Category archive - Guest author

Missionary Appointment Service

I was planning on spending some time this morning writing a post about last night’s missionary appointment service, but that plan has changed. When I turned on my computer this morning, I found an email from Sharon Bain. Sharon is my 5-year-old daughter’s Sunday school teacher, and she also serves the Frisco Baptist Association as our secretary. She was one of four church members who went with my wife and me to Sunnyvale, and she had attached the following to her email, which I post here with her permission. Enjoy:

While showering early this morning before coming to work I realized something major. I was the unofficial chaperone on the trip to Sunnyvale, Texas to see and hear my first ever Missionary Appointment Service. I was the elder in the van. The van should have made me feel younger since it rattled as much as the yellow bird that took me to school a few years ago. I sat on the back seat again, defying anyone who thought I could not crawl over the wheel hump and through the narrow space to get there. Actually, there was room for three of us to have seats to ourselves and I knew it would be good to stretch out on the way home. Stretching out was good but the van noise and lack of insulation in the flooring and asphalt on the highway did not allow any real sleep. Pastor’s children were spending the night with substitute grandparents so I hollered out, “Are we there yet?” frequently so he and his wife would not miss them too much.

Sunnyvale First Baptist is a very beautiful church. It has everything you would need to make a bunch of Southern Baptists happy; plenty of clean restrooms, comfortable seating, visual aids and because of its arrangement, there were lots of back row seats. A friend of our pastor saved us seats on row nine in the center aisle (that never has happened to me at a Paul McCartney concert). There was a huge choir loft hanging above the lower band level. Flags of the nations where we have missionaries were hung or stood all around the pulpit area. Just pondering that was an awesome thing. Then the choir came in, dressed in their everyday clothes; not the robes you might have expected. They looked and sounded radiant and it was contagious for everyone, even those with voices like mine, not that I heard any like mine. Our musically gifted pastor and his wife were rising on their toes as the choir and congregation sang the same beautiful songs we sing in our little church. But, there was a difference. Everyone was there for a wonderful purpose and that was to witness the appointment and dedication of these 92 special people. They marched in later as couples and singles. They were young and they were old. They were of various colors, heights and weights and walks of life. Some knew as little children that this day would come, and others testified that it had been an emotional struggle for one or both involved. When they introduced themselves in a brief few words some of them cried and some of us did, also. It was a very touching event to witness.

Throughout the evening the choir of 75-100 and we praised God for all that was happening. There were lifted hands sprinkled throughout, as well as many over hearts at special moments individually felt.

We were welcomed by Sunnyvale’s pastor, Charles Wilson, challenged by SBC President Frank Page, updated by Gordon Fort, reported to by John Floyd and charged by IMB president Jerry Rankin. I am not just name-dropping; they were there. An IMB trustee, from Texas of course, led us in a prayer of dedication for the new missionaries. When the missionary altar call was issued, those who went forward were…children and youth. At least, that is who I saw. And, isn’t that the way we should go for God, as little children? I thought of my Sunday School class and wondered if there was a missionary among them. We must pray for that now. That may be what my part is. I will look at them even closer Sunday morning. They all seem to have the loving hearts for it. Maybe someday I will go to a commissioning service for one of them. Would that I could.

After a closing prayer by Bob Dean, Executive Director of Dallas Baptist Association, we loaded back up on the TBC war wagon. I am thankful for our clean, efficient machine and would have been even more thankful 40 years ago when I was in high school. I will not mention that pastor follows less than three car lengths behind other vehicles or a few other things. He got us there and back with lots of technical help and I appreciated him very much.

He asked us what we thought of the service. I could not put all my thoughts together then. I had to wait till this morning in the shower.

Thank you for taking us, Bro. Wes. We love and appreciate you, even if that dude from California does not think so.

Sharon

Guest Author – “The Irenic Reformation of the SBC”

You have probably seen Ron P.’s comments on various blogs. Ron P. attended Criswell College from 1986-1988. He currently works in the IT industry, but has served as an interim pastor, two youth pastorates, and other ministry positions. He is a homeschool father of three sons (of which the second is starting college) and has been married to his wife for over 21 years. Today, he offers the following as a guest author here at Reason for the Hope:

For the past several months, I have been trying to understand the current reform movement by some SBC bloggers. In jest, I have come to call this movement The Irenic Reformation. I became aware of the Baptist blogs with repeated references to bloggers as source material in the religion section of one of our local newspapers. I just assumed it was the online chatter that traditionally was done in person at associational meetings and state and national conventions (not that gossip in person is any better than gossip by blog). I should have been aware of the movement, but I confess, like many, I was inattentive. I realize not all those within this crusade hold to all of the beliefs and practices that are prevalent in this movement. I do not wish to paint all with a broad brush, but it is not easy to ignore what has taken place in the “Baptist blogs”, unless, like me, you have not read them.

Part of the problem I have encountered in this endeavor, is the apparent change in the definition of words. In the computer software industry, this same practice with software standards is called “embrace and extend”, which one particular software monopoly is infamous for. An existing universal standard is taken (embraced) and then subtle undocumented changes to the standard are made (extended). The changes are pushed out, and by default, the change is now the standard, which is now owned by the one making the change. This very same thing is being done with the definitions of words by these so called reformers. History is replete with examples of words that once meant something to only be morphed into something analogous and sometimes disparate. A recent example is the word evangelical. It no longer carries the purpose and intent that it once did, as evidenced by the belief that one in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church can still serve as President of the Evangelical Theological Society. Another example is the word gay no longer really means merry, but something quite different in our culture. I believe that several words are being co-opted in this movement, such as conservative and inerrant. I find it ironic that some of the reformers have to endlessly remind us that they are conservative, just like moderates kept reminding us that they were conservative and inerrantists during the Conservative Resurgence (CR). However, just as it was during the CR, their words and actions betray them. The use of the word irenic has especially been “embraced and extended” in this movement. In essence, Post Modernism is thoroughly embraced. Definitions of words are changed, so that they can “embrace and extend” their version of the truth. You can even call yourself conservative and inerrantist if you want to. For the purpose of this analysis, I am not referring to the definition in the dictionary, as someone wanting to promote peace or reconciliation, but to those within this movement, that quite frankly, are promoting neither.

Being irenic apparently necessitates the acceptance of those that do believe and practice what is being published (and commented by those that are a part of the irenic) on the blogs. These bloggers have chosen, again I state emphatically, CHOSEN, to make their blogs and comments the public persona of this Irenic Reformation. I amassed this incomplete list of beliefs and practices, with website links for you, the reader, to reference. I apologize for the length, as what originally was only 894 words proliferated to this current document. Yet there is so much more out there. The more I researched and read, the more appalled I became. When reading the linked sites, please also read the comments posted by the irenic ones addressed to those that dare disagree or question them. Many times the comments by the irenic ones are much more atrocious than the blog entry itself. Some of the links below are from conservative bloggers that point out the fallacies of their logic (and theology). The number of links that could have been posted is too exhaustive for this work. Since I am relatively new to these blogs, I freely admit that there are probably better links available than what I have provided. Without further adieu, here are some of the beliefs and actions of the Irenic Reformers on full public display:

• • Public vitriolic ad hominem attacks are common place and encouraged. These same attacks against fellow trustees are even more laudable. The highest esteem goes to any attack upon Paige Patterson. See here, here, here, here, here, and here.
  • You get to call anyone who disagrees with you: gnostic, fundamentalist, legalist, or Landmarker. See here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
  • Privately praying ecstatic utterances (but not speaking in tongues) is the new Baptist, non charismatic practice that can not be questioned without being accused of being a cessationist or someone who wants to redefine what a Baptist is. A very flawed (scientifically speaking) survey is used to prop their belief that 50% of SBC pastors believe in PPL. Don’t laugh, they are serious. See here, here, and here. Oh, other new spiritual gifts are to follow: here.
  • The death penalty is morally reprehensible for civilized Christians. See here.
  • Gun control needs to be embraced. See here.
  • Drinking is a great evangelism tool. See here.
  • Ecumenicism is the new inerrancy. See here, and here.
  • It is no one’s business if an SBC church supports the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The church should still be allowed full fellowship with other SBC churches. See here.
  • Baptism – what does it matter? Duh, we are Baptists. See here, here, and here.
  • The pot calling the kettle black winner award: (SBC Blogger Bile): here.
  • Lawsuits and complaints against believers and our institutions, over clearly religious issues, are encouraged and supported, violating both Scripture and the U.S. Constitution. See here, and here.
  • Double entendres that are of a sexual nature attacking women of the non-irenic persuasion is well within the accepted (and defended) behavior of some. See the comment section here.
  • Publicly revealing confidential information about a pastor being called to another church, before the church is first informed, is considered an acceptable practice. Except when it is one of the irenic ones, who happens to be a contributor to said blog. I believe they were correct to NOT leak his move, just hypocritical. It is to their shame that they do not give the same courtesy and honor to a fellow pastor. See here, here, here, here, and here.
  • A Baptist Blog that touts itself as the premier information for Baptist news and information believes that religious concerns should not override their “news” decisions. I thought the Word of God trumped all. Mind you, these are actually pastors making such comments. See here and here.
  • You get to call your blog a bridge and a place of diverse opinions. However, only the irenic opinions are valued. If you don’t like what you read you are told “don’t read it”. How’s that for valuing diverse opinions within the SBC? See here, here, here and here.
  • You can take a “clearly vague” statement that passed at the convention, and then get to claim it says something it does not say. In the same vein, when you incontrovertibly lose an important vote you were pushing, you just listen to the “Sounds of Silence” and ignore the loss and declare that it means nothing. See here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
  • The Baptist Faith and Message is seen as full of tertiary doctrines. Even though we as Southern Baptist clearly have stated that these doctrines are “precious and essential to the Baptist tradition of faith and practice.” See here, here, here, and here.
  • The irenic leaders want the Baptist Faith and Message to be both a minimal doctrinal guide and a maximal guide. The twisted loops of logic that you have to go through to be able to hold to both of these opposite positions (at the same time), is enough to cause the most avid roller coaster enthusiast to say “no mas, no mas”. See here, here, and here.
  • Irenic leaders want to be able to allow those serving an SBC institution to affirm the Baptist Faith and Message with caveats (or be able to affirm any of our historic confessions). How is that affirmation to something that the SBC holds essential to our doctrinal unity? See here and here.
  • You can call yourself and others irenic, but only if they agree with the irenic. What is really priceless: Always being one of the irenic no matter how mean spirited and acrimonious you are. See here, here, here, and here.
  • If you are an irenic one, your comments are logical, thoughtful and scholarly. If you are not one of the irenic, you are just one of the minions of the evil one, blissfully ignorant of your blind stupidity. See here, here, and here.
  • Our missionaries, though financially sponsored and supported by our convention, should only answer to the Lord, which in reality is a push to be accountable to no one. They should not be required to affirm and teach the beliefs that uniquely make one a Southern Baptist Christian. Who are we to tell our missionaries what to teach and preach? See here, and here.
  • A woman’s place is NOT in the home and there should be no support of such biblical archaic beliefs by our institutions of higher learning. Good grief, it’s the 21st Century already! See here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
  • Christian men should not stand up and sacrifice their lives in defense of others, and most especially should not be encouraged to do so by evil men who love guns. It’s everyone for him self. See here.
  • Mohamed, the Qur’an, Mosque, Muslim prayers and Muslim beliefs about their god, can be continued to be held by “completed Muslim Christians”. They can also forsake the assembly of believers. Those teaching this false gospel can serve as SBC missionaries. See here, here, here, here, and here.
  • Paige Patterson MUST be brought down! No matter what the cost, the sacrifice, the effort… Kind of reminds me of Moby Dick by Herman Melville: “I’ll chase him round Good Hope, and round the Horn, and round the Norway Maelstrom, and round perdition’s flames before I give him up!” Also from Moby Dick: “Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee…” Read almost any posts/comments at: Baptist Blogger, click on the Paige Patterson link and read ANY of them. But see these too: here. Actually, read any of the irenic bloggers and note that Outpost is becoming a lead ship in their “whale hunt” of Dr. Patterson.
  • Anything that will help in the attacks on Paige Patterson is a legitimate high value target, including his wife, professors, his dog, or others that agree with him. See here, here, here, here, and here.
  • The ban on women Pastors is/will be something we need to repent of. Though not supported by one of the irenic leaders for personal and cultural reasons, he can not biblically justify the prohibition of women pastors. Women teaching men is OK by him though. I for one do not get that logic. It does seem apparent that the movement will definitely support Woman Pastors. See here and here.
  • Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Bill Mercer, Bill Underwood, Tony Campolo, Marian Wright Edelman and others have organized the National Baptist Covenant (NBC). The organizers alone should give Southern Baptists pause to carefully scrutinize this effort and their motives. Some of the irenic leaders have been invited to participate. See here, here, and here.
  • The NBC, though not officially inviting pro homosexual conventions, do have them serving on committees. But don’t worry; they’ll be at the table in a short time. See here.
  • If leaders of the NBC personally tell an irenic leader that they believe in salvation in Christ alone, oppose abortion, etc. but yet publicly make contrary statements, those that point out the contradiction are denigrated or told that the personal assurance is enough and is to be believed. See here, here, and here.

Once you have immersed yourself in the blogs, certain conclusions are unavoidable:

• • Several of the reformers are anything but irenic (in the dictionary sense of the word).
  • Undermining those in authority is considered acceptable and common place.
  • Gossip is not confined to the local church but is blogged to a lost and dying world.
  • Posting an emoticon (like “:)” or “:D”) makes it OK to be acerbic and invidious while twisting the proverbial knife in the backs of the non-irenic.
  • It appears that animosity towards Dr. Paige Patterson and an aversion to anything for which he is associated is the propellant that fuels some of the irenic.
  • Attacks against a man’s wife (Dr. Patterson) though reprehensible and repugnant, seem to be done with such perverse delight by some of the irenic.
  • These “reformers” are quick to remove the speck in other’s eyes, but do not see the log in their own eyes.

In light of beliefs and practices of the Irenic Reformers, we need to wake up our Baptist brothers and sisters in Christ and sound the clarion call to once again, stand up, get organized and fight for the convention to remain true to God’s Word. This time it is not just the inerrancy of the Word of God that we must defend, but the sufficiency of it as well. We must also defend what we as Baptists have understood what it means to be a Baptist. Who would have thought that Baptists would have to defend biblical baptism within our own convention?

The Irenic Reformation appears to be nothing other than an attempt to undo the CR using technology (blogs and blackberry’s) as a tool, but employing an age old tactic: the politics of personal destruction. If you can not win on the issues, attack any and all who stand in the way. Again, I do not want to paint all with a broad brush, as some who agree with the irenic have been most kind and Christ like in their comments and actions. But some of those same sweet brothers and sisters stand by silently while repeated caustic attacks are made. Those that have been the most vociferous mistakenly believe that if they take down the leader of the CR, the whole resurgence will fall. How naïve of them! Despite their prating, the CR is not tied to any person, though we are most grateful to all who led the battle for the Bible. The CR is the belief in the inerrancy and sufficiency of the Holy Scripture to guide us in all matters, not the one who led it. I must humbly stand in opposition to a movement that would seek to strip Southern Baptists of their historic identity and do it in a manner that is more reminiscent of Absalom and Diotrephes than of Christ, the Apostles, and our Baptist forefathers. Those that have bled and burned for that heritage deserve so much more from us.

Wake up, Stand Firm, and be Vigilant!