Sep
11
Camel Concerns
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Back in July, there was reported from this blog a discussion at the IMB Trustee meeting concerning the Camel Method, a strategy for the evangelization of Muslims that is endorsed by the IMB for use on the field. Other men have voiced serious concerns over the Camel Method here, here, here, here, and here. We are hopeful that this week something will be reported addressing the concerns shared at the meeting in July and in the blog articles to which we’ve linked.
9 Comments
September 11th, 2007 at 10:00 am
‘We are hopeful that this week something will be reported addressing the concerns shared at the meeting in July and the blog aricles to which we’ve linked.’
We are hopeful that a trial and sentencing of the authors of the Camel Book will not occur without the opportunity of Southern Baptists, especially IMB trustees, to hear directly from those IMB missionaries who penned the book.
September 11th, 2007 at 10:29 am
And yet, if board members and users of the tactic are unable to use it properly without personal interaction with the authors, it’s not a very useful book.
It’s fine with me if the authors get to weigh in but it is also irrelevant. The work must be able to stand on its own if it’s to be of any help.
I think it is the book that is under consideration, more pointedly, the methodology, not the authors.
September 11th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Wow! Trial and sentencing is really inflammatory language. These are brothers and sisters in the Lord. I agree as well with Gary . . . it’s a cogent point. Have a great day
Blessings,
Joe
September 12th, 2007 at 6:57 am
Robin,
I “feel” our Brother Wade needs to consider applicability of his current post on this issue:
“(1) Disagreement is not the same as disunity.” How is being “hopeful that… something will be reported addressing the concerns shared” remotely related to disunity?
“(2)… When we constantly try to point out sin in others, the spirit of the Pharisees is more prevalent than the spirit of Christ.” How is being “hopeful that… something will be reported addressing the concerns shared” remotely related to “pointing out sin in others”?
“(3). Listening is far, far better than talking.” How is being “hopeful that… something will be reported addressing the concerns shared” remotely related to closed ears and a talking mouth? I “feel” that expecting a report implies one’s all ears.
“(4). Courage is the ability to do the right thing in the face of opposition.” How is being “hopeful that… something will be reported addressing the concerns shared” remotely related to cowardice or arrogance?
“(5). The phrase ‘I feel’ ought to be used constantly in disagreements.” I have to agree with Wade here, I’m afraid. Looks like he just peeled your potato.
Instead of being “hopeful that… something will be reported addressing the concerns shared”, Robin, you should have said:
“I ‘feel’ something should be reported addressing the concerns shared.” If you would have done that, my Brother, I ‘feel’ no one could possibly contend with you.
Hence, I ‘feel’ our Brother Wade would ‘feel’ better about the present post’s concern. How do you ‘feel’?
Grace. With that, I am…
Peter
p.s. I will not ‘feel’ bad at all if this post is not posted, on uh count uh, you ‘feel’ it may not be germane to the theme. Or, even worse, you ‘feel’ it is divisive.
September 12th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Peter
I feel a lot of things, yet I will remain hopeful that progress will be made and reported on this issue.
BTW, if the only thing Wade has on me is that I should have used “feel” instead of “hopeful,” then don’t stop at peeling the potato. Slice it up, fry it, add some ketchup, and let’s share that basket of fries!
November 7th, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Does anybody know if anything was said about the Camel Method at the latest trustee meeting?
A Simple Student @ SWBTS
November 7th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
I haven’t heard anything, but I believe it is still on their plate. I will make some calls to see if any progress is being made.
November 7th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
I am given to understand that some tweaking of the Camel Method is ongoing, and that those with concerns will be pleased.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:44 am
It appears that the trustees did make a statement on the Camel (or matters pertaining to the Camel). In Mark Kelly’s article, 600,000 baptisms, $304.8 million budget frame challenge for IMB trustees, SBC churches, he states:
In other matters, the trustees also:
[...]
– adopted a five-point statement of principles for contextualizing the Gospel in other cultural settings. The statement affirms the use of “bridges” from elements of host cultures to communicate Gospel truth and encouraged missionary vigilance that unbiblical concepts in a culture do not compromise “the whole unvarnished truth of the Gospel.”
I would love to see the five-point statement of principles for contextualizing the Gospel in other cultural settings.