Texas Baptist Forum

Posted: 7/21/06

Texas Baptist Forum

Completeness of 1

I was saddened while reading “Single ministers face multiple hurdles” (July 10).

It reminds me of how dangerous exclusion is within religious groups. Eventually, no one is able to stand the test. What amazes and confuses me is that “we say” we follow and love “a Single Man” and also forget the writer of most of the New Testament was “a single man” and yet will not even allow one to minister to God’s people.

Letters are welcomed. Send them to marvknox@baptiststandard.com; 250 words maximum.

“To say that men and women should not inject their ‘personal morality’ into public-policy debates is a practical absurdity. If we progressives shed some of these biases, we might recognize some overlapping values that religious and secular people share.” Barak Obama U.S. Senator (D., Ill.), addressing a conference of about 600 Christian anti-poverty activists (ABP) “I didn't fancy the thought of being handed over to the Inquisition like Galileo.” Stephen Hawking The astrophysicist, who said Pope John Paul II discouraged him from attempting to figure out how the universe began (RNS) “I cannot imagine any development in human history, after the Fall, that has had a greater impact on human beings than the pill. … Prior to it, every time a couple had sex, there was a good chance of pregnancy. Once that is removed, the entire horizon of the sexual act changes. I think there could be no question that the pill gave incredible license to everything from adultery and affairs to premarital sex and within marriage to a separation of the sex act and procreation.” Al Mohler President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (New York Times Magazine/BP)

What are we afraid of? Hmm. … What does that say about us?

One is a whole number too!

Robert Whitfield

Dallas

Comfort with the Spirit

“Prior to my election as president of our Baptist General Convention of Texas last fall, the Holy Spirit repeatedly drew me to a speech given by a Pharisee named Gamaliel,” BGCT President Michael Bell wrote in a 2nd Opinion column (June 12).

Why is this refreshing?

Because leaders and members of most denominations are reluctant to refer to the Holy Spirit in such a factual manner, especially to indicate a personal relationship with him that shows dependence and trust in making decisions and taking action.

The statement about the Holy Spirit is made comfortably and indicates a simple, factual acceptance of him as a person who is involved with us in our daily living and Christian activities.

It has been my feeling for some time, as I have read Baptists and listened to Baptists for over 50 years, that we do not seem to have a mature knowledge and experience of the Holy Spirit, nor a comfortable relationship with him.

An unbalanced view of the Holy Spirit is an unbalanced view of the Trinity. An unbalanced view of the Trinity is an unbalanced view of God. The average congregation of most denominations has a lot to learn and experience of the Holy Spirit.

Frank Dearing

Belton

Too many compliments

Bubba Stahl’s letter, “Complement, not compete” (June 26), was not quite clear and needs further explanation. If fighting or arguing among the brethren was the entire gist of the letter, then I agree. We are to love one another and do unto others as we would have them do unto us, whether or not we are wrongfully treated. However, the addition of two words, “another denomination,” confused me as to what he was talking about.

If publicly debating or exposing doctrinal error in other denominations or churches of like faith is the point, I have to disagree. Are they competition? In some ways, they most certainly are. I would never compliment or condone another denomination that I don’t completely agree with. This is one of the greatest problems with the Baptist faith today, and too much complimenting of error has gone on, and the truth, even in our own ranks, has been compromised.

When one condones or compliments other denominations, it sends mixed messages to the hearers. Right is right and wrong is wrong, and when a denomination preaches and teaches the wrong, in light of Scripture, it needs to be addressed.

The Bible teaches us not to have part with erring brethren, even though they may be a child of God.

Cordial, yes, complimentary, no!

Davy R. Hobson

Grapeland

What do you think? Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: marvknox@baptiststandard.com.