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John Yeats Editor, Baptist Messenger 3800 N. May Oklahoma City, OK
Dear Editor: I read with interest the “Oklahoman’s responses affirm BF & M report.” Of course, they all sang the same tune. The Baptist Messenger is not known for printing more than one viewpoint. One respondent admitted that “once again the world (will) roll its eyes and shake its head at Southern Baptists” for including the biblical admonition against women serving in the role of pastor. Another commends the committee for insuring that our standards of faith and practice are “qualified by Scripture,” while admitting that this will “cause concern in the hearts of those who do not accept the veracity and authority of Scripture.” Another wrote that the revised articles are “anchored in the clear teaching of the Word, first and foremost.” He continued, “Undoubtedly, there will be nay-sayers. Yet, they will have to deny historic Baptist beliefs and, most of all, clear scriptural teachings.” Does this mean that H. H. Hobbs and his committee that framed the l963 BF & M statement were not acquainted with “historic Baptist beliefs” and did not follow “the clear teachings of the Word”? The above statements bother me at two points. First of all, they imply that “good Baptists” will not question or disagree with the committee report. I remember a time when messengers felt free to amend, change and even improve committee reports on the convention floor. I predict this report will be adopted unchallenged. Secondly, they imply that anyone who disagrees with the committee report would have “to deny historic Baptist beliefs” and, most of all, “deny the veracity and authority of Scripture.” This is true even though the new report does not include the following statement found in the preamble of the l963 statement: “Baptists emphasize the soul’s competency before God, freedom in religion and the priesthood of the believer.” All this is true to the fundamentalist approach. One either agrees with the decisions handed down from the top or, as a consequence, is attacked, maligned or misrepresented as “not believing the Bible”.
Lavonn D. Brown Norman,OK May 28, 2000 |
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Online since April 7, 1999
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