Yet, isn’t it ironic that the only question the Catholic Church asks is, “Were you baptized with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?” You have to provide documentation, of course, but there’s nothing about “what did they believe about predestination, regeneration, and did the pastor’s socks match? Seriously, there comes a point where peoples’ theology starts to insult the work of God.

Of course, it is only like 30 people who voted for this, but still, isn’t the IMB one of the largest missionary agencies in the world? I’m asking… I’m not really sure since I didn’t grow up involved in a Baptist church.

A short version is on the web as “A String of Pearls Unstrung”

I don’t think that SBC’ers think that we’re the only ones doing the Lord’s work. However we’re in the SBC and it is our job to do the Lord’s work for that is the denomination where God put us. Some leaders may have such tunnel vision that they don’t see.

I find it interesting that the whale in London died of dehydration as he was immersed in water. This is what leaders are in danger of doing if they do not take the time to read God’s word for themselves. They are surrounded by the water of God’s word but do not have the time to set aside their responsibilities, sermons, blogs, speeches, funerals, and just read God’s word for what it has to say to them.

I fear in our ever busying world that is what is happening to many of our great leaders. Perhaps that is why many of the greatest Christian works happened when folks were in prison and had time to pray and read God’s word.

From what I’ve read, there is some of that sort of thinking within the SBC. I believe it is a minority view within the convention, but it appears that some of our convention leaders believe this way.

Michael,
Great post. The article is the Baptist Messenger is the only really good writing on this issue that I have seen in any of our Baptist papers.

Like Wade Burleson, I believe these policies are symptomatic of a deeper issue within the SBC—the drawing of more narrow lines of cooperation on the basis of specific interpretations of Scripture passages on which conservatives/inerrantists have long disagreed. There is no passage of Scripture that definitively teaches cessation of tongues. Some conservatives/inerrantists believe that some passages indirectly teach cessationism, but others believe that the Bible says nothing about tongues ceasing as a valid gift. Now only one of these views can be right, but because we don’t have any clear biblical statement one way or the other, we cannot be absolutely certain which view is right. So we agree to disagree without breaking fellowship, and we still work together despite our differing views. But now the IMB trustees have decreed that one must hold to the view of total cessationism in order to serve as an IMB missionary, even though the Bible does not clearly teach this view and the SBC itself has never officially addressed the issue (at least through the BF&M).

Regarding the baptism issue, it seems that Landmarkism has been lurking beneath the surface within SBC circles for several decades, waiting for the right moment to emerge. If I recall correctly, Wade said that one of his fellow IMB trustees told him, “I’m proud to be a Landmarkist.” There is definitely a current of Landmarkism within the SBC, but I’m not sure how widespread it is. I have been engaged in a discussion about baptism with another Kentucky pastor on my blog. He holds to the view that the validity of a baptism is dependent on the theology of the minister or church administering the baptism, which seems to be the position of the IMB Board of Trustees. I reject this view because there is no passage of Scripture that supports it, and I believe that such a view reflects an inaccurate understanding of what baptism is. I am greatly concerned that we as Southern Baptists claim to believe that the Bible is sufficient to guide our faith and practice, but we enact doctrinal policies that have no clear basis in Scripture.

I think it is vital for those who are on the “outside” of this controversy to take our grievances to the One who will discipline and forgive. I’m so thankful that I and my church haven’t received what we deserve for we have made many mistakes. AS the body of Christ, Christ has disciplined us and humbled us. As an important governing body, God will discipline and deal with the IMB board but we must be faithful to pray and ask the Lord to handle it.

Many saints are praying about this issue. The Lord is too mighty and too in charge to turn His head. It is vital that we acknowledge we are helpless and that we humble ourselves and pray for Him to handle it.

Nothing comes from fussing. We must be Christians in word and in deed.

That is what I fear — Christians on both sides will become so enflamed that they will forget how Christ has told us to act.

I speak because I have made more than my share of mistakes in God’s church.

Thank you for the informational article.

I have altered the sentence you pointed out. Thanks very much.

I just reread the post carefully and noted where I said IMB and where I said SBC. I think I made it really really clear that the SBC hasn’t done this, and the IMB has acted way out of step with the SBCs confessions and practice.

If I’ve failed to make that clear, please let me know and I will remove the post.