Letters to the Editor

Published February 2, 2006

Letters to the Editor may not reflect the views or opinions of the Witness. Letters may be mailed, faxed or submitted using our online form. Only letters marked clearly for publication, signed with address will be considered for use. Letters are subject to editing. Please limit letters to 250 words.

IMB

What is at stake

I appreciate the story concerning IMB trustee Wade Burleson and the board's decision to seek his removal. I believe this event may have great impact on Southern Baptist life for years to come.

As a young, conservative SBC minister interested in the future of our great Convention, I am both alarmed and disturbed by these actions and fear the new policies are far too restrictive in terms of Baptist doctrine and Scripture interpretation.

While the policy changes and the vote to remove Burleson distress me, I realize there is something larger at stake - larger than IMB policy, Burleson, or my opinion. At stake remains the Word of God. My greatest concern is that we will once again replace it with the opinion of man - a battle our convention has won. On one side remain those who refuse to recognize the authority of Scripture and live within the confines of those boundaries. On the other side, equally as dangerous, are those who insist on tightening the boundaries, narrowing the parameters, and limiting believers until no room remains in which to live agreeably.

I urge IMB trustees to provide the Convention with specific evidence of Burleson's "broken trust" and "resistance to accountability" and further implore them to explain why these infractions stand as grounds for dismissal. Until such time, I call Southern Baptists to pray, to educate themselves on these matters (www.kerussocharis.blogspot.com), and to share their opinions with IMB trustees. Then, join us in Greensboro to vote their conscience as Southern Baptists have been doing for generations.

Rick Garret
Hazlehurst, GA

END OF THE SPEAR

Thanks

Thank you and Kelly Boggs for publishing the article "'End of the Spear' presents a dilemma."

I have been reading various Christian websites in response to the Chad Allen dilemma. I have been unsure how to respond myself. I was hoping that Allen's promotion of the movie would bring gay men and women to the movie and witness Christ's incredible love. However, I, too, am disturbed by the fact that Chad Allen is a gay activist. It is his goal to promote homosexuality as normal.

What disturbs me more is discovering from Boggs, that Allen is coming out with the production of "Save Me." It tears me up inside. I am ex-homosexual and do believe Jesus Christ can transform the soul. It grieves me that us "ex's" are viciously being attacked. We are under attack by major medical authorities and education groups, even though evidence supports that homosexuality is nothing more than a broken condition, like alcoholism. And like alcoholism, it takes major time and changes for transformation. Yes, there are those who have not been changed who sought change, just like many who are alcoholics who have not changed. But it does not negate the truth that "with God all things are possible."

Thank you for the article.

NAME WITHHELD
Oak Park, Mich.

Plank in the eye

In response to Kelly Bogg's "'End of the Spear' presents a dilemma," I would like to point out some thoughts that the Lord reminded me of after finding out about Chad Allen being cast as Nate Saint.

As a result of looking so forward to a great family movie, I admit that I was disappointed to find out a well-known homosexual was cast in this admirable movie. And then my husband remarked how impressive it would be if Chad Allen was drawn to Christ and consequently born-again, as a result of this fantastic, true story about these martyred missionaries. I was so ashamed of yet another plank removal from my eye.

In my time with the Lord this morning, I was drawn to my Praying God's Word by Beth Moore and read some commentary that I normally don't turn to. Beth brought out that "this subject (homosexuality) is still so tragically taboo in our churches...God wants us to speak freedom from our pulpits to every kind of captive - not just the socially acceptable ones."

The Word of God says in John 13:35, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." I pray Chad Allen sees his need for Jesus, and that God will use his testimony to draw other homosexuals to Jesus. I dare to say those martyred, Ecuadorian missionaries, would have never dreamed how far the Lord's ministry will have reached. May the Almighty receive all the glory!

Dee Dee Thornton
Fernandina Beach

Links of Interest

How to become a Christian

Archive | About Us | Contact Us | Subscribe | Advertise