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I Want A New Camp
Posted by Bowden McElroy in Baptist Life
It used to be easy to describe my theological position(s) to others; I’m Southern Baptist. I was SB as a child because my parents took me to Southern Baptist Churches. I was SB as an adolescent because the Southern Baptist church I attended (alone by that time for my parents had stopped attending church) provided a sense of community (i.e., “fellowship” for those over the age of 50).
I left the SBC as a young adult. My wife and I were part of a nondenominational church whose statement of beliefs essentially mirrored the Baptist Faith & Message. I came back to the SBC a few years later when I realized the Convention offered a means of networking (i.e. “cooperating” in SBC parlance) that an independent congregation could never offer.
Then I started paying attention to the issues in SBC life.
That was my first mistake.
Next, I started blogging.
My second mistake.
Reading SBC blogs has left me with the impression that I need to declare a camp. I should really decide how big my tent is. (Where did all the camping metaphors come from? How about a family metaphor: I’m in the second-cousin-once-removed camp.)
I’m really not a Calvinist, although you wouldn’t know that by looking at my library. I’m certainly not an Arminian. I’m more of a “Big Tent” guy, but don’t call me ecumenical. I consider Wade Burleson a friend, but – please – avoid labeling me a “Wade-ite”.
And the label of “Baptist Identity”… what does that mean? If I’m SB but I’m not in that camp does that mean I’m a Baptist but I have no identity? Or that I have an identity but I’m not really a Baptist? (Another reason I couldn’t declare for this camp is Baptist Identity is often shortened to “BI” and that sounds like some sort of gastrointestinal disorder. For a guy whose initials are “BM”… it’s just too uncomfortable.)
What’s up with the latest label I see tossed around; the Great Commission camp? Aren’t we all Great Commission Christians?
One option is to place myself in the “Why-Can’t-We-All-Get-Along” camp. I just can’t do that no matter how much I would like to. Why-Can’t-We-All-Get-Along is often code for “let’s avoid conflict by pretending there are no differences of opinion”; I think that’s always a bad idea. Iron really does sharpen iron and debating, discussing, even arguing can be a good thing. Avoiding conflict usually makes things worse, not better.
So I’ve decided to place myself in the “One Another” camp. By that I mean I’m far more interested in the manifestation of the Fruit of the Spirit in your life than in where you stand on any given issue.
Agree with me but do so while demonstrating anger, rage, malice, abusive language, etc. and we’re not in the same camp.
Disagree with me but show kindness, compassion, gentleness, humility, etc. to your family, your church, and your readers and – as far as I’m concerned – I’ll be happy to claim you as a fellow camper. (I’ll probably remain convinced I’m right and you’re wrong, but, oh well… I’m a stubborn guy.)
Nearly four years of reading, writing, and interacting on SBC blogs has taught me this: actions speak louder than words. Show me how you live, don’t tell me about your perception of correct doctrine. Doctrine is important; correct doctrine is easily overshadowed by sinful behavior.
All of the above is a preamble to this one central thought: the biggest problem in SBC life is more about our hearts and behavior than our intellect.
I’m tired of ministers coming to my office for counseling because they can’t control their anger or their tongue. I’m saddened by church leaders who are verbally abusive to their children and their wives. I’ve written before about how frustrating it is for the divorce rate among Christians to be nearly as high as the divorce rate in the world.
The biggest problem in SBC life isn’t Calvinism, alcohol, the role of women, the moral decline of the culture around us, or any other issue discussed on this web log or others.
The biggest problem in SBC life – from my vantage point – is that our interpersonal relationships (marriages, families, and friendships) are often no different from the relationships of the lost and/or unchurched.
I just thought of another name for the camp I would like to be associated with: Save our Families. If we can’t manage our own hearts, tongues, and relationships with those we are closest to, what makes us think we can manage the largest protestant denomination around?
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Bowden,
I think you are a nice guy. I really do. Therefore, I want to help you with your “problem.”
The truth is; You have just simply read far too many Gary Smalley books.
Also, you are named after a type of Cajun sausage. (Boudin)
But, I must admit; The sausage is really good. It is far better than Gary Smalley books to mend relationships. If you can get any two people, no matter what their problem is with one another, to sit down to a good meal of Bowdin sausage, horseradish mustard, onions, red beans and cornbread; they can work out any problem. Reading Gary Smalley books just takes the life right out of a guy and turns his brain to mush.
Therefore, My advice to you is to stick to making Bowdin sausage and leave off those Gary Smalley books. Then you can be part of any group you want and true stand-up guys all over the world will call you blessed.
cb
The biggest problem in SBC life – from my vantage point – is that our interpersonal relationships (marriages, families, and friendships) are often no different from the relationships of the lost and/or unchurched.
Bowden: You’re the professional, and I’m not, but I’d like to offer my perspective. I believe that in a very real sense, our interpersonal relationships are always going to look like the relationships of the lost and unchurched, because we are fallen and sinful, albeit redeemed. The difference is, from where I sit, is that Christians don’t feel they can be honest about their struggles. We’re supposed to be happy. Our marriages are supposed to be good. We’re not supposed to be depressed, angry, resentful, etc. And so we hide it, and that is, I think, why we end up more dysfunctional than our unchurched peers. We crack under the strain.
I’m not saying our relationship with Christ doesn’t change us, or can’t change our interpersonal relationships, but as long as we live in this shell, we’ll fail, and when we try to hide what we deem to be “not becoming for a Christian”, it destroys us from the inside.
What do you think?
Bowden,
I resonate with much of your post…I did not grow up in a SB church, and often have said that as much as I did not grow up in the struggle, I have no interest in continuing it.
Admittedly, I am not a scholar when it comes to doctrine, but I cannot shake the belief that good doctrine is almost useless when there are no visible fruits.
Bill
I disagree with your assessment. I agree that our relationships mirror society’s, and that is unfortunate. I also agree that we cannot expect our relationships to be perfect. But, I do believe that faith lived out in our marriages, friendships, etc. should make us qualitatively different. No doctrine advocates anger, slander, gossip, etc. If Christ was truly at the center of every marriage (with varying ideas of doctrine), I have no doubt that we would be better off than we are now.
Blessings
Bryon
Brother Bowden,
AMEN!! Count me in on the “One Another” camp.
Peace to you brother,
From the Middle East
Bowden,
I think you are advocating the importance of bearing the fruit of the Spirit and I soooooooooooo agree with your advocacy.
However, I think the importance of this can be seen most wonderfully when one looks at how Paul’s admonition to bear the fruit of the Spirit fits into Paul’s doctrinal discourse in Galatians.
I preached through the book of Galatians last year and see Paul advocating this:
There has been a historical shift away from the whole law of Moses [Gal. 3:10] to being led by the Spirit [Gal. 5:18] with the coming of the Christ [Gal. 4:4-6] who has given us His law [Gal 6:2].
God Bless you and thank you for upholding the importance of bearing the fruit of the Spirit!
Benji
CB,
If I read my Smalley books while sitting in the bed of a pickup while fishing… does that improve my standing with you?
Bill,
If you’re saying that pretending to holiness produces dysfunction, then I agree. I don’t think that’s the life Christ would have us live.
Benji,
I’m NOT saying that doctrine doesn’t matter. I am saying than an intellectual assent to correct doctrine (as if we could agree on that) isn’t the same as a transformational change in our hearts, attitudes, and behaviors.
I think the Rodney King theology does have some merit. I don’t know if it is possible — even in principle — to parse out the Biblical texts to determine exactly how many TULIP points are really “correct” when it comes to Calvinism. Or how to deal with the tension between election and free-will. That stuff is over my head.
A few years ago there was a major feud in our church. I was there at the time but I didn’t exactly know what was going on that was at the base of the argument. Looking back at this from several years later, I still don’t really know what the underlying issues were. Mostly there were just some personalities that had opposing viewpoints and each “side” became more distinct as they reacted to the other side.
After the dust settled, and about 200 people left the church, about thirty of us “young senior citizens” reorganized our Sunday School class. We called our class “In One Accord” — which is still our name today. We still have the same teacher we had prior to the breakup. Some of the other sunday school officers — including our director — were among those who left.
Once these fights start they take on a life of their own. Sadly the same is true of the CR. It was necessary but there was way too much overkill. People are implicitely being asked to be in a given “camp” and they don’t even know that the campground is segregated.
Roger Simpson
Oklahoma City OK
Byron: We all live in the difficult place between what should be, and what is. I’m saying that sometimes, as Christians, what should be drives us to hide or suppress or ignore what is. Christians shouldn’t have failing marriages, shouldn’t have addictions, shouldn’t be depressed, shouldn’t be unforgiving. But we often do and often are. I want us to be free to acknowledge (without excuse) our failings. I agree that if our lives were “right with God” that we would be better off, but I that is more a statement of fact rather than good advice.
I don’t have a good answer. I just think that we are more inclined to hide our fallenness rather than acknowledge it because of what Christians “should be.” And I think the strain of faking it ends up making us more dysfunctional than our lost neighbors.
The world needs to see that we are real. That we struggle with the same issues they do. That we aren’t superholy supermen (and women). Nobody explicitly says we should be, but I often think that it is the unspoken standard.
What you said is one of the things I have struggled with. I do not identify with BI on most of the issues, but I do not feel comfortable with Wade’s crusades either. I lean calvinistic, but am not a card-carrying, 5-pointer, so I don’t completely fit with the Founders.
But, I think that if you start a group, I’ll join it.
My son’s a musician. We can get him to write us a campfire song.
Bill:
Completely agree with your thoughts on us being free to be real, and certainly did not want to diminish your view. I believe we will share the Gospel better when we concentrate less on reducing our sin and spend more time dispensing grace.
I am only 3 chapters into a book entitled “TrueFaced” by Thrall, McNicol, and Lynch and it is really challenging me to think about how we as Christians and as a church can be more transparent and authentic within our community.
I live in a small community, and the issue of pride and the hiding of our lives is becoming more of an issue to me each day. I sense you see that struggle as well…thanks for sharing.
Bowden:
Love the idea of a new camp! But…let’s say you form a new group committed to unity of purpose and direction. How many people/churches can you add before division is unavoidable? I’ve often said church would be real easy if it wasn’t for the humans. Perhaps part of the issue within the SBC is that it covers such a broad spectrum of our church-life that unity overall is unattainable? Still no excuse for people being mean…
Bowden,
I understand that you are not saying that doctrine is not important. I don’t think I was thinking that you were saying something that strong, but I probably should have read your post a second time for myself:)
Thank you for this post that can get us thinking.
In Christ,
Benji
I’m pretty sure no one suspected that you were an Armenian. Perhaps you meant Arminian?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenians
Bowden,
Only a true blue and stand-up guy would let his fishin’ buddies know he was readin’ Smalley on a fishin’ trip. Also, if you have the grit to put a Smalley book in your “truck” rather than your wife’s minivan you are a man among men.
Feel free to pass through any group you please and know you have complete redneck support. They shall call you “Legend.”
cb
Is there any truth to the rumor that Bowden (or a guy looking just like him) has been spotted in Yerevan?
Great post, Bowden. I’ve been off the blog radar screen for a while, but I’m working my way back again.
You provided a much better argument here than I did when I wrote http://newunderthesun.blogspot.com/2008/03/labels-part-1.html
And then followed up with
http://newunderthesun.blogspot.com/2008/03/labels-part-2.html
(Sorry I couldn’t get my tags to work)
And I was struck by your final comment: “If we can’t manage our own hearts, tongues, and relationships with those we are closest to, what makes us think we can manage the largest protestant denomination around?”
Very well said.
Aaron
I can see networking with your camping community. I hope it’s not just a 2-week summer camp.
Aaron,
Good to hear from you! Hope this means you’re feeling well. Are you done with chemo?
Thanks, Bowden.
Yes, I am finished with chemo. My first set of scans came back all clear. There aren’t any guarantees the cancer won’t come back, of course. But for now it’s all good. Now I’m just trying to regain my strength and stamina. It’s coming back little by little.
Thanks for asking!
Aaron
“The biggest problem in SBC life – from my vantage point – is that our interpersonal relationships (marriages, families, and friendships) are often no different from the relationships of the lost and/or unchurched.”
I would suggest reading and implimenting Voddie Baucham’s book, Family Driven Faith.