Comments on: Zondervan’s New Chief http://blog.cbeinternational.org/2008/06/zondervans-new-chief/ Blog voices from Christians for Biblical Equality Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:17:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Frank http://blog.cbeinternational.org/2008/06/zondervans-new-chief/comment-page-1/#comment-86632 Frank Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:03:05 +0000 http://blog.cbeinternational.org/?p=201#comment-86632 Ashleigh: I did read the CT article and the accompanying comments. It was a great story how her theological view shifted from a Catholic to a more Protestant, and just shows how God's Word, as illuminated and applied by the Holy Spirit, really does transform our thinking and worldview. The only complaint against I saw was that she appreciated Mr. Bell as effective communicator, whom he disparged as "a guru of the Emergent movement." Well, I may have some problems with that movement and there may be points of doctrine where Mr Bell needs to be corrected, but mere complaint is not a sufficent response. I remember the story about D.L. Moody, when after a crusade, a minister went up to him and complained about his methods of evangelism. "Well, sir, I do not pretend to be perfect and am willing to receive instruction on how to better proclaim the Gospel? So what are your methods?" The minister replied, "Well, I have no methods, as such." "Well, sir, I may be willing that my methods have faults, but I prefer them to your methods." And the moral is that "Don't criticize a person's methods of communicating the Gospel unless your really do have better method you're will to share with them." And so I would advise Mr. Bell's critics to quit complaining and find better ways, if they can and will do so, to communicate the Gospel to today's young people in ways that upholds God's unchangeable truth but delivers it in a packaged form the younger generation can grasp and own for itself. And I assume you would agree. Ashleigh: I did read the CT article and the accompanying comments. It was a great story how her theological view shifted from a Catholic to a more Protestant, and just shows how God’s Word, as illuminated and applied by the Holy Spirit, really does transform our thinking and worldview. The only complaint against I saw was that she appreciated Mr. Bell as effective communicator, whom he disparged as “a guru of the Emergent movement.” Well, I may have some problems with that movement and there may be points of doctrine where Mr Bell needs to be corrected, but mere complaint is not a sufficent response. I remember the story about D.L. Moody, when after a crusade, a minister went up to him and complained about his methods of evangelism. “Well, sir, I do not pretend to be perfect and am willing to receive instruction on how to better proclaim the Gospel? So what are your methods?” The minister replied, “Well, I have no methods, as such.” “Well, sir, I may be willing that my methods have faults, but I prefer them to your methods.” And the moral is that “Don’t criticize a person’s methods of communicating the Gospel unless your really do have better method you’re will to share with them.” And so I would advise Mr. Bell’s critics to quit complaining and find better ways, if they can and will do so, to communicate the Gospel to today’s young people in ways that upholds God’s unchangeable truth but delivers it in a packaged form the younger generation can grasp and own for itself. And I assume you would agree.

]]> By: Ashleigh http://blog.cbeinternational.org/2008/06/zondervans-new-chief/comment-page-1/#comment-86627 Ashleigh Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:56:01 +0000 http://blog.cbeinternational.org/?p=201#comment-86627 You should go read the interview-- it's great to get to know her a bit! I have no idea what she thinks about gender issues. I feel certain she can't be completely oblivious to them because of the areas she's worked in in the past (very male-dominated), but that doesn't mean she takes any particular doctrinal stance. Still, I think we can rejoice any time women are advancing! It's progress of some sort, even if it's not always a 100% perfect situation (what is?). You should go read the interview– it’s great to get to know her a bit!

I have no idea what she thinks about gender issues. I feel certain she can’t be completely oblivious to them because of the areas she’s worked in in the past (very male-dominated), but that doesn’t mean she takes any particular doctrinal stance.

Still, I think we can rejoice any time women are advancing! It’s progress of some sort, even if it’s not always a 100% perfect situation (what is?).

]]> By: Frank http://blog.cbeinternational.org/2008/06/zondervans-new-chief/comment-page-1/#comment-86624 Frank Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:24:52 +0000 http://blog.cbeinternational.org/?p=201#comment-86624 I rejoice with you Ashleigh that Maureen Girkins has been made President and CEO of Zondervan. And I certainly agree we should support her in every way we can. However, since I did not read the CT interview, can I ask if she made it clear where she stands on the complementarian vs. egalitarian issue? And did she clearly indicate that she would see that any book on theology, ethics, socio-political theory, and, of course gender issues, would only be approved on the soundness of its biblical exegesis, theological formulation, practical application, and treatment of opposing viewpoints? If she can pull this off, without seeming to favor one viewpoint over another, while maintaining her own view with clarity, integrity, and generosity, she just might make people realize she has a real presence for God and his kingdom and consider giving her due respect. At least that is how I see the situation for now. I rejoice with you Ashleigh that Maureen Girkins has been made President and CEO of Zondervan. And I certainly agree we should support her in every way we can. However, since I did not read the CT interview, can I ask if she made it clear where she stands on the complementarian vs. egalitarian issue? And did she clearly indicate that she would see that any book on theology, ethics, socio-political theory, and, of course gender issues, would only be approved on the soundness of its biblical exegesis, theological formulation, practical application, and treatment of opposing viewpoints? If she can pull this off, without seeming to favor one viewpoint over another, while maintaining her own view with clarity, integrity, and generosity, she just might make people realize she has a real presence for God and his kingdom and consider giving her due respect. At least that is how I see the situation for now.

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