I happened, quite by accident, to watch Russell Moore on C-Span last week. He had a lengthy interview on religion and politics and gave a solid and congenial defense of the Gospel. Moore is our replacement for Richard Land as head of our Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.
The C-Span video is found here. You watch it and see what you think.
While I understand that Moore is trying to achieve the delicate balance of presenting Southern Baptists, our beliefs and message in a political context that is often hostile to the Biblical values we hold, and while I recognize that he has had some critics who wonder about his commitment to the culture war agenda fought so vigorously, so radio talk-showishly by Land, I am grateful for the way he communicated Christ, grace, and the Gospel in this interview.
After all, what exactly are we after? Is our ultimate goal political salvation and hegemony or the reign of Christ in the hearts of individual Americans?
There is a lot more for Moore to say and a long road ahead dealing with religion and politics in America. He will have thousands of such interviews in the future. He may not hit home runs in each one. He may have to walk back a comment or two. He may have to fine tune his phrasing. but, so far, so good, I'd say.
Is it possible that there comes in a minister's life a defining moment, for good or ill? Probably not, unless you have such an audience or forum that utter failure can never be undone.
I am reminded of a very good, very accomplished Southern Baptist in such a moment. When asked about a Jewish friend being in heaven, in an attempt to be kind and not condemnatory, our SBC colleague opined that he though he and his Jewish friend would be in the same place.
Utter failure, Cannot be undone.
Too bad.
Russell Moore may foul up some political issues that bear upon our Christian beliefs but the one thing he must not do is foul up the Gospel.
I appreciated his defense of the Gospel in this political context. He understands what is of first importance.
Good.
The C-Span video is found here. You watch it and see what you think.
While I understand that Moore is trying to achieve the delicate balance of presenting Southern Baptists, our beliefs and message in a political context that is often hostile to the Biblical values we hold, and while I recognize that he has had some critics who wonder about his commitment to the culture war agenda fought so vigorously, so radio talk-showishly by Land, I am grateful for the way he communicated Christ, grace, and the Gospel in this interview.
After all, what exactly are we after? Is our ultimate goal political salvation and hegemony or the reign of Christ in the hearts of individual Americans?
There is a lot more for Moore to say and a long road ahead dealing with religion and politics in America. He will have thousands of such interviews in the future. He may not hit home runs in each one. He may have to walk back a comment or two. He may have to fine tune his phrasing. but, so far, so good, I'd say.
Is it possible that there comes in a minister's life a defining moment, for good or ill? Probably not, unless you have such an audience or forum that utter failure can never be undone.
I am reminded of a very good, very accomplished Southern Baptist in such a moment. When asked about a Jewish friend being in heaven, in an attempt to be kind and not condemnatory, our SBC colleague opined that he though he and his Jewish friend would be in the same place.
Utter failure, Cannot be undone.
Too bad.
Russell Moore may foul up some political issues that bear upon our Christian beliefs but the one thing he must not do is foul up the Gospel.
I appreciated his defense of the Gospel in this political context. He understands what is of first importance.
Good.
