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It's Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Today’s edition covers the controversies over Megan Basham’s book Shepherds for Sale, a fact check on Al Mohler’s recent abortion comments, ten observations about Jesus’ prayer life, and an assortment of other notable news.

“The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.” (Proverbs 15:2)

Of Christian Concern

NEW BOOK AIMS TO EXPOSE THE EVANGELICAL ELITE, CONTROVERSIES ERUPT: A BRIEF EXPLAINER

The cover of Megan Basham’s new book Shepherds For Sale.

Christian journalist Megan Basham’s book Shepherds For Sale: How Evangelical Leaders Traded the Truth for a Leftist Agenda was released this week, and a firestorm ensued. The book takes aim at the American evangelical elite for being co-opted into influencing Christians toward the political Left.

Sparks flew.

Over the course of the week, several lines of attack against the book emerged. Here is a surface-level summary of the higher-profile criticisms.

1. Samuel James

In a review, evangelical writer Samuel James argues that Basham’s book contains factual errors. For example:

• He claims it’s misleading to say that former Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president J.D. Greear’s push to change “Southern Baptists” to “Great Commission Baptists” was part of what the media called the denomination’s “racial reckoning.” Why is it misleading? Because, he says, the idea for a name change came before Greear was president.

• Also, responding to the claim that Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) avoids inviting presenters who represent a conservative Christian view on environmentalism, he points out that SEBTS invited such a presenter in 2017 and employed a professor associated with the same organization in 2016.

In response to James and defense of Basham, editor-in-chief of American Reformer Timon Cline makes two observations:

• First, he points out that Basham didn’t claim the name change idea started with Greear, and he shows examples of how the media understood Greear’s push to be a race relations move—a characterization Greear did not deny.

• Second, he points out that the claim about SEBTS is not Basham’s claim but that of an interviewee of hers, and he notes that SEBTS’s practice of who they invite could have changed since 2016-2017.

2. Phil Vischer

In a social media thread, Veggie Tales creator and Holy Post podcaster Phil Vischer, who is mentioned in the book, takes issue with Basham’s citation about him. Basham’s book characterizes Vischer as maintaining that evangelicals should have a more “nuanced” view of abortion. Vischer complains that the source Basham cites doesn’t support that characterization.

In response, evangelical watchdog Protestia resurfaced several social media posts that show Vischer does, in fact, promote a “nuanced” approach to abortion. Basham also shared screenshots of such posts. This evidence establishes that Basham’s characterization of him is accurate, regardless of whether the citation was erroneous.

That fact prompted Bible scholar Robert A.J. Gagnon to ask Vischer, “Instead of arguing that she misrepresented you, or that the source she cited for that characterization doesn't establish it, shouldn't you be arguing that you stand by that characterization for x or y reasons?”

3. Gavin Ortlund

The most significant clash resulted from criticism by Gavin Ortlund. In a video, the theologian and YouTuber, who is also mentioned in the book, claims that Basham misrepresented his comments about how Christians should approach climate change, an issue he says “is so important to [him]” and which he “think[s] about…every day.” He says, among other things, that:

• Basham claims he “make[s] climate change activism a measure of one’s commitment to the Gospel.”

• Basham quotes him out of context and distorts his position in the sentence, “To not accept [the scientific consensus on climate change], [Ortlund] says, is to buy into ‘conspiracy and hoax;’ it is a failure to ‘take a responsible posture.’” Ortlund argues that Basham uses the two quotes in this sentence differently than how he used them.

  • For example, the failure to “take a responsible posture” that he advocates against is not the failure of Christians to maintain a particular position on climate change but the failure to form their opinion through careful study of the issue.

Basham responded that she plans to “reply in full” to Ortlund’s video, but in the meantime, says the video “takes comments that are general summaries or refer back to someone else in the chapter, and pretends they are directly about him.” Colorado pastor Chase Davis raises the same point in his response to the video: “Basham obviously doesn’t accuse Ortlund of making environmental policies a test of biblical faithfulness; this was mentioned at another point in the chapter.”

As for the claim of distortion, some have simply disagreed that Basham misrepresented Ortlund’s words. However, Timon Cline chimed in again to argue not so much about the words but that Basham’s sentence correctly characterizes Ortlund’s overall rhetoric. Cline notes that rhetoric is about more than the literal words used.

Impact of the Controversies

The scuffle with Ortlund has especially made waves, with some observers noticing that, despite his minor role in the book, many of the negative reviews on Amazon refer to him. Basham chalks this up to “review-bombing” by “Gavin Ortlund fans” and adds that “they have also been comment-bombing interviews with me where he is not mentioned and that have nothing to do with him.”

In summary fashion, Davis expresses what is likely the impression of many onlookers:

Just as with Voddie Bachaum’s book Fault Lines, those who take issue with [Basham’s] approach and perspective are refusing to engage with the ideas and factual claims and instead have resorted to character assassination in order to signal to others that she should not be trusted.

Activist James Silberman also sums up a similar take to refocus the conversation:

We can split hairs about characterizations (which weren't even inaccurate) that were tangential to the book or we can get serious about the provable fact that Big Eva has been steering us into liberalism for years as they cash 5- and 6-figure checks from secular left foundations.

Curiously, the major players in “Big Eva” (Big Evangelicalism) who are mentioned most frequently in the book—such as Russell Moore (with whom Ortlund is associated), JD Greear, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, SEBTS, and Christianity Today—have been conspicuously quiet about it on social media.

What may be happening behind the scenes? One clue is the emerging reports that some people have been pressuring those who have interviewed Megan Basham to take down their interviews.

In any case, those major players may be wise to stay quiet, as this week’s controversies generated much more interest in the book and undoubtedly increased sales. As of this writing, it remains #24 on Amazon’s overall best sellers list and #1 in the Christian Books & Bibles category—presumably to the chagrin of Basham’s critics.

Also Noteworthy

Photo: Suzy Hazelwood

→ Christians in China face the worst persecution since the 1960s, according to China Aid founder Bob Fu in a Monday address to International Religious Freedom Summit Asia in Tokyo.

→ A Swiss couple whose child was taken away by the government because they do not support her gender transition are speaking out.

→ Pastor James White voices concern (video link; see 30 minute mark) about growing anti-Jew sentiment among certain Reformed circles, drawing special attention to a certain meme making the rounds on the internet.

→ California father Harrison Tinsley is awarded full custody of son after mother tried to raise the child non-binary.

→ About one third (32%) of Americans have a “great deal” (17%) or “quite a lot” (15%) of confidence in “the church or organized religion,” according to a recent Gallup poll.

Content Catch-Up

Recent, notable content of Christian interest.*

Screenshot from Friday’s episode of Al Mohler’s podcast The Briefing.

→ God’s Knowledge Debated: On Friday at New City Church in Denver, Colorado, James White and Tim Barber debated the question “Does God Know the Future Exhaustively and Perfectly?” (Debate)

→ John Rich’s Revelation Song: Journalist Tucker Carlson interviews singer John Rich on his recent Bible-based country song “Revelation,” the lyrics of which Rich believes God gave him. (Interview)

→ Al Mohler Fact-Checked On Abortion: Abortion abolitionist Erika Schanzenbach responds to Southern Seminary president Al Mohler’s claim that “it’s very difficult if not impossible for legal abortion to exist” in some states like Kentucky, giving reasons why “This is false.” (Thread)

*Not necessarily an endorsement

The Bible, Briefly

Jesus’ Prayer Life

Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, November 16, 2012. (Tango7174 / CC BY-SA 4.0)

“Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” (Luke 11:1)

Our Lord had the model prayer life. His disciples saw it and wanted to learn it. We can learn a lot both from how Jesus answered the question and from His example. Following are ten observations about Jesus’ prayer life. Is there a point you’ve never considered?

1. Jesus prayed for those who persecuted Him.

He commanded His disciples to “pray for those who abuse [them]” (Luke 6:28; cf. Matthew 5:44) and to forgive those who sinned against them (Mark 11:25), so you can bet He did the same. According to some manuscripts, He prayed for His persecutors even while hanging on the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

2. Jesus prayed in secret, often in nature.

Jesus taught not to be a showoff when you pray, but instead, “when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:5-6). He liked to practice this principle by going alone on a mountaintop or somewhere in the wilderness: “he went up on the mountain by himself to pray” (Matthew 14:23; cf. Mark 6:46), and “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35; cf. Luke 5:16). It was His custom to go to the Mount of Olives, presumably to pray (Luke 22:39). On some occasions, he prayed alone even while His  were disciples present (e.g., Luke 9:18; Matthew 26:36).

3. Jesus prayed simply.

The model prayer that Jesus taught to His disciples (often called “the Lord’s Prayer”) is an example of how not to “heap up empty phrases” and “many words” (Matthew 6:7-13; cf. Luke 11:1-4).

4. Jesus prayed for children.

When “children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray,” Jesus forbade His disciples from preventing them (Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17), and He “took them in his arms and blessed them” (Mark 10:13-16).

5. Jesus prayed before a big decision—sometimes, all night.

In the lead-up to choosing His twelve disciples, Luke records, “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12).

6. Jesus prayed with persistence and faith, without losing heart.

Jesus taught His disciples through parables “to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1-8; see also Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:5-13). No doubt, He practiced what He preached.

7. Jesus prayed when His heart was troubled.

The writer of Hebrews relays, “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death…” (Hebrews 5:7). The most memorable example of this anguished praying of our Lord was in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death,” and “fell on his face and prayed” (Matthew 26:36-44; cf. Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-44). For an earlier occasion in which He responded with prayer when His soul was troubled, see John 12:27-28.

8. Jesus prayed for His desires, submitting to God’s will.

On both  occasions above, in the Garden and earlier, Jesus voices His desire but determines to settle on God’s will: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42; cf. Matthew 26:39, 42; see also John 12:27-28).

9. The Father heard Jesus’ prayers because of His reverence—and responded.

The writer of Hebrews notes that when “Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears…he was heard because of his reverence” (Hebrews 5:7). As Jesus Himself taught, a pure and humble heart is essential for one’s prayers to be heard (Luke 18:9-14). On more than one occasion, God responds to Jesus audibly and visually (Luke 3:21; 9:28-36; John 12:27-28).

10. Jesus prayed for His disciples—and still does.

On one occasion, Jesus told Peter that He had prayed for him specifically (Luke 22:32). On another occasion, He offered a lengthy prayer for all His disciples, present and future (John 17). Years later, after Jesus died, resurrected, and ascended, the apostle Paul wrote these glorious words: “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). Yes, Jesus is still praying for His disciples.

Final Thoughts

In light of these observations about Christ’s prayer life, consider these three thoughts that preacher Paul Washer recently posted on social media:

• “While everyone else is simply talking about God, can you go into the inner room, get on your knees and talk to Him in earnest?” (link)

• “Answer this question in your own heart: How much time do you spend with God?” (link)

• “What's wrong with Christianity today? The answer is that people spend so little time in prayer and in the Word of God. These are the two most important things that separate the believer from the nonbeliever in our world today.” (link)

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Why "18:15"? The name Project 18:15 is based on Proverbs 18:15: “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” The aim is for this weekly email—a Christian news briefing, a Bible study, and a Church history lesson rolled into one—to be one way you keep abreast of current events and acquire knowledge you might not acquire elsewhere.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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