Another reader intreprets events at the recent convention of the largest denomination in America:
The "speaking in tongues" controversy noted earlier indicates that the hard right wingers who took over the SBC during the 1980s are turning on each other. With no moderates to rail against, who else can they consume but each other? And some of the younger SBC pastors are tired of being frozen out of the leadership. Earlier this year, a group of younger pastors called for the older folks to step aside or at least open up the leadership. They called their statement "The Memphis Declaration."
I think Frank Page’s election is an indication of discontent among many Southern Baptists with their leadership. Ronnie Floyd of Springdale, Arkansas, was the entrenched leadership’s candidate. Springdale is close to Bentonville and his church has lots of Wal-Mart headquarters types among its membership.
There is also a theological debate within the SBC between Arminianism and Calvinism, two ways of understanding the relationship between grace and free will. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, is a Calvinist, and a darling of the entrenched leadership of the SBC. Baptists have historically been Arminian in thinking. Some comments attributed to Page in Baptist Press make me think he is Arminian and wants this debate to end.
Some highly visible SBC figures, such as Richard Land of their Ethics and Religious Liberty agency, have been very close to the Bush Administration. I suspect there is mild discontent among Southern Baptist rank and file with being too closely associated with this administration.
Time has a fascinating article on the convention as well. Page’s election was, apparently, driven in large part by … bloggers.
The Dish 