SBC.
G. N. Barkman
I had no idea of the battle that Mohler was fighting. (Some news never gets aired in some fundamentalist villages.) I finally heard the news about the housecleaning in 2007 or so and enjoyed listening to Mohler’s audio account of the battle. I’m wondering if any fundamentalists will publicly express their appreciation for what he did at Southern. I suspect that, if they do, it will come with a warning about his perceived failure in some lesser issue. (Manhattan is a dead horse.) The man got the apostates out of Southern. Can I get an AMEN?
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
For those interested, Mohler did two one-hour talks on this at the SGM Pastor’s school several years ago. They are well worth listening to. The talks are entitled The Cost of Conviction
Parts One and Two are here:
http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/Category/440_1/Mohler,_Albert.aspx
After years of hearing that separation is the first and default reaction when encountering error, it was encouraging to see that it is possible to contend for the faith and win.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
Ah come on now, Mr. Bean. You are making me look lazy by posting the links. How is anyone ever going to learn to google if you do all the work for them?
[Larry]Ah come on now, Mr. Bean. You are making me look lazy by posting the links. How is anyone ever going to learn to google if you do all the work for them?
I’m living in the technological Stone Age. Anytime I can help out my fellow Luddites, I seize the opportunity. Just listened to them again.
"Some things are of that nature as to make one's fancy chuckle, while his heart doth ache." John Bunyan
Ron Bean - bravely dragging Fundamentalists (and everyone else!) into the 20th Century. :D
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
Ron’s flock has taught him well. I remember riding across the southeast with a dear friend a number of years ago and we listened to those recordings whoping and hollering and praising God for this man’s courage to lead.
Short SBC documentary on the fight against liberalism at Southern Seminary.
Just listened to both podcasts mentioned (above). Very edifying.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
Boy, those messages made the dishawshing and housecleaning go by fast! “What does a dog do once he catches the garbage truck?” Lot’s of memorable metaphors.
I thought the most significant insight to ponder was that a shift from conservative to liberal can be done incrementally, but a shift from liberal to conservative has to be done all at once.
Michael Osborne
Philadelphia, PA
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