by KeithE » Mon Aug 05, 2019 7:28 am
IMO, until the strongly held belief in inerrancy is relinquished, the sporadic fragmentation (of not just the SBC but of Christendom) will continue. Each side will find their passages to concentrate on and get all self-righteous, creedal and yes Pharisaic about.
The Founders no doubt rely on Romans 9, and selected other passages while more “general" Baptists rely on John 3:16 and the general tenor of Christ’s and Paul’s teaching of salvific choice.
The Spirit is strong and clear enough to guide us through disparate strands resident in the bible itself (if you are honest reading w/o the constraint of inerrancy). And we should be tolerant enough (avoid judgmental attitudes and especially words) to live with various residual expressions of the Spirit when it comes to actions/doctrinal stances (if you disagree after prayer in some given action/belief of someone else, just let them do it or believe it and do not divide Christendom anymore).
The Founders are also bothered by the various equal rights for (x, y, z) movements in our culture which they regard as extra biblical. At least that is what they brought up in their public statements. But the ministry of Jesus to the marginalized as well Paul’s 1 Cor 13 and Gal 3:28 point to the love and equal rights of all peoples (x,y,z).
Until the Spirit of God and love of all people (including immigrants, various races, various religions, liberals, conservatives, LBGTQs ...) rules, the divisions will continue. Trump and Ascol are not helping.
Please accept my “IMO" at the beginning of this as a note of willingness to accept the beliefs/actions of more conservative brothers and sisters. But I’d like to air my beliefs as well - I believe them to be inline with Jesus’s repeated "Woe to you Pharisee”. I believe Jesus was lovingly trying to change their attitudes. I am doing the same w/o much prospect of success.
Informed by Data.
Driven by the SPIRIT and JESUS’s Example.
Promoting the Kingdom of GOD on Earth.