RRI Note:  This article appears courtesy of Chuck Baldwin Live.
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WHO DIED AND MADE THE PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL THE GREAT DEFENDER OF BIBLICAL ORTHODOXY?"

 

The second series of investigative reports by the Pensacola News Journal on the Brownsville Assembly of God revival creates several questions.
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  • The question of theology

    • Much is made by the PNJ questioning the soundness of Brownsville's theological beliefs. In Sundays edition Ken Lamb (a friend of mine) takes Brownsville to task regarding their belief in "Impartation Theology." May we now hear from those, like me, who find United Pentecostal Church doctrines zany and unorthodox? Will we be subject to those who would cast Baptist beliefs into the regions of heresy? While we're at it let's hear from those who question Presbyterian and Methodist dogma. Certainly we could find a scholar who would repudiate Roman doctrine.

    I guess my question is, "Who died and made the PNJ the Great Defender of Biblical Orthodoxy?"

    The PNJ has no doctrinal dog in this fight. A casual glance at a typical PNJ edition will find every kind of religious practice imaginable being promoted. Frankly, it appears to me that someone needs to remind the PNJ that this is still America. In this land people are free to believe and. support the religion of their choice. Obviously the PNJ is using perceived theological straying to bolster its attempt to demonize Brownsville.
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  • The question of the Conroys

    • Mike and Vicki Conroy, too, are friends of mine. I have long admired their courageous stand for the life of unborn children. That they have chosen to leave Brownsville and publicly discuss their feelings is their decision. I believe they will do what they feel is the right thing to do.

    What I do find hypocritical is the manner in which the PNJ has chosen to use these dear people. For years the Conroys have been characterized as right wing radicals by the same PNJ that now holds them up as "Exhibit A" for the prosecution. If the PNJ could not trust Mike and Vicki to tell the truth about abortion how is it that they can suddenly trust them to tell the truth about Brownsville? (Obviously, it is not the veracity of the Conroys I am questioning, but that of the PNJ.)
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  • The question of money

    • The PNJ seems obsessed with the money that people give to Brownsville Assembly. That is very interesting. Many would, no doubt, like to see a detailed report of the income and disbursements of the Pensacola News Journal. We would also like a reckoning of the policies of the PNJ regarding the slanting of news. Specifically, will the News Journal tell the public how it is that reporters came to ask their editors, "What kind of spin do you want me to put on this story?" (Actual statement of PNJ reporter)

    Clearly, if there is nothing illegal taking place at Brownsville, and the PNJ has not accused them of such, it remains a church matter.

    In its editorial the PNJ said, "The Pensacola area is increasingly identified with the Brownsville Revival. It's important that it not contribute to what too often is a tarnished reputation on the national stage."

    That paragraph is laughable. This is the same Pensacola News Journal that actively promotes the beach area as the "Gay Riviera. " Talk about a tarnished reputation!

    One thing the PNJ has editorialized repeatedly is the need for "tolerance." I think now is a good time for it to start practicing what it has preached.
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    Chuck Baldwin
    June 24, 1998
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