June 24, 2002
ANOTHER VIEW:
Vines' statement doesn't reflect what all Baptists believe
___By Bob Campbell
___One of the best things about Baptists is that no one individual speaks for another Baptist or group of Baptists unless authorized to do so. Even as president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, I do not speak for all Texas Baptists unless they give me permission. This is so because we are governed from the bottom up--not top down.
___Consequently, when Jerry Vines spoke at the recent Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference in St. Louis, he was expressing his own beliefs and the beliefs of those who specifically said they agreed with him. Vines' said: "Islam is not as good as Christianity. Christianity was founded by the virgin-born Lord Jesus Christ. Islam was founded by Mohammed, a demon-possessed pedophile who had 12 wives--and his last was a 9-year old girl."
___Such a comment was shocking. His words have now been repeated around the globe as "what Baptists think." Not so. Baptists traditionally believe in religious freedom and religious toleration for all people. Of course, Baptists and Muslims disagree on many points. But there should be mutual respect for another person's right to believe differently. Islam and evangelical Christianity are mutually exclusive religions. Everyone knows that both claim to be the only true way to God, heaven and salvation.
___However, Jerry Vines' comment is both crude and crass. It is blatantly offensive to many Baptist Christians, including me.
___Christianity by its very nature is both missionary and evangelistic. No doubt he also stated his deep belief in the truth of Scripture during this speech. Yet there is nothing in the Bible about Jesus that calls on a Christian to belittle another person's religious beliefs or to deliberately antagonize people who believe differently. Instead, we are admonished: "Give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).
___Jerry Vines violated both the Scriptures and Baptist beliefs. It is equally sad that the new SBC president, Jack Graham, agreed with Vines' comments. Furthermore, it is disconcerting that the audience applauded.
___I cannot see how this comment would plant the seed of the gospel of Jesus Christ in a Muslim or any other non-Christian. In fact, this comment will likely make it more difficult to speak to a Muslim about the Christian faith. I also believe it harms our witness around the world and could put our Christian missionaries at risk.
___I speak only for myself when I declare categorically I do not approve of the demeaning comment made by Vines and later ratified by SBC leadership.
___The Virgin Mary was most likely a middle-teen-aged girl, and it is believed her marriage to Joseph was arranged while Mary was still a pre-teen. Furthermore, Joseph probably was a grown male--in his twenties or beyond--and was a well-established tradesman when he did marry Mary. Any non-Christian could claim this is "statutory rape." But this was the custom of their day, as was Mohammed's betrothal to a girl. I have a lady in my church whose grandmother was 13 when she married and gave birth. Time and culture often determine mores. Whereas I would not approve of such a marriage here today, it was common in the 19th century.
___True Baptist Christians believe Jesus died for all mankind--to save and not condemn the Jew, Gentile, Muslim, slaves or rich people. God shows compassion to all. We preach this gospel of Christ in a sprit of gentleness and respect--just as Jesus did. We should never use a sledgehammer to bash other religions. We should use simple words bathed in prayer and kindness, under the direction of God's Holy Spirit.
___We differ in our beliefs with Islam, but we will never win them over to Christ by acting in a crass, obtuse, insensitive or tactless manner. They will know we are Christians by our love.
___Bob Campbell is president of the Baptist General Convention of Texas and pastor of Westbury Baptist Church in Houston
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