I had a great time at the Elephant Room yesterday. I was able to take my new pastor with me and we had an excellent day learning from ALL of the speakers.
I realize that there were many critics of the Elephant Room, especially this year, especially with the invitation extended to Bishop T. D. Jakes.
After attending the live venue (in Aurora, IL), I can say that I really believe in what James MacDonald is trying to do with The Elephant Room. The premise is simply this: When you have an open discussion, particularly with people you don’t know and people you don’t agree with, you will have a better understanding of them; and have greater insight and learnings from someone who is not necessarily in your ‘tribe’.
My ideas, thoughts, and feelings definitely changed about a couple of the Elephant Room participants. And for the better. Not because I now agree with them theologically, but because I better understand them, understand them to be my brothers in Christ, and have had the opportunity to see their more human side up close and person… rather than what some write about them on blogs; or what their ‘tv persona’ is.
It was very valuable for me.
It cost James MacDonald a lot, including his resignation this week from the Gospel Coalition. That’s too bad. But I do believe that James is doing what God is calling him to do… model civility and the old thought of thinking the best of someone you don’t know.
Not surprisingly, that is not something that James has always embraced from his fundamentalist background.
And many of James current friends on the conservative side think he’s crazy… in fact… I think James is really going through a period of finding out who his friends are.
Many times, boldness and being obedient to Christ has consequences. I think this has been the case for James MacDonald. The loss of dear friends on one side; and the addition of new friends from the other.
I commend all the courage of each speaker for the Elephant Room. To go LIVE in front of thousands of your peers, not knowing exactly where the conversation will go, is nothing short of gutsy.
But I, for one, am happy for gutsy church leaders… even (and especially) the ones who aren’t necessarily in my tribe.
Oh, and btw… for all who were wondering… turns out Bishop T. D. Jakes IS actually a Christian. 
I know that may infuriate some of you. You’ll have to find some other person to pick on now.
DID YOU ATTEND THE ELEPHANT ROOM? What is your feedback?
That is a good summary, Todd. I always liked TD Jakes, but a lot of ministers whom I respect have been extremely critical of him. I was not there, but following the Twitter stream it seems that the attendees were impressed with TD Jakes. As noted in your post, it appears that some will distance themselves from James MacDonald. That is very unfortunate.
I did not attend but read many of the live blogs. Trevin Wax, if you weren’t aware, was posting copious notes and almost took the role of a stenographer during the event. Unbelievable. See his stuff here:
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/
I’m not as sold on Jakes as a lot of people came across being after the sessions. He’s still clear as mud on the Trinity and they didn’t cover the prosperity Gospel, which, I thought, was really disappointing. Not being a Pastor, I, of course, have no stones to through other than observations. The conversations were mostly open and frank and left me in awe of the jobs and difficulties these guys go through. There isn’t a single man, including Jakes, that I wouldn’t be honored to pray with.
Other than that the question must and needs to be answered why two of the discernment bloggers had their invitations revoked and were threatened with arrest if they didn’t leave the campus.
http://www.letterofmarque.us/2012/01/threatened-with-arrest-at-the-elephant-room.html
I’m not defending them as I’m sure they can be a huge pain in the — at times. But, it does, run a bit contrary to the purpose statement of the Elephant Room itself. That said – I hope they do another one. I think these are beneficial to the Evangelical community as a whole.
Let me see if I understand (since understanding others is apparently what it’s all about). You have declared Jakes to “actually” be a Christian, so we no longer need to look at his teaching to see if it aligns with the text of Scripture?
John Brian, you cannot actually be insinuating that TD Jakes is NOT a Christian… can you? That is absurd.
No! What I am saying is that only God can declare someone (anyone) to be a Christian, since only He can see the heart.
What we can (and should )do is examine someone’s life and teaching to see if it aligns with the text of Scripture.
I believe Todd goes beyond what we can do, in declaring Jakes to be a Christian, and by that declaration implying that he (Jakes) teaching and life is now beyond examination.
Why can’t I (or Todd, even though that’s not what he did) declare TD Jakes to be a Christian. Someone being or not being a Christian is something that can be observed. I observe the life and ministry of TD Jakes, and I am comfortable in declaring him to be a Christian.
And the whole “only God can see the heart thing” doesn’t hold up. The Bible says that God does look at the heart, but not anywhere that I am aware of that man does not look at it as well. I clearly can see my wife’s “heart” in the way she interacts with me and my children. I can clearly see my pastor’s heart through his actions and words. I believe we can see TD Jakes heart as well, and ascertain from it that he is a Christian.
Give me a break, John.
All I’m saying is that when asked the ‘sound doctrine’ questions that most of Jake’s critics would ask, and Jakes affirming each of them, that from Jake’s own words (and I take them for what they are worth), that I consider him to be a brother… a luxury some of my other brothers are not affording him.
In fact, many of the others are using the H word to define Jakes. Seems like you’d want to call on them to stop judging salvation as well.
I know I am not God. I am not judge.
But I can reaffirm from TD Jakes own word and testimony that he actually DOES affirm what I believe the Bible calls us to believe to be considered a disciple of Jesus.
That’s all, really.
Todd
John,
Yes, you are completely misunderstanding me.
What I am suggesting is that reserve judgment until you hear what TD Jakes said about what he believes.
The whole premise is this: we often times think the worst about people we have not met and do not know.
Watch how Bishop Jakes answers the tough theological questions about sound doctrine. And after that, if you decide you can’t call him brother, we’ll agree to disagree.
Todd
Listening to Jakes the few times I have heard him on TBN hasn’t convinced me that he IS a brother. He may be, but then again he may not be.
Todd,
You have an interesting newsletter. I have really appreciated your investment of looking into various happenings in churches and ministry happenings.
Here is what one respected invitee, Dr. Voddie Baucham, had to say as he declined, along with Mark Dever, to be a part of ER2, based on T.D. Jakes involvement.
http://www.gracefamilybaptist.net/voddie-baucham-ministries/blog/elephant-room-2012-01/#.TybMe-WZEz4.facebook
So glad you and Pat got to go. Some day it is my plan to make it to an Elephant Room.
as for the controversy:
We become Christians not when we get our acts together, or our doctrine right, or join the right group, or embrace perfectly sound theology.
We become Christians when we make the great exchange. We trade our old life for a new life with Christ. Because it is a transaction where we receive a perfect relationship with God, it does not mean we are perfect in our understanding or performance. We are people in process of being changed into the perfect reflection of Christ.
This is also why you will meet people all over the place in maturity, character, and doctrine; we are saved and now being sanctified. No one gets in as being perfect, but everyone is heading there. Be kind to your brothers and sister as they grow into all Christ has for them. They will make mistakes, they will make blunders, but they are still your Christ blood-bought siblings. By all means help them on their journey, correct their mistakes, but do it with your words humbled by your own failings and empowered by your great Savior’s love.
Todd wrote:
“It cost James MacDonald a lot, including his resignation this week from the Gospel Coalition.”
Why do you assume that is a “cost”?
The best thing that could happen to a normal, sane, human being is to get far away from the evil Gospel coalition.
Are you so desperate to join any club that it is a “cost” if you no longer have the coveted membership card in your pocket?
I prefer to think that James MacDonald was set free from the bondage of arrogance and ego worship.
We hosted a live venue of The Elephant Room Round Two here at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Since I was working, I only went in to check it out on my lunch hour. I followed tweets until I saw that TD Jakes was on the hot seat which really didn’t turn out to be a hot seat at all. It was refreshing to hear that TD Jakes strays from the view of the Trinity that his comrades in the Oneness tradition hold to. While I watched, I didn’t notice any “elephants in the room.” In fact, it turned out to be quite the “love fest” with everybody affirming each other, etc. I think that’s great, but I expected to see a few more sparks fly than actually did.
Read through MacDonald’s resignation. It didn’t really give a reason. Is this all because of the Elephant Room and the fact that MacDonald, Jakes and Driscoll are all BFF?
T.D. Jakes is a Christian? I am going to have to change my mind again? I changed my mind once last year; this is too much. Just when I got Jesus into my box, you mess it all up again…
Ok, let’s see if I’ve got this right…Paul calls Timothy (1 Tim 6:11) a man of God, and charges him to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness; exhorts him to fight the good fight of the faith and take hold of the eternal life to which he was called when he made his good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Reads like a description of Jakes to me…guess he must be a man of God. Case closed.
Someone may be a brother or sister but it doesn’t mean they should be in leadership. God left us a map, does their lifestyle follow our Lord’s map? I just can’t understand how someone can have planes, Rolls Royce’s and Rolex watches and see people living in hunger and squalor. Jesus said we should not just give lip service to the poor. How can you look into the eyes of humanity and maintain this lifestyle? I think our leaders should be paid well but come on. A big problem with the church is we are not following God’s word we make rules up to suit the situation. The bible gives clear direction about pastors.
Todd,
You have an interesting newsletter. I have really appreciated your investment of looking into various happenings in churches and ministry happenings.
Here is what one respected invitee, Dr. Voddie Baucham, had to say as he declined, along with Mark Dever, to be a part of ER2, based on T.D. Jakes involvement.
http://www.gracefamilybaptist.net/voddie-baucham-ministries/blog/elephant-room-2012-01/#.TybMe-WZEz4.facebook
Hmmm…there is a religious stench to a few comments that make me sad. But thanks for your post, Todd. If I err, I’d rather do it on the side of believing the best about someone rather than the worst.