Texas Baptist Forum

Posted: 8/18/06

Texas Baptist Forum

Untrue statement

I enjoy reading the Standard and keeping up with the news about God’s work in Texas and around the world.

Jump to online-only letters.

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

“Nobody is going to tell God what to do and what not to do, but we are in a serious drought in West Texas, and since he is the man who controls the rain clouds, we’re asking him for his mercy and his help.” David Miller Mayor of Lubbock, speaking about efforts to encourage residents to pray for rain (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal/RNS) “I’m not against the death penalty; I’m against the wrong guy being executed. And I ask the question, ‘When was the last time a rich man was executed in Texas?’ Since the answer is never, I don’t see how we’ve improved the system in the 2,000 years since Jesus Christ was executed.” Kinky Friedman Independent candidate for Texas governor (Dallas Morning News) “Those are decisions only the Lord will make. It would be foolish for me to speculate on who will be there and who won’t. … I don’t want to speculate about all that. I believe the love of God is absolute. He said he gave his Son for the whole world, and I think he loves everybody, regardless of what label they have.” Billy Graham The evangelist, asked if he thinks heaven is “closed to good Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or secular people” (Newsweek/RNS)

For the most part, I enjoy and appreciate your editorials. However, in the one on the “End Times” (Aug. 7), I was disappointed in a theological doctrine you stated as being a true fact. Your statement: “From a New Testament perspective, the church—not the Jewish people—is the New Israel.”

I believe, given a careful reading of Romans 10 and 11, one would be hard-pressed to conclude Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, believed the church was the New Israel.

This is a very important doctrine, for it will basically determine how our nation relates to the nation of Israel.

Because of all the people, including many of our laymen, who read the Standard, they will take your word, believing this to be a true statement.

Wayne L. Allen

Carrollton

Multiple interpretations

You probably won’t be deluged with congratulatory letters regarding your editorial about the “End Times,” but I would like to offer congratulations.

Our day reeks with theological mania that allows only one position as to end times. There are other positions! And those who differ are not heretics or liberals or Bible skeptics. Each position is based upon Scripture, but interpreted differently. You did an excellent job of spelling this out.

I, for one, would like to declare my undying faith in the return of our Lord in “clouds of glory”—someday, but probably not today.

Jesus said, “Only the Father knows the time.” I’m willing to let it go with that.

E.J. Kearney

Texarkana

Noxious sewage

Regarding the editorial on the “End Times”: Please do not nurture this kind of noxious sewage under the Baptist name—or Christian name.

This guy (Editor Marv Knox) thinks he knows more than God and is better able to put God’s message into the right words and interpret it for God.

Get rid of him, please.

Joyce Slaydon

Kempner

Other immaturity

How can Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page honestly say his doctoral dissertation on women in ministry is a result of his immaturity as a theologian when he had it correct the first time (Aug. 7)?

Women can serve the Lord in ways in which men are limited. Watch our women chaplains at work at Baptist hospitals, as well as churches that utilize women deacons and pastors, and see how effective and spiritual they are.

Page’s immaturity is limiting the power of God to chose who he wants to serve and equipping them. 

David Mills 

Dallas

Hymn-singing church

Thank you for publishing an article concerning hymns making a comeback in the churches.

I am a member of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, where we sing hymns and all the verses of the hymns.

Our hymnbook is called The Worshiping Church. Our worship times are 10:50 a.m. on Sundays and 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Our address is 305 W. Broadway Street; phone (817) 336-5761; website www.broadwaybc.org

Shirley Eubanks

Fort Worth

Amazed at what 'Baptists' believe

I am still being amazed at what some “Baptists” believe.

Letter-writer John V. Rutledge calls himself a Baptist and yet says that we must quit believing everything in the Bible because it is filled with “myths” (July 10).

If he believes the Old Testament is filled with “myths” and cannot be believed, does he also believe that the New Testament is also filled with “myths”?  In other words, is it a “myth” that Jesus was crucified?  That Jesus rose again after three days?  That Jesus is living still and forever will?  And, oh yeah, what about Mary becoming pregnant by the Holy Spirit?  Are these all “myths” too?

It’s still very simple:  If science contridicts God’s word,  then science is wrong.

Mick Tahaney

Port Arthur