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KEEP
THE FAITH AS WE MOVE FORWARD
El
Paso was a wonderful convention. A real spirit of cooperation
and excitement about the future was present because Texas Baptists
are doing so many good things. We had a real Baptist meeting with
opportunities to disagree, to plan, to pray, and to celebrate. Texas
Baptists affirmed the Baptist Faith and Message Statement of 1963
because they have not changed theologically since then. As far
as that goes, Texas Baptists have not changed since they adopted
this statement in 1925, nor as far back as our beginnings. We
are grounded in the Word of God which has not changed. Staying
true to historic Baptist principles, practices and beliefs have
made it unnecessary to change. When
a group is driven by the winds of pop theologies and the whims
of current leadership, it will constantly be in need of updating
its theological statement. Thank God that each morning when I
wake up I do not need to wonder what new belief I must now embrace!
I know our Catholic friends are caught in this dilemma whenever
their Popes make new decrees, but I never dreamed Baptists would
ever be placed in this position. Texas Baptists are steadfast
and unmovable in their doctrinal beliefs. The SBC has changed
because it changed its doctrinal statement. True
to their fundamentalistic frame of mind, SBC leaders sought to
invade the sovereignty and autonomy of the BGCT by immediately
issuing statements criticizing our affirmation of the 1963 statement.
Criticism of the BGCT and TBC will continue to increase as Texas
Baptists make clear they are old time, traditional Baptists. They
will not be coerced into walking lockstep with the SBC or any
other group. They will continue to be seen as organizations through
which churches may choose to do some their work. The
response of SBC leaders, Patterson, Mohler, and Land is so typical
of their efforts to draw the circle smaller and smaller, excluding
all who refuse to be dominated by them. I can assure them that
Texas Baptists do not take well to such tactics. Their thrust
was, "If you do not agree with us, you do not believe the
Bible." As
traditional Baptists, we would never tell someone who interpreted
a Scripture passage differently from us that they did not believe
the Bible. We would respect their right before God to interpret
Scripture. We are Baptists. We rejoice in our freedom and our
diversity. Can you imagine one of my church members coming into
my office to discuss a sermon I had preached and my looking at
them and saying, "You obviously do not believe the Bible?"
Of course I would not. After
20 years, fundamentalists continue the same old strategies. Anyone
who disagrees with them does not believe the Bible, according
to them. The responses of the SBC leaders answer any question
regarding our reconciling with them. It will never happen because
it is impossible. They have no interest in reconciliation or compromise
or finding middle ground. Reconciliation to them means "you
knuckle under us!" Their attitude is simple and straightforward
"agree with us or else. We are right and you are wrong and
you do not believe the Bible." Typical
of fundamentalism they will seek to destroy what they cannot control.
One of their own stated that they would destroy the BGCT. The
only option is submission to them. This is an option Texas Baptists
will never take. Rationally,
you would think SBC leaders would have responded with a statement
that they appreciated the more than $40 million given SBC programs
and institutions last year and that while we may not always agree,
they would hope we could continue to work together for the cause
of Christ. Nevertheless, if you truly expect that kind of normal
response, then you obviously do not understand the mind of a fundamentalist. Texas
Baptists Committed have a major job to do defending the BGCT and
historic Baptist principles in the next few years. As more churches
deal with what has happened the past 20 years, the anger of fundamentalists
will increase. Keep praying and keep educating your fellow church
members. Most of all, stay excited. Yes, we have division and
criticism, but think of the alternative, a BGCT controlled by
fundamentalism. We have much to be excited about and as we leave
this battle behind us, God will bless Texas Baptists and all who
choose to stay in the family. A
FINAL WORD: THANKS Since
this is my last year as Co-Chair of Texas Baptists Committed,
and therefore, my last issue to have a column, I want to add a
final word -- Thanks. Thanks
to all of you who continue to pray for my wife, Elizabeth, during
her illness. ALS is a relentless, progressive disease. We are
counting on our Lord, your prayers and the best medical assistance
available. Thanks
to all the supporters of TBC who have saved the BGCT from fundamentalism.
Imagine where our BGCT would be without TBC -- without you and
your courage and commitment. Thanks
to the staff of TBC, David, Charlie and Charlotte, for hours of
hard work and dedication. Every BGCT-related university owes them
for the freedom they have. Every university president owes TBC
for their job as does every religion professor. Without TBC those
schools would be controlled by fundamentalists and none of them
would currently have their jobs. The
people who work in the Baptist building owe TBC a debt of gratitude.
Without TBC, many of them would not have their jobs nor would
they have the freedom they now enjoy if fundamentalists were in
control of the BGCT. Thanks
to the wonderful members of First Baptist, San Angelo, who shared
me with TBC and the many denominational jobs I have had. I treasure
the 29 years I have been privileged to be their pastor. December 1999 |
