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Southern Baptist in NC

Keeping Christ central in the world of Southern Baptists

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, whose president Dr. Chuck Kelley, found herself  some years back in opposition with the Executive Committee’s organizational interpretation.  The reason for such opposition was the interpretation of polity in the SBC.  Each entity is autonomous and as such make their own decisions.  Add to that legal matters and the involvement of lawyers interpretations of various state laws and you have a recipe for separation plain and simple.  However, we did not separate.  This matter was resolved the Southern Baptist way.  At the annual meting the Executive Committee presented its argument and NOBTS, through Dr. Kelley, presented its argument.  Dr. Kelley asked the convention to allow him to present an alternative plan and at the following convention a plan was presented by NOBTS.  After these debates New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary’s trustees voted on sole membership as the convention directed.

When the NOBTS trustees were gathering information concerning their position Dr. Kelley was asked to give them historical information.  The historical background for NOBTS’s  position was placed in a paper that clearly defines the polity that we as Southern Baptist operate within.  The Baptist Way: A Personal Perspective is the paper presented to the trustees for their consideration.  It is a fifteen page document that contains an excellent review of Southern Baptist history concerning the doctrine of autonomy.  One thing Dr. Kelley says that rings loud concerns the Priesthood of Believers.  Dr. Kelley laments the brevity of the paper concerning the omission of this important doctrine.

Enjoy the paper, it certainly is something worthy of all Southern Baptists attention.

Why the Complaining?

Posted by Tim Rogers on March 24, 2008
Posted in Seminary Issues  | 14 Comments

It seems that there is a saying I grew up hearing and it applies to what we are now seeing in the blog world. The saying; “Stop spitting in my face and telling me it is raining“. This saying was used when someone was trying to change something that was fact and using words to change public perception in order to change facts. Judge McBryde’s summary judgment is now in, but some seem to be spitting in our faces and telling us it is raining.

With the case of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and her President Dr. Paige Patterson coming to a summary judgment, it seems that it is not good enough for some. In the weeks leading up to the judge’s decision one person said; “Once the jury (or judge) decides a proper verdict, whatever they decide, nobody should complain.” This comment was said on this blog. In the same comment stream this same commenter said; “I trust that we as Southern Baptists can rest in the belief that a sovereign God will ensure a righteous decision, and judgment, shall be forthcoming – however it turns out.” It seems that now this commentor seems to question the ‘outcome of this situation’. Later in the comment stream this same commentor said; “Thanks Bart, for the healthy discussion. I think it is evident that nobody knows the truth – YET. But a court will soon decide.

Well another blog in another comment stream was rife with comments about how many would see the truth and we should follow the judges decisions. It seems that some wanted to make those of us who were calling for an accurate reading of the case feel like we had no business reading, much less commenting on this case. Here one commenter said; “Listening to you parse case law is like watching a ground hog in the clutches of an eagle assuming that he can fly.” But, here you can see that the author of the article referencing to the loyalty of Dr. Blaising and insinuating he is merely trying to cover his proverbial backside.

Today, Craig Blaising is doing his best to cover Defendant Patterson’s hind quarters. In fact, no greater loyalist at SWBTS can be found among Patterson’s two-legged colleagues. His affidavit reveals the nature of his involvement in negotiating Klouda’s contract with the seminary, in revising the conditions of her faculty responsibility to satisfy hesitant trustees, and in doing the dirty work of giving her the boot when Patterson determined that his “sincere religious belief” warranted a unilateral vacation of the trustee majority opinion regarding the suitability of a woman to teach Semitic languages in the School of Theology.

With all of these pre-judgment statements, these same bloggers are now asserting a mistake by the judge. The same judge, whose decision that one said, ‘we all should submit’. Well, now I want you to notice the post-judgment posts. Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, and Here.

As has previously been noted; Once the jury (or judge) decides a proper verdict, whatever they decide, nobody should complain. Why all of the complaints if we trust that we as Southern Baptists can rest in the belief that a sovereign God will ensure a righteous decision, and judgment?

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!

Posted by Tim Rogers on March 20, 2008
Posted in Dr. Sherri KloudaSeminary Issues  | 33 Comments

gomer-pyle.jpgHere in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood it seems that many have taken me to task on how I interpret the law. It appears that before long there is a Judge in Texas that will issue a decision in the Klouda vs. Southwestern case. I am not sure of the outcome, but if the judge is true to the law, I believe Southwestern and Dr. Patterson will receive a Summary Judgment.  Why?  It seems this case was all about the President of a seminary allowing the Bible to drive his beliefs. I mean, we still live in America where we do have a freedom of religion held constitutionally as a basic right of each individual.  This case had nothing to do with contract law, but all to do with the theological convictions and the freedom to follow those convictions.

A couple of questions and then I will leave you until the summary is made public. Where are the papers, copied and place in .pdf format for all to see, of this decision? It seems that information in the past has been given before anyone else had it and made available on the internet. Why are those that made this available in the past not so quick to point out that this decision is coming.   After all, one editor contributor at another collaborative blog has made it known that he has visited Judge McBryde’s office and even got to know some of his staff.

But, we will wait to see what the verdict is in this summary.