Letters to the editor: 09/12/02

Association has 'suffered irreparable damage'

To the Editor:

I am concerned about some of the issues my Baptist friends will be asked to discuss at the annual meeting. For example, did you know that the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message deletes the statement in the 1963 version which says the criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ? Or that the 1963 version was approved only after the inclusion of a preamble, which stated that the statements were not to be used to hamper freedom of thought?

I believe the Bible; however, it did not save me. For me, giving more authority to the Word instead of the author of the Word would be a violation of the first commandment. Paul wrote that there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free, male nor female; for we are all one in Christ Jesus. I serve a sovereign God who in His infinite wisdom and power does not have to consult me nor have my approval of people whom He calls to do His work. Neither am I to judge (Matt. 7:1-2).

However, I am to love. Jesus tells us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves. He also says that we should love one another as He has loved us. Does the way some of our churches and their members have been treated in the last few months show that kind of love?

At the last Executive Committee meeting I attended as treasurer after 15 plus years of service, I told the group that from my observation, Baptists had rather fight over things on which they disagree than to focus an things on which they do agree. When this happens, it damages or destroys our witness, and our friends, neighbors and their children are dying and going to Hell.

Is God pleased with us when this happens?

I'm afraid our association has already suffered irreparable damage, and that it will never be the strong voice for God that it has been for the last 173 years.

I know some of you will not agree with me. That is your right, and I would fight to defend it. Thank God for the freedom we have to disagree and still be brothers and sisters in Christ!

Sincerely,

Jesse Flake

Cullowhee

Remembering 9-11

To the Editor:

Courage, strength and hope are the steel of "...one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Let us ever be mindful of this as we observe the anniversary of Sept. 11.

Pray for our nation.

Annette Shelton

Cullowhee

Letters to the editor: 09/12/02

Association has 'suffered irreparable damage'

To the Editor:

Remembering 9-11

To the Editor:

Back to Archive: 09/12/02.