Thread by @mikeleake

🧵I have a confession to make an apology to @BethMooreLPM This is my story and I’m not intending to imply it’s true of all others. But I bet I’m not alone. 1/

I used to call Beth Moore a false teacher. (Probably 7-10 years ago) I didn’t encourage others to do her Bible studies. In fact I discouraged it. I had NEVER read her stuff.
2/

So why did I do this? 1) I had read snippets 2) I believed discernment bloggers 3) I allowed an untested narrative develop in my mind. But more that anything... 3/

I saw many women in the churches I served devouring her stuff. she ministered to them....and I wasn’t connecting with them well. I was incredibly insecure and immature. So I assumed SHE was the problem. I was. 4/

Some women agreed w/ my assessment. This further confirmed my bias. And so I carried on this assumption for awhile... but as I slowly matured I took the path of just ignoring her stuff. I didn’t call her a false teacher but I also steered our Bible studies away from her stuff. 5/

Last fall we did a Beth Moore study at my suggestion. What changed? 1) A few years ago my view of her changed. My uninformed bias was questioned. I was so wrong. 6/

2) I read her for myself. She loves Jesus. She teaches the Bible. She’s bold. She is a powerful speaker. 7/

Sure, I don’t agree with her on everything. But nothing significant(I’m not Pre-trib for one). But we do Bible studies all the time where I don’t agree with everything the author says. Why was I so passionate about not doing her stuff? I was scared of her influence. 8/

Beth, I’m sorry. Attitudes like this is part of why you left the SBC. I get it. I covered up my insecurities with doctrine and blamed you. And you were harmed because of me. Please forgive me. 9/

And as always I would credit Jesus and my wife with helping me grow up. There is so much more personal growth stuff to this story... but I wanted to say publicly that I was wrong and I’m sorry. I was part of the problem with culture in sbc. Now I want to be part of solution. /end