December 9, 2002
TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Technology makes sense
___I agree with Tracy Watson's suggestion of utilizing technology to encourage greater participation in the state convention (Nov. 11).
___As I looked over the Baptist General Convention of Texas website listing of Baptist colleges and universities, I thought of what a no-brainer it would be to locate regional convention gatherings at Baylor, Dallas Baptist, East Texas Baptist, Hardin-Simmons, Houston Baptist, Howard Payne, Mary Hardin-Baylor and Wayland Baptist universities, as well as Hispanic Baptist Theological School. I'm sure facilities in far West Texas would be available as well.
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
___Most Texas Baptists would be only a short drive from one of these sites, saving airfare, hotel and other expenses. I would imagine that most of these universities have great Internet bandwidth that is already in place, meaning there would not be additional cost incurred to set up the connections. And since Texas Baptists are already helping support the facilities, I would think there would not be a charge for the meeting facilities!
___Texas could be the leader in a new level of involvement by local churches. Perhaps the Southern Baptist Convention could even follow by doing the same thing at their seminaries, ensuring better representation on a national level as well.
___ Gary Ford
___ Hamlin
Narrative exonorates IMB
___Thank for your narrative concerning the International Mission Board and Chris Harbin (Dec. 2).
___I am sure your purpose was to create support for Harbin and to show how "bad" the IMB is. However, the result was just the opposite. It revealed the IMB is a good steward of our offerings by not supporting missionaries that are outside the mainstream beliefs that are prevalent in SBC churches.
___I have studied the issues you presented, and I disagree with Harbin. Therefore, I do not desire to financially support him. There must be some standards that draw us together when Cooperative Program money is being spent. If not, why not hire professors who are Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic? The facts are, we have certain beliefs in common and have come together as cooperative churches.
___If Harbin desires to preach this in his church or at a seminary that supports his views, that is fine, because I am not financially supporting him.
___If anything, your paper has demonstrated the difference between the BGCT leadership and the SBC.
___ Stephen Joiner
___ Abilene
History highlights irony
___It is disappointing that First Baptist Church of Dallas, the church of George W. Truett, would leave the BGCT and that Pastor Mac Brunson would state the primary reason is the BGCT is moving away from the SBC.
___The difference in the BGCT and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, to which Brunson has guided his church, is that a church affiliated with the BGCT has the traditional Baptist right of deciding whom it will support--whether it be the SBC, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship or whatever.
___The BGCT is a Baptist convention. It is not moving toward becoming a "denomination," as Brunson states. It won't be another "denomination," even if it becomes a missionary-sending organization.
___True Baptists recognize the priesthood of the believer, soul competency, religious liberty and the separation of church and state, all now apparently abandoned by the SBC. They defy anyone to impose a creed on them, such as has been done by the SBC with the 2000 Baptist Faith & Message.
___The SBC at one time was a Baptist body. I doubt Truett, whose fame put First Baptist Church of Dallas on the map, would recognize it today. Truett was hounded by Fundamentalists through much of his ministry at the church. It is ironic that the church and national convention he worked so hard to build are now controlled by the same kind of thinking he fought so rigorously.
___ Toby Druin
___ Duncanville
Rhetoric hides truth
___Well, once again, the liberals love the rhetoric but fail to present the truth. The front-page headline says, "Falwell's theology shaped by politics, BGCT leaders say," but the closing remarks indicate that Jerry Falwell's theology must be shaped by interpretation of Scripture instead of politics (Oct. 14).
___Why else would Bob Campbell conclude, "There has got to be a political decision that can please both sides"?
___The attacks against preachers that will take a stand on biblical interpretation opposed to a "political decision" is the kind of preachers we need.
___ Jim Newton
___ Riverside
___What do you think? Submit letters for Texas Baptist Forum via e-mail to marvknox@baptiststandard.com or regular mail at Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267. Letters must be no longer than 250 words. They may be edited to accommodate space.
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