Chapman speaks on Boykin, Episcopalians_110303

Posted: 10/31/03

Chapman speaks on Boykin, Episcopalians

By Terri Jo Ryan

Special to the Standard

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–Episcopalians fleeing “trendy theology” with the ordination of the denomination's first openly gay bishop would be welcomed into the Southern Baptist fold, said Morris Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.

Speaking in a telephone interview from his Nashville office, Chapman predicted another division of the Episcopal Church USA over the issue of the bishop-elect of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson.

Because of the Southern Baptist tradition of “preaching the strong convictions we have, especially on God's word,” Chapman said, he expects conservative denominations could pick up more followers from people dismayed at their own church's “liberal bent.”

“It's politically incorrect to say the Bible teaches against homosexuality,” he said. “It's not just a matter of lifestyle anymore, but a highly charged political issue. There are major political forces within the homosexual community.”

Chapman visited Waco Oct. 25-26 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of First Baptist Church of Woodway, where he served as pastor from 1969 to 1974. His sermon drew from 2 Timothy 4:1-8, which instructs the early church on the rewards of “fighting the good fight” and “keeping the faith.”

The emphasis of the passage was not as much on the good fight as it was the good life–Paul recognizing how God has blessed him during his life, even as he is greatly persecuted for his faith in God, Chapman said.

“The Bible tells us to contend with the world. While I see flashes of hope, I also see a growing disregard for the word of God.”

President George W. Bush, he said, “has openly testified to his faith in Christ.” But no one president, one congressman, one senator or one preacher alone can bring about a change in the way Christians are being “persecuted in this country,” he said.

Among those being persecuted today, Chapman said, is Gen. William “Jerry” Boykin, deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence. Boykin has testified in uniform in church venues that Islamic fanatics hate the United States “because we're a Christian nation, because our foundation and our roots are Judeo-Christian.”

Just as the Apostle Paul suffered for his public proclamation of the lordship of Jesus Christ, “Gen. Boykin is under assault for being open in his witness for Christ,” Chapman said. Criticism of the general, he added, seems to be “part of a concerted effort to demean Christianity.”

Chapman acknowledged it might have been “unfortunate” that Boykin mentioned Islam, “but his intent was to give the glory to God.”

Christians can rest assured that “we know who will win the battle between good and evil,” Chapman said. “We have seen a lot of young adults who are presenting themselves for missions, saying: 'Send us to the hardest places in the world. We want to go where the gospel is desperately needed. As long as we have breath, we want to proclaim his word.'”

Chapman said he would like to ask every Southern Baptist “to get before the Lord and humble themselves, so we could become the mightiest righteous force for the Lord God in any generation.”

If everyone who calls himself or herself a Baptist truly accepted the “rule and reign of God” in their hearts, “we could see the kind of revival we haven't seen in years sweep the country like a prairie fire,” he said. “It can't be manufactured. We must repent, pray and be ready for the coming of the Lord.”