TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Not appalled
___Your article on Al Mohler's comments about Jews not worshipping the same God as Christians (Nov. 5) seemed to be written with the intent that we should be appalled at the intolerance of the comment.
___ Let me say I was not appalled in the least. His comment makes perfect sense when one realizes Judaism holds to a unitarian view of God whi
le Christians hold to a trinitarian view. This comes down to the very essence of who we believe God is.
___It's not a difficult issue until the fear of man takes hold and we begin to desire to be called open-minded and tolerant more than we wish to hold out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
___ Brent Hobbs
___ Dallas
Scriptural basis
___Al Mohler states Jews worship a different God than us (Nov. 5). I would like to know the scriptural basis for his statement.
___I can't find anything of the sort in my Bibles--King James Version, Revised Standard Version, American Standard Version, New American Standard Version updated, etc.
___ Michael L. Simons
___ Cleburne
'Amazing' view
___Once again, you have amazed me with your editorial "Politicians prey on people's predisposition to pray" (Oct. 29).
___For years, I've read opinions about the separation of church and state and religious liberty. I've observed the editors of the Standard opposing President Bush's faith-based initiatives, school prayer, prayer at sporting events, prayer at graduation ceremonies, and at last you're opposed to a praying governor.
___Now, I admit I'm against a student being coerced into praying, but I don't think anyone would be disciplined for refusing to bow their head or recite a prayer just because someone else decided to pray at school.
___Throughout my life, I've noticed the people that pray are people that believe that they are heard. The ones that are against prayer are usually the ones that don't believe that anyone is listening. After all, if God is as all-powerful and all-loving and all-knowing as I believe he is, I would be a fool not to ask for his wisdom and guidance.
___I would also encourage my kids to pray and ask them to encourage their friends to also. God only knows how much we all can use it.
___ Bill Shipman
___ Hamilton
In the wrong
___Congratulations on "Politicians prey ..." (Oct 29).
___However well intentioned (and I don't believe they are), candidates for the highest office in our state should be aware that they are not above the law and that when they actively espouse breaking the law, they are in the wrong.
___Playing to the audience is not new for politicians, but it doesn't make it right or ethical.
___My Baptist ancestors escaped religious intolerance in Britain over 200 years ago for religious freedom in America. It's too bad some of our current (and wanna-be) leaders weren't paying attention in civics and history classes. Perhaps they were silently praying for a passing grade.
___ Jim Dougherty
___ Austin
Credibility hurting
___You hurt your credibility when you refer to Southern Baptists as "fundamentalists" in your editorial immediately after saying the BGCT has "apparently laid down our political guns and grenades" (Nov. 5)
___"Fundamentalist" has become a political word, one which is emotionally charged. It does not accurately describe most Southern Baptists or our leadership who are committed to the goals of missions, church starting and compassionate service which your editorial commends.
___The word "fundamentalist" only creates suspicion, discord and division. Most often that is the very reason it is used. Would that your editorial had made its point, and demonstrated it, by not using the occasion to "lob a grenade" at the same time.
___ Fred Smith
___ Fort Worth
Faithful teacher
___Our hearts are saddened because of the verbal abuse being hurled at our Sunday School teacher (Nov. 5).
___For almost five years, Ken Hall has taught the Floyd's Faithful Sunday School Class of Park Cities Baptist Church. We have grown from approximately 75 members to 170 members under Ken's tutelage.
___ He has chosen to devote many hours of his time each week to preparing for our class lesson in spite of the enormous job he has as the head of Buck-ner Baptist Benevolences.
___Our beloved teacher possesses many Christian leadership qualities, such as gentleness, humility and a loving spirit. He inspires and instructs us as we study the Bible together each week.
___We are especially grieving because we see the pain he is suffering having been accused of not valuing human life. This could not be further from the truth! With his ministry through Buckner, he is helping to care for individuals from conception to death. In Texas alone, Buckner is providing a safe haven for over 80,000 abandoned and abused children and elderly people annually.
___Buckner above all is uncompromising in advocating pro-life, but to minister to those in need, one sometimes has to go beyond the doors of the church.
___ Floyd's Faithful
___ Sunday School Class
___ Park Cities Baptist Church
___ Dallas
Imminent return?
___The writer of an e-mail noted the message of Billy Graham, presented at the national memorial service a few days after Sept. 11 was carried to all nations on Earth. Could that be the fulfillment of Jesus' words: "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world. ... Then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14)? Is the coming of our Lord imminent?
___How thrilling. The gospel was broadcast to all nations. What marvelous miracles of faith may yet be verified from that proclamation of the word. And how appropriate the writer's reminder: "Watch and pray, for you know not when the Lord may come. ... In an hour when you think not, the master will come." Keep alert.
___What an exiting suggestion. Who knows, it could be accurate.
___However, it is surely true, despite the wonder of that message being heard in all nations, billions of people still did not hear. Our mission, commanded by Christ himself, is to be witnesses, Christ's irrefutable evidences, to all people. What an opportune moment to capture this extraordinary hour for the most gigantic endeavor ever undertaken for sharing the gospel with all people on Earth.
___What could be more urgent? What should more absolutely capture our attention? Our obedience to Christ?
___Will we respond, "Here am I, Lord, send me"?
___ Joseph Underwood
___ Richmond, Va.
Happy for drop
___I'm glad to know the attendance is dropping at the annual convention (Nov. 5). Maybe this will show the "leaders" of our faith that we are not cows and will not follow orders.
___It is good to come together to uplift one another, but recently our so-called Baptist leaders have flocked to this convention to tear each other down. This shows a severe lack of leadership from Charles Wade on down.
___No wonder people are no longer interested in attending! This meeting has done tremendous harm over the years and is completely unnecessary.
___ Jason Covington
___ Wickett
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