May 15
Dick Land: Talented Southern Baptist Celebrity
Topic: Richard Land| Written by: Benjamin Cole|
Readers of SBCOutpost.com who might be interested in hosting ERLC President Richard Land for an event should feel free to contact his booking agent at the All American Talent and Celebrity Network.
Folks, we could not make this stuff up if we tried.
**UPDATE**
As of a few moments ago, the All American Talent and Celebrity Network website will not allow access to Richard Land’s biography or booking information. In fact, it appears that Richard Land has been removed from their network altogether.
Thank you, Google Cache, for all the memories.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Does the speaking fee go directly to the ERLC? If not, does he speak on our time (which is also our dime) or take vacation time for these engagements? I have more questions but these are a start. After all, it is all about ‘ethics’.
Wonder how much he charges. He might be perfect for the DAR chapter here as my 87 year old aunt is quite involved. :o)
May 15th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
No, you sure couldn’t make it up. It’s too true to be good.
We poor grunts out in the trenches do appreciate the humble, Christ-like role models that our leaders present.
You know, “Blessed are the celebreties…”
May 15th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
It’s great to know our ‘top ethicist’ has chosen to work with the same agency that books people like Adam Carolla, Carmen Electra, and former US VP Walter Mondale.
Seriously, does Land think of himself as an “All American”. What’s that saying about the first being last . . .
May 15th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
For more laughs check out the category where they located his file photo.
Or better yet, examine the list of “Richard Land Products” from Amazon, courtesy of the link on his biography page. The titles are just too appropriate.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Maybe it’s because he’s “sporting” a new hair weave every year . . .
May 15th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Ben,
What’s your mailing address in Enid? I want to buy and ship this to you as a present.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Robert:
Funny. But I already have one.
BSC
May 15th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
That’s too bad. Well, to make it up to you, let me direct your loyal readers to my most favorite part of Land’s “All American” web page. On the left side of the screen, you can click a link that says “Find Speakers Like Richard Land”. Though wisdom warned me to go no further, I could not help myself, thinking to myself “Who could be like Richard Land?”
Lo and behold, there were four persons listed in the category. My favorite, though, ladies and gentlemen. is the ever orthodox Reverend T. D. Jakes.
Yup, Dick Land = T.D. Jakes, according to Land’s own booking agency. To borrow from NBA advertizing: “The SBC: It’s FANtastic”
May 15th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I really don’t see what the big deal is. I mean, there are other respected people listed in the “Religious Speakers” category. Like Pauly Shore. And Rob Reiner. And Sharon Osborne.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
now that “he gets it” they should make richard land one of their “green speakers”
May 15th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I never heard of “The Land Letter.”
Sounds like a great historical document like Jefferson’s letter to the Danbury Baptist Association.
Good to know that he influenced the President to go to war.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Its sure good to have you back. This site was in danger of becoming a place where reasoned and intelligent discussion took place.
But, true to form, you have returned, and taken the Outpost right back into the gutter.
May 16th, 2008 at 5:39 am
After Land signed the 1994 Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT) document, I pretty much stopped listening to anything he had to say. If one is willing to cave in on the Gospel then what other “words of wisdom” could they possibly have to say?
In addition, I’m in complete agreement with Dave Miller. It’s not a question of Outpost losing its credibility, it’s a question of how to get it back. This ship isn’t in danger of sinking, it’s now a salvage operation.
You can’t say we didn’t try to tell you.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Dave and John…there is a simple way not to be bothered by Outpost–simply don’t read it. No one forces you to come here, be frustrated, or to get angry. Rather than being negative against what is said here, just don’t read it. Plain and simple.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Steve,
The author is kind of a like a bad wreck on the highway. You want to look away and you are disgusted by the carnage, but you still can’t seem to stop looking.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:04 am
For me, I visit with the hopes of being informed about SBC life. And it does mention something about news and commentary so I tend to take that at face value (my bad). There’s a reason why solid guys like Micah and Darren Casper decided not to continue with this venture and it’s a shame they did not stay.
I still hope the product can be improved; however, it does need a reduction of one in the staff in order to do so.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Good grief.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Dave and John,
I honestly fail to see how bringing Land’s presence on a Talent & Celebrity Speakers website to light could offend you. If it doesn’t bother you that Land sells his services on that website, why should it bother you that Ben Cole reveals that fact?
May 16th, 2008 at 10:41 am
When is the last time the author has said ANYTHING constructive or spiritually encouraging?
The other contributors write insightful analysis of issues. This author uses ridicule instead of rhetoric and belittles people instead of engaging their ideas.
I read through the site last night. It is a speakers’ booking agency. Richard Land is a sought after speaker and commenter. There were hundreds of other speakers on the site. Some very fine Christians. Athletes. Actors. Corporate leaders.
Why is it a problem to have someone book your speaking engagements?
The criticism was petty and off-base. It was dishonest. And it was designed to make a Baptist leader look stupid or silly.
Par for the course from this man.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Once again, a case of “don’t shoot the messenger.” Granted, Ben has a sarcastic streak a mile wide (who among us doesn’t, depending upon the subject matter?); but the only (even slightly) acerbic comment in this particular post is the final sentence. I honestly don’t see reason for offense here.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:20 am
“There’s a reason why solid guys like Micah and Darren Casper decided not to continue with this venture and it’s a shame they did not stay.”
Aren’t you doing what you accuse others of doing?
Yeah, I think it is significant this man has a booking agent. It is ridiculous and shows just how worldly our leaders have become. What scares me even more is that too many are proud of it, defend it and think it is normal.
Wonder why Paul did not just join forces with Alexander the Coppersmith and have little ‘Paul cups’ made up so Al would leave him alone and they both could make a buck.
May 16th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
“I still hope the product can be improved; however, it does need a reduction of one in the staff in order to do so.”
I was convicted about that statement during my run at lunch so I would like to apologize.
May 16th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I can’t find Dr. Land’s bio or photo on the All American Talent and Celebrity site. Has it been removed or am I just looking in the wrong place?
May 16th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Hijo,
The author can write anything he pleases and unless it is about me, I have no right to be offended.
However, I do form opinions. I have no particular infatuation with Dr. Land. But I read the site and it was a simple booking site. Most speakers who are in high demand have a booking agent.
To make something like into some kind of deep dark and shameful thing is just ridiculous.
It was not an honest criticism. It was a shameless smear.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
My name is Bobby Reed and I serve as the Vice President for Business & Finance at The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. I sent the following e-mail to Ben’s church e-mail address at 12:35 PM today:
Ben,
We were not aware that Dr. Land was listed on the “All America Speakers” site. We have no record of that being approved and clearly much of the data on Dr. Land’s information page was inaccurate. After seeing it mentioned on Outpost, we contacted the site and asked them to remove the listing. Please let me know if you have any questions about this.
Bobby
Dr. Land does not and never has used a “booking agent.” I would be glad to clarify this further if needed.
May 16th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Bobby, You just made my day! I’d write Hallelujia if I knew how to spell it. :o)
Nobody in the Body needs a ‘booking agent’.
May 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
After rereading my note to Ben, I suppose I should clarify. We have no record of Dr. Land having approved this either. The website put his information up without our knowledge.
May 17th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Bobby,
I commend you for the action you took, the thoughtful communication, and the willingness to dialogue with SBCOutpost, instead of condemn.
Both you and Dr. Land are to be commended. How I wish all SBC agencies followed your example when errors are discovered.
Wade
May 17th, 2008 at 10:29 am
It seems that public repentance and an apology would be in order for so quickly assuming and propagating the idea that one of our brothers in Christ was using his position of leadership for some forms of personal gain (fame, money, etc.) when there is no evidence that he does or has.
I honestly pray that those involved will respond in a Christ-like, Spirit-filled manner, as an example to all of us.
May 17th, 2008 at 11:01 am
bwoodward:
I agree, an apology from the Celebrity Network should be made. Though I’m not sure they are a “Christian” organization, and therefore I’m not expecting them to do anything “Christ-like” or “Spirit-filled.”
BSC
May 17th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
“It seems that public repentance and an apology would be in order for so quickly assuming and propagating the idea that one of our brothers in Christ was using his position of leadership for some forms of personal gain (fame, money, etc.) when there is no evidence that he does or has.”
Sure. Land has given us NO reason to think he seeks fame or even cares about how much he makes. Wonder if he would stay in his position for say, 60,000 grand a year? That is a livable wage that is above most Americans and SBC CP tithers. Why don’t we try it and see? While we are at it, lets try that with Mohler and Patterson, too.
May 17th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
May all who read it be as blessed and challenged as I was:
“I cannot too earnestly plead with my reader, if possibly his attention has never yet been specially directed to the want there is of humility within him or around him, to pause and ask whether he sees much of the spirit of the meek and lowly Lamb of God in those who are called by His name. Let him consider how all want of love, all indifference to the needs, the feelings, the weakness of others; all sharp and hasty judgments and utterances, so often excused under the plea of being outright and honest; all manifestations of temper and touchiness and irritation; all feelings of bitterness and estrangement,have their root in nothing but pride, that ever seeks itself, and his eyes will be opened to see how a dark, shall I not say a devilish pride, creeps in almost everywhere, the assemblies of the saints not excepted.”
- Andrew Murray
May 17th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
bwoodard must have had his quiet time this morning.
rsc,
I remember when Ben published the erlc financial report and if my memory is correct Dr. Land was very open about his salary and benefits. I don’t think anybody has claimed that Dr. Land’s problem is the love of money.
May 17th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
The comment I’m about to share fully reflects only my own views and belongs to no one else:
The idea that the entity head positions sometimes were plums awarded to leaders and supporters of the Conservative Resurgence is hard to get out of one’s head. That some of them would permit their position to be used for self-promotion has been proven –beyond a shadow of doubt–in the past (Reccord).
That our boards of trustees are supportive without adequate oversight of the heroes of the CR and attack those that are not heroes is a continuing premise of today’s SBC that has not been adequately explored.
That the SBC is in denial about this is a fact that will be difficult to either prove or disprove, therefore it essentially is a matter of political opinion. And anyone who wishes to influence the adoption of one side or the other of that opinion cannot rely simply on fact to sway those taking up one side or the other.
That reason is preferred is given. That unreason becomes necessary when encountering unreason is a conclusion I reached long ago.
Now the question is this: which kind of unreason is necessary to bring about change when the kind of unreason that brought the situation including character assassination, using political majorities as a proxy for God’s anointing power over a group, and intentionally putting policies in place designed to embarrass leaders?
If you answer “love”, you are a greater man than I am. But if you equate that love to the Assyrians and Babylonians, I would have to say I agree with you.
Greg Harvey
May 17th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
They are laying staff off like crazy at SWBTS. Lady last week with cancer I understand. More check the numbers!!!!!!