May 29, 2000
Texas Baptist Forum
Unhappy person
___Your article regarding Southern Baptist Convention nominations (May 8) was amazing it was so negative.
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
___How long did it take you to figure out all those percentages? It took a great deal of time and effort. Surely you're paid to use your time wisely.
___You are such a bitter, negative person I imagine you're not very happy. We pray for you.
___ Mary Ruth Powell
___ Austin
Shut up
___Shame upon shame to the SBC for making more nominations from the fairly new Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (May 8).
___Who has pulled away--the SBC from Baptist General Convention of Texas, or the BGCT from the SBC?
___It took me a few years at BGCT conventions to learn something drastic was taking place. Then Baylor was one thing that capped it off; other things quickly after that.
___It seems the Standard just watches with hawk's eyes to see what you can criticize in the SBC. Why be a part of something you're so critical of continuously? People notice this.
___I'm not a member yet of the new convention, but I can say this: I'm glad the SBC isn't dumb enough to nominate persons so critical of the SBC.
___Wake up or shut up.
___ Mr. & Mrs. R.M. Strouthers
___ Lockhart
Drawing lines
___The coming vote on women pastors in the SBC relative to changes in the Baptist Faith & Message has a much wider range than women pastors.
___What matters most is we are drawing lines about who can serve and in what capacity. Jesus used all kinds of people--criminals, the rich, the poor, the educated, the uneducated, women, men and children. The qualification was acceptance of Jesus as God's Son and that he died for our sins.
___Each of us has a "calling" from God. There have been countless women called to serve who have changed the world for the better.
___Each Christian has a calling by God for service in the body of Christ. That body is made up of many parts, and all have a place. But God, not us, is the assembler of that body.
___We have so many serious problems. Let us turn our hearts toward supporting each other as Christians and seeking out those who are lost and in need. If we do that, all else will fall into place.
___ Teresa Eddleman
___ Waco
Open curriculum
___Regarding Baylor University's faculty being mad at the prospect of studying creation science (May 15), it is sad that a supposed Christian school is home to faculty who are not only evolutionists, but are so closed-minded they have no intention of reading, studying or allowing the discussion of what makes up creation science.
___I appreciate Robert Sloan's efforts into expanding scientific thought, but to say creation science is not good theology says he hasn't studied it. I challenge anyone to find one that is better, especially since the whole Bible uses Genesis for its foundation. Jesus and all the apostles believed it and preached it.
___By what authority does the dissenting faculty at Baylor discount the accuracy of Genesis? If it doesn't matter, rip it out of your Bible and then tell the children why you are a greater authority on the past than God and his prophets. Then tell them death is not really the penalty for sin and Jesus would have died anyway, so his sacrifice was no big deal.
___Including creation science in the curriculum is long over due. I pray this happens.
___ Jeffery Tippen
___ Dallas
Modern Babel
___The Polanyi Center at Baylor sounds like a modern-day Babel without the tower.
___God has the power and inclination to give them a confusion of tongues.
___ Ford R. Faulkner
___ Belton
Camel's nose
___Wake Forest University Divinity School can enroll whomever it chooses (May 15). There needs to be a forum where homosexuality can be discussed. However, the final outcome has to be that God says homosexuality is wrong! The law may mandate that Wake Forest must accept homosexuals, but any discussion of the subject must conclude homosexuality is wrong.
___My main concern is that the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship stated that while they do not advocate the homosexual lifestyle, they do accept funds from "three or four churches that have some kind of homosexual advocacy." That's like saying, "I disagree with what you say and do, but I will still take your money." This is hypocrisy.
___If you take a few funds now, one day they will own you. Don't let the camel get his nose under the tent! It is very commendable that the CBF supports theological schools of various sorts, but a little more discretion is needed.
___ John R. Smith
___ Lampasas
Shut off cable
___If Christians are truly concerned about the blatant promotion of sin on television, they should stand up and be counted.
___How? By telling their cable and satellite companies their services will be terminated on a given date, unless they take actions to clean up the airwaves. How does Aug. 1 sound?
___ Frances Jackson
___ Kerrville
Law enforcement
___I want to echo support for chaplaincy programs for law enforcement (May 15).
___In Bastrop, Police Chief Bill Anderson asked us to start a volunteer program. Ten ministers rotate a week "on call" in case our officers need a chaplain. We also have adopted officers, so we can build bridges with them and minister to their needs as well as the community's. We "ride along" and try to encourage and support them however we can.
___Two weeks ago, our church had its first Law Enforcement Appreciation Sunday. We had a group of officers who volunteered to sing, the chief gave his testimony, and we gave a Bible to every officer. We had more than 30 officers, three area police chiefs, our county sheriff, a Department of Public Safety sergeant, the mayor and various other visitors. It was a powerful time of worship and sharing the gospel! I have never seen our church as full.
___Our law enforcement officers need our prayers, and they want our support.
___ Charles Whitmire
___ Bastrop
Aquarium keepers
___Freddie Gage's statement that some churches are keepers of an aquarium instead of fishers of men is so true (April 24). Swapping aquarium fish is a favorite pasttime of many churches.
___Some of us are pastors in towns of small streams and few fish. Our nets are rarely full. We are pole fishermen trying to hook fish that are "bait and hook" wise. Attracting them with gospel bait takes more prayer and patience than using a cast net.
___A wise fisherman catches and cares for his fish. We are like lazy fishermen who bring their catch home to spoil when we baptize converts, hand them a Bible and tell them goodbye. "Feed the flock" means "take care of the aquarium." And many of us are entrusted with a large number of older fish who need extra care.
___Evangelism is the "fire engine of the church." But when the engine is gone, our work has just begun. And when there are no large schools of fish to choose from, we praise God for our small string. Catching few fish is the same as catching many when we have fished our best.
___In a very real sense, we are keepers of an aquarium. Our catch will remain minnows unless we feed them.
___Aquarium fish depend on us, And so does the Great Fisherman.
___ Doug Fincher
___ San Augustine
Basic truths
___I for one am glad Joel Gregory has found that "basic Baptist truths" are sustaining in time of challenge (May 8).
___Greg Warner in his commentary on the dust cover of Gregory's book "Too Great a Temptation" states, "It is a sad tale of how half-blind devotion can render otherwise reasonable people helpless in the shadow of unguarded ego." I am delighted that by faith and through the grace of God Gregory has moved from the shadows.
___The African-American and small Baptist churches where he preaches will be blessed by one as gifted in the pulpit as Gregory. As time passes and God's will is sought, his gifts will continue to bless and change people's lives. I would think his experience would be of unusual benefit to seminary students.
___If some of Gregory's friends were "highly offended by his appearance in Atlanta," I know some new friends will embrace and sustain him.
___ H. Harold Brown
___ Port Neches
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