October 1, 2026
We all have pet peeves. I am no exception. One in particular grates on my nerves. It is the usage of the personal pronoun I. I hear people say, “Happy birthday from my wife and I,” or, “She gave a gift to my wife and I.” No, no, a thousand times no! You would not say, “Happy birthday from I,” or, “She gave a gift to I.” I should be used as the subject of the verb. Me is the proper object of the verb. So, it should be, “Happy birthday from my wife and me,” or, “She gave a gift to my wife and me.” You can thank Ms. Winchester, English teacher from Dacula High School in 1977, for that bit of wisdom. Ok, rant over.
Except I must tell you about another pet peeve of mine, only this one is of much greater importance. In fact, calling it a pet peeve actually downplays its significance.
In recent years, I have been alarmed, and I am now fully frustrated and disgusted at what I consider a direct disobedience to at least one portion of the New Testament. Over the last few years, we have seen prominent pastors in Georgia, and now a former university president, bring lawsuits against other believers and Baptist institutions. At least one of the lawsuits was dropped, but the fact that it was filed in the first place is problematic.
Are we not familiar with Paul’s instructions to the Corinthian church in chapter 6 of his first letter to them? Paul begins that chapter with the question, “If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints?” (1 Corinthians 6:1, NIV). He goes on to elaborate on the problem presented when a Christian takes another to court. Paul leaves no gray area in his teaching. He is adamant. We are not to take fellow believers to court. We are not to sue other Christians.
When I mentioned my frustration to an acquaintance, he responded to me, “But you don’t understand the hurt (both emotional and financial) that the person faced.” Again, I point to Paul’s words to the church in Corinth. “The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6:7, NIV). It just seems so obvious to me that Paul spoke clearly on this issue. We are not to bring such lawsuits, even if it costs us something, such as money or hurt feelings. For those concerned about “future earnings,” are you trusting the Lord for His provision? The world is watching. Do we believe the Scriptures are true? Do we desire to obey their teachings?
The fact is that each of the individuals who have brought these suits claims strongly that they believe the Bible. They have been faithful to teach and preach the Bible in their careers. And yet, for whatever reason, they are ignoring it on this issue. And before you say anything, yes, I probably have a log or two in my own eye that needs to be removed. I suppose we all ignore the plain teaching of Scripture when it does not suit our immediate thoughts. We are all sinful, and we all seek to justify our own actions and beliefs.
But I believe this issue needs to be considered more carefully. Most of you have probably never heard my name, and may wonder what right I have to speak to this issue at all. I am a graduate of three Baptist institutions: Shorter College, New Orleans and Southern Seminaries. I have been a pastor for 44 years in seven churches in four states, and have sought faithfully to serve where God has placed me. I have sought to be faithful and to teach my people to hear and heed what God says. When they read of those in leadership so blatantly violating Scriptural teaching, they look to me for answers. Quite frankly, I don’t have a good answer.
I think that James’ words concerning both blessing and cursing coming from the same mouth are appropriate to the situation at hand. “Brothers, it ought not to be so.” I write this with a broken heart. I hope that we can do better.
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Brad Butler is pastor of Shellman Bluff Baptist Church.
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