I just read an article, courtesy of Dr. P., that has me flummoxed. If you want to take a look, click on the link below and then come back. If you don't this post won't make sense. I'm just ranting anyhow. :-(Why should SBC folks in power care how someone prays in PRIVATE? Are they not defenders of what the Bible says, after all? I heard that many times sitting in Sunday School and Training Union as a child, teen, and young adult. These boys, frankly, frighten me.
Last time I checked, I Cor. 14:39 still said, "Do not forbid speaking in tongues."
Apparently Paige Patterson doesn't want any Southern Baptists to have the opportunity to listen to any sermon that might disagree with what other Southern Baptists think--or maybe just what he thinks. But I see that, thankfully, some others are taking a stand for freedom of expression. Lord, strengthen and help them and remind them of what Church really is.
Whatever! Thank God that some of those "disenfranchised Baptists" are speaking up...Uh oh, hopefully only in English, even in private.
Harrruuummmmph!
Whatever! Thank God that some of those "disenfranchised Baptists" are speaking up...Uh oh, hopefully only in English, even in private.
Harrruuummmmph!
11 comments:
Oooh fancy new blog template.
Hey thanks for this post, the link and especially the Harrruuummmmph!
I have a problem with two of the statements. First one, "Last year, trustees of the SBC's International Mission Board (IMB) voted to disqualify missionary candidates who admit to using a private prayer language." Good grief, as if the world needs fewer missionaries, especially less missionaries that pray. I pray that those who were denied find other groups to go with and don't lose the call God gave them.
Second statement; "Honestly, I have no problem if the board wants to prohibit public speaking in tongues... but to forbid private speaking [in tongues] is a problem." Come one, it is VERY clear in the Bible that public speaking in tongues is a good thing and that it helps unbelievers.
Sheesh, the thought police are next... If you don't agree 100% with everything we teach and say, then you can't belong.
Well, I don't expect Southern Baptists, and many other churches, to suddenly allow public glossalalia. They do not believe it is still normative for today...etc. BUT, to make PRIVATE PRAYER PRACTICE a litmus test of whether one is...sufficiently Baptist enough?...is just over the top.
Recently, I heard someone say that persecution will come and rally those of us who are part of the Body of Christ around the true pole of Christianity - Christ Himself. They predicted that the suffering of persecution would become the litmus test and ultimately remove all the disassociative denomiational divisions and bring unity at a level we are not accustomed to experiencing here in America.
Scary but, I'm inclined to agree. I think it may take this level of shaking to motivate most of us to take care of "the plank in our own eye" instead of giving our attentions to subjects that are the equivalent of sibling rivalry.
And yes, very snazzy new template! I like your poem.
Private prayer should be just that--private! While I think there's an equal danger in the other extreme (churches that require praying in tongues of all those who are baptized), when someone connects one-on-one with God, no-one else should be dictating how that conversation is carried out.
Thanks, Amy, Parson and HB. It And it is scary, but I am inclined to agree as well, sad to say.
KF, that is what bothers me the most. Private...is...private. If the powers that be require statemenst regarding one's private prayer as some sort of litmus test..well, what is next? The Southern Baptists already lost many good professors and missionaries because they could not sign something limiting the role of women...and now this! What is next? I'd tell you what my husband said, but it's a bit risque so I'll skip it. I bet you can guess. Not really funny. :-(
was fun.
I like your redecorating of your blog!
Back in the seventies I attended a Bible study in Raleigh that required that its leaders sign an agreement NOT to speak in tongues or pray in tongues while in a leadership position. I thought we had come farther than that - I guess not. I couldn't agree with that position then and I don't agree with the one you posted either. How sad...
Lillium
http://approachingglory.typepad.com
Lillian, thanks for stopping by.
I don't think I expressed an opinion, except that I am glad some Baptists are standing up to this sort of authoritarianism. I haven't posted an opinion other than that...so not sure to what you are refering? I am not expecting Baptists to become Pentecostals.
Be blessed with joy, peace, hope and love this Christmas. Enjoyed your blog.
Astounding
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