SBC=>ENCOUNTERS

Dr. Paige Patterson, Muslim in our Midst, and More Controversy by hariette petersen

In my sabbatical from most all things controversial in the SBC, I've happened across a few blogpost titles about Dr. Patterson allowing a Muslim to enroll at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  I had not once considered reading them until yesterday.  Planned on doing that today, but still had not gotten around to it.

I've really tired of the beating and finger-pointing and posturing and simply had no desire to peek into the pages of the latest attack on Paige Patterson.  I've even kinda adopted the same feelings as he shared a few years ago when he was asked to be part of another controversial SBC matter.

When I first read the flying reports about the man I affectionately refer to as Dr. P., I sat back and scratched my head a bit.  However, knowing what little I know about Dr. P., I deeply trusted that he must have an eternal purpose in mind for the situation.  Lord knows the hoary headed old fella is tired of the battles in the convention; he's said so himself when he was dealing with all those young and restless yuppies (my descriptor), wanting to change the name of the convention to Great Commission Baptists/link. (Irony of ironies that the same who wanted to be known as "Great Commission Baptists" now seek to block a non-believer from hearing indepth teaching about the commission itself, isn't it?)

Until reading Peter Lumpkins' post today I didn't know that it be "the man from Enid" who had his knickers in a knot over the situation.  For me, given the source of what Peter describes as "the dumbfounding outrage against Patterson himself for desiring to practice what God knows we all need to practice more—connecting one-on-one evangelistically", I am not surprised there is yet one more attempt to take down the old man in Dallas.  I do wonder if the man north of me enjoys stirring the waters of controversy regarding the honorable Dr. Patterson, though.  I wonder if he has never quite been able to free himself from the chains of ire he has held for Dr. P for nigh onto a decade of my life.

More than the fact that a president of one of our seminaries has dared to allow a professing unbeliever in the midst of we baptized, white-robed and righteous Baptists, it makes me wonder if perhaps doctrine is more an issue with the naysayers than the actual audacity of the white-haired saint in Texas. After all, Dr. P believes we should share the gospel message to all, believing that whosoever believes on the name of Jesus, confesses his sin and turns from his wicked ways will actually receive eternal life provided by the shed blood offering for all who trust in Him.  Jesus.   The cross. The blood. The propitiation. The justification.  The sanctification. And eventually, the glorification.

Is Dr. P's critic more inclined to believe it's already a done deal?  that this Muslim has already been predestined to his lot in life and therefore his presence at our holy of holy seminaries puts both in jeopardy?  That the Word he studies will just come back void, anyway?  Could this Muslim possibly taint the propriety of our seminary's campus? Could he defile the seats upon which he sits in various classrooms?  Could the air he expels in class somehow infect the masses of good men studying how to share the gospel in its wholeness and entirety?  Is SWBTS in jeopardy of being destroyed because we've allowed some "Trojan Horse" into the camp?

I don't think so.  It's no more sinful to allow this unbeliever to study the depths of faith in God than it is to invite a Muslim to our churches to hear the gospel preached and the Bible taught in our Bible studies each week.  I well remember the day I assured a Muslim lady it would be perfectly okay to bring her little Muslim boy to our VBS and equally as proper for her to sit with him in class to help interpret what the teachers were telling him about Jesus each day.  Was I wrong, too?  God knows.

[Another writer weighs in on Paige Patterson's decision to allow Muslim to attend a Christian seminary...HERE]

Related articles

Grace As I See It, by hariette petersen

When We Are Weary

What Is So Wrong With Baptism

Sometimes I wonder.  I’ve been privy to a number of conversations with folks who aren’t “ready” to be baptized, and with those who do not see “why” they need to be baptized.  In the past few years, I’ve read many blog-posts in Southern Baptist circles and comments regarding baptism.  I’ve followed conversations where folks get all worked up over the requirement of, get this, Southern Baptist churches expecting people to be baptized, like the Savior by John the Baptist, to validate their fellowship with the Baptist faith which espouses baptism by immersion as one part of Christ’s biblical commands. 

I am forced to wonder why so many faiths have aversions to the practice of baptism by immersion.  Now, I’m sure if I did a bunch of research, read a bunch of history, went to college and seminary, and wrote a dissertation, that I’d find valid reasons--drought, no water, tradition, theological interpretations, and doctrinal views-- to answer my question.  If I ran a dozen or so polls and surveys from a wide dissection of people groups, I’d cully a great deal of excuses and rationale.  But, that’s not what I’m really wondering about.

I’m wondering why in the introduction of Jesus to the world, His very first action was baptism.  I’m wondering why, when Jesus came up out of the water, God Almighty, El Elyon, Most High, would take that specific moment in time to lend His literal booming Voice to bless Christ’s action with “This is my Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” God the Creator, was no longer just the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; He was the Father of Jesus, Immanuel. He said so.

Now, in my limited knowledge of scripture, I don’t recall God ever amplifying His pleasure of Jesus on any other occasion.  Not when He was twelve and dumbfounding the synagogue leaders.  Not when He overcame temptation in the desert.  Not when He chose His disciples.  Not when he taught His disciples.  Not when He preached the sermon on the Mount.  Not when He healed the sick, fed the thousands, raised Lazarus from the dead, made water into wine, reduced demons to a herd of beserk pigs, or stood before Pilate and died upon the cross.  Nope.  The time God chose to verbalize His approval of His only begotten Son was at His baptism.

I even let my pea brain wander backwards into the Old Testament and wonder why God used water as the first way He destroyed the earth.  I wonder why God saved the nation of Israel by parting the waters of the Red Sea then used the same waters to swallow up and drown those who’d dare chase after His chosen people.  I wonder why God chose to cleanse the leprosy of the king by making him humble himself and wash seven times in the Jordan.  I wonder why Elijah methodically stacked a pile of wood then drenched it with water and let it pool in the trench around the pile of lumber before he called down God’s fire from heaven to prove the absolute power of God over Baal to the heathens who worshiped a god of satan’s making.  I wonder why it took “much water” to baptize the Ethiopian eunuch.  I wonder why all the early Christians were baptized, without hesitation, upon confession of faith in Christ.

It’s fair to say that today, in a world of such sophistication and progressive intellectual modernism that some may view baptism with as much disdain as the leprous ruler who balked at his servant girl’s advice to follow a prophet’s instruction.  It’s probably even fair to say that in a culture so pride-filled and beauty-focused that a hair-drenching, make-up-ruining action would cause others to shy away from such public display of humiliation.  It may even cause the strongest of men to resist the idea of yielding himself to another man’s control (even if that man is of God), to be dipped into a pool of water and made vulnerable for the entire world to witness.  YET…

I stand amazed at how excited a child is to experience the opportunity with such openness, willingness, innocence, eagerness and joy.  How compelled they are to share the experience, invite all their family members (lost or saved) to the event, as if it were special.  How unintimidated they are to write it in their school biographies and voice it in “show and tell” for their classmates to hear.  And then I consider how the Savior said, “Unless you become as a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Perhaps the reasoning behind baptism is far more a heart-rendering than a body-rendering.  Perhaps the mystery of it all is deeper than a mere ordinance, a profession to the world of an inner confession, or joining with a group of like-minded Believers.  Perhaps, perhaps the reason Jesus said "go, make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all things" really carries greater significance than we will ever conceive.  Whatever God’s reasoning behind it, I cannot tell.  That, I simply accept as many other things of God I accept though don’t understand.  However, God is Sovereign.  And after all, since baptism mattered to Jesus, shouldn’t it matter to me and anyone else who calls himself Baptist or a follower of Jesus?  selahV

Related articles

Do Low Baptism Records Concern You?

Christ Defends the Defensible

First Baptist Wichita Falls Texas Baptizes 30 Today

God Still Reigns! And Hobby Lobby Wins Injunction

It's an amazing thing when the righteous stand in the gap with a conscience committed to the MOST HIGH GOD.  And it's amazing still when we see the power of God's people bowing to pray for His justice to be made clear to the world.  Yes, Hobby Lobby won a preliminary injunction/link against the powers-that-be in Washington, D.C. today-- religious liberty is still upheld in the American courts.

The battle is far from over, but there is hope that religious liberty will rule the day in the lives of individual citizens of the United States of America once again. We as Christians must not abandon our faith in large matters or small.  We must stand by our convictions in all things of faith.  No matter what the law of the land permits and tolerates, our faith in God's Word must supercede all laws that are unjust and biblically immoral.

Many critics of the Greene family have said their objection was stupid and such a tiny matter.  But this is not a tiny matter to God.  Nor was the abortion laws in Texas which were so highly protested, but finally won the fight for the unborn/link.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

 

Do Low Baptism Records Concern You?

Recently there has been a bit of conversation, on and off the social media circuit. I've also encountered some within the blogging community of we Southern Baptists concerning our dwindling baptism numbers. I even added a quip or two concerning the situation, here and here. This a.m., I read a little thought from Max Lucado (of all people), and this is what he referenced and said:

"Proverbs 16:18 reminds us as humility goes before honor, “pride goes before a fall.”

"Ever wonder why churches are powerful in one generation but empty the next? The Bible says, the Lord will tear down the house of the proud. God hates arrogance. He hates it because we haven’t done anything to be arrogant about. Is there a Pulitzer for ink? Can you imagine a scalpel growing smug after a successful heart transplant? Of course not. They are only tools. So are we. We may be the canvas, the paper, or the scalpel, but we are not the one who deserve the applause.

David declares who does in Psalm 23, “He makes me, He leads me, He restores my soul… for His name's sake." For His name's sake! No other name. This is all done for God’s glory. He takes the credit, not because He needs it, but because He knows we cannot handle it!"

Maybe it's just me, but I found this rather interesting in light of Convention discussions floating around the internet and within the halls of churches. HOW ABOUT YOU? ~selahV

POIGNANT Words from Dr. Harold Hunter

 

Are you a man of God?  Do you even know what it is to be a man of God?  A truly, completely, unconditionally, sold-out man of God?  The video below is one from Dr. Harold Hunter.  His poignant Spirit-driven words cut quickly, and deeply and give clear understanding of what a "man of God" is.  We are so in need of true men of God in our world right now, but most especially in the pulpits of every Southern Baptist church in America.  

So, my brothers, how will you finish?

Every SBC Church Ought to Have a Billboard

Yes, every SBC church ought to have a billboard on their property and this is one of the signs they ought to post for all the world to see.

Another sign they may consider posting is one that gives honor and respect to marriage and family.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  And we have been long on rhetoric.  And for every pregnant gal we ought to have a sign that says, "Let the little children come unto me" with a photo of Jesus opening his hands to pregnant gals.  We need to be a sanctuary of hope and help and promise. 

First Baptist Wichita Falls Texas Baptizes 30 Today

I know.  I was there. My fifteen year old grand-daughter was among them.  And it filled my spiritual cup to the brim to watch it all from behind the scenes as candidates for baptism gathered with family and friends to get instructions on baptism.  From 5th graders, to teenagers, to adults.

On the heels of reading the blogpost announcing the SBC has recorded the lowest number of baptisms since 1948, I have to tell ya, this church gave me hope.  Great hope.

What are they doing right?

Let's see.  The Gideon speaker was there and the pastor heartily encouraged folks to give to their ministry of giving out free Bibles around the world.  And the Gideon speaker said they ministered to over 3,000 inmates and the Wichita Falls corrections last year and 356 were saved.  Gideons.  Have you had a Gideon speaker in lately to help encourage that ministry?

Then Senior Pastor Bob McCartney shared a wonderful message on Grace and salvation. And I took a bunch of notes.  Kinda liked what he had to say.  Wonder if they have his sermons online.   Hmmn, have to check that out. 

Here's part of what FBC Wichita believes is needed among tons of ministry outreach and opportunities:

"1.) Decisions - We want to see people make life and eternity changing decisions for Christ by accepting Him as their Savior.  To that end you will find both our staff and members ready to share how to become a Christian.

2.) Development - Once a person has accepted Christ we want to help them grow as a Christian through a variety of opportunities including LIFE Groups, Family Night at First, Special Bible Studies for various interests and more.

3.) Deployment - We believe that a Christian, and the church, should help others so we want to help everyone find a place of service where they may use their skills, talents and abilities to help others come to know Christ and grow in their faith.

Ultimately the purpose of the church is to lead people to become obedient and reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ, as He commanded in Matthew 28:18-20." (copied from FBC Wichita Falls site/link)

I'm grateful my granddaughters are a part of this exciting church.  As I watched person after person being baptized behind the scenes in the baptismal area, many of the witnesses were crying tears of joy.  Shouts of celebration could be heard from the congregation as children of God rose up from the baptismal pool.

Not sure what this church is really doing right, but they sure are a friendly group of folks.  And they seem quite happy to be worshipping God.  From the outside, looking in, I'd say they have a lot to offer their community and the body of Christ for sure.  Thought it rather telling that they believe in discipling believers to share their faith, too.  Key to getting baptisms, wouldn't you say? selahV

So, the SBC Records Lowest Number of Baptisms Since 1948

Yep, that's what they say.  And one blogger wants to know why we haven't been blowing up the blogosphere with posts about it. If you ask me, that is part of the problem. It's not the blogsophere that is going to change the baptisms... it is the young preacher men and leaders getting out there and beating the bushes and visiting the sick and ministering to grieving families and working with young people and doing one on one evangelism. AND FIRST AND FOREMOST, IT IS PRAYER. No, it's not the twitter feeds and facebook statuses and blogposts and fingers feverishly pounding out rhetoric that we need to be concerned about. "...It is feet shod with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace."

"Set our souls afire Lord, set our souls afire"  Send a great revival to our souls, send a great revival to our souls...let Your Holy Spirit come and take control, send a great revival to our souls. selahV

HERE IN AMERICA, IN GOD WE STILL TRUST

Iran is becoming a global threat with his infiltration in South America/link. Iran imprisons Christian pastors for being Christians. The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is persecuting Christians in court/link.  The Benghazi cover-up shows us that our present administration is not as concerned about the death of our American Ambassador and three other courageous Americans as he is about the sensitivities of the Muslim world.  The president of this nation did nothing to come to the aid of those fellow citizens under attack.  NOTHING.

As Sharia law is being honored and now defended by the American DoJ more than the faith of Christian Americans in Tennessee/link, we have to wonder...how much longer will America trust in God?

Southern Baptists need to stop quarreling amongst themselves and get on with being Ambassadors for Christ in our lost world.  We need to be encouraging and strengthening and edifying one anoher.  I do not care whether we are Calvinists or Traditionalists, Arminians, or Bapticostals, we need to be sharing Jesus.  Our world is under worse threat than it has ever been due to the globalization of all ideologies via internet and instant telecommunications.  Riots can be face-booked and promoted in a nano-second.  It is time to stand in the gap and deliver what we still have the freedom to deliver.  Jesus is the only hope, the only way, the only salvation in this crumbling, dying world. 

Our character, words and actions must exemplify we are children of a Holy God.  Our habits and motivations must be consistent with the Spirit of God.  Prayer is our greatest weapon and the Word of God is our shield and sword. All God wants from us is undying, unflinching courage and faith in Him...obedience.  Go ye therefore and tell!

WHEN THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT

Today is America's designated National Day of Prayer.  Few times in our young history have we been so far from the face of ALMIGHTY GOD.  Though we have multiple missteps that have taken us far from the way of the Founders desired of our nation, we nonetheless, have strived to attain a higher moral ground and to be an example of freedom to the world.  We have failed.  We have failed miserably. I see the culmination of our efforts and apathy every day.  I'm sure you do, too. We can no longer spotlight the sins of others when ours are so luminous they cannot even be hidden in the dark or behind closed doors.

We condone the murder of babies in the womb, overlook and tolerate so much of the world's views and pleasures that we lost our moral compass. What does integrity, truth and honesty mean to Christians, to leaders of Christians?  When we compromise integrity, fail to constrain, and fail to exact spiritual discipline when necessary, then how can we the light in a dark world?  Can we overlook deceit and reward it with position and elevate it with power and status?  I do not know, maybe it's just me who sees black and white. Is right no longer right?  Is wrong no longer wrong?  Perhaps our churches need to consider cleansing our own house before praying for a nation.  Can we put new wine into old wine skins?

“Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.

We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you.

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;  we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.  All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.

Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you." Daniel 9:7-11

AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN...only this time, instead of Israel, it is America who has turned her back on God and allowed the transgressions against a Holy God to be glorified as something He condones and tolerates as holy and pure and permissible. FORGIVE US dear God in Heaven.   Forgive us.  We have put on the whole armor of God and have placed dirty shoes upon our feet to stand in your presence.  Forgive us for compromising YOUR WAY, to accomplish what we think is Your way, by following our own.  selahV