May 8, 2000
Texas Baptist Forum
Drop opinion
___Take opinion out of the Baptist Standard. I will no longer pass it on for someone to read. I am ashamed that people who teach and preach love are so unloving.
___If you have to keep it in, do it as an insert. Then we can take it out and let people read the good things Baptists are doing for God's glory and kingdom.
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
___I don't mean to sound angry, but it grieves me what is going on, and I know it grieves the heart of God.
___ Donnie Faye Sanders
___ Fort Worth
___Editor's Note: Recent letters have decried the hostile tone of letters to the editor. This column is the readers' forum. Letters published reflect a cross-section of letters received. We believe readers have a right to voice their opinions.
Call names
___In regard to letters on name-calling (March 27, April 17), I would like to add another observation: I am conservative and appreciate being called conservative. I do not object even to being called fundamental.
___You always refer to liberals as moderates. It would make just as much sense to refer to conservatives as moderate. Why not give all an even break and call liberals liberals? Let's call a spade a spade.
___ Jeff Caldwell
___ Irving
Find balance
___Diatribes about what saints have written to enable brothers and sisters to enrich their walk with Christ are inappropriate.
___Helping people grow and personalize their walk with the Lord that results in a book like "Experiencing God" isn't the same thing as writing a comprehensive systematic theology. Comparing the two seems awfully out of place (April 17). Seeking to divide loyalties and create followings for personalities is not service to our Lord.
___We need each other's different emphases. Yes, we need to think with critically astute minds, but let's build on each other's contributions, sensing the divine tension that causes us to find real balance in Christ.
___ Sam Fox
___ Weatherford
Use caution
___The story about the meeting between Baptist General Convention of Texas and Southern Baptist Convention leaders (April 17) needs to be examined.
___ "The meeting was polite. There was not any hostility or anger," Jimmy Draper states. This leaves the impression the BGCT representatives had a change in attitude. Remember, it was not the BGCT that walked out of the convention. Second, it was not the BGCT that changed the Baptist Faith & Message statement then demanded that all accept it.
___It is ironic Draper says, "There was a time when everybody trusted everybody." Guess who placed themselves in a position that trust became suspect.
___His responses cast a muted disparagement on Bill Pinson's administration and former BGCT elected representatives, which is undeserved. They tried to act in good faith and with Christian manners toward the SBC and Southern Baptists of Texas. I remember a prayer being offered in their behalf as Southern Baptists of Texas departed the convention floor.
___Charles Wade and BGCT leaders should proceed with caution in "building relationship (to) restore trust." They should be aware of the relevance of Al Mohler's address to the Founders' Day ceremony at Southern Seminary.
___Mohler, a committee member for revision of the Baptist Faith & Message, sets the first hint the Baptist doctrine of soul competency is to be altered. Although they may want to deny a portion of Mohler's ideology, SBC leaders scarcely "give us a foundation for discussion in the future," when the agenda leads toward more contention.
___ H. Harold Brown
___ Port Neches
Doctrine corrupted
___Your editorial, "Do we need slaves and a pope?" (April 17) was unfair to Al Mohler. Calvinism is an accepted view within the veil of Southern Baptist belief, as well as mainstream Christianity. If Al Mohler (April 17), as well as many others, want to believe in the doctrinal view held by the founders of our denomination, then on what scriptural grounds is this improper?
___Mohler is concerned with the improper interpretation of the doctrine of the priesthood of the believer. This doctrine does not mean believers have the right to distort the meaning of the Scriptures. With the right of personal interpretation comes the responsibility of correct interpretation.
___Baptists should examine the Scriptures in the light of their literal, historical, contextual and grammatical meaning. Let Scripture interpret Scripture. Unfortunately some Baptists seem to approach the Scriptures with the theology of unbridled liberty, that is they mean what I believe they mean.
___The corruption of the priesthood of the believer doctrine has justified such things as the ordination of women as senior pastors and deacons; liberal views on abortion; the refusal to accept the Scriptures as the infallible, inerrant word of God; and the denial of the Apostle Paul's teaching on the family.
___This is the danger Mohler is trying to point out.
___ Paul B. Taylor
___ Orange
Regional religion
___Bravo for your editorial "Do we need slaves and a pope?"
___I was humbled 10 years ago by attending the Baptist World Alliance convocation in Seoul, Korea. There I discovered how insignificant Southern Baptists are on the world stage. The world family of Baptists does not pay much mind to our regional religion, petty politics and theological arrogance.
___As I listen to the bizarre utterings of Al Mohler on subjects which he deems himself an authority, I am ever so grateful for this reality.
___ Brian Burton
___ Dallas
Remarkable talent
___Last Sunday morning at First Baptist Church in Arlington, a member of my wife's senior adult Sunday School class expressed shock and disbelief that Charles Wade is now having to "affirm" to certain groups that he "believes the Bible."
___During his nearly 24 years as pastor of our church, I never heard a fellow church member in any way question his biblical background or his traditional Baptist doctrine. Son of a long-time Baptist minister, he has a remarkable talent to lead and to teach others--as deacons, as hospital visitors and as Bible teachers of all age groups.
___Texas Baptists are fortunate to have him in a leadership position. His life of ministry has made his beliefs quite clear to those of us who know him well. And many of us who believe in and support Charles Wade are ourselves long-time Baptists with traditional backgrounds.
___ Dallas L. Lacy
___ Arlington
Man of love
___I had the opportunity to have a meeting with Paige Patterson a few years ago.
___It was after the final chapel service of the year at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and I had watched as he called for those leaving for mission experiences (both short- and long-term) to come to the front. He then called the professors and asked them to stand with these missionaries as he prayed for them. It was probably one of the more moving events in my life.
___Afterward, I asked him about it.
___He said sending those students out (some to countries where their lives were in danger) was like sending one of his own children out. I saw in him a man with a genuine love for God's work and his people.
___When I read articles about Paige Patterson that portray him in a negative and often un-Christian way, I wonder if those who are writing have met the same man I did that day.
___ Jerry Fleming
___ Rosenberg
Rare combination
___I recently had the privilege of attending a church retreat at which the principal speaker was Russell Dilday. It was the first time I have had the opportunity to observe him at close quarters.
___What a rare combination he is. He is a godly and gifted teacher and such an entertaining and gentle person. When I think how unfairly he has been treated at the hands of the Fundamentalist group, I just have to shake my head in disbelief.
___Thanks to Russell Dilday for his service to the Baptist General Convention of Texas and his contribution to the cause of Christ.
___ Leonard Denney
___ Richardson
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