February 16, 2000

TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM
Spirit, not systems
___I received a call from a software salesman challenging me to purchase a $700 computer

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program. His pitch included, "You need help in reaching the world for Christ." Hisstatement is true, but the idea that a computer program is the solution left me wondering how far the church has moved from the book of Acts.
___I found Jim Cymbala's presentation to the Evangelism Conference (Feb. 9) to be refreshing and inspiring. Thank you for the reminder that evangelistic success never will be found in systems, methods or programs, but in a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God. How easy things would be if such an experience could be purchased for $700.
___ Scott Sharman
___ Burleson

Love, not arrogance
___The formation of the new North Texas Baptist Association (Feb. 2) seems further proof the fundamentalists are attempting to control all the Baptist organizations in Texas. That's OK. I believe the split between fundamentalists and moderates will continue to widen.
___I support the Baptist General Convention of Texas' kinder, gentler approach to telling the world about Jesus' love. More Baptists of Texas are showing their disagreement with the arrogance of the Southern Baptist Convention by stripping "SBC" from their identification.
___More churches with basic Baptist beliefs don't even include the word "Baptist" on the sign.
___I, too, remember the story about Jesus' outrage at the temple. However, the emphasis of his words and deeds clearly reflects his humility and love, not arrogance.
___ Joe Erwin
___ Hurst

Urgent needs
___Throughout our history, Baptists have felt free to associate as they like in order to do ministry. The 11 churches that formed the North Texas Baptist Association (Feb. 2) have exercised that freedom. But the reason for it is a disgrace!
___Ed Ethridge, a trustee of LifeWay Christian Resources (formerly the Sunday School Board) said his church left Denton Baptist Association because he objected to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship missionaries being included on an associational missions program alongside SBC missionaries.
___This is so un-Christian. There's been an effort in the SBC to join hands with other like-minded groups "interested in kingdom work," many of whom are very, very different from Southern Baptists. In fact, in years past, some of the big churches have had Lottie Moon Christmas Offering conferences, with participation by several missionaries from other groups and divided out the offering to all.
___CBF missionaries are Baptists and committed to kingdom work. The urgent needs of the lost in Texas and across the world must be addressed by all Christians.
___ Dale Hooper
___ Lindale

Wrong thinking
___A recent "Family Matters" column advised Christians to take anti-anxiety medication for worry (Jan. 26). Refusing it is "being remiss in our stewardship" and an indication of pride. In effect, the author said not taking anti-anxiety medication when one worries is the result of sin.
___Baptists claim to be a "people of the book." We must apply it to our lives. 2 Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness."
___Medications for supposed psychological disorders do not heal. They only help one to cope. The Bible offers the cure. Christ is living within us. He is our counselor, teacher and comforter. He will not leave us or forsake us. Why would we turn to mind-altering drugs?
___At the root of anxiety is wrong thinking. God's word re-orients our thinking to his perspective. When our thinking is right, we have "peace that passes all understanding." Who knows man better, God or man? Why would a believer turn elsewhere for relief when God's word is sufficient?
___ William Sprague
___ Bedford

Un-holy 'Smoke'
___I was dismayed to see "Smoke on the Mountain" promoted in the Baptist Standard (Feb. 2). We took friends to see this in Abilene and were appalled. (I don't get shocked any more, but I am appalled sometimes.)
___The production here ridiculed the Bible, the Holy Spirit, God, Jesus, Bible memory programs, pastors, song leaders and church members in a spiteful, sharp put-down of all of these. One of the main hymn singers deliberately acted like a disgusting slut to get laughs during her singing.
___I have not seen the script; it is possible that the slant of the show here was due to the director and cast and that another director might make a good production from it. However, we would certainly advise Christians to check the local performance before attending.
___ Winnie Dudley White
___ Abilene

Politics, not spirit
___A Tennessee congressman, Zach Wamp, wants to infuse "biblical beliefs" into the prosperity statement of the 2000 Republican platform (Jan. 26). Not all of his five points are biblical. Certainly "where much is given, much is required" and "all people, regardless of vocation, being of equal worth" are scriptural. Temporal prosperity, keys to it and government's stifling innovation and initiative with taxation and litigation, however, are not spiritual concerns. They are political.
___Probably if either political party were to strictly adhere to biblical principles, they would not be a major party in our country for long. Both parties have principles that are influenced by their Christian members, so neither of them can claim to be holier when their take on an issue appears to be more "Christian."
___ Dan Woolery
___ Grand Prairie

Marriage mentors
___The divorce rate among Christians (Jan. 12) is staggering. Your article mentioned starting a mentoring program for couples: What is taking so long to start this?
___We talk the talk; now, let's act. We need to stop waiting for the other person to start this. We need marriage mentoring programs to foster commitment toward the Lord and each other.
___ Randy Denbow
___ Fort Worth

Wordsmithing
___I recently noticed a newspaper article about RU-486, the abortion pill soon to be made legal in the United States. This article was laced with the "wordsmithing" common to the press, infused with nuances and stereotypes:
___"Abortion rights advocates" was contrasted with "anti-abortion advocates."
___The seemingly harmless phrase, "expel an embryonic sac roughly the size of a grape, ending pregnancy" described the ending of a human life.
___The statement, "medical abortions have a success rate of 95 percent" was used as if it were ever proper to use "abortion" and "success" in the same sentence.
___The article stated, "Medical abortion up to seven weeks in a pregnancy is considered safe." For whom, the mother or the child?
___I got the shock of my life when I saw this was not a secular newspaper, but the the Baptist Standard (Feb. 2).
___I now anxiously await your future articles on "the importance of the five pillars of Allah" and "embracing sexual lifestyles in our youth ministries."
___ Steve Mayfield
___ Lewisville

Ozzie & Harriet
___I'm truly amazed at some of the information presented in "Research finds Ozzie & Harriet are fading fast" (Feb. 2).
___The poll reported in this story shows what the world wants us to believe about families-- that mom is out working, money is all-important, kids are at a day-orphanage and marriage is old-fashioned. This certainly isn't the norm where I live or in the young adult Sunday School class I teach.
___This is the second time in the last few months that you've had an ultra-liberal, un-Christian article in the Standard. Please stick to articles that uphold God's word.
___ Sue Nicklas
___ Wylie

Saints still march
___It's time to take back one of the great old hymns that was stolen by the secular world.
___"When the Saints Go Marching In" always was one of my favorites. I love it just as much today as I did during the great old revival days. Nothing ever set me on fire for the Lord like singing, "Lord, I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in."
___ Carolyn F. Ballew
___ Amarillo

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