Rex said…Ahhhhh! It happened! Now I’ll have to post ‘OFF TOPIC’ the following comment:

See, Ameritianity, this way, people know who’s talking to who when they first see the ONLY comment that’s new on Marv’s blog. (We’ve been friends many years.)

My grip is as soon as a comment is made on another subject, with my knowledge; I’ll never see or be able to add to the 22 comments made on this post that’s ‘faded’ into ‘thin air’.

I’m glad you explained who Faye was.

To the rest of your comment I’ll say; you’re talking to the choir. Remind me never get in a ‘battle of the wits’ with you when I’m only half prepared.

Another reason for not using their own name would be our missionaries in fear of their ‘bosses’. That’s a sad state of affairs when dissent is handled like an IMB Gestapo.

Now I see where to post this off-topic comment – on Morris Chapman’s announced retirement.

In a letter to me August 8, 2002, Jerry Rankin wrote in part: “To dispel growing suspicions and mistrust which were threatening to undercut the credibility and support of the IMB, I did personally ask our missionaries collectively to affirm once again to Southern Baptist that they would work in accord with the BF&M and not contrary to it. Where did anyone get the idea that our missionaries are being ‘forced’ to sign something that they may not agree with, or that anyone would be terminated if they did not respond to my request? Neither of those positions has been advocated or communicated by the IMB. I am disappointed that you would presume to attribute motives of ‘enlarged egos’ to those conscientious denominational leaders who are seeking to keep the Southern Baptist Convention anchored to the inerrant word of God. Where does scripture justify such judgmentalism?”


Marv Knox, who do you think was threatening to “undercut the credibility and support of the IMB” that Rankin feared?

The story goes like this: Scott McIntosh, IMB missionary, sent an email requesting to stop sending the Baptist Press as it only criticized ‘one side’ etc. The email ended up on Morris Chapman’s desk Chapman called Rankin and told him he better get his missionaries under control.

This story is partly confirmed in the same letter Rankin wrote me:

“Morris Chapman did not ask me to call Scot McIntosh, as reported: I did so because of my personally concern for one of our effective missionaries I respected who was obviously having a problem due to some unfortunate perceptions.”

Notice Rankin did not deny Chapman calling him and for him to get his missionaries under control, but only about not calling McIntosh.

The bottom line is - who is calling the shots of the SBC? I believe it’s the same person (Chapman) that told the IMB to stop ‘bothering’ Wade Burleson as he could sue them; and the IMB took his advice or should I say ‘order’?

It would be interesting (and sad) if all Baptists could know how many missionaries, pastors and other Christian leaders have been forced to leave because of the takeover of the SBC 30 years ago.

Rex said…Clhess, whose influence besides the devil’s have drown witches, burned Christians, fired missionaries, and all in the name of God?

The “takeover” has the brazen authority to say, “The 2000 statement of BFM 2000 is our doctrinal guideline” instead of the Bible.

Besides being forced to leave, how many people signed the BFM with a ‘hurt’ conscious because it violated the Baptist tradition of NO CREED but the Bible?

A ‘hurt’ conscious caused a remorseful bishop Thomas Cranmer, to hold his signature hand closer to the fire so it burned first for signing new doctrine like leaders today…nitpicking over controversial doctrinal issues.

No wonder Jesus said, “…beware of teachers of religion.” (Mark 12:38)