Thursday, July 19, 2007
Article...
Check THIS ARTICLE out. Britt told me about it. If you've never had a stake in Baptist politics, it will probably put you to sleep. But for those of us who grew up Baptist, and actually don't mind being called Baptist , it is interesting. I fully expect a discussion from Luke, Aaron, and Mark P. (if he's still lingering around,) since they are the last few friends of mine still involved in SBC life.
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I approach this whole issue with strong ties to "both sides," so to speak. On the one hand, I am deeply involved with a seminary that would not be the seminary it is if it weren't for Paige Patterson and Paul Pressler. On the other hand, I think some recent SBC actions (like last year's alcohol resolution) go beyond Scripture and, therefore, represent a liberalization (yes, that's the word I meant to use) of the convention that pulls it away from Scripture's authority. I'm not interested in taking sides. The last thing we need in the SBC is more polarization.
With regard to Ben Cole's resolution, I agree with those who say that it was unclear. I understand what it was aiming for, but the solution Rev. Cole wants is not so simple. I agree with many of the bloggers that the IMB has unwisely attempted to narrow its qualifications for missionaries. But the way to address that problem is not with this resolution. SBC entities HAVE to go beyond the Baptist Faith and Message when they hire and appoint people because the BFM cannot possibly address all the relevant issues. From its founding in 1859, Southern Seminary has always required professors to sign The Abstract of Principles, the very first Southern Baptist doctrinal statement ever written (Southeastern has the same policy). One resolution is not going to sweep away a 150 year policy.
In addition, let's say someone wants to be hired at Southern Seminary who is doctrinally in line with the BFM but who is a cross-dresser. Can Dr. Mohler go outside the parameters of the BFM and decide that this person is not qualified to teach at our seminary for this very legitimate reason? I think he should be able to do that.
I guess what I'm saying is that the SBC entities must operate with wisdom; there is no "one size fits all" resolution that will comprehensively address every possible situation. Wisdom, in turn, requires rigorous attention to Scripture, and that may be what we need more than anything in the SBC.
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