Sometimes people criticize the Global Leadership Summit (which I live blogged last week) on the grounds that it brings in secular thinkers to speak at a Christian conference.
If secular thinkers were teaching theology or preaching, that would be a legitimate criticism. But they are teaching on the subject of leadership — which is a broad area which affects all of us and which most of us engage in, either through position or influence, in multiple areas of life.
Hence, I think the following John Wesley quote is applicable and a helpful reminder:
“To imagine none can teach you but those who are themselves saved from sin, is a very great and dangerous mistake. Give not place to it for a moment.”
John Wesley, A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (London: Epworth Press, 1952; 1st Epworth ed.), p. 87, quoted in JP Moreland, Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul
, 54.
I’m aware of some follow-up criticisms that could still be made, and have been made. But this is worth thinking about a bit. And I’ll address the other issues, including Eric Landry’s post, if I can hit a decent stopping point in writing my book this week.