Texas Baptist Forum_111703

Posted: 11/14/03

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Intestinal fortitude

I am all for this new anti-partial-birth abortion law.

Partial-birth abortion was not supposed to be a lifestyle choice for would-be parents. It was to be used to end a pregnancy for those children with serious problems.

E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com

The children who are aborted are considered to be alive and have all the same rights as anyone else. Most are “viable,” and both sides agree.

If a child is developed enough to survive on its own, then it should not be aborted, even if science can sustain the child until it can sustain itself.

Thanks to President Bush for signing this law. It's about time someone had the intestinal fortitude to do this!

William Williams

Quinlan

Smiling face

I commend George W. Bush for his actions concerning the partial-birth abortion ban.

This is a great time in America. We are proving humanity will be held in the highest esteem when constructing our laws.

I will have a smile on my face when I think of the babies that now have a chance to live.

Adam Laurie

Denton

President's approach

I like your suggestions for modest, reasonable steps for faith-based initiatives (Nov. 3). It certainly would fit Republican ideas to reduce taxes on the public and let them give directly to charitable organizations.

There are a couple of possible reasons for taking the approach the president is taking.

Tax money is going to government-run relief efforts, and the Republicans would like to get rid of those. Shifting tax money to private organizations would let them say they are not heartless in cutting government programs.

And Republicans may actually want the government to determine where charitable giving will go. Perhaps they prefer that people not give to some of the “far-out” groups or to groups that promote ideas conservatives oppose.

Jim Skipper

Pearland

Jesus, not guns

A dog, a gun and a dad are the things every boy needs (Oct. 6)?

Every little boy needs a dog–well, yes, unless he lives in rental property where pets are not allowed or the family can't afford it. Nice, but not essential.

Every little boy needs a dad–agreed! A dad like Paige Patterson describes is what boys need; that's essential.

But a gun?! No! Instead, the weapon every boy needs to face life is Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and the teachings of the Bible that the Holy Spirit can progressively use to arm him with the full armor of Christ (Ephesians 6:10-18).

This is what will make of every little boy a true man in the likeness of Christ. Not a gun!

Josie Smith

El Paso

Primitive differences

I read your editorial on what makes a Baptist church “Baptist” (Nov. 10) and would like to point out an impression that bothers me. That is your view of Primitive Baptists.

You use the term “hyper-Calvinist Primitive Baptists” and leave the impression that this covers all Primitive Baptists. I would say it does not.

Within the Primitive Baptists, there are two groups, and they are as different as night and day. While it is true that there are Primitive Baptists who believe just the way you describe, there are also Primitive Baptists called “Progressive” who do believe in mission work and evangelism.

While we are both “Primitive,” we are worlds apart in belief and do not associate with one another in fellowship.

Bill Brown

Rockwood, Tenn.

Carroll & women deacons

Paige Patterson states that, under his leadership, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is “headed to a full and thorough reaffirmation of the doctrine of B.H. Carroll” (Nov. 3).

May one assume that this includes encouraging the ordination of women as deacons, a policy instituted, according to Alan Lefever of the Texas Baptist Historical Collection, under Carroll's leadership while pastor of First Baptist Church of Waco?

Doug Jackson

Corpus Christi

Institute's real test

I have to strongly disagree with Paige Patterson's comments about the B.H. Carroll Institute, “The real test will be whether they have honored Carroll's name or just used it” (Nov. 10).

The real test is this: Are these four men working for the glory of God?

I know two of these men and can honestly say that their goal is working to glorify God through teaching.

Since the outrageous ousting of Russell Dilday as Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president almost 10 years ago, the seminary's goal has been status, politics, increasing numbers for the wrong reasons, invoking a standard way of thinking and firing those who did not adhere to their ways and sign their so-called faith statement. (Remember all those missionaries out there who were fired while trying to do the Lord's work but would not sign the “statement”?)

What about God? What about freedom of worship?

Yes, God directs us and asks us to do his will, but did he tell Abraham, Moses or even Jesus they had to sign something before they could do it and they would not be allowed to do his work if they didn't?

Knowing two of these men personally, I know their goal is not to impose the things that sadly Southwestern Seminary has morphed into, but to bring back honor and glory to Carroll's name, God's people and God–not to self.

Our blessings are with these four men; our prayers are with Southwestern.

Suzanne Duncan

North Richland Hills

Evolution of textbooks

The computer and the science of artificial intelligence have introduced significant new understanding of patterns within the life sciences.

The discovery of DNA has changed the understanding of life science much as the discovery of the atom changed the physical science. Computer study of patterns using artificial intelligence techniques has mapped thousands of patterns within the living cell. The living cell is made up of a huge number of molecules whose activity is directed by the DNA.

Probably the most revealing new discovery is the DNA pattern of each living species. A pattern known as genome describes the DNA unique to each species.

Just as the atoms have families of metals, liquids and gases, a species' genome has similarities within groupings of similar species.

While similar, one species is so different from another that the hypothesis of Darwin that species developed through evolutionary change is as questionable as the alchemist changing lead into gold!

Because of the complexity, science might still be identifying new patterns for another 200 years. New discoveries will come faster when the hypothesis of Darwin is no longer taught in Texas schools.

William H. (Bill) Osborne

Houston

What do you think? Submit letters for Texas Baptist Forum via e-mail to marvknox@baptiststandard.com or regular mail at Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267. Due to space considerations, letters must be no longer than 250 words. They may be edited to accommodate space.