I would encourage all of our readers to click here to see the Frequently Asked Questions section of the GCR Declaration website. It answers many of the questions that have been bantered back and forth since this document was first posted and then changed.
This section to the declaration has cleared up a great turmoil within me from the beginning. I was asked how I could sign a document that Wade Burleson and Rick Garner signed with language about the BF&M 2000 being a sufficient guide? Let’s face it, those words sound vaguely familiar to the Garner Motion of 2007. You will likely remember that we bantered back and forth on the internet as Brother’s Burleson and Garner employed that motion to keep the BF&M 2000 as a maximal guide for our trustees in our various entities. However, I remember hearing Dr. Akin at the SEBTS alumni luncheon clearly state that the BF&M 2000 was a good summary expressing our common beliefs for working together. When I signed this declaration I was employing Dr. Akin’s understanding of that phrase and not the understanding of those who desire to see a maximal interpretation of the phrase from the motion passed in 2007.
I applaud those leading the GCR Declaration for clarifying the phrase; to look to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as a sufficient guide by their explanation in the FAQ section:
It does not mean it is a maximal document that precludes the convention from speaking to important issues that may arise, or our agencies addressing theological and practical issues specific to their context. However, when the convention or an agency considers addressing an issue not covered in the Baptist Faith & Message, godly wisdom should be sought and we should be careful not to slide into either legalism or an abuse of our freedom in Christ.
