The president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission says comments by best-selling author John Grisham at the recent "New Baptist Covenant" meeting are theologically off base.
During a rare public speech, Grisham criticized Baptists who believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. The novelist spoke about a Baptist church he attended as a youth, which he described as intolerant because its leaders said the Bible should be read literally. The Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission president, Dr. Richard Land, disagrees with Grisham and says it is not intolerant to defend God's Word. "I don't think taking a strong and high view of Scripture is intolerant," he maintains. "It's being obedient to the command of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And so, John Grisham is a really good novelist, I enjoy reading his books -- but I don't think I'll take his advice on theology." Dr. Land also contends it is no coincidence that the meeting -- which featured former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton -- was held a week before the Super Tuesday primaries. The meeting also featured former Vice President Al Gore, who was named "Baptist of the Year." "Anyone who thinks all of that amounts to coincidence, I've got beachfront property in Arizona I'd for you to look at," says Land.
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