NASCAR is a huge sport around this part of the country. Growing up as a redneck the first thing that you learned was keep up with the drivers. When I served in the Asheboro, NC area my Mother came to visit me for one reason–I would take her by the Richard Petty racing Museum in Randleman, NC. Jesus is her King in Salvation, Elvis is her King in singing, and Richard Petty is her king when it comes to racing. Now that I have moved to Statesville, NC the only way I could get her to come visit me here was to tell her of the close proximity of Dale Earnhardt Inc. shop. I am only joking because Mama will come and visit without being prodded as I have described. Which brings me to a comparison and then I will give an update endorsement.
Memorial Day Sunday saw the running of the Cocoa-Cola 600, the longest and most grueling race of NASCAR. It took place at the Lowes Motor Speedway, a 1 & 1/2 mile tri-oval where speeds reach 180-190 miles per hour. When the race was over it landed Kyle Petty in third place. This was his best finish in years. Everyone around here is talking about miracles never cease. Kyle Petty came in third at the 600 and six days later Michael Waltrip qualifies at Dover. However, Kyle Petty represents racing legends. Richard Petty dominated the racing world and then retired and turned over the operations to Kyle. Well everyone knows that Kyle Petty is not Richard Petty.
Another buzz going around NASCAR is Dale Earnhardt Jr. Where will he end up, now that he is leaving the team that his Daddy found and now his Step-mother Teresa owns? You have not lived around these parts long before you are reminded that Dale Earnhardt Sr. is one that dominated the NASCAR circuit. Sr., was known as the Intimidator because he drove a black car and when you saw that black car behind you, you knew your time was limited. He would place the front bumper of his car right next to the rear bumper of his opponents car as they were entering a turn. This move would take the weight off of the back of the lead car, causing it to lose traction, thus making the rear of the car head toward the wall. Once this happened, Sr. would pass because the lead car would have to take his foot off of the gas in order to keep the car from spinning out. He intimidated pit crews also. Every pit crew knew if their pit box was where Sr. entered or next to where he would exit, they had to constantly look over their shoulders during cautions when he came in or left. He never hit anyone, but he came awfully close sometimes.
Richard Petty is still alive and very active in NASCAR. Dale Earnhardt Sr. was killed in a racing accident in turn #4 at Daytona International Speedway in February 2001. Kyle Petty is not the race car driver that Richard Petty was. But, Kyle Petty has fans that are fans of his because of what his Father, Richard, did on the race track. This is not being harsh, it is a fact. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not the race car driver that Dale Earnhardt Sr. was. However, when Dale Sr. was killed, Dale Jr. picked up an immediate fan base. It is estimated that whoever picks up Dale Jr.’s contract picks up $1 Million in sponsorship money. Dale Jr. did not make the points race last year and it is not expected he will make it this year. Kyle Petty has not been a contender in the points race in a long while. However, these two men are popular in the NASCAR circuit. How can this be in a setting that is dominated by the attitude of “win or go home”? It seems to be their father’s fan base is so large and loyal. Nothing bad about that, it just is a fact.
Which brings me to the reason that I cannot support David Rogers in his bid for First VP. I love Brother David and we have exchanged agreements and disagreements on various blogs. However, Brother David does not have the same convictions that his Father Adrian had, or at lease espoused. It has been reported that there would be a name to come forth from the Ben Cole, Wade Burleson coalition that would be a shoe-in. Well, I must admit it is hard to vote against Adrian Rogers’ son. Therefore, my non-endorsement of David Rogers does not have anything to do with Adrian Rogers, but has everything to do with the convictions of David Rogers.
I was asked by Brother David in a comment stream once if I could vote for him to be a Missionary with the IMB, if he were to come forward for candidacy today. I told him that I could not. The reason for that question dealt with his convictions on Private Prayer Languages. Brother David has publicly stated that while he does not practice a PPL, he believes it is a Scriptural gift given by the Holy Spirit. However, his Father has tacitly referred to himself as a Cessassionists. (What Every Christian Ought to Know p.205)
Brother David has openly communicated that he believes the Bible does not teach abstinence from the consumption of alcohol as a social drink. His Father was known for his “Adrianisms”. One “Adrianism” I very well remember is this; “Moderation is not the cure for the alcohol problem in America; Moderation is the cause of the alcohol problem in America“. To his credit Brother David has stated that his personal conviction is abstinence, but he does not believe the Bible teaches that position.
Another place where Brother David does not hold to his Dad’s conviction is his understanding of moderates. In his last published book Love Worth Finding; Dr. Adrian Rogers answered the question; “What is the impact of the inerrancy of the Word of God upon Preaching?” In the answer, Dr. Rogers moved to defining a liberal and moderate.
Liberalism is a relative term, dependent upon where one draws the center line of this thing called Christendom. I’d define “true inspiration” as being convinced that all Scripture is inspired by God.
That said, I’d define a liberal Southern Baptist as a person who does not believe in the veracity, the exactitude, the integrity, the infallibility and inerrancy of the Scripture. Even if he believed that the Word was inspired in its purpose but not in its entirety, he may be right of the center in regard to Christendom but left of the center line in Southern Baptist circles.
The moderate is a person who may believe the Bible to be without error, but who also believes in inclusivism. He is a person who maintains the position of accommodating the liberal view. I believe the moderate to be more inclined to opinion than convictions.
On the other side of the spectrum, the authoritative Word engenders conviction, which engenders zeal, and this zeal engenders church growth.
[Adrian Rogers, Love Worth Finding (Broadman & Holman, Nashville, 2005) p. 166.]
Brother David, when discussing an article by Gary Ledbetter of the SB Texan; The Right Kind of Unity, says;
There are other groups besides just “Missionary Baptists” who are becoming more and more open to working together with us on “specific ministries.”
This statement points toward an openness to inclusivinism, something Dr. Adrian Rogers warned against. Before anyone says I am calling the son of Adrian Rogers a moderate, I AM NOT. I am saying that by his own words he removes the warning that his Dad presented to us and told us that this is how you tell the difference.
While Kyle Petty is not Richard Petty, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not Dale Earnhardt Sr., neither is David Rogers; Adrian Rogers. Please understand, I believe that Brother David would make a fine First VP. I simply cannot vote for Brother David because it appears that those encouraging him are doing so based on who his Daddy was than on who David Rogers is. I praise God for him and if he receives the vote, I will encourage him and honor him in the position that he will hold.
If you would like to read another take on a reason not to support Brother David Rogers click here.
