David Platt is one of the most influential evangelical pastors in America. He came to prominence after the release of his best-selling book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. He has served as president of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, one of the largest missionary sending agencies in the world, and since 2017, has been pastor at McLean Bible Church, a mega-church with four locations located just outside Washington DC in Virginia.
His tenure at the church has not been smooth, at least not of late. Prior to his sermon on July 4, Platt called out a “small group” of people in the church for hindering the election of three new elders. A subsequent vote took place but allegations of voting impropriety has led to a legal challenge.
It turns out this is the tip of the iceberg. A 17-page letter was sent to church leadership earlier this year, detailing their concerns about the direction of the church. One of the recurring charges is that church leadership is wrongly focused on social and racial justice. A Facebook group called “Save McLean Bible Church” has been actively pushing back against Platt’s leadership.
Church divisions are certainly nothing new but there are things to discern and learn from them so unity that honors God can be achieved. We hope you join us this weekend on The Christian Worldview.
Additional Resources:
- Tim Challies review of Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream by David Platt