Archive for Dissent
Harmony…Unity…Fellowship in the SBC
Posted by: | CommentsA conversation I had the other night, a good and productive conversation, got me to thinking about something. It got me to thinking about disagreements on doctrines in the Bible. And, I just wanted to let all of you know that I believe that it’s okay to disagree on minor issues; on the finer points of theology. In fact, I’d bet you a Krispy Kreme doughnut that none of us, Baptists, agree on every point of doctrine and theology, and that’s okay. We don’t have to agree on every jot and tittle. We can still love each other, and worship together, and fellowship with each other, and serve God together; even if we disagree on the minor, finer points of theology.
Now, on the main things, we must agree. On the main truths of the Bible, we must believe the same. On those things that are clearly spelled out in the Bible, there must be conformity. We must all surrender and yield our hearts and minds to the foundational truths of the Christian faith. We must all believe the fundamentals of the faith. Things like the virgin birth; the atoning death of Jesus; salvation by grace thru faith; the Trinity of God; etc. These are the things that would mean whether we’re even truly a Christian, or not. If someone denied the foundational truths of Christianity, then I wouldn’t even consider them to be a true Believer. But, those people that do hold to the main doctrines of the faith, I call my brother, or sister in Christ; even though they may not be Southern Baptist.
And, as Baptists, we must agree to the doctrinal distinctives which we hold dear; that we believe the Bible clearly teaches; in order to really be considered a Baptist Church. There are things that we must believe; doctrines that make us a Baptist Church. Theology that makes us a Baptist kind of Christian. Things like Believers baptism by immersion; the Lord’s Supper being a symbolic act; once saved, always saved; congregational polity, or governance; etc. If a Church can’t even agree to the BFM2K, is it really a Baptist Church? Is it really a Church that holds to what we consider to be the clear teachings of the Bible? that holds to the doctrines that would make us consider them a good, sound church? I would contend that churches must…in the least…hold to the BFM2K, in order to considered a cooperatiing, Southern Baptist Church.
But, on many, many other things, we can disagree on them all day long; and still worship and serve God together. My friends, there are many, many, finer points of doctrine that we can not see eye to eye on, and it’s okay. We can just have fun trying to convince the other fella that we’re right! Lol. But, these minor things should not cause separation, nor should they cause us to divide. They should not cause strife, nor should they be the source of contention. On the finer points of the major doctrines, we should allow for freedom; even while not agreeing with the other person. Amen? Amen!
A Day of Mourning for Our Nation
Posted by: | CommentsYesterday should be known as a day that our country took a huge step down. In fact, it should be known as a day that our nation fell down into a deep pit. That deep pit’s name is socialism. Today should be declared a day of mourning for our country. May God have mercy on all of us, and especially on our children, who will have to deal with this far more than we will. I never thought I’d see the day that our country would do something like this. If you can’t tell, I’m very deeply concerned; more concerned than I’ve ever been. At the same time, I know that God is still on His throne. He is still God no matter what our government leaders do to hurt and destroy our country. And, I know that my Heavenly home is waiting on me, and on all true Believers. So, I’m not depressed, nor am I in despair. But, concerned? Yes.
We need to pray for our nation. We need to pray for God to watch over us. We need to ask God to give our national leaders some good sense and wisdom. And, we need to look to God for our strength. Also, in November, we need to remember who it was that tried to lead our country into socialism and bankruptcy. At the next Presidential election, we all need to remember who it was that caused our nation to take such a drastic step in the wrong direction. We need to remember who these people were who wanted our tax dollars to fund abortions. We need to remember the ones who wanted our country to make this big change in direction towards socialism, and higher taxes, and more government control over our lives. I will remember. Will you?
Are You Hearing These Questions?
Posted by: | CommentsSome are saying that questions are being asked that are not being answered. The only questions that I have heard asked relate, not to change, but to control. It seems that these questions began back in 2005-06 at the call for change coming from a disgruntled International Mission Board (IMB) trustee. This call and the reaction of some who disagreed with the Conservative Resurgence, but were still in SBC churches, created a perfect storm as the 2006 SBC Convention approached in Greensboro, NC. It was at this convention that many found their voices and some found them so well they began heckling Dr. Vines as he spoke to an issue. Also, it was in this convention that the SBC debated alcohol and some that spoke of their outrage in various gatherings now seem to overlook the consternation they once had. It is within this context that questions of change first began.
One Truth of Scripture?
Posted by: | CommentsSomeone well said;
A minister without boldness is like a smooth file, a knife without an edge, a sentinel that is afraid to let off his gun. Men will be bold in sin, and ministers must be bold to reprove.
How are ministers to reprove sin? Well it is based on Scripture. If a minister were to reprove sin based on society and the norms implemented by society, then ministers would today be approving of homosexual marriages. Oh, wait, we have ministers that are doing that already. Ok, then we would have ministers approving of husbands and wives ending their marriages because they just are not compatible. Oh, wait, we have that also. Ok, then we would have ministers that are approving of killing babies in the womb because it is the mother’s choice whether to be an incubator for nine months. Well, we have that going on also. These three issues are results of society driven decisions that preachers make for no other reason but that it goes against conventional thinking.
Guest Author: Rev. John Mann
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John Mann has been the pastor of
After holding a blue collar job in the secular work force for ten years, I cannot tell you how humbled I was to recognize the calling of God into the ministry one lonely morning at approximately 10 a.m. Having wrestled for numerous months with the Spirit of God, it seemed quite unlikely that God would be calling me to serve his Kingdom as a minister. Nonetheless, upon that morning when time stood still, in one harrowing moment I worked up the courage to say, “Lord, here am I, send me.”
To make a long story short, I was encouraged to at least consider going to Southwestern Seminary for a tour of the campus. Quite overwhelmed and perplexed by the course of events, some 18 months later, my wife, two kids, and myself “sold it all” to follow what we believed to be the will of God. That was seven years ago. Now, I am but a few classes away from completing an Advanced Master’s of Divinity degree, something that was beyond my wildest imagination in the summer of 2000 when we abandoned all for the sake of obedience.
Entering SWBTS with nothing more than a high school diploma meant that I would have to pursue a Diploma in Theology. The years have come and gone far too quickly as I have wrestled late into the night with such subjects as Apologetics, Philosophy of Religion, Pneumatology, and so forth.
Those seven years have also provided me with any number of experiences, both positive and negative. I have known seminary couples who have divorced and I have seen many meet the love of their lives. I have said “goodbye” to as many friends as I have met. I have been confronted with ideas that were more liberal than my own, and a few that were more conservative than my own. Both have been beneficial, either to correct my own wrong thinking or teaching me to defend my right thinking. I have been on the receiving end of financial gifts from concerned administrators and have helped many international students learn how to set up a bank account or change a battery in their car. I have had Paige Patterson as a professor, and Ben Cole as a grader. Both have made unforgettable impressions for different reasons. Read More→
Interview with Dr. Mac Brunson
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Tim Rogers visited on Tuesday with Dr. Mac Brunson, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and host of the annual Pastor’s Conference there.
They visited about a number of topics, from Dr. Patterson’s taste in music to the blogs that have sprung up specifically to attack church leadership.
This interview lasts much longer than the others at over twenty-six minutes, but if you know Tim, you understand.
Standard Podcast [26:24m]: Baptist Dissent
Posted by: | CommentsThere are two vivid memories that I have from growing up and the lessons learned from these memories have shaped me in a huge way. The first memory I want to share with you is one about relationship.
I had some friends that were, shall I say, always doing things in expressive ways. Sometimes these ways were harmless and other times they were bordering on vandalism. One particular instance of the latter involved the open expression using paint cans and the outside brick wall of the science lab. It seems that we were out doing nothing that we would want our parents to know about, and one of my friends painted some derogatory remarks concerning our principal. We were caught and punished for the event.
My Daddy expressed to me his desire for me to “come clean” to him concerning this event. The reason? He knew this principal had helped me in the past over some issues that I was struggling with. He could not believe that I felt the way the words expressed about the principal. I came clean with him and he then encouraged me to visit the principal and come clean with him. I refused to do that. The reason? I would betray my friend, I felt. I suffered the consequences of the painting and I also suffered the consequences of refusing to do what Daddy told me to do. But I kept my friend, at least until I got saved. Then he deserted me. To this day that principal believes I felt the way that my friend did. Why? Because I never came out and said differently.
The second memory is of one concerning my family. It seems that there was this girl that I was dating that desired to break up with me. She did break up with me but then set her sights on my brother. He started to go out with her this began a disagreement between us that you would not believe. When my brother and I were younger we would literally throw fists and fight all over the house. This did not really hurt when you were 9 & 7, but when I was 18 and he was 17 these fists caused damage. Daddy finally set us down to help us see that when someone from outside of our family, who probably would never come into our family, caused a division between us, it was not good. Daddy helped us realize that we were brothers that needed to stick together in a family and not allow someone from outside the family make us have such hard feelings toward each other. He was right because within two weeks of this family gathering that we had, the girl broke up with my brother and to this day I do not know where she is.
These two life situations instilled two very distinct and strongly-held convictions within me. The first situation taught me that when I am a part of something that is not right, I need to make certain that my thoughts are not the same as those I am with. The second situation taught me that anytime I disagree with my family, it should not be increased by someone from outside of the family egging on the disagreement. Read More→
Dissent, Religious Liberty, and Dr. Bart Barber
Posted by: | CommentsRecently Dr. Bart Barber posted an article on his blog Praisegod Barebones that dealt with dissent and religious liberty. Baptist are living in a time where influences from the world are becoming prevalent in our conversations. One such area is the repackaging and redefining of Baptist historical theology in the way of terms and identity. Below, Dr. Barber has presented a correction to the unfortunate twisting of dissent and religious liberty as Baptists see it.
The idea of dissent as a virtue—whether a Baptist virtue or otherwise—is among the most nonsensical theories promulgated among mankind.
Dissent is neither a virtue nor a vice, so far as its intrinsic properties go. Dissenting to pay your taxes is generally a vice. Dissenting to participate in a plot to assassinate the President is generally a virtue. The act of dissenting, in and of itself, is neither noble nor vile—’tis all in the subject matter of one’s dissent.
Dissent is a part of the Baptist story, but dissent is not a distinctive of Baptist identity (or if it is, it has often been a part of the darker side of our identity). Where dissent is laudatory in Baptist life, it is because Baptists were willing to take unflinching stands on matters that other people saw differently or deemed tertiary.
Although dissent is not a Baptist distinctive, religious liberty is. Baptists are a people committed to religious liberty for all people. What is religious liberty? It is important to know, for false versions of this principle are seemingly omnipresent. Religious liberty is the conviction that the temporal sword ought not to be employed in strictly spiritual matters. So, unless it has to do with policemen, armed troops, vigilante mobs, judicial rulings, or legislative dictates, it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the Baptist principle of religious liberty.
Indeed, it was the conviction of our Baptist forebears that churches and associations had the obligation to govern their own affairs according to their doctrinal convictions. It was precisely because they wanted to be more strict WITHIN their own churches that they wanted the government to be less strict—nay, uninvolved altogether—in governing their churches from without. Those who made scruples over baptism and regenerate church membership, believing in a more restrictive purity in church membership were the Baptist objects of state-sponsored persecution. Religious liberty enabled Baptists to form congregations composed only of those who did not dissent from their pursuit of obedience to Christ’s commands.
Certainly there is not the slightest scintilla of biblical witness for dissent as virtue. There are, however, volumes of evidence for the idea that the temporal sword ought not to be wielded in spiritual matters. There are two realms, typified by Roger Williams’s idea of the “Two Tables of the Law.” The Baptist position is not that spiritual matters ought not to be governed, but simply that the state has not the authority to govern them. Rather, that authority belongs solely to the church. The effect of course, is that every individual has liberty—if one differs with the governing decisions of one’s church, one can leave it and join with (or even form) another church more to one’s liking, and the church cannot invoke the powers of the state to stop it. Our commitment to religious liberty means that we believe it is the obligation of the government not to punish dissent over matters strictly dealing with one’s relationship with God.
Yet the biblical model is a church strictly and powerfully governed. I almost mentioned this in my earlier post about the death penalty—the early church not only wasn’t opposed to the death penalty, but they also executed it themselves. But please note, they did it by exercise of the spiritual sword—the power of God—and not by the power of the government. The church that slays people for discrepancies in their contribution statements bears absolutely no resemblance to these modern-day coffee klatches so careful to tiptoe around matters that God has declared but people have relegated to tertiary status, but it also resembles not at all the church so spiritually weak that it must call upon soldiers or policemen to do its fighting for it.
I’m thankful for the Baptist commitment to religious liberty. It reminds the government not to presume to take up authority that belongs to God alone. It reminds the church not to trust in chariots or horses. Let’s not mutilate it into yet another postmodern exaltation of “diversity” over substance. We belong neither to pre-modern society, modern society, nor post-modern society. We are citizens of Heaven, and once we arrive there, dissent will be entirely a thing of our past. Thank you, Lord.
