Posted: 7/09/04
TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Confessional questions
Lee R. Scarborough, the second president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was one of the most trusted and respected leaders among Texas and Southern Baptists during the first half of the 20th century.
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At a time of crisis in the Northern Baptist Convention, he wrote: “I join Paul, Spurgeon, Wayland, Mabie, Broadus, Carroll and the heavenly hosts of other departed leaders, Mullins, Truett, Gray, Love, DeMent, Cree, Groner, Porter, McDaniel, Strong, Laws, Massee, and the host of others like them in the South and in the North in a wholehearted subscription to a Baptist confession of faith and want my life, time, talent and money to count alone for the propagation of these truths.”
His statement is further evidence that Baptists have normally held that it is proper for them to frame, publish and adhere to confessions of faith. That question should be settled.
Two important questions do remain: What should be the contents of any particular Baptist confession of faith? How should such a confession, once adopted, be utilized? On these questions Baptists are not now agreed, and to them serious attention should be given.
James Leo Garrett Jr.
Fort Worth
Housing problem
It has been great to see that religious leaders seek to make poverty an electoral issue. They want to ensure that the American Dream still exists–that a man by hard work can provide a comfortable living for his family.
The facts are that this is no longer true when it comes to housing. The minimum wage (or way beyond, to $12.50 an hour) will not provide an adequate dwelling for a man's family. In many large cities, rentals are so high that a clean, secure two-bedroom apartment is beyond the reach of many, many working-class families.
For so long, the political issues have focused on more money for education, while a secure, warm, draft- and rain-free, vermin-free environment to return to will be more conducive for children to learn.
Baptists are supporting Habitat for Humanity, which is making great strides in providing homes for people in dire need, and many people, especially young college students, are actively working on these homes.
But the need is so great; Habitat is only a drop in the proverbial bucket. The greed also is so great. The rich get richer, while the middle and lower classes get poorer.
Why don't our political candidates address this housing problem?
Margaret McDaniel
El Paso
Musical suggestion
Concerning the ongoing controversy in church music, a suggestion: Why not sing modern music in youth programs, at camp and in children's church? They seem to have originated with today's youth in Christian entertainment.
Many of us do not worship moving to catchy rhythms and hand-clapping. Worship is in the heart, and traditional hymns contain the heart of God and the “meat” of his word.
“Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise! The glories of my God and King; the triumph of his grace!”
Are hymns like that included in the “spiritual songs” preferred by today's ministers of music? They don't seem to be. We wish they were, even if there were only 50 singing them.
If the important thing is to worship, why have our wonderful old hymns been virtually discarded? Beats me.
Cecile Landon
Justin
'So what' attitude
I read Marilyn Green's letter (June 28), and I am somewhat concerned at her “so what” attitude.
We are Americans, and we should fly our flag under much higher standards than those practiced by others around the world. As Christians, what we do may determine whether others come to faith or not.
Our history teacher taught us if you go too far to the left, you go toward communism, and if you go too far to the right, you go toward Nazism.
Communism seems to be no real threat today, but Nazism is alive and well on planet Earth.
There is one major element of Nazism I would like for you to explore–authoritarian egotism. When people dare not question authority, then the one in authority has complete authority.
Aren't we glad we live in the United States, where one can disagree with authority and still be alive to disagree another day? Yet Green says we should not question Gen. Boykin's authority.
We are losing our democracy because of people like that, and I am here to tell you that Jesus Christ is coming back for a pure and holy church, not a renegade, rogue and prostituted church.
Bonnie Parvino
Avinger
Baptists' 3 R's
I'm glad you mentioned both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist General Convention of Texas in your assessment of the 2004 SBC annual meeting (June 28).
Politics, not prayer, has driven both entities–and 80 percent of the rest of the state conventions–for the past two decades. Everyone's more concerned about being in control of “things”–the entities and the property–than they've been concerned about the lost going to hell. We're paying for it now and will for years to come.
Think about it: For the past two conventions, only 2 percent of the body have been showing up for the meeting. Folks are tired of playing politics. Politics solves nothing; prayer solves everything.
We've wasted money and people for two decades: States with two convention organizations; associations with two organizations; pastors and churches taking “sides.” I always thought you were either on the Lord's side, or not.
The younger generations will have none of it. They've showed us that “Southern Baptist” is a pejorative word and deleted or omitted that from the names of the new churches they're building across the land. There used to be pride in that name–no more.
The answer is the same biblical formula we've known for years: Repent–“you've lost your first love.” Return. Be restored.
Until there's weeping and mourning for the way we've been, there won't be a Spirit-filled revival and blessing from God.
Bob Gillchrest
National City, Calif.
Weary boxers
Your analysis of the SBC annual meeting drew a mental image in my mind of two weary boxers sprawled out in the ring at the end of the 15th round, totally expended with no desire for a rematch.
I look forward to where the BGCT is headed.
Barry Chinn
Austin
Convention control
Your SBC editorial reports what some have known for 30 years: The struggle for control of the convention(s) has been about power, politics and personal ego rather than evangelism, encouragement and enveloping unity within believers.
Your closing statement says what we've been trying to say: “The world doesn't care that we've resisted the rise of fundamentalism. It's tired of hearing what we're against and wants to know what we're for–and why that matters.”
The people in the pew, the neighbors in the street, the missions around the world don't care what the convention politicians fight about. They want to know we are for Christ, his message of salvation, his church's unity and his eternal peace.
Dale Lovett
Olney
Ridiculous resolution
The recently proposed resolution by T.C. Pinckney for all Southern Baptists to take their children out of the public school system is ridiculous.
Obviously, he has not been in the same public schools I have had the honor to be in as an instructor at Texas Tech University. I have supervised some of the strongest Christian educators in our public school system.
I wonder if he read the recent article in the Baptist Standard that ranked education majors right at the top in several different spiritual categories. Parents reading this will agree that teachers in the public school system are some of the most dedicated Christians in the world, willing to give over and beyond what they're expected to do to fulfill the role of being a teacher. Teachers would be in some other profession if they were not in education as part of their ministry.
I wonder if Pinckney ever had a 5th grade teacher like my children had, whose only classroom rule was: “Do everything in love.” She had a special board by her desk for the children to write their concerns. They all knew that they would be prayed over by Mrs. White every night.
In regards to Bruce Shortt's comment, “The belief that children will positively influence schools as 'salt and light' is 'misapplied theology,'” I'm afraid I need a tutoring session on this theory as it is in complete contrast to what Jesus Christ taught us about reaching out to others.
Sheri Sowder
Shallowater
Jesus' passion
I cringe during SBC week every year, because I know at least one bone-headed statement will be front-page news and make my job as pastor more difficult. I also cringed when I heard Bobby Welch's comment about why he was going to make evangelism a top priority (June 28).
Why? Basically, his reason was because the Baptist kingdom is declining. His focus is a bit off.
We should be concerned that people are missing God and his purpose for their lives, they are winding up in all kinds of harmful life situations and living in pain and suffering, and they are headed for an eternity of separation from God that is horrific beyond description.
Those are the reasons evangelism should be the top priority–genuine care and concern for the well-being of others.
I'm weary of the “me focus” that abounds in so much of church and convention life, and I don't think I'm alone. It isn't “all about us.” It should be all about Jesus, and that means our passion should be his passion–reaching the lost.
Drew Wilson
Waco
Culture casualty
Outgoing SBC President Jack Graham's recent call for Baptists to engage more actively in the culture war could cause more harm than good (June 28).
This war is in direct conflict with the New Testament model for effective evangelism. The Apostle Paul did not express disdain for Greek culture; he found a way to preach Christ to the Greeks without disrespecting them (Acts 17:22-34). The leaders of the church in New Testament times did not criticize the morals of non-Christians. The focus then, as it should be now, was first reaching people for Christ then explaining God's laws to them and encouraging obedience.
People will not generally adopt biblical morals until they become Christians.
By fighting them, we will not convince them they are wrong, and we will lose our chance to convert them. Furthermore, why should our culture listen to Baptists about biblical values, when our divorce rate is similar to theirs.
Light does not need to fight darkness to prevail; it only needs to be light.
Steve Pruett
Bossier City, La.
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