A Call from Voddie Baucham, a Lesson in Brotherhood and the Downside to the Internet

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1

Today I received an unexpected call from Voddie Baucham, pastor of Grace Family Baptist Church in Spring, TX. His name may sound familiar to many of you because he is the author of What He Must Be If He Wants to Marry My Daughter (Crossway). He called me because he wanted to talk to me about something I wrote about Family Integrated Churches, which had been posted on a larger blog and had been getting much attention and response.

The Downside to the Internet

First, the article that was posted was an article I wrote in February and posted on our church blog. I also posted a follow-up link where Sam Waldron qualified some of his criticisms and where Voddie Baucham made some helpful clarifications on his position. I thought the exchange between these two godly men was worth posting because it brought further clarification and qualification to the issues at hand.

However, another blog picked up my article and without my consent, posted it on their more widely read website. We had no idea the article had been posted, we were just getting all kinds of responses. The real problem was that the follow up link was not posted; therefore those applauding my critique did not know that I had acknowledged these brothers’ efforts and those despising my critique did not know either. The fact is, if I had been asked permission to post it, I would have declined. But this is the downside to the internet.

A Call from Voddie and a Lesson in Brotherhood

Since Voddie is a leader among Family integrated churches and since my critique addressed certain issues that he did not believe were fair representations of his position, he called me directly on the phone. It would have been very easy for this brother to simply unleash an atomic blog-bomb. Instead, he called to talk to me directly. His tone was courteous and he wanted to honestly ask me questions about my article. I responded with my observations and concerns. We had a very edifying conversation.

This was a great lesson for me and one that I hope I and others will learn. The World Wide Web is not conducive for promoting Psalm 133 unity and brotherhood. None of us are above criticism or biblical critique, but we must do it in a way that preserves the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. What Voddie did expressed true brotherhood and a concern for both unity and truth. I am thankful to God for this good example today!

Pastor Brian