Everybody’s favorite Joshua Converger and seminary professor, Dr. Brad Reynolds, has journeyed his way deep into the heart of Africa to a Nigerian village where he is teaching national pastors about the essential principles of Christian ministry.
Of course, I think it is commendable that Dr. Reynolds has traveled halfway around the world to assist in the theological education of Nigerian pastors, though I have to confess a certain degree of concern for the good professor’s strength in the face of certain compromise to his doctrine of personal holiness.
For those of you who haven’t seen the memorable excerpt from his charge to the Joshua Convergers, I am glad to provide the video feed here.
In his address, Professor Brad Reynolds shares his concern about girls who wear their garments “too low, too high, [and] too tight.” Moreover, in his inimitable declamatory style, Professor Reynolds asserts that the only proper place to reveal “breasts and briefs” is in “the bedroom of holy matrimony.” Indeed, I must concur that modesty and chastity are blessed virtues for those purporting to obey the gospel of Christ.
I am worried, however, that Professor Reynolds, having plunged into the heart of Africa, will suffer the exposure of his tender conscience to scenes such as these, courtesy of Harvard University archives.
Or perhaps the hope is to take the Joshua Convergence and its principles of appropriate Christian couture to Nigeria and beyond.
Godspeed, Brother Brad. And trust that we are all assaulting heaven in your behalf for strength to withstand the overwhelming offense of African tribal garb that you surely face in this quest to teach the nations.
Now here’s an interesting series of question:
What exactly did the Lord God cover on Eve just after the fall in Eden? Did he cover her entire body? Did only cover her reproductive organs, or did he cover more? Did he make a bikini or a maillot? Or perhaps he clothed her in something like these. Or maybe those garments aren’t enough to guarantee female modesty.
Maybe Brad Reynolds can squeeze this out of Genesis 3:21. Or maybe even this. I mean, we shouldn’t be toying around the edge of that which is “allowable.” Not Southern Baptists. We should be holding up the strictest standards for “holiness,” shouldn’t we?
Just how high should a lady’s neckline or how low should her hemline be cut? Did God make Eve apply the “fingertip rule,” to insure that her new garments were low enough?
I really wish somebody would tell us the answers to these questions, because the Bible just teaches principles of modesty rather than give centimeters for hemlines.
Kinda like the Bible only gives principles for temperance rather than percentages of alcohol content.
Making those culturally-relative issues of dress and drink a test of orthodox Christian holiness sure becomes a messy business.
Converge on, Southern Baptists.
Converge on.
The Baptist Blogger 
I want to be completely honest, this may be the only time I ever comment on your blog. I have repeatedly warned my friends to steer clear of you and your blog.
So, As a Brother in Christ I must ask you if what you post “gives grace to those who hear.” for we will give account for “every idle word.”
I am not associated with any of the so-called “controversy” in the SBC. I really think in a couple of years, it will be ancient history. I have checked your blog before just to see what everyone has been talking about. Other than a few blogging baptists, I haven’t heard much, if I didn’t ask anyone about, I could live a God honoring and peaceful life without any of it. It doesn’t affect the life of my church, nor the seminary I attend.
But, I don’t know Brad Reynolds, and I don’t know the Joshua Convergance. All I know is that you have been ungraceful toward your brother in Christ. rather than praying that “whenever [he] speaks, words may be given [him] so that [he] may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,” you have raised contention and fruitless ramblings.
Two posts earlier you decry the moral decay in a Northern Texas Highschool, and here you blast Dr Reynolds for supposed legalism???? It doesn’t make sense. It reveals that you have a personal agenda, not a genuine concern for the growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please here my words as a loving brotherly reproof.
Women are instructed in 1 Peter to adorn themselves with gentle and quiet spirits. That is the BEAUTY that God COMMENDS!!!! I applaud efforts to address this situation that is a downward spiral in American Culture. I admit, I did not hear Dr. Reynold’s address. Perhaps someday I will follow your link, but please “forgive as you have been forgiven.” Correct Dr. Reynolds, do not shame him. Who are we to judge the servant of our Master. James seems to imply that by judging the servant, you are judging the master. Avoid this at all costs. Remember, that all who trust in Christ will never be put to shame. Yes this speaks of salvation, but who are you to shame the one whose shame has been removed. You are trampling on the blood of Jesus my friend.
Rebuke him as a father, says Paul to Timothy.
He may be wrong, but you are responsible for yourself, not him.
Whatever you say, let is be as the words of God!!!! Your speach is not your own. Remember who you represent.
Grace to you! May God’s peace reign over your pain.
Remember it is better to suffer unjustly! God says it is commendable to suffer while being conscious of God! If you have been treated wrongly by powerful people, Do not forget that Jesus did not revile in return!
Lovingly,
Wesley Handy
I remember my first worship service in Africa when the pastor’s wife dropped her top and started feeding her child on the front row. I really shouldn’t have been too shocked I guess. At least she was initially wearing a shirt. That made her the only female present to do so.
The ironic thing is that many of the women in our culture didn’t even own a shirt and those who did owned shirts with ridiculously large holes in them that really didn’t cover anything.
Maybe Reynold’s understanding of the African’s approach to modesty is a little like Creflo Dollar’s understanding of the African’s approach to wealth. They’re just deluded and need someone to “enlighten” them. I certainly hope not.
Perhaps eyes will be opened.