May 20, 2002
TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Revival starts
___The article on Nocona and God's sovereign move (April 29) was the most inspirational reading I've read in the Standard.
___ Finally, Christians not arguing over money. Christians not arguing over the interpretations of words. Christians not bad-mouthing each other. Christians not lamenting over the way it used to be. Christians not defending perceived denominational purity.
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
___Revival is not a planned, organized, manufactured occurrence. Revival starts when an individual with a broken and contrite heart purposes in his or her heart to be more like Jesus and to live a life that elevates and demonstrates the love of our Lord and Savoir.
___Let all who raise the blood-stained banner of our Lord desire a sovereign move of God's Holy Spirt--to revive us and spread the news of his saving grace, love and mercy.
___ Stan Lewis
___ Uvalde
Grateful Germans
___As German Baptists, we are delighted with the very good evangelistic trips of our American friends in Germany. Many people have been encouraged in their discipleship. We are also very happy about the many decisions--rededications, conversions and baptisms.
___The political events in the past months have slowed down the eagerness to go abroad. Some are afraid to fly over the Atlantic and to support us in our mission work in Germany. We understand the fear and realize that some trips have been postponed.
___But we still want to suggest that as Christians we are not to be guided by fear but by Jesus Christ's commandment: Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.
___During the whole period of church history, there have been situations full of tension and danger. Especially during these insecure times, people need the gospel.
___So, we continue to send to you our earnest plea: Please do not be guided by fear but examine whether you cannot help us with the harvest.
___Again, we thank you for all support in prayer, and we are grateful to each and everyone who has come all the way to Germany!
___ Heinrich Christian Rust
___ German Baptist Union
___ Bad Homburg, Germany
SBTC funding
___Your April 29 issue included a chart comparing the various causes supported by the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.
___Unfortunately, the chart contained a factual error by indicating the SBTC does not allow churches to contribute to Texas Baptist universities and institutions through our office. We do.
___This year, eight institutions that many SBTC churches helped build have received thousands of dollars through our convention.
___While our convention, without apology, emphasizes evangelism and church starting as our major priorities, it is not accurate to say our churches do not support institutional ministries in Texas.
___ Gerald Smith, Chairman
___ SBTC Executive Board
___ Irving
___Editor's note: The SBTC confirmed its policy did call for discontinuing pass-through funding for agencies that had not agreed to partner with the new convention by Dec. 31, 2001. However, the SBTC Executive Board changed that policy last July and will review the policy annually. The Standard was correct in reporting the SBTC's Cooperative Program provides no funding for BGCT universities and other institutions.
Time arrived
___The time has come for Texas Baptists to acknowledge the obvious: There is going to be no winner or reconciliation. The time has come for the BGCT to set a date for withdrawal from the Southern Baptist Convention.
___Setting a date to cease support of the SBC is both prudent and necessary.
___As it is now, we continue to snipe at each other, yearly send out "new" giving forms and generally discredit ourselves in the eye of the public.
___Given a reasonable amount of time to prepare, the SBC will be able to adjust its budget and move on.
___As a pastor of my third uniquely-aligned BGCT church and holder of two degrees from Liberty University, it pains me to see our leadership--state and national--keep playing these silly games.
___Set the date.
___ David W. Hartwig
___ Chillicothe
TBM lives
___Where did the men's organization disappear? People with whom I meet seem to think it died. Many do not realize numerous opportunities are available in and through Texas Baptist Men, who have replaced the old Baptist Brotherhood.
___The article about the retirement of TBM Executive Director Jim Furgerson (May 13) reminds us that men in our local churches can help during disasters like New York City, floods in Houston, building churches and feeding thousands. All that is needed is to volunteer, usually with the local Baptist association.
___ Gil Thornton
___ Longview
Hughes' sacrifice
___ Thank you for your editorial on Karen Hughes (May 6)--so appropriate for Mother's Day. A conservative editorial writer for the Dallas Morning News wrote an article about her the day after Hughes' departure was announced.
___There have been some criticisms as usual, especially since her son is 15 (and hardly a child, so they say). But I commend her even more. What 15-year-old doesn't need a mother more than any other time in his life?
___Politics has become such a dirty word, and I appreciate your attention to what I consider a sacrifice of sorts for Hughes and her statement for family values.
___ Betty Westbrook
___ Plano
Spiritual theology
___I join Ben Leslie's critique of spirituality (April 29) in warning against the dangers of dualism. However, his essay reflects a shallow knowledge of the field of study and practice he seeks to criticize. I feel compelled to respond, lest many assume Leslie's caricature accurately depicts the state of spiritual theology.
___The dualistic view of spirituality is not only "strikingly absent from Scripture," it is scarce in Christian spirituality. The bulk of contemporary and historical writers in the field of spiritual formation have stressed the importance of contemplation and action. Contrary to dualistic thought, they also affirm the goodness of matter as God's creation.
___Richard Foster articulates a balanced vision for discipleship comprised of six streams (see "Streams of Living Water"). Two of those streams specifically contradict the "compelling dangers" Leslie warns of. The social justice stream recalls the powerful example Jesus left for us to follow of defending the weak and caring for the poor. The incarnational stream calls us to experience God's power and presence in the mundane activities of our daily lives.
___Christian spirituality is characterized by neither escape nor dualism.
___Its aim is to help men and women live peacefully, compassionately and prophetically in a world enamored with itself rather than its Creator.
___The compelling danger in North America today is not an over-emphasis on the inner life, but that our lives are defined more by the materialistic excess of our culture than by the work of God in our hearts.
___ Brent Peery
___ Huntsville
Israel & churches
___A comparison of churches today with Israel is valid: Why did Israel get the way it was so that God rejected it? Why did God bring judgment on Israel, his chosen people? Why do churches get the way they are today? Why do many churches have no spiritual power and vitality?
___When Israel began to think like the world--like the nations around them--they forsook God and began to act like the world. So it is with churches.
___When Israel began to think and act like the world--like the nations--then God allowed them to have prophets, spokesmen, preachers who thought and acted like the world. The same is true with churches.
___When Israel began to think and act like the nations around them and had spokesmen, preachers, prophets who thought and acted like the world, then God brought the same judgment on Israel that he did on the nations. The same is true with churches.
___"Do not love the world or the things in the world ... the world is passing away, and the desire of it, but the one doing the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17).
___ Ernest V. May Jr.
___ Livingston
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