July 29, 2002
TEXAS BAPTIST FORUM:
Dismayed by CBF coverage
___Since the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship only claims that they receive contributions from about 400 Texas churches (including in that number churches which have individuals within the church who designated a contribution to the CBF), why did you devote so much space to their recent annual meeting (July 15)? You gave what you called "complete coverage," when a passing mention would have been more than enough.
___Since many, if not most, of your subscribers are Baptist General Convention of Texas Baptists and also Southern Baptist Convention Baptists, I am dismayed that you would make such a mistake.
E-mail the editor at marvknox@baptiststandard.com
___I do commend you for reporting the truth about the plagiarized sermon. By the way, where do you stand on the CBF's willingness to consider "open theism"? Why not report on that so Texas Baptists can make informed decisions about which group they want to support?
___And one more thing. Unlike Daniel Vestal, I have not changed my mind on the biblical exclusion of women from serving in the role of pastor. (Now, I don't know where I would get such an idea, oh, I don't know, maybe the Bible!!!) I perceived the front page photo of a female pastor preaching at the CBF meeting as an "in your face" insult to me and the vast majority of my fellow Texas Baptists.
___Please, stop it!
___ Lee Welch
___ Rusk
___Editor's Note: The Standard committed almost 600 column inches to SBC coverage and slightly less than 300 inches to CBF coverage.
Help for Casa
___Thank you for the fine article (June 24) on the Baptist Spanish Publishing House--the Casa--which illustrates the International Mission Board's current policy of dismantling the institutions (seminaries, hospitals, etc.) it spent a century building, by defunding their operating funds to zero.
___The subsidy that the IMB previously furnished the Casa enabled it to sell Bibles, tracts, hymnals, choir music, study course books, Sunday School quarterlies and seminary textbooks at prices churches in Central and South America could afford.
___To replace some of the operating funds the IMB has cut off, and with IMB approval, the Casa has formed the Baptist Spanish Publishing House Foundation, P.O. Box 4255, El Paso 79914.
___ Burton Patterson
___ Southlake
God makes square circles
___Free choice vs. predestination? There are sound Scriptures that support both sides of this debate. Why cannot we accept the obvious that both positions are correct? It is God's word, is it not? Just because, to our little minds, this seems contradictory does not mean it is so.
___For example, a square figure is not a circle, and a circle cannot be a square. The definition of each excludes it from being the other.
___Now, can God create a square circle? Most surely. Remember your geometric forms? A cylindrical object, when viewed from above is seen as a circle and when observed from the side can be seen as a square shape. What is seen depends on your visual perspective!
___The Bible when describing the same truth from differing perspectives can seem to be contradictory when in fact it is not. It is up to us to trust the Author, whose vision is always true. I'm sure he will predestinate many to so believe!
___ Kerry J. Hodgkinson
___ Orange
Power at the poles
___An unfortunate consequence of the Baptist wars has been a polarization of our denomination into "right" and "left."
___What is unfortunate about polarization is that the extremes gain power at the expense of the middle. From the perspective of an outsider, even these poles are not nearly as disparate as the "moderate" and "conservative" firebrands keep telling us. Has the Baptist middle lost its voice?
___Texas Baptists have told our leaders we don't want to be divided. This is one reason for the relatively slow growth of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. But time is running out. The Baptist General Convention of Texas, rather than being an advocate for the moderate cause, must soon return to being the representative of all Texas Baptists and a focal point for denominational discussion and consensus development.
___To be sure, the Baptist wars will not cease until there is a new consensus on divisive issues. This needs to be addressed systematically.
___The Baptist Standard is best positioned to accomplish this. The Standard should enlist the best from a more varied editorial perspective. Also, a new Internet forum devoted exclusively to denominational issues and monitored by an editor of recognized middle-of-the-road credentials and stature would give a chance for all Baptists to create such a new consensus.
___ Richard Grannemann
___ Benbrook
Soap opera plot
___Nearly every time I read the Baptist Standard, I make a promise to myself that I am going to quit. It is like reading a soap opera plot. It seems that the goal of the publication is to give just enough information about the Southern Baptist Convention to discredit its leaders.
___I believe this is the case with (Baptist General Convention of Texas President) Bob Campbell's article (June 24).
___His comments about Jerry Vines' statement about Muslims (June 17) are an attempt to discredit Vines more than to dispute his comments.
___Also, I would like to comment on Campbell's attempt to compare our Lord's mother Mary's early betrothal to Joseph to the marriage of Mohammed to a 6-year-old child. Both are very young, but there is quite a difference between a young lady in her teens and a child, no matter what century one lives in.
___It was an angel of the Lord who told Joseph to go ahead and marry Mary, even though she was pregnant with child. Did God make a mistake? I think not!
___Campbell and I certainly do not share the same opinions on this matter. Thanks to Vines for his boldness and truthfulness!
___ James L. Sellers
___ San Juan
Harsh but true
___Recent letters have criticized Jerry Vines for his statement calling Mohammed a "demon-possessed pedophile." I agree this statement was unduly harsh, but it also was true.
___Several letters implied that Jesus was loving and never harsh to anyone. This is true basically. It also is misleading. He called the Pharisees a "generation of vipers" (Matthew 3:12). He compared them to "whited sepulchers, beautiful outward, but within full of uncleanness" (Matthew 23:27). He loved sinners, but he hated their sins.
___The Islamic religion is anti-Christ. It dishonors Christ. Therefore, it dishonors God the Father (John 5:23).
___I led a Muslim to Christ recently. As a minister, I shall continue to love them and try to win them. But I also will warn them of their false religion.
___ Ewell J. Humphreys
___ Fort Worth
Gift of preaching
___As an ordained minister who is just appalled by the incident of plagiarism at the Baptist Women in Ministry meeting (July 15), I must point out one critical fact: Reba Cobb is not an ordained preacher.
___Preaching is a gift, and she obviously relied heavily upon the words of one who has been gifted to preach. Perhaps people will be a little more appreciative of those who are Spirit-inspired preachers. Not just anyone can do it.
___ Joy Heaton
___ Enfield, N.C.
___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.
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