2003 Archives
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COMMENTARY: Reflections on response to missionaries affirming the Baptist Faith and Message_rankin_9
9/12/03
COMMENTARY:
Reflections on response to missionaries
affirming the Baptist Faith and Message
By Jerry Rankin
Asking Southern Baptist missionaries who serve with the International Mission Board to affirm that their work and personal convictions are compatible with what their sponsoring denomination believes has been an interesting process. It was not unexpected that many among our Southern Baptist constituency who do not agree with the leadership and conservative direction of the SBC – as well as those who are in disagreement with the faith statement itself – would disagree with this initiative.
However, reflection upon the negative response from individuals and the media over the past year has revealed that an alarming number of Southern Baptists have succumbed to the subtle influence of post-modern thinking and theological compromise. Many are offended that denominational workers would be expected to adhere to any defined commonality of faith. It is evident the precious doctrine of individual priesthood of believers is being distorted to justify whatever arises out of self-centered, independent thought, regardless of explicit biblical teaching to the contrary.
See response: Creedal use of 2000 BF&M ‘differs radically’ from historic Baptist practices by Keith Parks 10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge
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COMMENTARY: Parks: Creedal use of 2000 BF&M differs radically from historic Baptist
9/12/03
COMMENTARY:
Parks: Creedal use of 2000 BF&M ‘differs
radically’ from historic Baptist practices
By Keith Parks
Jerry Rankin and I have a lot in common. We were both missionaries to Indonesia. We have both served as area director for Southeast Asia and as president of the International (Foreign) Mission Board. We agree on several basic beliefs. We agree the Lordship of Christ and the authority of God’s Word are foundational to the kind of Baptists we have been historically. We agree churches should expect missionaries they support to have sound doctrine. We agree those who reject absolute truth and embrace theological relativism deny our heritage, dilute our witness and erode the potential of fulfilling the Great Commission task. We both have given our lives in the cause of reaching all people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. When asked to write a response to Rankin’s editorial, I was reluctant to do so.
See commentary Reflections on response to missionaries affirming the Baptist Faith and Message by Jerry Rankin I did not want to re-engage in the distasteful controversy that has so damaged our witness and our denomination. But in reading what he wrote, it was clear what he and I believe has happened and why are very different. So I feel obligated as a Baptist concerned about missions and missionaries to state a different view. I believe strongly in the old Baptist saying that we must “Trust the Lord and tell the people.” In recent years, the “official Southern Baptist Convention position” is that Baptists can no longer be trusted to make up their own minds on issues. Editors have been fired and some state papers print only what is acceptable to the SBC’s elected officials. But it is important to challenge some of Rankin’s presumptions. Most of his views mirror those of other leaders who now control the SBC. They differ radically from our traditional Baptist heritage.
10/14/2003 - By John Rutledge
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