{"id":1641,"date":"2010-04-05T21:18:22","date_gmt":"2010-04-06T05:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oxgoad.ca\/2010\/04\/05\/its-not-about-separation\/"},"modified":"2010-04-06T22:24:06","modified_gmt":"2010-04-07T06:24:06","slug":"its-not-about-separation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxgoad.ca\/2010\/04\/05\/its-not-about-separation\/","title":{"rendered":"it’s not about separation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tim Challies<\/a> makes a concluding observation about the Piper-Warren kerfuffle that, I think, misses the point.<\/p>\n

At yet let’s heed Piper’s warning not to fall into an error of secondary separation. There is no need for us to separate from Piper over such a decision. We have plenty of latitude to disagree with him; let’s do so with respect for him and for his long and faithful history of ministry to the church. The sky is not falling, the world will go on.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

JayC over at Sharper Iron asks a question<\/a>:<\/p>\n

In a context like mine, I’m not really sure that I ~could~ “separate” from Piper. The extent of the relationship that Piper and I have is that I download his books and will occasionally download a sermon. So in what meaningful way could I “separate” from Piper?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jay\u2019s question is a good one. How would anyone actually do<\/em> secondary separation from Piper (assuming it is warranted)? In fact, let\u2019s go a step further: How would anyone actually do primary <\/em>separation from Piper?<\/p>\n

The only way I could do either is if I was in some kind of ministry partnership with Piper. That is, if I was also invited to speak at Desiring God, then I could refuse to attend because of the Warren invite. Or if I was on the staff of Bethlehem Baptist, or a member, I could confront Piper personally and if I failed to achieve reconciliation, I could leave. If I were part of the BGC, I could raise the issue in the AGM and, if not satisfied with the Conference response or Piper\u2019s response, I could pull out of the BGC. If I were involved in some other joint ministry with Piper (T4G, etc.) I could tell Piper that either he dis-invites Warren or we are dis-inviting him. Or failing that, I could break my relationship with him in this ministry and simply refuse to participate any longer as long as Piper were to remain part of it.<\/p>\n

Have I covered every possibility?<\/p>\n

Now, I am in NONE of these relationships with Piper.<\/p>\n

So why should I care about who he invites to Desiring God? What difference does it make to me? What, if anything, should I do about it? Should I comment to anyone, should I make any criticism to anyone, should I discuss it with anyone? Should I blog about it?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

All of what I have said so far assumes that I agree with Tim Challies in his evaluation of Piper\u2019s decision to invite Warren to Desiring God. Well, I do agree. Challies says the invitation was wrong. I think Challies is right, Piper is wrong about this. It is a foolish decision, especially given the kind of influence Piper has in Christian circles.<\/p>\n

But I think Challies final comment, dismissing \u2018secondary separation\u2019 is irrelevant and misses the real significance of Piper\u2019s error.<\/p>\n

Here is how I, as a local pastor of a small church should look at this situation:<\/p>\n