Comments

Lke any dictatorship, no criticism allowed

Three Cheers for Wade "Martin Luther" Burleson.

I don't know if trustees censure of Burleson is appropriate, but there can be no doubt, based on their mandate, that the SBC in now credal in nature. No wonder so many in the Convention are now questioning denominational loyalty. It is a sad day for me.

It's amazing that Baptist is so afraid of something God gave the early church to evangelize the world. Poor souls - they really need prayer.

What in the world? It's terrible that a denomination that once was at the forefront of cutting edge, culturally relevant issues, is now dying at an alarming rate.

And we wonder why SBC churches are dying?

A Baptist throughout my childhood, Bible College days and early years of ministry, I continue to be amazed at our attempts at censorship. I'm not saying that I agree or don't agree with the policies at hand. It just scares me anytime we feel the truths we espouse are so weak that they can not stand up to the shared ideas and insights of others. Anytime we restrict a person's ability to share their personal views we tread on thin ice.

The reason they are censoring him is because he betrayed a trust not to reveal what goes on in private meetings.

As for the policy, the things that are advocated are Southern Baptist distinctions. If you take those away and start taking other things away, then what is to distinguish Southern Baptists from other denominations? The trustees have every right to guard the distinctions of their denomination whether anyone agrees with them or not.

Whether they are right or wrong in what they believe is not the question. Throughout the history of the church people believe in different things for different reasons. It's what makes them different from each other, though united in Christ in the essentials of the faith.

When Baptists ban a biblical practice and then bans any discussion about the ban I can see why the denomination is dying and baptisms are drying up. These men seem to be motivated by fear not faith and strong armed tactics not love.

A friend recently told me that his Baptist Church refused to allow people to meet in their homes to study the Bible. The rationale was that someone might be taught wrongly. The history of Baptists is freedom of assembly and freedom to read and study the Bible but recent rulings by Baptist Popes are trying to reverse those traditions.

Southern Baptists are today's Pharisees and religionists. They have forsaken the faith and practices that made them great, and they are on the downward slope with their closed minds and cold hearts.

Jake- You seem to be elevating your Baptist distinctives a little higher than they ought to be - plus, what you call distinctives, others say shouldn't exist in a true Baptist organization. Further, the issue absolutely is whether or not they are wrong. That statement of yours is just a common tactic to avoid the true issue.

Gary, I couldn't agree with you more. SOUTHERN Baptists especially, but really, alot of mainstream Baptists are also Pharisaical

Sorry, I meant to say Jake, the true issue is absolutely about whether or not they are RIGHT or wrong - that should be the discussion and IS in reality, the discussion whether you like it or not. The current leadership is simply afraid of losing their power to those who want to focus less on politics (which unfortunately is also a Baptist distinctive - probably the number one distinctive amongst Southern Baptists) and more on missions and expanding God's Kingdom, and so they must squash dissent. I don't agree much with Burleson or his usual condescending arrogance with which he writes and responds. I also think he is being downright dishonest when he says he has no responsibility over what others say on his site - he absolutely is responsible for others' posts since he allows them to be posted. But I do agree with him on the issue of dissent. We must be able to voice our concerns and have them honestly heard instead of dishonestly dissmissed. And that goes for any context, be it church, convention or secular society.

The ABP reports that the International Mission Board board said Burleson violated two RECENTLY adopted policies barring individual trustees from criticizing actions of the board or reporting on any private conversations between trustees about IMB business.

When I first heard about the IMB's ban on "Private Prayer Languages", my first reaction was "THOUGHT POLICE??". Now I see we have moved out into the physical realm. A agree with RC's post "And we wonder why SBC churches are dying".

Jake, The Southern Baptists are known for their "distinction" alright. I'm just not sure it's the same one as you're talking about. They have lost touch with our culture which is looking for the REAL Jesus, not one with parameters.

As a pastor of an SBC church, I frequently scratch my head at the decisions by the higher ups. There are many positive aspects of being part of the convention but I believe they may be going too far to remain what they consider "doctrinally pure". Distinctives are fine if they can be supported by solid hermeneutics but when there are areas that aren't as clear, I believe the best position is "seek not but forbid not".

While I may not agree with "private prayer languages" being Biblical, I think the bigger issue that was voted on leads to limiting certain doctrinal issues in the Southern Baptists. The IMB is attempting to stifle dissent. We, the members of Southern Baptists (especially those desiring to go into missionary service), deserve to hear what is going on behind closed doors. The bigger issue, I believe stems from Burleson's reformed mindset versus that of the other Armenian-minded trustees. Not all Southern Baptists are as the Pharisees of the Bible as some of you have accused.

Burleson disagreed with the IMB trustees voting on minor doctrinal issues, effectively limiting who can/cannot be missionaries with the IMB. First, an issue like private prayer language. What's next, Calvinism? What Bible you use? Burleson just wanted the public to know what was going on. The way the Trustees went about it was wrong. They should have followed Biblical principles in approaching him first. Instead they want to make an example of him that dissent will not be tolerated among the predominantly Arminian Southern Baptists.

This part about tongues I can agree with. It does no one any good to flaunt their heavenly languages to someone who cannot understand what they're saying, It's showing off or just wrong.

I attended a Church ceremony where everyone in the Church was speaking "in tongues" and its chaos to us who were or are shaky in our faith, Just what Satan likes.

If praying to God privately in one of these tongues, yes, He knows your heart. Others that need your prayer in public do not need to hear speech they cannot understand!

As far as griping about leaks from a "Steering Committee" of Southern Baptist Regents, I whole heartedly disdain actions like these, I do not know the nature of their business whether good or evil.

In these times since Christ came to us we should always be open and honest with each other and simply love each other, God wants honesty and keeping secrets is no way to bring back souls to God's grace. That, is our Primary mission here as Christians. We set examples not preach down someones throat. Pull the moat out of your own Southern Baptist eye, then help those in need of salvation.

Its very simple.

It is interesting to read the gleeful proclamations by some here who are vainly announcing the death of the SBC (count how many mention "dying"). Fortunately, their wishing won't make it so. It appears tragically true again that some who call themselves Christians enjoy shooting our wounded and enormously over-generalizing in the process. It might lead a discerning reader to see, not the heart of Christ in these posts, but the jealousy of those in smaller, perhaps less wealthy and less visible denominations.

This is an internal matter and all involved are brothers in Christ. Ultimately, God will work this to His glory. Some will be humbled. Some will repent and grow. And the SBC will continue to be used to further God's kingdom in a mighty way until He comes again.

Christ-followers will be praying for those involved and for the leadership of the SBC--that God edifies His Church, whatever name it goes by, and that their own churches' scandals be less public and less distracting to those eager not to have to deal with the Word.

I support the decision taken by the IMB - based on the IMB's decision to bar new missionary candidates who practice a "private prayer language" or tongues from serving on the mission field.
We MUST stand on the Word of God ... not bend or surrender to political correctness. 2 Timothy 4:2

Pastor Ken says "We MUST stand on the Word of God". I agree. In particular we MUST stand on 1 Corinthians 14:39:

"Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues".

I'm stunned. This is why Baptist has a bad name. Why are the baptist afraid of operating in the gifts of the spirit? The word of God never changes. So what if they pray in private in another language. That has nothing to do with you. That's between God and that person who is praying. There are more important things in the world to worry about this. What about lost souls? What about the homeless? What about housing? Speaking in tongues doesn't determine whether you're going to heaven or hell. Please stop the nonsense and do what God has ordained the church to do. Leave the politics, rituals, etc alone! Baptist ministries are dying because of traditions. Young people are dying spiritually because of traditions. Tradition is man made. You've put God in a box and God is bigger than that! Worship God for who he is! He's almight and all knowing and he knows the heart of his people.