Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Endorsements, Part Next
I endorse the motion to adopt the Executive Committee's statement on The Baptist Faith & Message as the statement of the convention. Although I respectfully disagree with Dr. Chapman's interpretation of this statement, as I also disagree with Wade Burleson's interpretation, I see nothing wrong whatsoever with the actual text of the statement itself.
Our confession of faith is a sufficient guide for our trustees. It is not the only sufficient guide. The Bible is also a sufficient guide. Trustess ought to and must consult The Baptist Faith & Message before making any doctrinal guidelines. I have no problem with the text of this statement, and I wholeheartedly endorse its adoption as expressive of the sentiments of the convention.
Bart,
ReplyDeleteIf I read this proposition correctly, would it not be likely that Wade, David and others who do not affirm the BFM, can and will be dismissed from employment from SBC agencies?
Ron P.
Ron,
ReplyDeleteNo. The statement simply expresses the opinion of the convention that trustees should be guided by the BF&M when setting their policies and practices.
Shucks. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this passed.
Ron: BTW they do affirm the BFM.
ReplyDeleteBrother Bart,
ReplyDeleteDid this pass?
Blessings,
Tim
Debbie, David adds a caveat to his "agreement" with the BF&M. That isn't affirmation.
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteNeither David nor Wade affirm the BFM. It is not affirmation if it is not accepted in it's entirety. This confession (all of it) is what we as Southern Baptist believe is "essential" (to quote the preamble of the BFM). This has been affirmed by the messengers tonight.
Please do not misunderstand, I do not hold it against them if they have theological issues and/or disagreements with the BFM. I absolutely uphold and will defend their right to disagree with it. But not while employeed by the SBC nor as a Trustee of an agency of the SBC that requires affirmation of the BFM. I will also uphold and defend the right of Southern Baptists to expect those we hire and those we elect as Trustees to agree with the BFM:
"We are not embarrassed to state before the world that THESE ARE THE DOCTRINES WE HOLD PRECIOUS AND AS ESSENTIAL to the Baptist tradition of faith and practice" (Emphasis mine).
Ron P.