EDITORIAL: Baptists will (no, must) share opinions_20705

Posted: 2/04/05

EDITORIAL:
Baptists will (no, must) share opinions

Baptists often paraphrase the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three come together in my name, they will have four or five opinions.”

We have to laugh, or else we would cry. We're a diverse–and assertive–group of Christians. We have one Lord, one baptism, one Bible and one church. But we're still beset by a multitude of opinions. Need proof? Sit in a discussion-oriented Sunday school class. Or attend your church's next business meeting. If opinions were nickels, we'd never have trouble balancing our budgets.

Texas Baptists' diverse opinions surfaced during the past couple of weeks, in the wake of the Standard's package of articles on immigration. We interviewed an illegal immigrant who happens to be a deacon. We heard from Texas Baptists who have pioneered ministry to immigrants. And we discussed the need for new immigration laws.

As you might expect, e-mails, letters and phone calls poured in. Some readers–a minority–expressed dismay that Texas Baptists' newspaper would even talk about illegal immigration. It's illegal, after all, so what's to discuss? But most seemed to appreciate the opportunity to air opinions on a topic that's vital to the future of our state and, not coincidentally, our churches and convention.

These brothers and sisters upheld our heritage. They–well, most of them, anyway–demonstrated Baptists can disagree agreeably. That's a wonderful legacy. And it, like much of authentic Christianity, runs counter to popular culture.

You've probably noticed we've become a hardened, polarized nation. The red state-blue state phenomenon of the 2004 presidential election illustrates how we divide into groups and shout at, instead of talk to, each other. A marketing study verified this. It documented how people tend to live near people who think like they do. Consequently, they go to church with like-minded people, send their children to schools with children who think like their children, and shop, dine and play with people who share their worldview. So, not only do we have red states and blue states, we have red towns and blue towns, red neighborhoods and blue neighborhoods. Increasingly, “ne'er the twain shall meet.”

“That's nothing new,” you say. “We've always had social enclaves, especially in our cities.” Yes, but those primarily were ethnic groups, which we've sought to integrate. The new polarization is based on ideas. It stratifies and divides Americans according to what they think or how they see the world. The Internet and talk radio have built their own virtual enclaves. And, striking a pose that frightens Americans who love the First Amendment, many partisans would silence all voices but their own.

Sadly, culture sometimes influences the church more than the church influences culture. For much of the past two decades, Baptists have mirrored my-way-or-the-highway methods. But when we're true to our heritage, we value frank yet civil discussion. Baptists affirm the twin doctrines of soul competency and the priesthood of all believers. We believe each person can contribute to the conversation, and by honestly sharing our viewpoints, we can find answers to the deepest challenges.

So, we need discussion. Even when we disagree, we must talk about things that matter. We need to keep talking about immigration, because it will shape our future. But that's not all. Here are some other important topics of conversation:

Key issues of this legislative session, such as financing education for all Texans, health care and child protection, as well as prevention of gambling.

The most significant reorganization of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in 50 years, including changes in governance and deployment of resources.

Worship as an expression of praise, a mode for seeking divine direction and an avenue to faith in Christ.

How Texas Baptists will build infrastructure for our future, particularly training ministers and doing missions.

The relationship of faith and learning in our schools.

The role of faith in the marketplace–how we connect what we do on Sunday morning to the decisions we make on Thursday afternoon.

The relationship of church and state, especially when the government increasingly looks to the church to solve many of our nation's social ills.

Direct discussion–whether it's in letters to the editor, church business meetings or convention conferences–sometimes makes us angry and often makes us nervous. But it's never been more important.