Comments on: Alvin Reid Has a Problem

By: Perry

Perry — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:10:41 +0000

Oh if Southern would also show such leadership and not remain so silent.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:27:16 +0000

I left the SBC seven years ago and have not regretted it one bit. Once you are outside of the convention you begin to see things much more objectively, you realize how unbiblical the convention structure has become and how ridiculous the infighting has become.

By: Dr. Paul Foltz

Dr. Paul Foltz — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:24:55 +0000

Tolerated but not accepted are we who hold to the doctrines of grace. WE DON’T CONDEMN OTHERS WHO DON’T BELIEVE IN THE DOCTRINES, SO why SHOULD THEY CONDEMN US, AND HOLD US IN CONTEMPT/ I WAS ONCE A FREE WILLER, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD TO SHOW ME THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE, IN THE WORD. I HAVE NEVER READ ANYTHING BY JOHN CALVIN.

By: Todd Pruitt

Todd Pruitt — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:54:34 +0000

Timmy

Thanks for posting this. In November I left my Southern Baptist Church to be the teaching pastor of a non-denominational church (with Reformed roots) in the Philadelphia area. It’s the first time I have ever been a part of a non-Southern Baptist church.

I did not leave because I was bitter about the SBC but the fact that I was treated a bit like a less loved step child did not help. The church in Wichita, KS that I pastored for nine years was one of the fastest growing and top giving churches in the Kansas/Nebraska convention. But because I am reformed some of the leadership in our Association treated me with suspicion and in some cases contempt.

I would have been happy to remain at the church in Wichita for the duration of my ministry. It is a wonderful church. God called us to Philadelphia. That is why we left. But it was not hard to leave the SBC for the very things that you have been warning about.

Keep up the good work.

todd

By: Alan Cross

Alan Cross — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:42:38 +0000

Good comments by Alvin Reid. This was the clarion call of the “reform” movement or whatever you want to call it that came together in the blogs a few years ago. I was pretty active in that because I saw the dangers. It was amazing to me, however, how many people did not have the courage to say anything when the issue was ppl and baptism among missionaries with the IMB. I once asked a prominent Calvinist SBCer why he did not speak out against the IMB policies on private prayer language. He said that it was because he didn’t personally agree with it. I told him that was not the point. It is a non-essential that is left alone by the BFM. As long as someone keeps it private and they are not pushing it on others or making it a mark of spiritual maturity or spirit baptism, is it really worth dividing over? Can’t we agree to disagree on some things? I also told him that I was not a 5 point Calvinist but that I would defend tooth and nail his right to co-exist with others in the SBC who did not agree with him. We shouldn’t all have to be Calvinists, but we also should not limit their participation or run them off. It is not worth dividing over.

If we could see all of this as a matter of principle and not just stand up when our particular issue was addressed, we’d be a lot better off.

By: Stones Cry Out - If they keep silent… » Things Heard: e54v5

Stones Cry Out - If they keep silent… » Things Heard: e54v5 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:16:55 +0000

[...] Mr Reid notes a problem with the SBC. [...]

By: mike

mike — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:13:43 +0000

wow, that is an amazing, bold conclusion by reid. i hope it opens many eyes.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:51:07 +0000

You should be the editor of the BP to make sure stuff (horsecrap) like that does not get published. Even though I am a mix between multiple Baptist sectors (SBC and BBF) it is stuff like this that lessons my desire to serve along side with those of us who have baptism nailed down theologically and increases my desire to serve guys who are all about proclaiming the Gospel (Keller, Driscoll, Chandler, etc…)

In the words of Matt Chandler from the meeting in Jacksonville speaking for a whole generation, “You almost lost me.” (And this time you may have)