Editorial regarding the plagarism at a CBF session

Believer
I think the Baptist Standard exhibeted once again that they are a non-biased news source, probably the best baptist paper out there.

Very disapointed in Ms. Cobb. She has really harmed BWIM, this ranks up there with the silly things Vines and Smith have said over the years.

Sigh....

 

As a frequent contributor to CBF foreign missions, I am very disappointed. I'm afraid Ms. Cobb will need to resign or be "resigned" to protect the organization's integrity and Christian witness. More distrubing to me than the plagarism was the denial/minimizing. If she had owned up to it, and said I'm sorry I should have given credit where credit is due, it would not have looked as bad.
What's so sad is she could have given the same message if she had just credited the author. What price people have to pay over the most avoidable mistakes!

 

I was particularly dissapointed that this happened at a BWIM meeting. Rev. Cobb has a mixed reputation as an administrator anyway; but to preach someone's words as not her own - be they a research assistant's (as she claims to have believed) or another minister's is disgraceful.

Joshua

 

I have to agree with the rev. A preacher that is a bonified, biblically based and truely called by God should always write their own sermon. If they are called by God, they are responcible to preach the words God gives them. Politicians use researchers and writers, pastors should use Scripture and prayer.

 

Marv Knox is one of the most biased writers out there, famous for writing many a story about Southern when he was with the Western Recorder without even meeting some of the people he was writing about, researching the issues, or even setting foot on the campus. Nevertheless, it's worth reading even though you still have to sift through his biases even here.

 

Tom,
Thanks for the insight. I read an independent confirmation of this story somewhere else, I'll check the source.

 

Associated Baptist Press' website "abpnews.com" carried a report that confirms the gist of Mr. Knox's story. I'm not sure how to post the exact link, but the report ran June 28th, and can be found running a simple search at the website using "Cobb" as the subject.

 

David,
I'm not questioning what happened here. It's been given much attention. Just highlighting Mr. Knox's "checkered" past in journalism.

 

Actually, I appreciated your comment and took it as something to remember when reading his work. Since his credibility was affected I wanted to make sure we had independent confirmation.

 

Well, Bro. David, here is the link you were referring to:

http://www.abpnews.com/abpnews/story.cfm?newsid=3249&srch=1

[ July 12, 2002, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: Barnabas ]

 

I didn't realize that BWIM was a "subsidiary" of CBF. Hmmmm. I thought they were independant of each other and CBF just donated money to BWIM. But money does talk.

I am not supportive of either group, but I found that this info is interesting.

 

Saggy,

BWIM is completely autonomous of the CBF - although I do think the grouchy old men try to (unsuccesfully) reign in the uppity women from time to time.

Joshua

 

Well, I am fairly certain they are separate...but I am interested to see that the BWIM meeting (which, actually, used to be SBWIM) meets in accordance with the annual CBF meeting.

 

BWIM is probably one of the organizations which "partners" with CBF. It seems like CBF is really into this "partnership" thing.

 

I think you are right, BB, about the BWIM (forerunner) meeting possibly at the SBC. I personally have never gone to a SBC, and would only go to get freebies, or to sit at the back and heckle.

At one time, I was a member of the SBWIM (or wanted to be). But I just can't right now. Something isn't right.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they pretty insisting that women should have a special right to serve as senior pastors and deacons?