September 22, 1999
Texas Baptist Forum
Prayer is alive
___We were dismayed to read Weston Ware's comments relating to pre-game prayers (Sept. 15).
___Of course, parents are responsible for praying with their children at home. But this is not an either/or situation. We need both family prayer and public prayer.
___Our young people should not be taught to keep their faith "in its place." A faith that is vibrant and alive should permeate every aspect of life. The youth in our group often make prayer requests for sporting events and other school activities in which they are involved. We teach our young people that God is interested and involved in their whole lives, and these activities are important to them.
Email the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
___Christian adults in Texas owe it to their children to stand up for their rights to free speech.
___At our first football game of the season Sept. 3, the person on the PA called for a moment of silence, during which time one of the drum majors of the band grabbed a megaphone and began leading the entire crowd in the Lord's Prayer. What could be better than a pre-written and approved prayer? A spontaneous and heartfelt student-led prayer involving everyone in the stadium!
___Our school district will follow the court's ruling until such time as it is rescinded; but, in the meantime, prayer is alive and well in private and in public in our community.
___ John & Lisa Price
___ Sweeny
Another Judas
___I am outraged that Marv Knox, editor of the Baptist Standard, would make this statement concerning the 5th Circuit Court's decision to silence prayer at football games: "While the court's decision is no more popular than rooting for the arch-rivals, it is correct" (Sept. 15).
___I am dismayed at the "politically correct" support offered for this statement. The editor should be standing up for prayer at football games, schools, etc., not helping those who wish to silence Christians.
___First, the government does not totally sponsor the football games. We taxpayers and parents who spend countless hours raising money through band booster and football booster clubs often spend more money on the kids than the school does.
___Second, Christ told us to go out into the world and make disciples. This included those Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim and Mormon friends you spoke about.
___And third, God listens to even "namby-pamby" prayers; even those kind of prayers help.
___If, as the editor of the Baptist Standard, you cannot stand for Christian values, especially in schools where so many are led astray, you don't believe in witnessing to those of other faiths, and you obviously believe that prayers are "waste of breath," then I call for your immediate resignation as editor!
___One Judas was enough.
___ Lonnie Odom
___ Houston
A better way
___I have been reading of Southern Baptist efforts to create awareness of the Jewish High Holy Days through the "Days of Awe" prayer booklet (Sept. 15). As a Jewish Christian and Southern Baptist, I would respectfully suggest evangelistic efforts toward the Jewish people be done in a different manner.
___The vast majority of Christians have no idea what the High Holy Days are or what they signify. An in-depth study of Leviticus 23 is a good start, for in that chapter, God lays out his entire plan of salvation in the seven feasts of Israel. So from that aspect, the educational intent of the booklet was positive.
___Remember, however, that people are not generally saved in groups, but come to the Lord one at a time. To witness effectively to Jews, it is critical to get to know them personally. The more Christians know about Jewish traditions and, very importantly, how they relate to us as Christians, the more opportunity we will have to share Yeshua with them.
___For example, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. It is a day of denial, prayer, repentance. If Christians realize the impact of Yom Kippur on their Jewish friends, the conversation about what we as Christians believe about atonement could take on new meaning.
___Please pray for the Jewish people without fail. God's promise in Romans 11 is that Israel will be saved. Each Christian can effect that, but one person at a time.
___ Rick Weintraub
___ Arlington
Woman president
___"The Bible teaches that women should not have leadership over men, and I do not believe it is God's will that a woman should be president."
___This remark from a Baptist friend of mine elicited this response: Give me a break. You can't blame everything on God. I believe God spoke to women in the old days and still does.
___Furthermore, a woman would be very well-qualified and capable of serving our country as president.
___What mother do you know who would carry a child for nine months, succor that child at her breast and then send him or her off to some far corner of the earth to fight someone else's war? A consideration of this kind would have to be very important to a president who is also a mother.
___And what mother, particularly a single one, do you know who cannot stretch a dollar to somehow furnish the basic needs of her family. Frankly, I'd welcome her to handle my country's budget.
___Our office of president has been so shamed. Even the bombing in Serbia has laughingly been called "Monica's War." Most likely the bombing did little toward ending the war, and now we must provide billions of dollars to rebuild.
___So, show me anyone, even a woman, who will bring experience, dignity and values, and perhaps a little class to the White House, and then I'll give serious consideration as will many others. And may God bless her!
___ Betty Westbrook
___ Plano
Into the future
___I, for one, have found the poll of influential Baptists entertaining and instructive (Aug. 25). As some, like the great Baptist theologian Leo Garrett, have submitted new names, we have been forced to re-examine our heritage. Judging contemporary Baptists, however, is a difficult task, since the history is yet in the making.
___I read with special interest, therefore, one particular exchange of letters. One letter sharply criticized the inclusion of David Currie. The response from Currie was so predictable --full of class, generosity and Christlikeness.
___While the difference in the spirit of the two letters demonstrates well the difference between the two Baptist camps, they have an even greater significance. They, like the poll itself, should call us to ask, "Who do we want the influential Baptists of tomorrow to be?" I think we may be surprised to see, some day, how much Currie has helped Texas Baptists into their future.
___ Karl F. Fickling
___ Grand Prairie
Faithful meek
___The "top 10" list is an interesting gimmick which reminds me of the disciples' argument over who will sit at Jesus' right hand. I rejoice, however, in your frequent stories describing unsung workers who aren't so famous today but will be rich in the kingdom to come!
___Give me more stories of the faithful meek. Those who crave recognition and power have already received their reward!
___ Rob Browning
___ Mesquite
Farther away
___It seems the opinion pages in the Standard move farther and farther from the teaching of Scripture and talk about people and the opinions they express.
___A case in point is the discussion of the proposed revision to the Baptist Faith & Message. Of course, Scripture is a higher authority than any man-made creed (Baptist Faith & Message). Most debate is on Scripture opinions and not a word from God.
___I have just completed a careful study of Acts 15 and see much parallel between what is happening in Baptist life and the dilemma of the Antioch church when fellow Christians attempted to replace grace with legalism. The Antioch church met in Jerusalem with the Christian brothers and agreed to solve the problem with agape love for their brethren. Then they returned to the task of proclaiming Jesus. The legalists continued to attempt to lead people astray, but the Antioch church remained focused on proclaiming the true gospel.
___ Bill Osborne
___ Houston
Good 'ol boy system exists
___ The past two editors of the Baptist Standard annually wrote about the selection process for president of the Southern Baptist Convention. These editors, as well as Baptist GeneralConvention of Texas leaders, have often spoke of the openness in the BGCT officer selection process.
___ The nomination of Phil Lineberger to be executive director of the BGCT is a perfect example of the good ol' boy system that exists in the BGCT. I would not deny Mr. Lineberger's qualifications as outlined in your lead article of Sept. 1. My question is what really differentiated Mr. Lineberger from the three other interviewed candidates.
___ Mr. Lineberger was rewarded for his actions in the Baylor controversy while serving as BGCT president. I would also suggest Mr. Lineberger's actions in that Baylor controversy were the reason he did not receive a unanimous vote from the committee.
___ My point is that just as politics are a part of the SBC, they also exist in the BGCT. Is that wrong? Only Texas Baptists can answer that question.
___ Please Baptist Standard and BGCT leaders, do not deny the obvious, the good ol' boy system does exist in the BGCT.
___ Mac Galloway
___ Houston
Need to change the law
___ This is ironic: "We will do what the law says." This was stated in the Polk County Enterprise in response whether to have voluntary public prayer preceding athletic events in Livingston. This is certainly not referring to God's law, but to man-made laws, made
___ History has proven that when the laws of man subrogate God's laws, when the voluntary expressions of man to the Lord God are denied either private or public expression, then the moral and spiritual fabric of a nation and people are eroded irreparably.
___ Neglect of private and public expressions to the Lord God is one thing. But to willfully deny or obstruct private and/or public expressions of honor, respect and obeisance to the Lord God--that is a deliberate act of rebellion against God himself for which there is no justifiable excuse.
___ The only satisfactory solution is a deliberate change of policy that reinstates all voluntary expressions of reverence to the God on whom we are so dependent, and without whom we would not be, and without whom there is no salvation and forgiveness of sin.
___ The early Christians accepted the fact for what it was--an act to intimidate them to be silent and do nothing. They were willing to suffer rather than deny an open expression of their faith to God through Jesus.
___ Ernest V. May Jr.
___ Livingston
Good job
___ You and your staff are doing an outstanding job each week in coverage of Baptist life
___ Charles Richardson
___ Abilene
Prayer stopped hurts Christians' rights
___ Prayer stopped for any reason, no matter the substance of the prayer, is another step in a line of cutting our rights as Christians. I disagree with your editorial on football prayer
___ Christ was not apologetic. Why should we be? He did not care who was present or when.
___ If you would like to do background research, you will find that this nation was established as a Christian nation, not Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish or any other number of "recognized" religions.
___ Jerry W. Saunders
___ Midland
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