September 15, 1999

Texas Baptist Forum
Arrogant display
___What arrogance you have displayed with your editorial regarding the Baptist Faith & Message review committee (Sept. 1)! How can you be so critical, so negative about

Email the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com.

something that has not yet taken place or has been written?
___Once again, you and the Baptist General Convention of Texas have displayed not only opposition (but I read through it hatred) even in the face of not knowing what change, if any, will be made to the BF&M.
___You remind me of the story about the deacon who slept through a business meeting. He awoke and said, "I don't know what we are voting on, but I am against it."
___You are entitled to your opinion, but withhold it until the facts are in. I am sure you will be able to find plenty to oppose and criticize at that time.
___ James A. Nicholson
___ Kerrville

Both sides needed
___I am writing concerning the newly appointed committee to review the Baptist Faith & Message (Sept. 1). If this document is to be reviewed at all, wouldn't it only be fair to have all sides represented? This group should contain a balance of moderates and conservatives.
___Although we as Southern Baptists do not adhere to a creed, the BF&M explains our particular beliefs as a whole. Shouldn't all Southern Baptists be considered in this very important committee and not just those of one opinion?
___ Linda Stark
___ Quitaque

Simple approach
___Your editorial comments regarding creation (Sept. 8) are indicative of the current lack of a systematic approach to theology as evident in many of our Texas Baptist institutions.
___This simplistic approach to the Scriptures and God's sovereignty over all of life, including science, is the cause of the lack of a world view among many Southern Baptists today.
___God is the author of science, as well as creation, and this separation of science from theology is a recent, and failed, theory espoused by those who see God only interested in the salvation of the soul, apart from the renewing of the mind. Adaptation of the species can certainly be a tenable reality to the Christian mind, but to imply that one can teach science apart from their own core world views is ludicrous.
___Also, even the evolutionists are abandoning the older theories and embracing a new "spontaneous generation" regarding the formation of the different species. Most legitimate scientific scholars will readily admit that all studies of creation are philosophical, not empirical, in scope and are based upon their suppositions. As for me, I will stick with the book which was authored by the One who was present and has preserved the only consistent, logical answer to the origins of and form of creation.
___ Robert H. Allen
___ Pasadena

Sunday shopping
___I work retail and notice that a lot of the shoppers are people who attended church on Sunday morning. Most of them make a note of saying something about having been or going to church Sunday night. I am as guilty as the next one.
___What I would like is for the Baptist churches, and perhaps other churches too, to challenge we Christians to not shop Sundays for one month. I feel this would make a major impact on sales.
___It would be wonderful for one month each year to be dedicated as non-shopping for Christians.
___Wonder what we as Baptists, but better yet as Christians, would think of that?
___ Name withheld by request

Return to civility
___I applaud the leaders of the Reconciliation Movement for their spiritual, rather non-political approach to the issues that divide the Southern Baptist Convention (Sept. 1).
___For so long, many of us have prayed that people in the middle would have someone to come forward voicing their sentiments. My prayers are that Bennie Slack, D.L. Lowrie, Jim Puckett, James Leo Garrett, Paul Stripling and the others participating in the Reconciliation Forum would be successful in bringing civility back to our denominational life.
___Let me add that it speaks volumes about our denominational times that people like this would be viewed with "curiosity."
___ Ruth Eldridge
___ Forestburg

Lost focus
___Thank you for printing the piece on the Reconciliation Movement (Sept. 1). I, like many other pastors, am tired of the name-calling, accusations, innuendoes and childish behavior of otherwise godly men. It seems we have lost our focus on who is the real enemy and turned to fighting flesh and blood.
___It must make God sad to see his children tearing at each other. No wonder he is taking his blessing of revival to the other countries like Korea, Brazil and Africa. They are just carrying out the work of Jesus without the politics. What a concept!
___Every time we divide, we get weaker, duplicate work and look foolish to the unsaved. God help us keep the main thing the main thing--Jesus.
___ Guille Seigler
___ Fort Worth

Musical influences
___How ironic that Bill Pinson's excellent article about music (Aug. 25) was followed by the list of 54 names from which the 10 most influential Texas Baptists of the 20th century will be selected--a list that includes not one music maker, singer, player or church musician. May I suggest some musicians that could have been included?
___Robert H. Coleman published 32 hymnals and songbooks over 30 years and furnished hymnals for Texas Baptist churches.
___Pete Forderhase, premiere state music leader loved by ministers of music and Texas Baptists for his character and integrity.
___Kurt Kaiser, executive with Word Records, faithful deacon at Seventh & James Baptist Church in Waco, whose "Pass it on" and "O How He Loves You and Me" have blessed multitudes.
___B.B. McKinney, music faculty at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; composed many songs we sing today; led music in revivals; loved by Buckner's Home children, to whom "B.B." stood for "Big Brother."
___Euel Porter, master choral director at Hardin-Simmons and Baylor, greatly influenced students who sang in his choirs and festivals.
___Sam Prestidge, premiere state music leader whose state music festivals and all-state youth choirs and orchestras set high music standards and touched thousands of youth.
___I.E. Reynolds, founder and head of Southwestern's music school for 30 years, fought for the establishment of the state music department before it happened in 1945.
___ William J. Reynolds
___ Fort Worth

Chosen hill
___I have observed in politics that the side that gets positive press coverage is the side that becomes favored by the public, no matter that "reporting" was totally based in fact or not.
___I am thankful that Paul Pressler wrote "A Hill on Which to Die." This is the first time I have really heard the story of the conservative resurgence in the first person. I am glad that the record is now straight.
___The press, including Baptist Press at that time, made Judge Pressler out to be a tyrant. Those who know him best know that isn't true. They do know that he is a man driven by principle. Much of what the press reported him having said was taken out of context. Judge Pressler apologized over and over for misconceptions created by a press that was out of control. The press refused time and time again to retract those statements.
___Judge Pressler was willing to place himself on the block for something that he believed in. The attack dogs of the secular media and Baptist news organizations took every opportunity to malign him. We need more people like Paul Pressler who stand upon principles. Southern Baptists have much to thank him for.
___ Jim Thompson
___ Houston

Online lessons
___Thanks for putting the Standard online.
___I missed Bible study last Sunday, so didn't get my quarterly. I remembered reading about the Standard going online and remembered the Bible lessons it contained.
___Great website. I'm going to read it all (after I finish studying my lesson for today)!
___ Sam Bullock
___ Deer Park

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