Throughout the history of the SBC there has been an understanding concerning resolutions. Everyone knows that resolutions are not binding on entities. The reason resolutions are non-binding is we have a trustee system in place that oversees the work of these autonomous entities for the convention of churches. We have long honored the trustee system for one simple reason–they are made up of people in the pews who listen to the voice of other people in the pews. The late Dr Adrian Rogers addressed the voice of the people by assuring the Peace Committee that whatever the people said the professors were to teach. Thus our trustees, while knowing the resolutions were not binding on the entities, clearly understand that resolutions voice the will of the people. My friend Peter Lumpkins has posted his interpretation of Lifeway’s action. It is in the Lumpkins piece one will find a quote expressing the nature of resolutions. The quote on the nature of resolutions in the SBC is from Dr. Mohler when he was still editor of the Christian Index in 1992.
Due to this recent action by Lifeway there remains one question that must be answered. Why did the Lifeway trustees refuse the will of the people? There are three reasons that come to mind.
First, they did not understand the resolution. Read more
