A report on the Thursday session of ERLC's conference on sexual abuse in the church
It’s quite detailed…
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.
The thing I am uncomfortable with, which has appeared all over the place since the sexual assault issue has come to front and center, is the notion of “we” in SBC church behavior. Southern Baptists come together in common belief to evangelize and to cooperate together to form seminaries and to do missions. That is the extent of the cooperation. I have no control over what any other SBC church does or does not do.
I realize “the world” sees the SBC as one large church entity, but really, we are independent.
So, when someone was assaulted in another church, of course I feel bad, etc., but am I at fault? Is there collective guilt? Did I fail in some way? Do I need to repent? The assumption of this conference is YES.
What do you think?
So, when someone was assaulted in another church, of course I feel bad, etc., but am I at fault? Is there collective guilt? Did I fail in some way? Do I need to repent? The assumption of this conference is YES.
When I read this stuff and watch the videos, I take “we” as a global we, not as a specific entity or organization. All Baptists can report abuse, discipline members, and utilize good policy/procedures. I have a copy of the Caring Well book, and it’s quite good.
That being said, ERLC is leading the conference as an SBC entity so I think they are speaking to all members and encouraging them to do better, not necessarily to blame every specific member for their corporate failings.
The Caring Well Conference (from what I have read and seen) was fantastic and the sessions will be available for download soon. I’d recommend it to everyone.
"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
With all due respect, I think you need to actually listen to the sessions. There is a palpable sense among a certain segment of the group promoting this movement that there is collective guilt due to a massive coverup among the leadership and mass ignorance and indifference. People repeatedly “asked for forgiveness” both while speaking and while praying.
For example, the new communications director for the SBC recently asked forgiveness for the Baptist Press’s reporting on a certain sexual assault survivor’s situation. This came up because Rachel Denhollander I believe specifically called out the BP’s reporting in her talk.
There is definitely a thought among some that the entire convention is to blame.
Discussion