Letters: Better in Texas and Trump’s faith supporters

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RE: Editorial: Not everything is better in Texas

I read your editorial in today’s Baptist Standard about the developments being “pushed” by young ministers, including their idea for a residency program. It is a shame the Baptist General Convention of Texas severed its relationship with Wilshire Baptist Church, since for many years it has had the leading residency program for young men and women seminary graduates called to be senior pastors, including successfully placing qualified persons as senior pastors all across the country.

It was sad, however, when I searched the website for the BGCT and found no place where women serving as senior pastors or pastors was directly mentioned anywhere. When Phil Strickland and Suzii Paynter March headed the BGCT’s Christian Life Commission, that was not the case. They fought for women in ministry and for them to be called as pastors. The current BGCT leadership seems to have forgotten God’s call to ministry as pastors is open to all women and men.

Bob Coleman
Dallas, Texas

 

RE: Former faith supporters tepid toward candidate Trump

Newsweek reports Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, said he would “happily” support Trump if he wins the Republican nomination for president of the United States. I find this shocking, to say the least. This is not a matter of politics, but character.

Billy Graham said he had one political regret—publicly supporting Richard Nixon, who later covered up the Watergate burglary and lied about it. Afterward, Dr. Graham refused to align with any candidate publicly.

I have read reports of evangelical leaders backing away from Trump. Even some of his close family are backing away from his political aspirations and candidacy. I hope someone who has his ear will take Jeffress aside privately and ask him to reconsider “happily” supporting any candidate.

Trump made those eager leaders look foolish when he rallied the insurrectionists on January 6, and failed to intervene to stop the assault on the Capitol. He has disqualified himself as being a man seeking power, not the truth, for he perpetuates “the big lie” about the 2020 election being stolen. How can any pastor worth his salt “happily” support such a person for any office?

To such a person I would say, “Pastor, please consider how your testimony, your credibility as a witness to him who is the Truth, might be compromised by your ‘happy’ support of such a questionable character and public record.”


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A pastor should preach biblical principles from Scripture and expository sermons pertaining to godliness that will inform and guide Spirit-led Christians in their political choices.

Let us hope the presidential campaign produces trustworthy candidates—men or women—who will seek truth and put principle above privilege, personal power and profit.

Maurice Harding
Mineola, Texas


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