September 10, 2001
TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Empty tub
___Your tub must be very empty. I am not an admirer of either the legacy of J. Frank Norris or of the yet-living Russell Kaemmerling. But you continue to fill your letters forum with diatribe concerning both men.
___Who among Southern Baptists follows the J. Frank Norris agenda or endorses the practices that got Kaemmerling in prison? Yes, the tub you beat must be very empty.
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
___Kaemmerling and his family have my deepest sympathy as they suffer through this ordeal.
___ Royal E. Smith
___ Southlake
'Simpsons' shame
___I am appalled by the article on "The Simpsons" (Aug. 20).
___They are disgustingly rude and crude, and I cannot believe the Standard has sunk so low they would give this so-called author front-page coverage.
___How can anyone who believes the Bible and lives a life pleasing to Christ compare themselves to the Simpsons? I don't allow my children to view the adult cartoon, and now I guess I'll have to keep the Standard from them, too.
___Shame on you!!!
___ Virginia Pearson
___ Pittsburg
Real people
___I read the letters in the Sept. 3 Standard and had to ask myself, "Are these from real people?"
___"Another issue" by Steve Fasold: I don't recall Jesus ever compromising in order to get more followers.
___"Good for Graham" by David Huebner: As much as I love and respect Billy Graham, I don't think the gospel is according to Billy Graham, and I believe he would be the first to tell you.
___"Advance Christ" by K.D. Boyd: It's so refreshing to know we have the "educated" to keep us "not as fortunate" ones on the right track and tell us what we don't understand and then explain it to us. Where would we be without them?
___"Internet Search" by A.T. Maker: I have no idea what point he is trying to make. Maybe I need Boyd to explain it.
___Finally, one that made sense and was a breath of fresh air, "Phenomenal Texans." Isn't this what it's supposed to be about?
___ F.A. Taylor
___ Kempner
Proclaim truth
___Please never "shut up and go away" (Sept. 3). The truth always needs to be proclaimed.
___ J.B. Bitner
___ Big Lake
Potential pastors
___Churches must be more considerate toward potential pastors. When resumes are received, churches must let the individual know it has arrived.
___If a church holds strongly to the position that no woman will ever be a deacon, do not hire a pastor who is "wishy-washy" about the subject or who is in favor of women deacons.
___During an interview, if there is hesitancy or uncertainty in answering questions by either applicant or church, they should part company. Someone is "fence-sitting"; this will not work.
___All denominational issues should be aired. Be willing to tell the potential pastor all information in an ethical, Christian, business-like manner.
___The committee must be approachable and "meetable." If the committee is not approachable, maybe the church needs to be left alone.
___Answering questions to the potential pastor is a must. If the church is sent a list of questions, the church must quickly and honestly answer and do not skirt the question. The same is true if the church forwards a series of questions to be answered and returned without delay.
___After the final selection is made by the church and the pastor has been installed, all persons who made application to the church should be courteously notified and thanked for their inquiry to be the pastor.
___There is no reason, if the selection committee has done its job, that the church should be long without a pastor.
___Delaying a year or two is irresponsible leadership.
___ Nick Holloway
___ Irving
Slow search
___I am appalled by the article on pastor search committees (Aug. 27).
___As a member of a church that has been going by this outline for a year, I can tell you it does not work. Attendance drops off, money drops off and spirits drop.
___When we ask for a progress report, the stack answer is, "We are praying."
___God expects us to put some feet on our prayers.
___Whatever happened to simply praying for God to show us the man he has set aside for us? He does not hide him.
___Wake up, fellow Christians, and go back to the old-fashioned religion.
___ Luella Burnett
___ Dallas
Best attire
___Leaders who encourage church members to dress down for worship should read the account of Moses getting the people ready to meet God at Sinai (Exodus 19).
___God instructed the people to be sanctified for two days and to wash their clothes.
___God wanted his people to approach him in their best attire. Why? It shows respect, reverence and awe of God.
___Today, when we dress down to go to church to meet God, it gives the message these things are no longer present. And that disturbs me.
___The Bible teaches God never changes.
___If so, then we should still wear our best when we go to church, whether that is a suit, nice dress or clean overalls.
___Many churches encourage members to dress down, be comfortable in your grubbies, then go home and mow the lawn in the same clothes.
___I do not like the message this sends to unbelievers.
___ Neal Murphy
___ San Augustine
Resources ready
___Regarding "Flower Mound Baptists and Jews share space for peace & prosperity" (Aug. 27), Texas Baptists should be aware that the interfaith evangelism team at the North American Mission Board provides printed material, audiovisual resources and other resources to prepare us for sharing the gospel with sensitivity and understanding to people of other faith communities.
___Following almost 14 years with the International Mission Board in Israel, my assignment now, as a home missionary, is to motivate and equip Baptists to share the gospel with our Jewish friends here in North America.
___ Jim Sibley
___ Dallas
Other theology
___I read with embarrassment and concern the comments of Southern Seminary professor Tom Schreiner (Aug. 20).
___He implied the sacramental activities of Catholics are meaningless, as are the worship activities of many Baptists. As a Calvinist, Schreiner believes only the elect who are predestined to go to heaven have that assurance. That is not the only theology.
___Jesus included everyone. He was more concerned about how a person lived and that life be "abundant" than he was about the assurance of eternal life.
___I assume Schreiner believes the thief on the cross was predestined to ask for mercy from Jesus. Predestination is awfully close to the smug self-assurance of the Pharisees. Jesus made it clear we should be more concerned about life here and now than life hereafter.
___The good professor would have people "work out their salvation" by threats and warnings of eternal destruction. I wonder if he would agree with this quote: "Only God, whom we do not see and our neighbor whom we do see are worthy of the wholeness of our heart's allegiance and the dedicated faithfulness of our very lives."
___Interestingly, this is a quote from a book by Francis Baur, one of those sacramental Catholics. Also of interest, at the time of Baur's death, his request was that he be buried wearing one of his prize possessions, a Baylor University hat. I wonder if Schreiner will be so inclusive when he has finished "running the race"?
___ Phil Farmer
___ Nacogdoches
No Disney
___Thanks to the Southern Baptist Convention for renewing its efforts in the Disney boycott. Disneyland and Disney World were not a consideration for us as a family trying to plan a vacation.
___However, I am disheartened as I see many Christians who know Disney's homosexual agenda and still consider a trip to Mickey's kingdom a dream vacation.
___Apathy will carry a price, and our children and grandchildren will be the ones to pay dearly.
___Christians, we have to stand firm.
___ Linda Brunton
___ Corsicana
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