Regarding “Good Thursday?” (Aug. 18), kudos to Dan Keeney for reading his Bible from a literal standpoint. His closing sentence is 100 percent correct: “… it is important to know that Jesus’ prophecy of his time in the grave was precisely what he said it to be.” Having stated that, it can be scripturally demonstrated Jesus was crucified on Friday.

Thus, if Christ was crucified on Friday, how does one reconcile Jesus’ prophecy that he would be in the grave for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:38-40)? The answer is found when this prophecy is read in its historical context.

In approximately A.D. 100, Rabbi Eleazr Ben Azariah wrote: “A day and a night are an Onah (period of time) and the portion of an Onah is as the whole of it.” Thus, according to Jewish thought from the time of Christ, any part of a day constituted a whole day.

Jesus did not have to be in the grave for three days and three nights, but for any part of three complete days. Jesus’ prophecy concerning the number of days that he would be in the tomb is as he said.

Keeney is right: “… it is important to know that Jesus’ prophecy of his time in the grave was precisely what he said it to be.”

Stephen Mathieson

Bardwell

Joyless singing

Two things contribute to the loss of joyful singing in churches.

• The high volume of the song leader overwhelms any singing of the congregation. Instead of a song leader, the person becomes a solo performer. If sound is a vibration touching the ear, then lip reading is the only way to hear the congregation sing. The shared experience of singing and worship are lost.

• Repetition empties the mind. Reminds me of “Rabbit Ain’t Got no Tail at All” for endless verses saying the same thing. “Tell me the story of Jesus” and “He bled and died for me” will touch and stay in hearts long after repetitive new songs are forgotten. 

I agree with Hulitt Gloer: Music is the main way the gospel gets into people’s hearts. Hymns not only teach theology, but also develop character. “Jesus loves the little children, all the children in the world; red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight” shaped my views on race relations at an early age. Congregational singing penetrates the hearts of worshippers in ways sermons cannot.

In missing the old songs, I feel like the captured Jews being told to sing, but they could not. How sweet it is if the song leader steps back and there are voices. The Jews are no longer captives; they’re singing.

Why have we settled for second best?

Rex Ray

Bonham

What do you think? Write to Marv Knox, Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or [email protected]. Length limit is 250 words.

God & politics

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation for the example Rick Warren (Sept. 1) has set during these pre-election campaigns.

E-mails now are being used like the swift boat ads of the past. Do you really believe this pleases God? Most of these are nothing but gossip and half-truths, and many are written by people who have given their lives to Jesus Christ.

I believe all should look at what each candidate brings to the table, bathed with prayer, and vote.

Any other way causes anger and separation from the very ones we are trying to witness to.

James Poage

Grand Prairie

I found the article about Christine Wicker (July 7) and progressives interesting. She is obviously campaigning for the candidate of color and trying to disguise her preference as the right way and the opposite view as racism. When half the population of the United States supports the candidate of color, there is no racial issue going on.

What is going on is the other half of the voters do not agree with his political views. They don’t want the most liberal senator in the Congress as their leader.

This is not racism.  Skin color is not the issue. Policy ideas are the issue.

This is the land of liberty and freedom, or did that change and no one told me?

Jean Whitmore

Okinawa, Japan

Women in leadership

Now that the fight is over in the Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the moderates have won, it will be business as usual. No women deacons and “senior pastors.”

We have a long way to go before we lose the “fundamentalist” label. At some point, the individual churches must stop acting like fundamentalists. If we drop the ball and do not allow women to become deacons and ministers, then the Southern Baptist Convention will have won.

Shirley Taylor

Willis

More Baylor

Well, it looks like the power of the pen—or editorial—worked (Aug. 25), and apparently from your editorial regarding the selection of David Garland as Baylor University’s interim president (Sept. 1), you are happy with the choice.

I think it quite ironic that the same accolades in your editorial about Garland were used for another Truett Seminary dean when chosen to lead Baylor University.

You see, the real problem is not the president but the people who select the president. The problem originates from the 1990 takeover of Baylor by an elitist group. As long as this elitist group controls Baylor, it can never reach its full potential.

Mac Galloway

Houston

Organ donations

The generosity of live organ donors like Hal Rowe (Aug. 18) is wonderful. It’s a shame we need so many live organ donors. Americans bury or cremate 20,000 transplantable organs every year.

There is another good way to put a big dent in the organ shortage: If you don’t agree to donate your organs when you die, you go to the back of the waiting list if you ever need an organ to live.

A policy of giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It also will make the organ allocation system fairer. About 50 percent of U.S. organ transplants go to people who haven’t agreed to donate their own organs when they die.

Anyone who wants to donate organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers. It is a nonprofit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Visit www.lifesharers.com or call (888) ORGAN88.

There is no age limit. Parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. Life-Sharers has 11,621 members, including 905 members in Texas.

David Undis, executive director

LifeSharers

Nashville, Tenn.

Church & state

I am a big believer in the separation of church and state. Jesus once said: “Render unto Caesar (the government) what is Caesar’s (the government’s). Render unto God what is God’s.”   
                                                                                                                
I was bothered by the recent presidential forum with Barack Obama, John McCain and Rick Warren at the Saddleback Church. Two of these millionaires are running for president. By the way, there are other people—Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Bob Barr, etc.—running for president.

Why weren’t they invited? Are they not “Christian enough”? Are they not rich enough?   
                     
Churches shouldn’t be used for campaign stops, political fundraisers or propaganda events. Didn’t somebody in the Bible warn about a “den of thieves”?       
                    
Chuck Mann

Greensboro, N.C.

Religion is the warp and woof of America and has been from its beginning, regardless of efforts to discredit this truth. It is impossible to separate a people from what they are.

No effort was made by Rick Warren to make a law to be superimposed upon our nation. Separation of church and state was honored. It is impossible to separate church from state.

Ernest V. May Jr.

Livingston

What do you think? Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: [email protected]. Maximum length is 250 words; only one letter per writer per quarter.

Now Baylor University’s regents have wounded a second president (Aug. 4 )!

The editorial, “Baylor future rests in regents’ hands,” covers so well what has been hurting inside this Baylor grad for several years. It is “must reading” for regents, faculty and alums.

Regents: The buck not only stops with you, but positive leadership begins with you. Get with it!

Faculty: Some dissidents in your ranks need to concentrate on teaching and research and do something to update those yellowed teaching notes. Be another A.J. Armstrong!

Alumni leadership: Quit worrying about transparency for the administration! Support our students with your kind words, openness, cooperation and prayers.

Students: As soon as all the prima donnas have their egos assuaged, Baylor will continue with its growth as an outstanding major Christian research university. Just hang in there!

Joe Novak

Rynell S. Novak

Denton

Good Thursday?

In a recent Bible study, I read a prophecy Jesus made to Pharisees who asked for a sign of his deity. Jesus replied, “No sign will be given but the sign of ‘Jonah the Prophet.’  For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:38-40).

We know Jesus was resurrected on a Sunday morning after spending three nights in the tomb; that was his prophecy. Those nights had to be Saturday, Friday and Thursday nights. Thus, Jesus could not have been crucified and buried on a Friday, because he was already in the tomb on a Thursday night.

I am not proposing we change our Good Friday services to Thursday. However, it is important to know that Jesus’ prophecy of his time in the grave was precisely what he said it to be.

Dan Keeney

San Angelo

What do you think? Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: [email protected].

I do not know where the letter regarding “Proper loyalty” is coming from (July 21). Our country church regards their patriotism as a blessing under Almighty God—and still follows the age-old tradition of respect for our flag when it passes by.

We also cite the Pledge of Allegiance with patriotic fervency.

And I don’t believe voting was the agenda when Jesus walked on this earth.

We need to be careful not to cross the line of denigrating patriotism such as novelist Barbara Kingsolver was quoted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Patriotism threatens free speech with death. It despises people of foreign birth … . The American flag stands for intimidation, censorship, violence, bigotry, sexism, homophobia and shoving the Constitution through a paper shredder. Whom are we calling terrorists?”

One does not have to be a Republican to be a true American—or even a Christian. But to be a patriotic American might put the brand upon one as a terrorist.

Sue Murray

Bowie

Baylor advice

Well, guess we all knew John Lilley’s tenure as president was coming to an end at Baylor University.

Interim president? How about Brian Harbour, class of ’66 and now retired pastor of First Baptist Church in Richardson—and a former regent himself.

Just a suggestion from a freshman who appreciated the friendship of a senior.

Bob Gillchrest

San Diego

Heal the hurting

The most recent edition of the Baptist Standard (July 21) covers the sadness and disappointment of “wounded ministers” who find themselves in real dilemmas with their congregations, and I’m sure, with themselves.

I suggest the Baptist General Convention of Texas purchase all the unsold copies of Edward B. Bratcher’s book, The Walk-on-Water Syndrome, and make a gift of the book to any hurting pastor in the state who requests a copy.

Bratcher’s book has written across the top of the dust cover, “Dealing with Professional Hazards in the Ministry.” 

Bill Simpson

San Antonio

Agreeability

The editorial, “Can we disagree and be nice?” (July 21) should be pasted in our homes and churches. 

Two friends and I were speaking on this very subject. We feel as though we would lose Christian friends if they knew how we plan to vote in the fall election.

You list the tragedy of resorting to anger when we disagree: “People who disagree with us aren’t necessarily totally wrong, and their disagreement doesn’t make them totally bad.”

All married couples need to carry your quote around with them: “100% agreement not mandatory.”

Jane Crawford

Seabrook

Proper Loyalty

The church has developed an angry, in-your-face style of patriotism since 9-11. We must stand at attention when the flag goes by. We must say the words “under God” loudly and belligerently when reciting the pledge of allegiance. We must vote Republican!

We need to be careful not to cross the line into worship of Old Glory and America.

The last time I checked, Jesus didn’t vote, never claimed he couldn’t go about his Father’s work because the wrong people headed the courts and the government, and got his tax payment from a fish. He is not a Republican, nor is he an American.

We need to question whether we are Americans who happen to be Christians. Or are we Christians—who just happen to be blessed by God also to be Americans?

Carolyn B. Edwards

Bandera

Church & state

Obviously, the First Amendment meant the U.S. Congress wasn’t making any law establishing a national religion. That didn’t say the church was not recognized.

Our Founding Fathers had gone through the required allegiance of a national religion in England and had fought to be able to worship as they pleased in a brand-new country.

Since Thomas Jefferson’s time, we have had a great deal of controversy about separation of church and state. Yet we are known as a Judeo/Christian nation. Can we really kick the church out of state? We honor God who ordains nations of the world. God established the church through his Son, Jesus Christ; so who can kick Jesus out of state?

I’ve often wondered how many laughs God has had with this statement—separation of church and state. Evidently, God laughs at the world rulers a great deal. It even says so in Psalm 2:2-4: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together. Against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, ‘Let us break the bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from me.’ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.”

Me? I have more of a tendency to look to God’s word and laugh with him when a citizen, government official, or, yes, our Supreme Court, believes God can be controlled.

Joyce Brumley

Grand Prairie

‘Less’ than men

The Southern Baptist Convention can disallow affiliation with churches that hire women as pastors. But we cannot disallow affiliation with churches that hire or protect or pass on a minister who has been sexually abusive (June 23).  We can’t even keep a list of names. 

Does this make any sense?

And then Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Bruce Ware stands in a Denton pulpit and tells people the two responses men can have to women who usurp their proper authority are abuse or acquiescence. 

Psychological studies prove one of the things that makes abusive situations possible is the idea that women are “less” than men and should be relegated to the home. 

And we wonder why our numbers are down.

Renae Cobb

Allen

Lying e-mails

I identify all too well with Bob Schmeltekopf’s letter regarding bogus e-mails (July 7).  I was one of those who believed because the e-mail I received came from a Christian I respected, it must be true. 

Thankfully, I chose to forward it to my son. He immediately notified me most of the e-mail was lies and provided me with websites to check future e-mails.  

In almost two years we have been in a presidential campaign, I have received dozens and dozens of political e-mails. So far, only one of those e-mails proved to be true.

It is sobering to me that Christians are being targeted and used in an attempt to influence the votes of our friends with misinformation and outright lies about the candidates.

Nancy Reynolds

Comanche

New VBS

I too remember the “old days” when Vacation Bible School was crafts, refreshments and Bible (July 7). I still have a couple of craft projects I did in VBS. Back then, our stimulation at home was limited to books, games and radio between chores. Today’s children have much more to stimulate their minds at home and church.

Crafts, refreshments and Bible stories will not hold today’s children’s attention. VBS has to be more of a production with scenery, videos and T-shirts to go with the Bible stories.

I started volunteering in VBS again five years ago after dropping out when my children got older. This year, we had workers from teenagers to octogenarians taking groups of children from “production” to “production.”

Three of the children in my group of six indicated they were ready to talk further about accepting Christ. Two others al-ready had been baptized, and one child came from a Catholic home. 

My experience disagrees with the statement that today’s VBS programs present a diluted faith, are less spiritual and are less effective in presenting the gospel. 

Charles McFatter

Semmes, Ala.

Online-Only Letters:

Diploma mills

I was teaching at Hong Kong Baptist Seminary and Hal Wingo, Time-Life correspondent in Hong Kong at the time, rang me up and ask if I knew anything about a Bible school that granted advanced higher education degrees in Hong Kong. Life magazine was doing a series on the diploma mills based in the United States but located around the world.

We drove out to the address on the brochure and found one of the few vacant lots in Hong Kong’s New Territories. Nothing like what the Florida-based “church” organization promised.

That was many years ago, and such fraudulent schools still are pulling in the money and disrespecting the ministry. The unfortunate fact is the largest Baptist denomination now is led by a man who purchased his degrees from a diploma mill. At their June meeting, the Southern Baptist Convention elected as president “Dr.” Johnny Hunt, a pastor with two dubious diplomas—one a doctorate—from a diploma mill called Covington Theological Seminary.

Having studied more than three years under men like Ray Summers, H.C. Brown, Jesse Northcutt, Robert Baker, Stewart Newman and Huber Drumright at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, I find it difficult to respect those who have not paid the price in real study to lead a church or convention.

Britt Towery

San Angelo

Get rid of nuclear weapons

It was a monumental mistake for the United States to invade and occupy Iraq. For the United States or Israel to conduct a strike on Iran would only worsen the problems in the Middle East.

Why should the international community of nations allow America to possess thousands of nuclear weapons while Iran cannot even have one? The invention of the atomic bomb was an evil act, and it was wrong to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The time is now for all nations possessing nuclear weapons to destroy them and strive for ways to promote peace without having to threaten other countries. Is America’s trust really in God, as our currency says it is, or is it in our mighty arsenal of nuclear weapons? Is God pleased when nations spend billions and billions of dollars on weapons while much of the world’s people are hungry and live in poverty?

We must choose this day whom we will serve—God, or money and military power. Why should God bless any nation that produces nuclear weapons? 

Paul L. Whiteley Sr.

Louisville, Ky.

Pew Poll asked wrong question

I liked what you wrote about the Pew poll (July 7). The problem I have with the “confusing” question is that it’s the wrong question to ask.

To me, eternal life is when the soul does not just pass away, so all people have eternal life. As born-again Southern Baptists, we always see “eternal life” as going to be with the Lord when this life is over. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus is telling us how to have eternal life with him in heaven, not eternal life in general.

I felt the question should have spoken of heaven specifically. My first thought after readying the question was that everyone will have eternal life, because everyone’s soul will live forever. Only those who have trusted in Jesus Christ will get to spend it with him. Everyone else will have eternal life, but they will be separated from God.

Others also felt the wording of “many religions” was confusing, but for me it is the “Eternal Life” part of the question that I can see confusing people. I could see myself voting yes to the question in the way they worded it, because I feel the answer to their question is yes.

All religions do lead to eternal life—heaven or hell. Only a relationship with Jesus Christ and him being Lord of your life leads to heaven.

Jonathan Rogers

Grand Prairie

Cease from wars and "witch hunts"

There are few meetings like a Southern Baptist Convention (June 23). Many things are voted on, but our nonbinding resolutions will not enslave its members. Not all of our Christian friends can make that claim. Our new president stated “radical change” is needed to stop the decline in membership. Amen to that. What changes do we need?

There is some evidence to indicate we are a denomination run by grumpy old men. One report from the convention speaks of purging members. Our church did that last year, and I don’t recommend it. I suspect that the father of the Prodigal Son would feel the same way. 

Also mentioned are new requirements for service on SBC committees, commissions and boards with piercing questions for candidates bordering on inquisition. Why treat such distinguished people as if they were on trial, with the burden of proof of their righteousness on their own shoulders?

With our previously known condemnations of Disney, Harry Potter, Halloween and public education widely documented and promoted, is it any wonder many of our grown sons and daughters attend non-Baptist churches? That would help explain our fall in baptisms.

Yes, let’s go for “radical change.” Stop waging wars we can’t win in public and cease all witch hunting within our own ranks.

John Townsend

Memphis, Tenn.

The loss of joyful singing

Two things contribute to the loss of joyful singing in churches.

• The high volume of the song leader overwhelms any singing of the congregation. Instead of a song leader, the person becomes a solo performer. If sound is a vibration touching the ear, then lip reading is the only way to hear the congregation sing. The shared experience of singing and worship are lost.

• Repetition empties the mind. Reminds me of “Rabbit Ain’t Got no Tail at All” for endless verses saying the same thing. “Tell me the story of Jesus” and “He bled and died for me” will touch and stay in hearts long after repetitive new songs are forgotten. 

I agree with Hulitt Gloer: Music is the main way we get the gospel into people’s hearts. Hymns sung in church not only teach theology, but also develop character. “Jesus loves the little children, all the children in the world; red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight” shaped my views on race relations at an early age. Congregational singing penetrates the hearts of worshippers in ways sermons cannot.

In missing the old songs, I feel like the captured Jews being told to sing, but they could not. How sweet it is if the song leader steps back and there are voices. The Jews are no longer captives; they’re singing.

Why have we settled for second best?

Rex Ray

Bonham

VBS not diluted

I respectfully disagree with the Mick Tahaney’s claim that, because Vacation Bible School has made some changes in its presentation since the 1950s,  we have diluted faith and ineffective witnessing (July 7).

Our church is medium-sized, and our VBS usually runs about 125 in the evening. We added T-shirts and other things in order to attract as many students as possible.

I assisted in the fourth grade class, and I saw nothing that did not enhance learning options for the students.

Our public schools can no more teach in a ’50s atmosphere than we can in our churches.

As for the cost, we always share our supplies with churches with less resources. This year was very unusual. We have several schoolteachers who are wanting leftover supplies for their classrooms this fall.

I have always felt that VBS is the best opportunity a church can have for  reaching our community for Christ. And after all, that should always be what we are about.

Betty Westbrook

Murphy

What do you think? Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: [email protected].

My wife and I, as probably many readers, receive unsolicited e-mails from Christian friends and acquaintances we have known through the years. Many of the emails are simply copies that are forwarded on to us from unnamed sources.

During the current political season, we have been receiving copies of e-mails that malign and slander the character of persons running for high office, particularly for president of the United States, that are outright lies about them and their stated positions on various issues.

Question: Does the ninth commandment not apply during political seasons? When God says, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16), are we not held to some level of accountability for the truthfulness and accuracy of the information about persons we forward on to others over the Internet?

It doesn’t seem likely that lies, even about political candidates, go unnoticed by Almighty God.

Bob Schmeltekopf

Kerrville

All about sex

The photo caption on page 15 of the June 23 paper says, “Chuck Sams … makes a motion to amend the Southern Baptist Convention’s constitution to add churches with female pastors to an article on membership that states that ‘among churches not in cooperation with the convention are churches which act to affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior.’”

Good golly, Miss Molly!

Just what is it about female pastors and homosexuality in the same breath? Breathe, people. They are two different things, not joined by a comma, semicolon or in the same breath.

Go back and look at the headline on page 7: “Sex & Sects: Why does sex play such a large role within fringe religions?” The pot can’t call the kettle “blackie.” It is all about sex.

Shirley Taylor

Willis

VBS & diluted faith

Well, it’s that time of year again, when Baptist churches start spending hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on that event called Vacation Bible School. 

Remember when it was during the day and you went and had snacks and worked on some crafts and then heard a good story out of the Bible?

Now it has to be a big production, with scenery and music and T-shirts and buttons and packages of all sorts costing lots of money.

Seems like churches overseas have VBS, too, and are very successful. Yet they do it the way Baptists did it in the ’50s—simple and complete.

As the churches in our society have become so materialistic, they have become less spiritual, and the result is diluted faith and ineffective witnessing.

When will we wake up?

Mick Tahaney

Port Arthur

Send letters to [email protected].

Kudos for committee

The search committee that introduced the Baptist General Convention of Texas to our new executive director, Randel Everett, did an outstanding job.

They worked diligently to hear from a large cross-section of Texas Baptists, poured over numerous resumes, prayed fervently, traveled extensively and then made an excellent choice.

I am very grateful for all they accomplished and would love to see their names listed as a statement of our appreciation for the stellar work they’ve done.

Raymond McHenry

Beaumont

Editor’s Note: Search committee members were Ken Hugghins, chairman, and Michael Bell, Linda Brian, Stacy Conner, Teo Cisneros, Gloria DuBose, Gary Elliston, Elizabeth Hanna, Mary Humphries, Dan Malone, John Nguyen, Jim Nelson, Steve Wells and Dan Wooldridge.

Separation & freedom

Pamela Durso defends the “separation of church and state,” arguing that early Baptists “tirelessly worked for religious freedom for all people” and that “stories of those early Baptists need to be told” (June 9). The story that immediately leapt to mind was the story of the Danbury Baptist Association. The Danburys were the recipients of the letter from Thomas Jefferson that introduced “separation” into constitutional discourse.

But that story does not jive with Durso’s column. Historical evidence suggests the Danbury Baptists were not pleased to receive the letter.  They were definitely champions of religious liberty, but they did not believe that “separation” was necessary to achieve this freedom. Nor did they want such a separation. Their religious faith was too important for them to voluntarily drive it completely out of one portion of their lives.

The story of early Baptists needs to be told. But these stories do not reflect a universal support of “separation” as the only route to religious freedom.

Tara Ross

Dallas

Speak up: Because of our belief in the priesthood of all believers, the Baptist Standard affirms the voices of our readers. Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: [email protected]. Due to space considerations, letters are limited to 250 words. Only one letter per writer in a three-month period.

Thank you for the excellent article on Pastor Gary Fannon and his church (May 26). They are to be commended for the ways they have dealt with a challenging situation. The ways his congregation and community have continued to affirm his ministry are very meaningful.

Too often, congregations feel threatened when a pastor’s brokenness and vulnerability are so publicly displayed. I am sure the experience will enrich his pastoral ministry to the congregation at Diboll.

As a hospital chaplain who uses a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy, I can identify with many of the thoughts and feelings expressed. The one caution I would express is the negative connotation of the term “wheelchair-bound” used in the article’s headline. For many persons with disabilities who use wheelchairs, myself included, wheelchairs do not limit or “bind” a person. Rather, the wheelchair allows a person to be active and involved in the world. Would a journalist refer to a person who uses bifocals as “eyeglasses-bound”?

James A. Garrison

Asheville, N.C.

Un-Christian treatment

I protest the callous manner in which Nina Pinkston, interim executive director of Texas Woman’s Missionary Union, was terminated. She accepted the position temporarily after Carolyn Porterfield resigned for “personal reasons.” Nina Pinkston’s treatment makes me wonder if Carolyn Porterfield, too, was treated so shamefully?

After traveling to a scheduled retreat and finding no one there, Pinkston called the office. She was told on the telephone to go home; she was fired, her contract was terminated. No warning. No reason. She was ordered not to return to the office to pick up personal effects and not to discuss her termination.

The next day, she received a letter, purportedly from the president of the Texas WMU, unsigned and on plain stationary, that repeated her termination and ordered her, again, not to discuss it. This is the Baptist way?

I have known Nina Pinkston 10 years. I hold few people in higher esteem. Her commitment to Christ is impeccable. This treatment is inexcusable. Termination of a contract without given cause and due process is illegal.

As a retired missionary, she probably is reluctant to seek redress for this un-Christian treatment. I think her story should be told to every print and broadcast reporter who will share it. Those responsible for this travesty deserve to have their infamy made public.

WMU has always been the glue that holds Baptists’ mission efforts together. The shortsighted actions of a few, fueled by ambition, have hindered God’s work. For shame.

Bonita Sparrow

Fort Worth

Additional Online-only letters:

Appalled by termination

I read about the termination of Nina Pinkston as interim executive director of Texas Woman’s Missionary Union (May 26). I was appalled at the manner in which this was carried out.

We grew up together, and I know her to be a fine Christian. She also gave lengthy service in Europe as a missionary. It certainly lowers my opinion of WMU leadership.

I am sure she was doing what she could to build up the unity of the staff.

What a way to pay someone for her efforts.

Anna Marie Marchman

Henrietta

Do unto others….

What a way to treat a lady. This is in reference to the way the Texas Woman’s Missionary Union executive committee fired my friend Nina Pinkston.

I’m thinking of a Bible verse that we all learned at an early age, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Who would like to drive all the way to a retreat to find out that it had been cancelled and she had been fired?

What a cowardly way of not being able to face a person to discuss issues and plans. I find it hard to trust the newly formed slate of officers who would use this lack of integrity in being so deceitful.

LaNelle Phillips

Madisonville

What do you think? Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: [email protected].

None are ‘innocent’

While I share your concern about the “innocent” being put to death (April 28), my Bible tells me no one is innocent and that the wages of sin is death.

So, since God gave us civil government and he gave the state the power of the sword, no one innocent in a theological sense ever dies under the death penalty. 

I would go with a Dallas County-based (capital punishment) moratorium, since there is a real pattern under a couple of DAs that many innocent have been sent to jail.

Michael Simons

Cleburne

Affirm innocence

Capital punishment is justified and affirms the value of innocent human life. The Supreme Court made the right decision.

For an insight into God’s perspective on this, turn to Exodus 21:12, Leviticus  24:17 or Ecclesiastes 3:3a. 

Carrying out a condemned prisoner’s death sentence is no more murder than locking him in jail is kidnapping. DNA is a great tool God allowed us to decipher in order to avoid mistakes.

Carol A. Setliff

Corpus Christi

Confidence lowered

I cannot think of a more cowardly, un-Christian manner to terminate Nina Pinkston (interim executive director of Texas Woman’s Missionary Union) than to send her off on a retreat, which she had planned, and then for her to find out the retreat had been cancelled and she had been terminated.

This may have raised the morale of the staff in the Texas WMU office, but it certainly lowered my confidence in the present leadership.

As one who has known, loved and respected Nina Pinkston through the years, I am terribly disappointed. No wonder WMU is declining!

Whatever happened to compassion, courtesy and Christian statesmanship, not to mention communication?

Anne Mitchell

Mesquite

Joy & pain

It was with joy and deep pain that I read about the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ Future Focus Committee being named (April 28). The fact a group of Texas Baptist leaders will honestly look at our situation and offer changes does bring a little hope and joy.

The deep pain I felt comes when I look at who is not represented. The one organization that nearly every Texas Baptist is a member of is Sunday school. In our days past, it was these small groups of Texas Baptists who were given the task and challenge by Texas Baptist leaders to reach, teach and minister to every Texas Baptist possible. In the re-(dis)organization of the BGCT in our recent history, our Sunday School/Discipleship division has been consistently defunded and de-staffed. There is not one great Sunday school mind on this future list. Where are Dennis Parrott, Bernie Spooner or others who know the impact that Sunday school has made and can make?

Texas Baptist leaders’ choices of late have shown that either they don’t believe that Texas Baptists can reach their communities through small groups challenged and resourced to do so, or that they won’t. There are examples all across our state where this is being proven wrong. Let’s get Sunday school—or whatever a church’s small groups are called—back to a prominent seat at the table and charge them with being key players in our future success.

Jeff Humphrey

Allen

Ministry families suffer

The outsourcing of what is left of the counseling services offered to Baptist General Convention of Texas ministry families is the last nail in the coffin of a vision the last administration mangled, manipulated, mutated and finally murdered.

The task of ministry family health is not just connecting troubled families with competent counselors in their area. Ministry families are terribly resistant to counseling, unwilling to face problems, unable to handle family issues with confidence and confidentiality, and unable to afford appropriate services when they are needed.

Years ago, the BGCT recognized the hurdles and began the Ministers Counseling Service, which was as much informational and encouraging as it was referral and direct counseling.

This last administration naively believed that if you trained persons in being good leaders, they would be healthy persons with healthy families without family problems. What little they did was Dallas-based, and only a few benefited.

Now, we are back to the Dark Ages of ministry family care while we continue to hemorrhage families from the ministry.

Penny wise and pound foolish!

Michael R. Chancellor

Abilene

Lord’s provision

I read with deep disappointment that the allocations for the 2008 Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions eliminate funding for the annual Special Friends camps. It saddens me that ministry to the most vulnerable—the least among us—is cut … when challenges present tough decisions.

The majority of attendees to the Special Friends camps live on the meager Social Security benefits our society provides. Many of these wonderful adults who are active in my church receive $5 a week in spending money. The balance of their benefits covers their housing, meals and other necessities. 

My congregation, Alsbury Baptist Church, will now face a significantly larger cost in taking 30 or more adults who live with special needs to camp.  Our commitment to the Special Friends camps remains high. The money will be available. I have yet to see the Lord fail in providing for these special individuals. 

A convention that makes meaningful ministry the priority will always see the Lord’s provision, while a convention that does not most likely will not.

Scott Sharman

Burleson

Wright not wrong

William Crittenden, identifying himself as a World War II veteran and 83 years old, is upset and offended by comments made by Jeremiah Wright (April 14). Crittenden says Wright’s comments amount to treason. On the same page is a quote from former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who says he would have more of a chip on his shoulder than Wright if he were in his place.

I have often thought about the “greatest generation” and their service in WWII and their place in America after the war. As a combat vet myself (Vietnam), I regard their service highly. But what was their attitude toward the evil of segregation as they returned to civilian life? Were they comfortable with the way their fellow vets, who happened to be black, were treated? Did they try to change things? 

One of the greatest failings in this regard has been the churches and pastors of white churches. During the period after WWII, some pastors not only failed to speak out on civil rights, they actually promoted evil toward black people. Texas Pastor W.A. Criswell once said anyone who believed in integration was “dead from the neck up.”

Huckabee is correct. Many white folks would be as upset as Wright if we had been born a black person in America. I have seen actions I believed were treasonous in recent years, but Wright’s comments did not fit in that category.

Carl Hess

Ozark, Ala.

Why they’re leaving

Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page has predicted the diminishment of Southern Baptists if dramatic change does not occur.

He ventured that the current loss of churches, money and interest was not the fault of convention personnel or of convention programs. The fault, he continued, lies with pastors who refuse to lead their churches in changing habits that are stagnated.

One cannot help but be aware that the SBC, once a meaningful and influential denomination, was wounded and today bears the scars of the last 20 years of political carnage that was led by convention leaders and many pastors who cared more for control and agendas, creeds and suspicion than for church growth.

The past two decades of aberrant Christian behavior, designed to remove all those who disagreed with convention contrivance, was shallow and devoid of Christian grace. It is not implausible to assume Baptist pastors and church members have lost any sense of program development and are levitating in the limbo of battlefield tactics that were far more political than pastoral.

Edward Clark

Danville, Ky.

What do you think? Because we believe in and affirm the Baptist doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, we value readers’ opinions. Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: [email protected]. Due to space considerations, letters must be no longer than 250 words.

Climate change

Thank you for printing John Christy’s excellent article on global warming (April 28 ). As a climate scientist, he is in a position to expose much of the overreaching we see on the subject—the bulldozer approach to rushing us all into acceptance of Al Gore’s brainchild.

There have been many articles and essays on the need to go slow on trying to control climate change. In a recent edition of the Wall Street Journal, Steven Hayward, author of the annual “Index of Leading Environmental Indicators,” demonstrates the mathematical chances for reaching the 80 percent reduction in emissions by 2050 being pushed by the major presidential candidates and the environmental lobby. In short, it ain’t gonna happen, and wishing won’t make it so.

Ken Boren

Rowlett

Biofuels & the poor

Global warming is a catastrophe, but not in the sense that so many think. The catastrophe is that so many “experts” did not foresee or care about the damage that biofuels would have on the world’s poorest.

Taking food such as corn and turning it into fuel when so many in the world already struggle to survive because of lack of food is a bad idea.

The global food price index has risen 40 percent this year. Now we have a worldwide food shortage and high prices causing more starvation.

United Nations expert Jean Ziegler calls the present situation “a crime against humanity” and is calling for a five-year moratorium on biofuels until ethics and science can catch up with each other.

Two hundred thirty-two kilos of corn produce 50 liters of ethanol—not much. The same 232 kilos of corn can feed a poor child for a year.

The Christian response calls for us to petition for the poor and stop using food for biofuels. Anything less is evil.

Jean Whitmore

Okinawa, Japan

Capital punishment

I wish I were so confident I would be able to know for sure what Jesus would oppose and what he would support were Jesus a member of today’s U.S. Supreme Court. Would Jesus be more in opposition to the death penalty or legal abortions?

The number of innocents wrongly convicted and executed, and yes, even the number of guilty who are executed, is very small when compared to the number of babies killed by abortion. Which would Jesus be most likely to speak out against?

I suspect no one knows for sure. After all, didn’t God allow the political powers of the time to execute his own innocent son?

Does the commandment the editorial writer chose to apply to his argument against executions (April 28) state, “Thou shall not kill” or “Thou shall not murder” in the earliest known languages?

Mac McFatter

Semmes, Ala.

Intrigued by Calvinism articles

I’m no theologian, but I was intrigued by the package of articles on Calvinism (April 28).

Ironically, today’s entry in My Utmost for His Highest says, in part: “When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God—it is only believing our belief about him. Jesus said, ‘unless you … become as little children … .’ (Matthew 18:3) The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what he is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, ‘Believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me.’”

Calvinism, as with much of Christian fundamentalism, sounds suspiciously like believing in our beliefs, not in our Savior.

Vic Houston Henry

Dallas

Promiscuous or Spirit-led?

I have read your editorial on “U.S. faith swapping” (March 17) and Paul Mastin’s response, “Reason to swap” (March 31). I would like to share several thoughts:

I was raised in Churches of Christ, graduated from a Texas Baptist (Logsdon) seminary, attended a nondenominational church, participate in many ecumenical Christian functions and currently attend a large Baptist church that sends money to the Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. If you were to attend my Sunday school class, you might think you were in semi-charismatic church on some Sunday mornings. If I were to re-locate to another city, I frankly do not know where my family would attend worship. The sign out front would not be the primary factor in our family’s decision.

Am I “religiously promiscuous”? I think not! I prefer the term “Spirit-driven.” I have concluded many churches sincerely seek to worship Jesus and serve humanity with many different signs out front. I do not see this as a crisis; it is simply the way things are in our postmodern and mobile culture of the 21st century USA.

Many contemporary Christians are not seeking creedal purity, nor are they seeking to be part of a specific tradition. They are seeking a church where they can serve the Lord, raise their kids and participate in a wholesome, vibrant Christian community.

On the other hand, I have found there is too much selfishness, politics and immaturity in churches of all denominations.

Brian Gasiorowski

Corpus Christi

Gambling vs hoping to win

I just read Van Christian’s “Right or Wrong” article about lottery tickets (April 14). He handled the issue quite well, but I must question two of his points.

He says: “Yes, this is really gambling. The amount is irrelevant. You are wagering a small amount for the potential of winning a larger amount.” I think most would agree that this is a fairly common and accurate definition of gambling.

However, what do we do about churches that have golf and fishing tournaments? The people who enter these tournaments pay an entry fee—which is usually much more than the cost of a lottery ticket—and there is the “potential of winning a larger amount.” They are “wagering” their money with the hopes of winning more.

This also brings into question the last point Christian makes. He says the lottery “gives them hope.” Whenever I enter a golf or fishing tournament, I always “hope” I will win and take home the big prize. Is it wrong for me to hope I win?

I am not condemning or condoning the lottery or golf and fishing tournaments, but sometimes I feel our reasoning for abstaining from one activity is contradicted by our actions in another activity.

Russell Cowan

Midland

Charity is not a tithe

As presidential candidates release their IRS filings, the news media seem to determine the amount given to charitable donations is a tithe. Wrong!

One of the first scriptures I learned back in GAs, then called Girls Auxiliary, was Malachi 3:10.

Verses 8 and 9 clarify the tithe belongs to the Lord. Nothing in that Scripture says we can take God’s money and spread it around to nonprofit or charitable organizations and call it tithing. God makes it quite clear: All the tithes are to be brought to the storehouse to prove the goodness of God.

Not that we can’t give to worthwhile causes. I have two favorite charities I give to regularly.

Why, I can even remember collecting dimes for the March of Dimes back in the 1940s when I first went to school.

My favorite story about tithing took place a number of years back when I attempted to teach my fifth grade Sunday school class how to tithe.

That Sunday morning, I gave each child 10 dimes. They were so thrilled when I told them they could keep all the dimes and decide on how to spend the dimes. As they counted the dimes, I said, “One dime belongs to God.” We then learned Malachi 3:10.

Ninety cents out of 10 dimes made some happy kids. Yet one little boy spoke up and said, “That’s not fair.”

I replied, “What’s not fair?”

He answered, “God doesn’t get very much.”

Joyce Brumley

Grand Prairie

Speak up. Send letters by mail: P.O. Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: [email protected] .

Business matters

I thoroughly enjoyed “Taking care of business” (April 14). It’s clearly right on target.

As a layman, I spent a career in industry before becoming a full-time church staff member. Frankly, I’m excited about the prospects of using time-tested, proven business techniques from industry to accomplish kingdom purposes.

The opportunity to reach people for Jesus is limitless when you combine the methods of strong business leaders with the servant-leader characteristics of our Lord.

Bob Hawkins

Round Rock

Matter of Death

Shame on the Supreme Court. This “high court” should eliminate the death penalty by declaring it unconstitutional. If the death penalty were abolished, we wouldn’t have to wonder if the government was executing innocent people.

Supreme Court justices believe in the Ten Commandments. One of the commandments clearly states, “Thou shalt not kill.” I guess there are exceptions to “God’s law.

Even if the death penalty is constitutional, that doesn’t make it right. After all, slavery used to be constitutional. If Jesus were a member of the Supreme Court, he would oppose all executions. The death penalty is wrong and should be abolished forever. 

Chuck Mann

Greensboro, N.C.

Speak up. Send letters to Editor Marv Knox by mail: Box 660267, Dallas 75266-0267; or by e-mail: [email protected]. Maximum length is 250 words. Only one letter per quarter per writer.