Christian Zionism
I have been a Baptist all of my 53 years. If "Professors denounce 'Christian Zionism'" (Sept. 12) represents the direction of the Baptist faith, I will worship at another Christian church. In my opinion, allowing this article to be a part of the Baptist Standard is the most irresponsible and single worst act I have ever seen a Bible-based organization do.
I am a "Christian Zionist" and believe God when he established the "ancient boundaries" (Proverbs 22:28). There is no way that a Bible-believing, Spirit-filled Christian can agree that Israel is stealing land from the Palestinians. The article was biased and close to being anti-Semitic.
Greg Holloway
Belton
Grandest assembly
I was 18 in 1948 when Baptists bought Glorieta. Now, I am 81 and seeing it sold. Southern Baptist Convention leaders are shrinking into the Old South and away from the West, North and world by putting Glorieta up for sale.
Our forebears are turning over in their graves at the dying pains of God's once great missionary army—the SBC.
Glorieta is earth's grandest Christian assembly. For years, Glorieta had more "guest days" annually than anything anywhere
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Glorieta made Satan sick! He had to lower its voltage. Glorieta Baptist Assembly became a "conference center." Camping was downplayed and expensive hotels emphasized.
"Baptist" was taken out of our name. Our once-vigorous Southern Baptist Sunday School Board became a cool LifeWay Christian Resources, that sees Glorieta as far away. Pitiful promoting brought a shortfall in bottom line. To them, dollars were ahead of souls.
Returning the Spirit would make Glorieta again the mosquito-free, sweating free, high-mountain paradise of our founders' dreams. Millions of Southern Baptists poured millions of dollars into Glorieta, God's lighthouse to the world. Who now will buy it? Satan, of course, at pennies on the dollar. Hollywood? Catholicism? ACLU? Gambling racket? Heathenism?
Shall we bury our SBC for abandoning "Samaria and uttermost parts"? We could start over with can-do Spirit. Let us trust God to reverse denominational suicide and heal our worldwide crusade.
Dale Danielson
Albuquerque, N.M.
Sad change
The Southern Baptist Convention is exploring a name change (Sept. 26). This is very sad.
Why are we changing, or dropping "Baptist"? Is it to please the world, thus letting Satan gain another strife against the churches and their people? This means we as Baptists do not stand for the old-time religion such as genuine spiritual conversions, the preaching of the Holy Bible, tithing or the singing of old hymns, which have a deep message themselves.
Yes, this is very hard to one who is very proud of being a Baptist for 68 years.
Jean Witten
Fort Worth
Negative reflection
Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, says presidential candidate Mitt Romney is not a Christian. Next, he says "evangelicals" should support a "Christian" candidate to be president. Then, he says he would vote for Romney instead of President Barack Obama who is a mixed-race Christian.
I saw Jeffress during a TV interview with Chris Matthews. It was offensive to hear not only his words speaking prejudice and appealing to the ignorance of his supporters but also to see his demeanor and condescending attitude toward Matthews.
I do not support Romney, although he is one of two GOP candidates marginally qualified to be president. The other is not Texas Gov. Rick Perry. However, Jeffress' comments do not hurt Romney but rather reflect negatively on Jeffress, First Baptist Church in Dallas, Southern Baptists and Christians in general.
Carl L. Hess
Ozark, Ala.
Keep Sunday school
I have read "Some churches cancel children's Sunday School, put parents in charge" (Sept. 26). That is a great idea.
However, for those like me that would be a very bad plan. I grew up in a home with wonderful parents, but they attended church only occasionally. At age 5, I attended my first Sunday school class the week after my grandmother's funeral. I fell in love with God that day. For the next seven years, thanks to wonderful Sunday school teachers, I learned about Jesus and what he had done for me. At age 12 in Vacation Bible School, I accepted Jesus as my Savior.
That would not have happened if the education about Jesus had been left to my parents. Without those Sunday school teachers, I would not today be teaching a Sunday school class, serving as chairman of the Stewardship Committee at my church, singing in the choir and going on mission trips to Romania.
I am not the only one who benefited from Sunday school, and I hope those who need Sunday school as I did are not forgotten.
Margaret Smith
Denton County
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