That’s a good point. It is easy to write an editorial in an office and a position altogether removed from the real life experiences of those whose ministries are attacked and character maligned because of the mass mischaracterization ongoing today. That is what prompted the start of Strange BaptistFire. We were regularly hearing first-hand reports of godly men getting fired or forced out of churches with the help of propaganda like BaptistFire (now defunct) and other unhelpful sources (such as Dave Hunt and Fisher Humphreys). I pray that your “live” situation turns out for the good of the church and glory of God.

However, as I read the phrase you wrote ” a stage upon which the pride and wisdom of man dances freely.” I wondered, “Did penning that creative turn of a phrase fill his chest with pride?” Now you might respond, “How can you judge me so?” ,when that is exactly what you have done to those who have posted before your comment without inquiring as to whether this is the case or not.

Although a couple of folks have responded that they may have had less than pure motives, or would be more diligent in the future with basing their comments on pure motives, I resent the broad brush you painted the “Several ” who posted before yours. Why not be specific with the “proud and wise dancers” who have cockily strutted back to the corner as you so eloquently perceived? Why not ask, “Mike or ____or_____, did you really mean this ……?”, instead of, in a medium that is limited when it comes to communicating nuances (maybe I’m the one that is limited), you taint everyone who posted before you, intentionally or not.

Since you have perceived some as “exuding sarcasm and arrogance”, I want to give you the opportunity to see if you were correct in your assessment of my comment, perchance I was included in the “several”. The sole purpose of my post was to confirm (though he really didn’t need it) Tim’s able assessment of Norman Jameson as someone who, by practice has a low view of scripture. The article I cited in my post was about Broadway Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, TX delaying until next year, a decision on whether to allow portraits of gay couples to appear in the church directory. Seems some members were “worried that allowing the photographs would be viewed as an endorsement of homosexuality by the congregation”. Norman, a former member of Broadway, was quoted in the article as referring to homosexuality “is at the top of the list of issues that makes us break out into hives.” Norman’s final comment was “The Baptist dilemma is to love the sinner and hate the sin. We are all sinners. So how do you love him or her without condoning their behavior?” This last statement signifies not only a one dimensional view of God (God is Love), but a low view of the sufficiency of scripture in dealing with members guilty of practicing sexual sin as laid out in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

When the alleged sheep is put outside the sheep pen, if he is truly a sheep, he will want back in with his own kind. If he is happy outside, chances are he is a goat and not a sheep in the first place. Know you not that a little leaven, leavens the whole lump? What is wrong with showing some Biblical tough love for the ultimate good of the Body of Christ?

Was my motive to punch Norman in the eye? No, he has ably done that himself. Was my motive to condemn him for loving sinners no matter what the sin? No, we should. It was to affirm my brother Timmy in his correct assessment of Norman and to give testimony to the pattern of low esteem Norman seems to have for scripture, not because I or anyone else who posts here is insecure and needs someone to agree with them.

My referring to Not being a proud Texas Baptist was a tongue in cheek reference to Texans always being proud about something. However, I’m afraid the BGCT is on the road to becoming, as Spurgeon referred to his own Baptist Union, “not a Christian Union but were confederacies of evil ” with their low view of scripture and tolerance of the ongoing practice of sinful lifestyles in the church which is a cause for shame and not pride.

Finally, I can’t speak for everyone else, but as for myself, I don’t care about winning arguments as much as I care about my being represented accurately. Most any believer in the doctrines of grace understands the Armenian argument because as Spurgeon stated “We all are by nature Armenian”, while few Armenians can clearly or acurately state the reformed doctrines of grace without going hyper, automatically assuming you have no zeal to evangelize or misstating the classic “positive/negative” schema of election.

Don’t misrepresent ( I do that very well myself)me and don’t misjudge my motives! Just in case you had me in mind! Ruff LOL

I remember when the Associated Baptist Press (ABP) was writing about Calvinism last year, speaking of it in similar negative terms. Ironically, while the CBF is against Calvinism, they are also against narrowing the “tent” which means they appear to be (albeit implicitly) for Calvinism in that regards.

I am learning of the residual influence of the CBF, especially in the state conventions and papers. From what I understand, Mr. Jameson is a newly appointed editor of the Biblical Recorder which is all the more disconcerting given his strong affinity to the CBF.

I agree with much of what you write. It is clear from your words and the time you have taken to respond to my questions at length, that your heart is in the right place. Thank you for your gentle spirit and desire for unity among Southern Baptist of all strips… it is both refreshing and encouraging to me.

When I ask the question of who was the aggressor in all this? I was not speaking of Timmy or Jamesonian, but of the Calvinist and the Anti-Calvinist camps within the SBC. Perhaps my perspective of who is the aggressor in this running battle is prejudiced on being in the (often battered and bruised) Calvinist camp, but time and time again I see Calvinist throughout the SBC forced to defend themselves against the attacks of the Anti-Calvinist. Time and time again I see the Anti-Calvinist throwing verbal grenades at the Calvinist of the SBC and “No One” but the bloggers ever say anything about it.

Who in the SBC is going to rebuke the editor of a State Paper for their ungracious misrepresentation of Calvinism and their attempts to discredit such noble efforts as the Building Bridges Conference? Will the X-Com tell these guys to cut it out? Will the BOT of the IMB or NAMB say this is unacceptable? Will the Baptist Press write a rebuttal? Will our Seminary Presidents go on record saying “Hey guys you have the right not to be a 5 point Calvinist, but you are crossing the line when you attack other Southern Baptist for believing in these Historic Baptist Doctrines. I will be listening… but I will not be holding my breath waiting for these rebukes.

Also, I really do not see any Calvinist attacking Non-Calvinist within the SBC… there certainly are no Calvinist within the SBC who have a platform like a State Paper from which to launch such attacks. Every single Calvinist I know simply desires peace, unity, and the right to fully participate in the life of our Convention.

Anyway John, I hear what you are saying… it has not fallen upon deaf ears… I am one blogger who will try and be more gracious in my defense of my faith, even when the other guy is not being gracious. And for this I am thankful for your gentle rebuke.

Thank you my brother, and rich blessings…

Your post highlight one reason why I, as a GA Baptist Messenger this year, voted “no” on the blogging resolution.

Why not a resolution for all types of communication including the pulpit national and otherwise?

Thanks,
Mark

p.s. I finally got hosting for my site and it certainly is a different animal.

I had no intention of exhibiting sarcasm or arrogance — and if I did, I am sorry to all — Timmy, Jameson, and anyone else who read my comments.

Just another example of why we are in so desperate need of grace, I suppose.