Breaking News In Greensboro . . . Gluttons Don't Drink Alcohol

Many of you are aware of the resolution that was passed in the SBC Annual Meeting yesterday in Greensboro with regard to alcohol. Some have speculated that this resolution was intended to remove, or at least shame, Wade Burleson from his position as a trustee of the IMB. Everything these SBC leaders have stressed such as the Cooperative Program, emphasis of evangelism, and commitment to the local church is null and void. These guys, who, with their mouths have professed essentials, have with their deeds majored on the nonessentials.

Ironically, they are quick to chide Calvinists when the doctrine of election is brought up but have the liberty to speak freely from the platform about it as they wish. It appears that the only people who have the license to take side streets are those who are behind the wheel of the SBC. while those who've been along for the ride are charged with a “violation” for breaking the rules. Such is the case with alcohol.

If the SBC leaders and Executive Committee want to go down that side street, then what about the other side streets of gluttony, materialism, and pride? I for one have noticed many hanging bellies outstretched over the belt buckle. Would it not be consistent to call on all our leaders to repent of the sin of gluttony? After all, there is far more biblical warrant for denouncing gluttony than alcohol. Are we to point the finger at the growing and unchecked gluttony in our Convention? How dare we!

As Derek Webb has said in one of his songs, “We are trading sins for others that are easier to hide.” It is convenient to point out the sins of others while ignoring the sins of our own. Imagine Jesus at our Convention hearing Southern Baptists saying, “Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” Yet, as Jesus concludes, “Wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

So what are the real issues in the SBC? Who will decide to be consistent with our decisions and call out the laundry list of sins in our Convention? How about our denominational pride? What about ministerial infidelity? Family divorce?

Furthermore, what about the theological and ecclesiological issues unaddressed? What about unregenerate church membership? Or biblical illiteracy? Or absence of church discipline? Or denominational cronyism and nepotism?

What about the faulty view of decisional regeneration and flawed evangelistic practices which compound the reality that we really don’t understand the nature and power of the gospel? What about the pragmatism wherewith we rationalize borrowing Canaanite practices while neglecting the biblical truth?

Finally, what about religious pluralism’s threat to the exclusivity of the gospel of Jesus Christ and his uniqueness? What about the creeping influence of Open Theism in SBC life? What about the modern-day dismissal of a literal hell? Surveys have shown that 4 out of 10 Southern Baptists don’t believe in the exclusivity of Jesus Christ and even more don’t believe in a literal hell.

Now you tell me, in light of all this, why are we spending our time passing resolutions on alcohol abuse? When was the last time Southern Baptists took seriously the bigger, more eminent biblical, theological, ecclesiological, cultural, and missional issues of our day? My friend, we have become the next episode in life’s reality show called, “Adventures in Missing the Point.”

We are fighting the wrong battles, sounding the trumpet in minor key, and blowing the shofar . . . don’t make me go there.

If anything, this shows the need for our convention to have clear, biblical understanding that unites us through cooperation. We need an understanding that holds each others’ hands in the fight for souls rather than points fingers in board rooms. So as we close out the convention, what will be the lingering thoughts in Greensboro? The renewed emphasis of the Cooperative Program? Hopefully. The changing of the guard in the election of Frank Page? Possibly. The debate with Mohler and Patterson over Calvinism and Arminianism? Maybe. That SBC gluttons don’t drink alcohol?

I will let you answer that question.