I had a question to ask of folks here on the highway. I have meant to bring this up earlier when it was more relevant to my thinking, but business at work, as well as KH's distraction with Middle Knowledge, kept me from exploring this with you all.
About a month or so ago I was involved with a discussion with an individual on another board over the nature of some comments Dr. Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary in KY, had made at a national conference for college kids. The original comments by Mohler can be accessed here by either transcript or real audio:
Mohler comments about singlesThe basic sum of his comments centers around his thoughts about singles, particularly men, who want to be married, talk about getting married and so forth, yet take no actionable steps with regards to pursuing any relationship. Even though these singles want to get married someday, they tend to delay marriage for selfish reasons.
After I read Dr. Mohler's comments I thought they were well reasoned and biblical, and he offered a necessary rebuked to a spirit of worldliness that I believe is a problematic issue among God's singles in Churches today. I fell into this attitude as a young man with lots of wrong headed thinking about relationships and my role as a man, so what Mohler stated resonated strong with what I had experienced as an immature believer in this area of my life and what I know other Christian singles have experienced and do experience now.
However, there were others on this board who thought Dr. Mohler was way out of line to make such comments. The initial detractor who posted Mohler's lecture, also posted his objections to what he stated by claiming Mohler's comments were irresponsible and reckless. He made this charge based upon the the fact that:
A) Mohler is not a pastor, and
B) Because Mohler isn't a pastor, he obviously has no experiencing pastoring singles, especially older singles, struggling with their singleness.
These type of comments, writes the poster, only serve to be hurtful to singles who desire to get married, yet God hasn't blessed them with a mate as of yet. I personally thought his objections were more emotional based, rather than dealing specifically with what Dr. Mohler was stating. I also thought he was presumptive toward Dr. Mohler to suggest that only pastors are really qualified to minister to struggling singles and seminary presidents should just keep their mouths shut about such things. Who is a seminary president to make such sweeping, baseless comments about a class of people who are a legitimate part of God's Church?
Our entire discussion can be accessed here to get a flavor of what the fellow was stating.
SBC Popes and SuperstarsI believe there are handful of areas of discussion
First, was Mohler out of line with his comments?
Do non-pastors have any place to make comments about the behavior and attitudes of people in the church? Let us say it was the Key Club treasurer making this comments in a Sunday school class he teaches as a layman.
What are your all thoughts about singles in today's church?
I am sure there are other areas we could explore, but those questions will be good to begin with. Any comments would be nice. Also, I appreciate when you all link up to relevant articles you may be aware of on the Internet. I welcome such recommendations, but it would also be nice for folks to dish out from their own food for thought, rather than just appealing to a well written article. I want to know what YOU have to say.
Fred
