Texas Baptist Forum_53005

Posted: 5/27/05

Texas Baptist Forum

'Living' worship

“Hymns are hot, as Christian artists seek lyrical richness” (May 16) correctly asserts hymns connect us to our theological and cultural roots, and they should always have a welcome place in our worship.

But the article reinforces common misconceptions. For example, “with the worship craze hitting a saturation point and churchgoers desiring more lyrical depth … .” Or “worship trend.”

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Letters are welcomed. Send them to [email protected]; 250 words maximum.

“God did not make a robot world for the same reason that he did not make robot people to inhabit it, namely, because such a world would leave no room for choices, for growth, for the achievement of maturity. Trapped in a world of total predictability, we would be forced to bow to the inevitability of the way things always are. … There is no maturity without freedom and no freedom without risk. That is why God chose to use his power on the hardest task of all: to love us in such a way that we will freely choose to love in a mature fashion.” Bill Hull Retired provost at Samford University in "God and the Tsunami" (Christian Ethics Today) “It's time to quit taking sides. The only side that's here that's worth anything is the side of Jesus.” Jack Sammons Guest pastor at East Waynesville (N.C.) Baptist Church, speaking after the church's former pastor allegedly ousted members who did not vote for President Bush (The New York Times/RNS) “Christ is not speaking to the press … .” A.P. Pishevar Attorney whose client, born Peter Robert Phillips Jr., has had trouble getting a West Virginia driver's license with his new name, Jesus Christ (AP/RNS)

Many still refuse to recognize that changes in the worship landscape for over 20 years have not been just a “craze, trend or fad” but a legitimate chapter in Christian worship history, which is unfolding. The antiquated notions that all modern worship songs are too repetitive, too “mushy” or too lacking in spiritual depth just don't stand up to scrutiny. Likewise, the idea that all hymns are bastions of theological truth is equally unprovable.

Stop lumping every modern worship song into the category of “God is So Good” or “This is the Day.” Let's embrace our rich hymn heritage, for sure. But let's also “step into the water” of modern worship music and technology. May all of us freshly commit to make worship a “living” part of today's Christian walk, not just an endless stroll down memory lane.

Randy Day

Fort Stockton

Purpose in suffering

Much has been said about the horrendous suffering wrought by the tsunami, but I have not heard an adequate explanation of why God allowed it. God did not cause the tsunami directly, but he did cause it indirectly by creating earthquakes and tsunamis as part of the natural function of the earth.

In order to understand why God allowed it, we must understand his purpose for creating people and the earth in which they live. His purpose wasn't to create a world in which people never suffer, but to create beings with whom he could have a loving fellowship as a spiritual family.

The Apostle Paul said, “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4b-5a). This truth is supported by Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

“All things” certainly includes suffering. And the “good” that God “works for” is for people “to be conformed to the likeness of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29).

Suffering is one means of helping people become like Jesus Christ in order to provide many brothers and sisters for Jesus in the family of God.

We may never know how God will use the suffering of the tsunami, but we can be sure why he allowed it. Perhaps God will use the tsunami to bring people in that region to Christian faith.

Al Gammage

Arlington

Satan's term

In regard to “Out-of-date doctrine” by Gilbert Thornton (May 16), “separation of church and state” is used by Satan himself. It is not in the U.S. Constitution. Our constitution reads, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” In England, they had a state-established religion.

Furthermore, God established government. Man cannot separate God from what God established. Man did separate himself from God. God's desire is that we return.

Ross H. Hardwick

Devine

Historic property

The proposed sale of Southern Baptist Convention property in Nazareth by the International Mission Board should be of serious concern in the convention.

The property is near Nazareth Baptist Church and can be used by the small minority of Christians in Galilee. Nazareth Baptist and its school were founded by Southern Baptist missionaries, the great Leo Eddleman being one of them. The church is pastored by Fuad Sakninni for 45 years. He is a native of Nazareth. The church has founded all the Baptist churches in Galilee–Cana of Galilee, Jaffa (Joppa), Turin, Rama church and school, Acco (Acre), Ailaboun and two other churches in Nazareth. This congregation of 100 members also operates a school with 1,200 students in grades kindergarten through 12.

Immanuel Jesus was conceived there and spent most of his life and most of his ministry in Galilee. These struggling Christians should lack for nothing as they try to present the truth of the gospel. Christianity began in Nazareth, Bethlehem, Galilee and Jerusalem and not in Rome, Nashville, Dallas or Richmond.

A website, www.comeandsee.com, tells what the Christians there are thinking about the IMB's attitude. It is ironic that the Israeli government is offering 35 acres near Capernaum to evangelical Christians to build something on it while Southern Baptists are backing off.

Jewell Barrett

Nashville, Tenn.

Special blessing

As a Baptist minister of 30 years and a former participant in a Walk to Emmaus, I take issue with Robert Taylor's concerns (May 16) that such programs pose a threat to Baptists–or anyone!

These multidenominational retreats that our Methodist brethren originated give men and women from various backgrounds–including the unsaved –the opportunity to hear the gospel message presented in an open, understandable manner that for many is their first offer into the possibility of a deep, personal commitment to the Christ.

Many choose to commit their lives more deeply to Christ and follow that commitment up with weekly small accountability groups and practical outreach ministries through their local churches.

Rather than being “non-Baptist,” a Walk to Emmaus stresses the very doctrines of soul competency and salvation in Christ alone we as Baptists cherish.

Although a Baptist (or even a Presbyterian!) might experience one or two different terms or styles of worship outside their traditions, the retreats grant participants a glimpse of the miraculous character of our faith that knows “neither Jew nor Greek” but where “all are one in Christ.”

Instead of a tool of Satan's curse, a Walk to Emmaus can for anyone become a special blessing of God that builds better Baptists to advance the kingdom.

David Maltsberger

Boerne

Laughing & crying

I find it impossible not to respond to Robert Taylor's letter on ecumenical danger. I am astonished at the short-sighted, narrow-minded view. I laughed when I read the letter, and then found myself wanting to cry!

How would the Father view this opinion? Was Jesus a Baptist? Was Moses or Paul a Baptist? Why should we as Baptists think we “have it all together” just because we are Baptist? On the contrary, we are sinners saved by the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death on the cross.

Any “interdenominational” group that believes this teaching, practices this teaching and shares it with others is to be commended. I know personally of many lives that have been changed and drawn closer to the Lord through the Emmaus Walk. Isn't heaven going to be “interdenominational”?

Raynell Odom

Floresville

Arrogant belief

The tone of Robert Taylor's letter concerning the Walk to Emmaus ministry concerned me.

He contends Baptists must practice closed communion in order to remain true to Baptist heritage. If that's the case, it confirms what many non-Baptists fear about us–adherence to a “my way or the highway” theology.

I have serious concerns about any person who claims their belief system (political, religious or favorite movie) is the only one worth having.

In my opinion, the danger does not lie in participating in activities that don't have the “Baptist Seal of Approval.” The danger is in accepting the arrogant belief that “I'm right, so everyone else is wrong.”

How is it possible to share the love of Christ with someone if you simultaneously condemn a practice or belief of theirs? Is this what Baptists want? If so, please count me out.

Scott Presnall

Waxahachie

Tune out

Now is the time for Christians to boycott movies and discontinue watching TV trash.

My wife and I haven't been to a movie in years, and there are very few TV programs that are worth watching.

There must be someone who could take this issue to the Christian people. Until we stand up and say, “Enough is enough,” they will continue to corrupt our children and adults with garbage. It has already gone far enough that a lot of Christian adults think nothing about watching it with the attitude of “oh, well, that's just the way things are today.” That is just not good enough.

I am not saying we should tell people what to watch. It should be approached from the standpoint of Christian people and the values they should uphold.

Dick Hagelstein

Midland

Justice Sunday

Baptist participants in the Justice Sunday rally did not turn their backs on our heritage (May 16). Our heritage includes our sacred Judeo-Christian history and our revered American history.

The vast majority of the American Founding Fathers were not just “religious” men but highly devout Christian men, including several leading clergymen of that day. There are numerous references to the divine in both their private and public writings.

Thomas Jefferson, author of much of the Constitution, first used the phrase “separation of church and state” in a letter to a pastor who was concerned about state interference in church affairs. Jefferson clearly stated his intent that the government should not interfere with any church and that all Americans were free to practice their religion as they saw fit.

The Bible clearly and repeatedly condemns murder, yet some within the church support abortion. The Bible clearly and repeatedly condemns homosexuality, yet some within the church support gay rights. The Baptists, and others, who participated in the rally were merely exercising their rights under the Constitution and in obedience to the dictates of their hearts under the lordship of Christ. The rally was in support of our true Baptist heritage.

The Bible tells the story of numerous godly men, such as Moses, Samuel, David and Nehemiah, who led the people in the public arena toward more godly lives. The rally participants were asking God’s help in finding his leaders for America today.

Terry A Gillham

Taylor

Get God's attention?

I am sad that you picked up “get God’s attention” for the title of your report on the special prayer on the steps of the state Capitol. We do not glorify God when we pray with such a motive. God’s people have always thanked him for knowing their situation even before they prayed. God knew all along the plight of Israel’s long years in slavery to Egypt (Exodus 6:5).

Better would be the prayer of Charles Whitmire, who said, “We want desperately, for our state and nation and people to ‘turn their attention to you.’” And when God gets our attention, let us repent in humility and seek his face. 

Jerry Perrill

Irving

Stop bickering

Please tell me Robert Taylor was writing in jest in his letter (May 16⁾. I admit I have no personal knowledge of the Emmaus Walk program, but to claim that “Satan would like nothing better than to bring Baptists into the interdenominational movement” is way over the top.

Does not Christ pray that his followers will be one as he and the Father are one? Does not Paul chastise Christians when they decide to divide among themselves? Does not the Scripture say that we are one in Christ, all having been received in one baptism? In fact, is Christian unity not one of the prime underlying messages of the entire New Testament?

While Taylor may stick with his opinion, Scripture tells us Jesus would like nothing better than for Baptists to enter into the interdenominational movement.

Oh wait, there is one thing he should like better, stop all of our bickering, get out and spread the gospel.

Steven Rindahl

Louise

Appreciative of Walk to Emmaus

Every so many years, it will inevitably rear its ugly head. Yes, I mean that dreaded monster, the “interdenominationalism” argument. We must as Baptists be very afraid of the very idea that there are others in the Christian community who worship the same God and proclaim the same Jesus as Lord and Savior. And God forbid that we might find that we have much in common with these brothers and sisters in Christ.

Are we disciples of Smyth or Helwys or of some other Baptist icon? Or are we not disciples of Jesus Christ, as are any of the body of Christ, regardless of what man-made title we give their denomination.

I have gone on a Walk to Emmaus and quite honestly was a skeptic but came back appreciative of their mission. They seek to build stronger leaders within the Christian community, whether that would be Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian or even (gasp) “nondenominationalists”!

Let us put aside our closed-minded ways in thinking that Baptists are the only way of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and rather share the journey with those of like-minded faithfulness to the one and only Messiah Jesus Christ, regardless of what the sign says outside their church, since we who are truly his are born-again from the inside out anyway by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not by the regeneration of a certain type of baptism ritual.

Jon Thompson

Dripping Springs

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